The best Christmas present ever? Meeting your soulmate. That’s what happened to Rachel and Jonathan, a seriously sweet duo that happened to meet at a Christmas dinner hosted by friends and spent the remainder of their winter heading to Vermont to cross country ski together. If it sounds like a romantic movie, you are correct… and just wait until you lay your eyes on their stunning West Mountain Inn wedding, all captured perfectly by Nicole Baas Photography. Head to THE VAULT to soak it all in.

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From Nicole Baas Photography… I wanted to share this beautiful Vermont wedding filled with soft color, beautiful design, real emotion and a lot of fun.

Rachel and Jonathan make their home in Brooklyn but head to Vermont any chance that they get. Having their wedding in Vermont was a way to share their special place with their friends and family. Everything was beautifully simple and elevated in the most well-designed and thoughtful way. You could tell from the ceremony that Rachel and Jonathan really felt the importance of their wedding day as Jonathan cried watching Rachel walk down the aisle and she burst into tears mid-walk with her father when she saw Jonathan for the first time that day.

From the Bride… Jonathan and I met over a Christmas dinner with friends. We quickly bonded over our love of the outdoors and spent the rest of that winter cross country skiing in southern Vermont every weekend we could manage.

Since that’s where we fell in love, Vermont was the obvious choice for our wedding. The summer months always promise beautiful weather and the mountains are so green and lush. I really had my heart set on doing everything outdoors. The West Mountain Inn was perfect — the property is so beautiful and they have amazing views of the Green Mountains. We held the ceremony in their labyrinth garden with beautiful rolling pastures and mountains as our backdrop. The reception took place on the sprawling lawn next to the barns where we had ample space for a large white tent and plenty of open grass for guests to spread out and enjoy the sunset over the mountains.

I wanted to keep everything for the wedding very simple and romantic. Our flowers were all white and blush but mostly I wanted everything covered in lush greenery to match the scenery. The stand outs were the beautiful garlands our florist put together for the tables and the hanging greenery over the dance floor complete with ivory ribbons and hanging votives. My bridesmaids and I carried beautifully undone bouquets of roses and each girl wore a long blush dress of her own choosing. The guys wore navy blue suits with pink Liberty of London print ties to match the ladies. My dress had a simple silhouette to match the theme but was done in the most beautiful beaded fabric. We were married under an arbor draped with greenery, white hydrangeas, and blush roses in one of the most simple, heartfelt ceremonies I could’ve imagined– we both cried most of the way through it!

Each of our 94 guests were given a small bottle of local maple syrup, tied to which were their escort cards done in beautiful navy blue calligraphy. They traveled from all over the country and we were so grateful to have everyone we love in one place. We had an amazing 8-piece band that was absolutely phenomenal — the dance floor was packed all night and there were audible groans from the crowd when they announced the party was over.

Photography: Nicole Baas Photography | Floral Design: Nancy Bishop | Wedding Dress: Karen Willis Holmes | Cake: Irene's Cakes By Design | Invitations: Rachel Rogers Design | Makeup: Erin Marzilli | Hair: Formal Hair Design By Kerry | Band: Ripcord | Venue: West Mountain Inn

These pics have been favorited and bookmarked… saved for easy access. Why? Because this is exactly what I’d like to do one day for an anniversary shoot of my own. Considering fall is my favorite season, it’s an absolute dream. Natalie Bray’s pictures are bringing me an insane amount of joy this Friday (and in case you were wondering, we’ve seen these cuties before) – so heat up that cup of cider and enjoy the season’s silliness and style in our gallery right this way!

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From Natalie Bray Studios… While in London, we met up with one of our favorite couples (previously featured on SMP’s Front Page!) and took a few photos for their anniversary at one of their favorite places in London, Luxembourg Gardens.

They are the sweetest couple ever and are SO in love. Him with his British accent and her with her genuine smile that would make anyone want to be her friend.

Bo Boutique created a stunning bouquet full of fall foliage that made us want to cuddle with blankets, throw leaves in the air, and skip happily in love.

Photography: Natalie Bray Studios | Floral Design: Bo Boutique

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Photography

Natalie Bray Studios

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Food mavens and culinary masterminds are just a few of the ways to describe these all stars. Ayesha Curry of Food Network fame and Amanda Haas, culinary director of Williams Sonoma joined creative forces with Sunset magazine to bring you the 5 step process to throwing a killer cocktail party. And if we had to add a sixth tip, it would most certainly be don a ridiculously cute skirt. Get the scoop on mastering the art of stress-free cocktailing, plus a tried and true recipe coming up next!

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the Recipe for a Killer Cocktail Party

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Set a schedule

“Draw up a list of tasks and add how much time each will take, so you leave enough time to do everything,” urges Amanda. “On party day, add time to nap.”

Loosen up

“Include a personal touch so people know you’re not taking entertaining too seriously,” says Amanda. Her suggestion: kid-drawn recipe labels or nametags.

Make a mocktail

Ayesha always makes a festive, nonalcoholic sip. “I have kids! And a lot of pregnant friends,” she says. “Substituting the alcohol with a refreshing fruit purée and a touch of fizz makes all the difference.”

Make cooking part of the fun

Get your guests involved in the cooking, like making biscuits, suggests Ayesha. “I like getting people’s hands dirty.”

Deputize a DJ

For music, “delegate to a friend who’s a music fanatic and ask for fun, festive, and upbeat,” says Amanda. “When in doubt … Adele!” adds Ayesha.

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Signature Cocktails for Autumn Affairs

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Signature Cocktails for Autumn Affairs

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Photography: Thomas J. Story for Sunset Magazine | Original Story: Sunset Magazine

Claire Pettibone, the queen of all things romantic, has outdone herself with her latest collection. Truly. Inspired by each of nature’s four seasons, she masterfully mixed floral motifs, touches of color, dramatic backs and feminine details for a collection of gowns so pretty, you’ll want them all. But today, we’re giving you an exclusive sneak peak of sultry and earthy summer dresses, thanks to these gorgeous photos from Judy Pak Photography. See them all and read more about the collection below!

How would you describe the Claire Pettibone bride?

I’ve always felt that your wedding gown should be the ultimate expression of who you are, and a symbol of the woman you will become with this partner by your side. So when trying to describe the “Claire bride” I have no single answer. She is smart, stylish, irreverent, sweet, strong, independent, vulnerable, and everything in between. I am so grateful that my work has found an audience, and the brides who gravitate to it, are such devoted fans! For me, the diversity and variety of my brides is what inspires me season after season.

How did you decide on the Four Seasons Concept?

I had the idea for a collection inspired by the four seasons some time ago, which led me to the illustrations by Alphonse Mucha of the Art Nouveau period. I created dresses inspired by each of nature’s four seasons with lots of floral motifs, touches of color, and as always, dramatic backs and feminine details. Creating four looks to epitomize the season they represent, while maintaining the versatility to be worn by brides for any time of year, was a really fascinating challenge.

What distinguishes one “Season” from the next?

I love that each season has a very defined mood, Spring being all about nature literally blooming and coming to life. Summer is a bit sultry, and earthy. Fall becomes very rich, and introduces elements of color and the whole, turning-of-the-seasons magic. Wrapped up with a peaceful winter wonderland of snow dusted sparkle.

How did you translate each of the four seasons into wedding dresses?

The spring dresses literally bloom from head to toe with delicate floral embroideries, laces and carefully placed appliqués. Cotton embroideries, breezy tulle and linen, composed with sheer details and a bohemian spirit, epitomize the perfect summer mood. For Autumn, I incorporated rich texture, detail and precious metals woven into luxurious embroideries and laces. Elaborate embroideries, layers of lace and tulle, and the subtle shimmer of sequins and crystals are statement pieces for Winter.

What design details did you use to tie the four Seasons together?

Through my years as a designer, there seems to be an inescapable essence that comes through. I think perhaps because I pour my heart into my work, and have always stayed true to my own vision, that whatever that “it” is, gives the seasons a continuity despite the variations on a theme.

Do you have a favorite Season? Why?

In my personal life, I’m a Summer girl without a doubt, but for this collection, it’s REALLY hard to pick a favorite…I have favorite dresses within each season, but I’m hard pressed to choose one over the other. That is partly what made this collection so much fun to design, that each season really does have a distinct point of view, and defined inspiration.

Is there a different bride for every Season? Who is she?

There could be, although I believe a dress from spring could certainly be worn for a fall wedding, and a winter gown could be perfect for a summer soiree. If I had to put it in a nutshell, I would say, Spring is the ultimate romantic, Summer is casual sensuality, Fall would be dramatic and unique, and Winter glamorous show-stopper. I present this collection as an inspirational starting point, and leave it to the creativity and individual personalities of my brides to make these dresses their own.

How did the hair and makeup relate to the dresses for each “Season?”

I wanted to keep the look kind of classically beautiful in keeping with the Art Nouveau references, but then we put a little twist with each season having a signature lip color.

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See Every Gorgeous Gown from the Four Seasons Collection

Claire Pettibone Bridal Week Fall 2017

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Claire Pettibone Bridal Week Fall 2017

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Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Event Design: Type A Society | Floral Design: Max Owens Design | Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone | Shoes: Emmy London | Engagement Ring: Trumpet & Horn | Makeup: Kevyn Aucoin | Hair: Ted Gibson | Mixology: Alchemiq Catering | Programs: T P D Design House | Rentals: Something Vintage Rentals

Blue Hill at Stone Farms has been on my “must visit” list since the day I was first introduced to this foodie haven and the idea of saying “I do” there gets my taste buds buzzing immediately. But add in all the floral beauty created by The Little Glass Slipper and it upgrades to one fabulously rustic wedding wonderland. Tory Williams captured it all – flowers and food – for our gallery right this way!

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From the Bride… Matt and I first met during a night out in downtown Charleston. We were both in college and met through a mutual friend. We talked, danced, and eventually exchanged phone numbers. We had our first date a couple of days later. It was the first and last time that Matt cooked for me. While the meal itself wasn’t quite memorable, this shy, cute, intelligent and sweet boy was. We have had almost seven amazing years together sharing our love for travel, sports and food. We are currently living in Boston until Matt finishes grad school in May of ’16.

The proposal happened on the night of May 8, 2015. We had tickets to go to a concert, “Of Monsters and Men,” in Boston. I was coming from work, running a bit late, so we hurried right into the venue. The night seemed nothing from the ordinary as we casually got dinner and then grabbed a night cap at a local hotel bar. As we decided to call it a night, Matt suggested that we take the elevator down. As we stepped in, Matt pressed the #17 button and dropped on one knee. I think we actually rode up and down a couple of times during the emotion and excitement, but once we finally got out he had a room booked with champagne waiting on ice. It was the best night of my life.

Photography: Tory Williams Photography | Event Planning: The Wedding Library | Floral Design: The Little Glass Slipper | Wedding Dress: Berta | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Calligraphy: Belles Lettres Calligraphy | Lighting: Pegasus Productions | Officiant: Valerie Coleman | Ceremony Music: Devonshire Players | Venue: Blue Hill At Stone Barns | Bride's Hair + Makeup: Jennifer Leigh Beauty | Bridesmaids' Hair: Hair By Brittany | Rentals: Great neck games and productions

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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It was pretty obvious from her bridal shower brunch that Steph of SS LIFE + STYLE’s wedding was going to be incredible. And sure enough, this blogger-turned-bride pulled in all right vendors – Ryan Ray Photography, Melissa Andre Events and Sweet Woodruff, just to name a few – to marry her love, Neal with the celebration of their dreams. Scroll below for a glimpse into their heart behind the day.

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“We chose each other every day since our

first date and 8 years later we walked down the

aisle to choose each other once more.”

-The Bride

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“We believe the meaning of marriage goes beyond a

beautiful wedding, and it is by grace that we were

standing there that day. It was important for us 

to carry this throughout all of our details.”

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“Neal and I had a moment looking around at

everyone having a great time on the dance floor

and so much gratitude came over us.”

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From the Bride…Neal and I met the summer after we graduated high school. We were turning 18, and off in two different directions. He was off to St. Catherine’s to study accounting, and I stayed in the city to pursue a career in fashion. This is the part where most young love fizzles out and they meet someone new, but from the day we met, we knew we were in it for the long haul. We chose each other every day since our first date and 8 years later we walked down the aisle to choose each other once more. Coming from different cultural backgrounds, we had our challenges along the way, but our newfound faith brought us closer and gave us strength to overcome them. We got baptized together, and Neal went above and beyond during a gorgeous sunset in Santorini, Greece last summer, proposing on the rooftop of a church asking me for forever. I delightfully said, “YES!”

Our wedding took place on Sunday July 3, 2016 in a beautiful historic castle called Casa Loma, located in the middle of our city of Toronto, Canada. We thought an evening ceremony would be romantic on the weekend of our first date anniversary. The castle had a beautiful conservatory; with stained church windows gorgeous light poured into, and we knew it would be perfect for our ceremony. Our faith is one of the most important things to us, and we really wanted that to be present on our wedding day. We believe the meaning of marriage goes beyond a beautiful wedding, and it is by grace that we were standing there that day. It was important for us to carry this throughout all of our details. We were married in front of a large white wooden cross my father built for us, which was such a special part of our ceremony. We weren’t married in a church, but we felt the presence of God in that room and having our Pastor officiate, surrounded by all of our family and friends we love so dearly.

Neal and I love the classics, and thought it would be fun to ask our wedding party and all of our guests to dress in black or white. It felt silly at first to give a dress code, but in the end everyone had so much fun with it and the photographs of everyone together looked absolutely gorgeous! It tied in to our black and white palette perfectly.

Neal wore an incredible Tom Ford tuxedo, with our wedding date and his full name stitched inside the jacket. It’s not everyday you get to wear a Tom Ford tux, and he was absolutely beaming from the moment he put it on.

My dress was an adventure! I knew I wanted full-length sleeves and a deep-V scalloped open back. Locating this dress of my dreams I had pinned over and over presented some challenges. That’s when I put my fashion background to use and decided to customize a simple strapless dress I found at a bridal shop in Toronto. I knew it would be original and one of a kind and that made me excited to start the process. Many fittings and customization appointments later, my dress came to life. I was so happy with how it turned out and being able to be apart of the creation, picking out lace, creating the sleeves etc. Was definitely special.

When it came to our bridal party, we just wanted to have our two closest childhood friends up there with us. They have stood by us from the very beginning of our relationship and it was really special to keep it small and intimate, like the rest of our wedding. Our niece and nephews were our flower girl and ring boys – the cutest trio! The Ring Boys wore little tuxedos, and our flower girl dawned a gorgeous flower crown created by Sweet Woodruff and a J. Crew diuponi silk dress with ballet flats.

My maid of honour, Paulina wore a gorgeous Badgley Mischka floor-length gown with a delicate train. I wanted her to have a revealing deep-V back to match my wedding gown, and I love that hers had an oversized bow to punctuate it! It was simple, classic and absolutely elegant. Neal’s Best Man Andrew got a custom tuxedo made tailored to him from Harry Rosen here in Toronto. He also got a custom monogrammed stitching on the inside of his jacket.

We had candles created by Kayla Bombardier for our giveaways customized with a bible verse we included in all of our wedding stationery: We Love Because He First Loved Us 1 JOHN 4:19. We also gave away custom matchboxes in black and white.

After the ceremony, we went out into the garden with our photographer Ryan Ray to capture family photos and our wedding portraits. He was so incredible to work with, his love for people shines through his work. We flew Ryan in from Dallas, Texas and got even more acquainted with him when he did our Newlyweds shoot at home three days before we were married. We weren’t living together at the time, so playing house for the shoot was the best way to get warmed up for wedding weekend!

During our wedding portraits, our guests enjoyed hors d’ouvres and a signature cocktail on the terrace of the castle with a performance by a violinist, which was brought in by our DJ, Bello Sound. Following cocktail hour and portraits, our guests were brought into the Library for the reception to commence. We entered and had our first dance to Justin Timberlake’s “Until The End of Time.” Anyone who knows my husband, knows how much he loves JT. We loved this song from the start of our relationship, so it just seemed perfect for our first dance.

After dinner, we cut our delicious red velvet cake, sipped champagne and made our way to the dance floor for traditional Macedonian dancing, Bollywood jams and all of our favorite old school and current hits. We had the best time dancing with all of our guests. Neal and I had a moment looking around at everyone having a great time on the dance floor and so much gratitude came over us. We are so thankful to this day for everyone involved who came together for us, and loved on us all throughout our relationship and our wedding day, both guests and vendors. We feel immensely blessed and these beautiful photographs will always remind us of how good God is.

Photography: Ryan Ray Photography | Cinematography: Goody Cambay Cinema | Coordination: Melissa Andre Events | Floral Design: Sweet Woodruff | Wedding Dress: Becker's Bridal | Cake: The Wedding Cake Shoppe | Invitations: Paper & Poste | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Badgley Mischka | Makeup: Debbie Sioutis | Hair: Kelly Araujo | Medulla & Co | DJ: Bello Sound | Groom's Attire: Tom Ford | Venue: Casa Loma | Best Man's Attire: Harry Rosen | Bride: Stephanie Sterjovski | Candle Giveaways: Bombardier Designs | Ceremony Cross: Father of Bride | Groom's Shoes: Harry Rosen | Menus + Programs: Minted | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Seating Chart: Post Calligraphy

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Petit Bouquet

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We all want beautiful, natural looking hair color. That’s a universal need, want, gotta have. But figuring out just how to achieve that “I was born this way” look from the comfort of your very own home? Another story completely. Which is why we’re teaming up with the hair geniuses at Clairol to talk all things Nice’n Easy. It’s color that is crazy simple to use and available in a variety of gorgeous shades at Walmart. From masking those pesky grays to seasonal color updates, get the low-down for how to achieve your best color yet below!

Clairol Nice'n Easy

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Clairol Nice'n Easy

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Whether you’re preparing for your next great date night, a walk down the aisle or just want to rock a gorgeous style every. single. day. of the year, Clairol Nice’n Easy is your ticket to a stunning hair refresh. The best part? Finding your natural match is as easy as a flip of those locks with almost every shade imaginable, available at Walmart. And with the money you save, you can go ahead and splurge on that statement bag you’ve been drooling over. So what are you waiting for? This most definitely isn’t your mother’s boxed color, beauties.

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Photography: Jose Villa + KT Merry Photography + Koman Fine Art Photography

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Photography

Jose Villa Photography

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Photography

KT Merry Photography

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Grace Kelly: one name, two words, total elegance. Add in a team of talented vendors and you’ve got yourself absolute wedding day perfection. With The Wildflowers and the helm and Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography capturing every look from Brittany Jones and bloom via Bows and Arrows, we’ve got every gorgeous bit waiting for you to favorite in The Vault!

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From The Wildflowers…With a venue like Bass Performance Hall, any wedding becomes magical. Fort Worth’s opera house-style concert hall is a historic city gem, adorned with angels, intricate domes and windows, and gold accents. To offset the extravagance of Bass Hall, we chose simple but sumptuous styles. The bride’s off-the-shoulder gown had just enough structure to match the strong architecture around her, while still adding a feminine fluidity. Her Old Hollywood hair, shaped into a low sculptural chignon, was a daring yet classic choice. Gorgeous ribbon from FrouFrou Chic and a vintage ring from Trumpet and Horn were perfect touches to complement the antique feel of the venue. And as a final elegant detail, the bride’s hair was adorned with a veil, then a green and cream floral hairpiece.

The light, airy, and impressive interior of the hall was our inspiration for the bright, open blossoms in bouquets and table arrangements created by Bows and Arrows. Chairs and linens in a stark white echoed the stately venue and let the flowers take center stage. Cascading greens crossed tables, and sweet pink florals were a playful and organic contrast to the otherwise proper place settings. For even more visual interest, we chose both taper and pillar candles, as well as minimalist table numbers by Alli K Design that featured whisper-thin floral illustration. Kayla Barker captured all of this in stunning photos that harnessed the sunlight beaming through Bass Hall’s windows.

Photography: Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography | Design + Styling: The Wildflowers | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Wedding Dress: Tatyana Merenyuk | Invitations: Alli K Design | Ring: Trumpet & Horn | Hair + Makeup: Brittany Jones Hair And Makeup | Location: Bass Hall | Model: The Campbell Agency | Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals | Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic | Runner + Scarf: Silk and Willow

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Florals

Bows and Arrows

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You know you’re a fashion blogger when your office chair is the prettiest mix of blush and gold, your heel collection greets guests at the door and your business books include The Little Dictionary of Fashion. It’s all in a days work for Ashley of The Style Editrix. Her newly revamped office space is what walk-in closet dreams are made of. Take a peek inside her blogging HQ with images by Nina Suh.

After blogging from the couch and dining room table at home for the past three years, I am so thrilled to finally have a beautiful office that I can call my own! We bought a new house last year right before we had a baby, and our goal was to turn the guest room into my office.

Since my mom came to stay with us for a few months to help with the baby, my project was delayed, and nothing happens quickly with a new baby at home anyway!

Slowly but surely, for the past few months I have been gathering all of my little knick-knacks that I had accumulated over the years, and started ordering new things, like a desk and chair, to finally create my dream office and work space!

I would describe my office as bright, feminine, luxe and comfortable! I wanted to make use of the white walls and just add a bunch colorful accessories and little gold items. I loved the idea of a white desk and a pink leather chair with a gold base. So chic!

I was also lucky to find Framebridge, who framed all of my art for me to make my gallery wall that I have been dreaming up for years. The prints have been ones I have collected over time knowing I wanted to eventually have a beautiful wall to display all of them on.

The most important thing about having my own beautiful space, is it inspires me to create better and prettier content! Especially now that I have the baby at home (he’s with the nanny when I work), it’s great to be able to shut myself away in my office for a few hours a day and really focus on work and get my creative juices flowing. It is also nice to have a dedicated place to work on my projects and film my videos.

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Peek Inside 40 Real Homes of Our Favorite It Girls

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Peek Inside 40 Real Homes of Our Favorite It Girls

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Photographer: Nina Suh | Book: The Little Dictionary of Fashion | Book: Coco Chanel: An Intimate Life | Candle: J.Crew | Desk Knobs: Anthropologie | Hats: Janessa Leone | Hourglass: Anthropologie | Indigo Pillow: St. Frank | Knitted Pouf: CB2 | Lifestyle Blogger: The Style Editrix | Maison Noir Candle: Voluspa | Pencil Holder: J.Crew | Photo Corkboard: J.Crew | Picture Frames: Framebridge | Pink and Gold Desk Chair: Land of Nod | Pink and Gold Pillow: Anthropologie | Rug: RugsUsa | Snail Mail Letter Opener: Anthropologie | Throw Blanket: Missoni

When these desert sweethearts set out to plan their day, they knew it had to be fun, it had to be colorful, and it had to feel like them. They carried that vision through every detail, including stationery by Beacon Lane and Brit Jones photographed from beginning to end.

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From the Bride… As any newly engaged couple knows, the excitement of the engagement can quickly be overshadowed by the planning phase of the wedding. Jared and I had talked about where we wanted to get married. We both loved the romantic, rustic feel of the Big Bend area, so we knew that Lajitas would be the place to get married, after all, that’s where our story began,

I didn’t have a specific theme in mind when we first started planning. I knew, however, that I wanted to stay true to the beauty and simplicity of the desert surroundings. My mother and I spent countless hours looking on websites and thumbing through magazines to get inspiration. Anyone who knows my Mom knows what I mean when I say we spent hours, days, weeks, searching. Finally it happened, that ONE piece that would bring together the entire event. A simple post card with two donkeys nuzzled up next to one another with a beautiful mountainous desert scene in the background. The postcard was titled, “Desert Sweethearts”. With that in hand, and mind, everything we searched for and planned on from then on, revolved around the colors and scenery of that post card. Planning a wedding is stressful.

Planning a destination wedding can put even the most organized person to the test. Once we had our vision, we knew it was time to enlist the help of some experts. It is the people behind the scenes that help make the big day magical and go off without a hitch. All the little details that bring it all together, the invitations, the photographer, the head organizer, the florist, the baker, the rentals, the food, bartenders, makeup artist, hairdresser, the list goes on. We teamed up with an amazing design and floral team to make our vision come to life…Enter the talented design team of Magic Hour Marfa and Floriography Flowers! This dynamic duo dreamed up all of perfect details…everything was pure perfection. The southwest inspired floral palette included locally harvested blooms and branches like Trumpet vine, honeysuckle, chamisa, palo verde, pomegranate branches along side romantic booms like peonies, ranunculus, garden roses and tulips.

An artisanal welder out of Marfa, TX fabricated the ceremony arch which perfectly framed the majestic mountain vista just across the border. The most beautiful location to say “I do”. Large locally made tables elegantly lined a mesquite post colonnade with hanging floral installations supported by vintage barnwood planks and rustic lanterns that gracefully floated above our heads during dinner. The tablescapes were elegant and colorful with a nod to the romantic desert our guest were dining in. Terra cotta chargers and turquoise napkins perfectly complimented the sarape-esque table runners. There was a huge stage backdrop with thoughtfully incorporated items our family had been collecting through our travels across Texas like vintage lanterns, cow skulls, rugs and Mexican blankets. Floriography incorporated locally harvested flora like prickly pear cactus, pomegranates, chamisa and cholla cactus to create sculptural elements for the cake table, escort card display and stage facade. The party organically flowed down to the stage area after dinner and enjoyed and amazing concert by my favorite band, the Mike Ryan Band.

One of the most important aspects of wedding planning, I think, is choosing a photographer. What some don’t take into account is that the wedding photographer may be the MOST important aspect. They should understand your vision and be able to work well with the different personalities of your bridal party and family. We knew without a doubt that Brittany, with Brit Jones Photography was just the one for us. After looking through her website I fell in love with her work. All of her images were so light, bright, airy, and natural. Exactly the look and feel I wanted so badly for our wedding. One of my favorite moments that our wedding photographer, Brittany, captured was our First Look…in the exact spot where we first laid eyes on each other, just four and half years earlier.

The scene had been set and all the details were falling into place, but what is a wedding without friends and family there to share the special moment. Again, details. We had bags printed with the same scene from the post cards, the two donkeys. Inside the bags, we put a variety of snacks and goodies for the guest to enjoy, all staying true to our theme. We even had little koozies printed by a local business, Hodgepodge, so guest could keep their drinks cool and have a souvenir. Friends and family were given the bags upon check in. There was also an itinerary of the weekend events, so all our guest would know where to be, and when. When you are bringing two families together, you want everyone to get to know each other in a relaxed environment. We had guests who traveled from all over Texas and parts of Oklahoma.

When I look back on the day, some of it seems a blur. It was the little things that stick out in my mind that made the day special. I only had four bridesmaids, two of my sisters, my best friend, and my God Sister. My youngest sister and my Niece were the flower girls and my Nephew was the ring bearer. Sharing this day with my closest family and friends is something I will never forget.

Photography: Brit Jones Photography | Floral Design: Floriography Flowers | Wedding Dress: Serendipity Bridal | Invitations: Beacon Lane | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Makeup: Madi Hankins | Band: The Mike Ryan Band | Venue: The Lajitas Golf Resort | Bloody Mary Sign: Mermaid design Co | Bride's Necklace: Kendra Scott Jewelry | Bridesmaid's Getting Ready Shirts: G Monogram | Custom Cups + Koozies: Hodgepodge Midland | Custom Photo Booth Backdrop: Happy Everything | Event Design + Coordination: Magic Hour Marfa | Flower Girl Dresses: Dollcake Oh So Girly | Groomsmen's Shirts: Territory Ahead | Vintage Stamps: Verde Studio

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Petit Bouquet

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One of my favorite parts of welcoming a new season is the opportunity to give my home a few seasonal updates. Afterall, I can’t go more than a few months without a refresh! There’s something so invigorating about changing up a few simple details of your surroundings. Here are five areas I like to give a little makeover for each fresh new season.

Home Updates to Make for a Seasonal Refresh

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Home Updates to Make for a Seasonal Refresh

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Intoducing the ideal engagement session captured by Wendy Laurel. It’s sunkissed, seaside, and totally stareworthy and thankfully we’ve got it all waiting for you to fall madly in love with via The Vault!

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From Wendy Laurel…Leah and Joey are in love, engaged and wanted to celebrate their engagement in photos somewhere unique. They both love this abandoned high school on Maui for its architecture and the gorgeous Royal Poinciana tree in front. We choose to shoot right at sunrise when the sun was coming up over the east side of Maui. On Maui, the sun comes up fast and is strong and has the most amazing light at sunrise. One of Leah’s bridesmaids custom made the amazing skirt she wore. Leah also made her bouquet herself as well with roses and orchids.

Photography: Wendy Laurel | Hair + Makeup: Maui Makeup Artistry | Photography - Assistance: Jeffrey Oltman

We see our fair share of weddings around here so when a detail pops up that we’ve never, ever seen before, well, we get pretty excited. And this Southern wedding didn’t disappoint: can we say cookies and milkshakes served in champagne flutes after a night of dancing!? Brilliant. Add in the Bride’s blush gown and we’re not forgetting this one anytime soon. Luckily Eliza Morrill captured it all in our gallery for safe keeping – right this way!

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From Eliza Morrill Photography… Caroline and Taylor’s wedding was the perfect mix of tradition and creativity – classic and stunning flowers, invitations, and bridal party attire, with just a few funky twists. The biggest of those, though, was Caroline’s BLUSH wedding dress!

Though Caroline had originally planned to wear her mother’s dress, just as her two older sisters did, the plan changed. “Being the third daughter, I was going to follow my sisters lead and wear my mom’s dress as well,” Caroline said. “So as we are in Chris Hudson’s studio deciding how to make the old dress my own, I noticed the most breathtaking blush pink wedding gown on the dress form next to me. There was no way I was leaving that day without trying it on! As soon as I got the dress half way over my head I knew — that was the dress I was going to get married in!”

Truly, it was. The blush halter dress boasted a beautiful bow that fell perfectly down her back.

Though Caroline and Taylor opted for a more traditional ceremony, their reception was anything but. Taking place at the Georgia Theatre, one of the most well-known music venues in the South, guests danced the night away to Atlanta Rhythm and Groove.

Aside from her blush dress, Caroline wore a bespoke gold hair piece and pink satin shoes with bows, while her bridesmaids wore floor-length, navy taffeta dresses. Taylor and his groomsmen wore white dinner jackets with black pants and bow ties, which tied it together perfectly. Though it rained for the better part of the day, the two shared an intimate first look outdoors under a small pergola in the church’s gardens.

After the ceremony, guests walked a half-block to the Georgia Theatre, where the marquee lit up Caroline and Taylor’s names. The venue was transformed by Caroline, her mother, and European Floral Design. Georgia Theatre’s Drew Beskin helped to make their every idea a reality: chandeliers suspended above the stage, intimate high tops adorned with candles and flowers, and an impressive display of some of Athens’ greatest food.

Music and craft beer flowed as they each shared dances with their parents, as well as Caroline and her grandfather. Guests enjoyed all three stories of the Georgia Theatre, as well as a perfect sunset on their rooftop bar, overlooking downtown Athens, Georgia. After a long night of dancing, guests were served cookies and milkshakes in champagne flutes before the couple ran through confetti and sped off in a vintage car. It was truly magical!

Photography: Eliza Morrill Photography | Floral Design: European Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Chris Hudson Couture | Invitations: Paper Daisies Stationery | Ceremony Venue: Athens First United Methodist Church | Reception Venue: Georgia Theatre | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Alfred Sung | Catering: Mama's Boy | Makeup: Jenny Sue | Hair: A. la fera Salon | Band: Atlanta Rhythm And Groove | Day-Of Coordination: We Tie The Knots

There’s no denying we see lots of gorgeous al fresco celebrations here at SMP and there’s also no denying that they’re amazing. But sometimes ya’ need a little change of pace because let’s get real – not every wedding can take place in the great outdoors. And when a venue is as stunning as this one, there’s no need to head outside. These two said “I do” surrounded by light and sparkle and Michael and Carina captured it all, giving us ideas and inspiration to fill our eager Pinterest pages – see it all this way!

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From Michael and Carina Photography… A crystal decorative sailboat, clear chairs, a sailcloth arbor and this bride’s dress are just so dreamy! An indoor wedding, like Alysha and Max’s, is a wonderful opportunity to create a bespoke ceremony and reception space. Our couple was inspired by the nearby ocean and included clear, blue and boat elements. The clear chairs and the large sail-inspired ceremony arch made the interior of the venue appear larger and almost created the illusion of being aboard a ship. Such a unique idea! Alysha’s bouquet of wild greenery added to the windswept feel and her long-sleeved lace gown made this wedding one of the most elegant celebrations of our season.

From the Bride… Six years ago, I entered college absolutely sure that I was not going to date anyone seriously while I worked towards my degree. Within the first month, some friends invited me to a birthday party for someone I did not know. As it turned out, the handsome, confident, and engaging guy teasing me about eating mints at a party was the guest of honor. He asked me out the next day, and very soon I realized he was someone special. He was the most understanding, protective, and interesting man I had ever dated, and I knew he was the one I was meant to marry.

Less than a year afterwards, he graduated and moved five hours away, and we transited into a long-distance relationship – only seeing each other once a month. Through this, we developed an incredibly strong sense of patience, trust, and appreciation. After about two and half years of long-distance dating, Max moved back north for us to be closer together and made the decision to propose! He organized the most amazing surprise. He took me to a phenomenal dinner and afterwards walked me to a hidden marina. He then led me onto a houseboat he had rented, which was decorated with candles and roses. He proposed inside and we danced on the deck to our song while fireworks burst above us. It was like a fairy tale, and we wanted our wedding to be just as special.

About our wedding: As our engagement was on the water with fireworks overhead, we hoped our wedding could imitate the same look. In Norfolk, Virginia, we found a neat cruise ship stop overlooking the Elizabeth River. The modern design, three-story glass wall, and glossy beige floor inspired us to feature neutral monochromatic tones and clean lines, balanced with classic black accents and pops of greenery. The SS Wisconsin was docked at the complex, so we knew we had to tastefully incorporate a nautical flair.

For our ceremony, we brought in a 20 foot high mast, and draped ivory tulle through to set the clean, modern, and nautical look we wanted. We also wanted to play on the reflective quality of the room and decorated it with candles, fairy lights, starry light projectors, and a gorgeous crystal ship chandelier. We hoped it would look like you were on a ship deck at night, where you can see the overhead stars and their light bouncing off the waves.

To coordinate with the rounded glass wall, we used glass vases and candle holders, clear Chiavari chairs, and glass mug favors. Mixed with the candles, the shimmery rose-gold bridesmaid dresses, and the layers of lighting, the room twinkled from floor to ceiling! The venue had a gorgeous glass-blown chandelier that made for our moon atop the dance floor. As the evening came to an end, Max and I shared a last dance alone in our sparkling room, while our song played overhead – just like our engagement night. We are so thankful for the friends, family, and vendors who helped put together such a beautiful and special evening.

Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Coordination: Cherry Blossom Planning Factory | Floral Design: Roost Flowers & Designs | Wedding Dress: Stella York | Invitations: Connie Taylor Krupp | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Badgley Mischka | Catering: Omar's Carriage House | Makeup: Rebecca Wood | Hair: Hair by Magan | Lighting: Stage Right Lighting | DJ: Colonial DJs | Groom's Attire: Indochino | Groomsmen's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Venue: Half Moone Cruise And Celebration Center | Bridal Boutique: Posh Bridal | Rentals: Distinctive Event Rentals

I’ve traveled through my fair share of Europe, but there’s not a single place that’s captured my heart like Austria. It’s a country that feels a bit like a fairytale, so it’s no surprise Katie and Markus chose it as the backdrop for their wedding day. They brought along Tracy Enoch to document their exchange of vows at a 13th century castle that every hopeless romantic will adore.

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From Tracy Enoch…Deciding to wed in Markus’s home country of Austria, Katie and Markus began their week-long wedding celebration with a culinary tour for friends and family.

The tour began at the home of Markus’s parents, with notable stops including the Zotter Chocolate Factory, Vulcano Cured Meats, the Thaller Winery, and ending at Buschenshank Posch with a casual dinner. The festivities began in earnest the following evening, when wedding guests arrived to the welcome party at Moarpeter Schielleiten wearing traditional lederhosen and dirndl and were treated to authentic Austrian cuisine while being entertained by a local 4 piece accordion and horn band.

The weekend concluded with a beautiful ceremony and 4-course dinner and dancing reception at the stunning Gartenschloss Herberstein; a 13th-century castle tucked in the Austrian hillside. As parting gifts, guests left with miniature bottled Schnapps, courtesy of the Schloffer Distillery, owned by family members of the groom.

Photography: Tracy Enoch Photography | Floral Design: Blumen Kubat Anger | Wedding Dress: Yaki Ravid | Cake: Konditorei Ebner | Catering: genusshandwerk | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: Gartenschloss Herberstein | Bridal Boutique: Bridal Reflections | Bridal Salon: Stardust Celebrations | Welcome Dinner: Moarpeter Schielleiten

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Petit Bouquet

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We may have hit nearly 80 degrees this late October week in New England but that doesn’t cramp my cold weather cravings at all. I’m ready for frosty mornings, cozy sweaters, lined boots and alll the scarves my friends. Are you? Look no further. We’ve got 12 stylish crisp weather essentials that’ll make you welcome every chilly day and eventually, all those sweet snowflakes.

Cold Weather Fashion Essentials

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For the last 10 years, I’ve written a blog about weddings. About couples really. Nearly 600 real weddings come in every week and tucked inside those beautiful love stories is always an “I wish…” Usually it has to do with enjoying the process more, letting go of little things, being present. But the fact is, unless you avoid a few big mistakes, planning a wedding WILL be stressful! Here are a few of our best ideas on how you can skip right over some of the stress from the moment you say “Yes!”

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Why hiring a planner is totally worth it!

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I’ve lived in a lot of houses. My apartment in college, my studio in San Fran, my shoebox in Palo Alto, my first condo in Boston…I could go on and on. And while I feel so lucky to have lived in such incredible places and spaces, it wasn’t until I consciously decided to turn my house into a home, that I truly felt like I was where I was supposed to be. So, here are a few little tips for transforming your space into a home you will never want to leave.

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Can we all agree that Ese and Jack deserve some sort of wedding planning medal? I certainly think so. Because these two pulled off one incredible day in just three months, planning the entire celebration from soup to nuts. Their priorities? Beautiful venue, pretty florals, and amazing photography. Check, check and check. More from Sawyer Baird in The Vault.

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From The Bride…We wanted a very small, intimate wedding with our closest family and friends. We planned the entire wedding ourselves and started just three months prior to our big day. With so little planning time, we decided to pick a few priorities and trust that everything else would come together. For us those priorities were a beautiful venue, pretty florals, and our amazing photographer- Sawyer Baird.

We had also heard from so many couples that the day would go by so fast. Our goal really was to enjoy the day and savor one of the most special days of our journey together. As such, we spent the morning of the wedding getting ready together in our home- just the two of us. This ended up being one of the best parts of our day. Everything truly turned out amazing and we wouldn’t change a thing!

Photography: Sawyer Baird | Coordination: Peachy Keen Planners | Floral Design: Adaptation Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Leanne Marshall | Bride's Shoes: Valentino | DJ: Juniper String Ensemble | Groom's Attire: Sid Mashburn | Harpist: Juniper String Ensemble | Venue: JCT Kitchen + Bar | Bridal Boutique: The Sentimentalist | Drapery: The Rented Event | Groom's Accessories: Billy Reid

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.”

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Photography: Harry Winston