Badgley Mischka Bridal Week Fall 2017View Slideshow
Photography: Badgley Mischka
When it comes to romance, no one does it better than Marchesa. And romance reigned supreme in their Fall 2017 Bridal Collection. Inspired by the ethereal Eos, goddess of dawn, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig created wedding dress masterpieces full of laser-cut petals, floral embroideries, flutter sleeves, luxurious fabrics and elegant silhouettes. If you didn’t believe in love at first sight before, you will as soon as you lay eyes on all this pretty, captured by the one and only Greg Finck Photography.
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“Rising each morning with the sun, Eos, goddess of dawn,
serves as an inspiration for the collection.“
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“Isn’t this the moment every woman
wants to feel like a goddess?“
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“Who is the Marchesa bride?
Every bride is the Marchesa bride.”
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Photography: Greg Finck Photography | Wedding Dress: Marchesa | Shoes: Marchesa | Makeup: Bobbi Brown Cosmetics | Hair: Moroccan Oil | Accessories: Marchesa
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See Every Gorgeous Gown from the New Collection
Marchesa Bridal Week Fall 2017View Slideshow
When these stunning photos from Leila Brewster arrived in my inbox, I nearly fell out of my chair. 1. Because they are simply out of this world beautiful (we love you Leila!) and 2. Because my husband and I honeymooned at this very hotel in Anguilla. It was hands down, the BEST getaway either of us had been on and needs to be paired with the definition of paradise in every dictionary. Looking for total relaxation, sprinkled with a bit of fun, all while being surrounded by beauty in every direction? Here’s your next vacay loves. Keep reading for my tips on where to go and what to do below!
Where to Stay
Well, Malliouhana, of course! The boutique-style hotel sits on Mead’s Bay in Anguilla and in most locals’ opinions is the most coveted spot on the island. It has a resort vibe without the cookie cutter feel. This place is anything but cookie cutter my friends. From the moment you walk into the mirror-tiled lobby and look out at that view, instant relaxation takes over your body. As newlyweds, we were greeted by fresh squeezed juice from The Sunset Bar, our favorite place to sip on a cocktail before dining each evening.
Once you’ve checked in, you’ll be given a tour of the hotel by the super kind staff. Anguilla locals really are the sweetest people! As you’re sipping on fresh juice, someone has already taken your bags to your room, which will blow your mind once you open the door. I highly recommend getting a waterfront room—most of them are anyhow. The rooms are incredible. Splashed with tropical prints and subtle island hues and the coolest part? The TV is inside a gorgeous mirror with a detailed frame. Not that you’ll be watching too much TV!
What To Do
I think this completely depends on what kind of vacationer you are, but the beauty of Anguilla is that it suits those who want total relaxation and those who want to experience a few adventures. We fell in between the two! Here were the highlights of our 10-day trip:
Mead’s Bay Beach. The first few days of our trip were dedicated to complete utter relaxation. Beached whale comes to mind. Malliouhana is such a gorgeous hotel that we wanted to explore every nook and cranny of our home base before venturing out. The first day, we set up camp on the Mead’s Bay Beach. They have the cutest yellow umbrellas that are set up and taken down each morning and night. Get there early to grab a spot! You can order cocktails and lunch right from the beach so you never have to move. They also have a convenient water, sunscreen and towel station that came in handy when the temperatures get a little too hot to handle.
Pool Cabana. We spent our second day enjoying the double infinity pool in a private cabana, of which its’ beauty cannot be put into words. It truly is the most serene vibe I’ve ever encountered. Make sure to take a walk around the property as well! It is blooming with colorful flowers in every direction and there is a happy little hammock overlooking the cliff that everyone deserves a swing in.
Turtle Cove Beach. The third day, we explored the other beach at Malliouhana. Turtle Cove is a bit more private but still equally as beautiful. This is your peace and quiet, napping beach. They don’t serve lunch or cocktails on this side, so we just spent a few hours here.
Rent the Free Bikes. The beauty of staying on Mead’s Bay is that several other hotels and restaurants are in walking distance. We walked to lunch and dinner several times, but we also took advantage of the free bike rentals through the hotel! It did get a little sticky, so plan to do this on a night when you wear shorts and don’t care if a bit of sweat ruins your makeup. I had quite ‘the glow’ going on. We decided to ride our bikes down to the other end of Mead’s Bay where the Viceroy sits.
Snorkeling. After our first few days of relaxation, we decided to grab some of the free hotel gear to do a bit of snorkeling. Anguilla isn’t necessarily known mainly for it’s snorkeling or diving, but we did see some fun little fish right around the cliffs on Mead’s Bay! A great adventure for those hot days when you don’t want to get out of the water.
Paddle Boarding and Sailing. I was super excited for this as I had never been paddle boarding or sailing before! Again, we rented free through our hotel which was so convenient. It was a great way to see Mead’s Bay from the water. Just make sure to go on a calm day—and with lower temps, morning is a much better time than mid-day.
Sandy Island. The one time we actually ventured out on a boat was for a little day trip to Sandy Island. We met up with another couple on the beach and decided to do it with them! We always seem to make vacation friends wherever we go and had so much in common with our new pals. We spent the day snorkeling, spear fishing and giving our catch to the local chef on the (very) tiny island who cooked it up for us for lunch. Cold beers, hammock naps and shell collecting made the afternoon complete.
These are just a few things that we did on our stay, but since St. Martin and St. Barths are so close, it’s easy to take a quick boat or plane ride to explore these islands as well.
Where to Eat
When you’re ready to head out to eat, Anguilla has SO many selections for dining. We ate at a different restaurant almost every single night. We didn’t expect the food to be so incredible for an island that doesn’t boast a ton of local fare, but it really was.
Breakfast. Malliouhana has one restaurant which we ate breakfast at every morning—it was my favorite part of the day. We’d wake up, freshen up, grab the hotel newsletter which was slipped under our door each morning and head to breakfast. We sipped on coffee, fresh squeezed juices and indulged in things like lobster poached eggs and blueberry compote waffles, all while tackling the newsletter cross word puzzle that we could never finish.
Lunch. Mid-day we’d usually eat at our hotel on the beach or head to Blanchard’s Beach Shack which was just a five minute walk down Mead’s Bay Beach. SO good! They had the tastiest smoothies (spiked of course) and the best beach food we’ve ever eaten. We still talk about the M.B.L.T. (Mahi Bacon Lettuce and Tomato) all the time.
Cocktails. Each evening before dinner, we would head to The Sunset Bar at our hotel to enjoy a cocktail and a competitive game of checkers (my husband always won). The Sunset Bar features little tables surrounded by bench seating stacked to the brim with fluffy pillows and a little wooden case filled with fun games. There was one memorable night of too many glasses of wine and a never-ending game of Monopoly.
Dinner. As I mentioned we ate at a different restaurant almost every night. We enjoyed the first evening at Malliouhana—it’s always nice to stay close after a long day of travel. After that, we’d take taxis out to dinner or walk to restaurants on Mead’s Bay Beach. A few memorable culinary experiences included Veya, Jacala, Dolce Vita, Mangos, Pimms and sushi at the Viceroy Hotel.
It truly was the best honeymoon we could have asked for and we would go back in a heartbeat! I’m already planning our five-year anniversary vacation. They have a huge vintage looking book that everyone signs before departing and I cannot wait to read our little note in the years to come. You can find more of our adventure here. Take a peek in The Vault for the full set of photos shown here captured by Leila Brewster and head here for a gorgeous video by Elysium Productions!
Photography: leila brewster | Cinematography: Elysium Productions | Venue: The Restaurant at Malliouhana
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Calling all cool girls, we’ve got your backstage pass to the hottest ticket (and designer) at NY Bridal Week: Rime Arodaky and her Bridal 017 collection. Inspired by the changing seasons, it’s chock-full of captivating gowns topped off with award-winning TEAM Hair and Makeup looks. So, skip out on that morning brunch and instead peek at the pretty captured by the incomparable Greg Finck Photography below! xx
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“Our muse parades embellished by milky soft
fabrics resembling divine immaculate snow“
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“Synonym of softness and purity, yet sensual
and free, the gowns evolve through time”
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From Greg Finck Photography… This is Rime Arodaky Bridal 017 collection, which was presented in New York City for the Bridal Week. In this collection, our icon reflects the seasons that go by. Synonym of softness and purity, yet sensual and free, the gowns evolve through time. Our muse parades embellished by milky soft fabrics resembling divine immaculate snow. Shining like a night star with shimmering snowflakes. Then, she subtly reveals delicate flowers, like snow reveals flower buds in Spring. Mystical. Ceremonial.
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Photography: Greg Finck Photography | Wedding Dresses: Rime Arodaky | Hair + Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Hair + Makeup Creative Director + Lead Artist: MAR of TEAM Hair and Makeup | Hair Extentions: THM Hair Extensions | Hair crystals: Crystal Eclipse Crowns | Venue: Canoe Studios
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See Rime Arodaky’s Entire Bridal 017 Collection below!
Rime Arodaky Bridal Week Fall 2017View Slideshow
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
For membership information, click here
Sure we’ve seen our fair share of vineyard celebrations, but this winery wedding straight from the lens of Sally Pinera? Well, it’s seriously special. Because when you marry that magic that is the Holman Ranch with crisp California sunshine AND seriously sweet details it’s a given that you’ve got yourself a gallery full of gorgeousness. See it all in The Vault!
From Christine Cater… Jerusha and Kole came to us with old world esthetics. They were in love with the villa-esque landscape that is so prevalent at Holman Ranch. We could only follow their lead by embracing the natural beauty of this Carmel Valley gem-of-a-venue. We imagined ourselves in Tuscany and added a modern twist layered throughout their design. Elements like casper chairs and our custom chuppah, made especially for their wedding. We knew it had to be special, so we enrolled a wonderful wood working genius friend and…. ‘viola’.
Acrylic chairs evaporated in our design, letting the landscape and table scapes shine. The chuppah with it’s clean lines, was adorned with billowing gauze, greenleaf leafed branches and David Austin garden roses.
Bridesmaids wore blush gowns. A perfect choice to dote over our lovely bride in a Monique Lhuillier gown. The men wore classic “movie-star-like” black tuxedos.
Thank you Sally Pinera and her brilliant husband Robert Pinera, their images tell our flower stories the best. Blush to butterscotch tones of garden roses, clematis, ranunculus and a lot more look A-Mazing in their images!! We added figs, creeping ivy and garlands to embellish urns, bouquets and ‘Carriage House’ curtain tie backs. Jerusha and Kole danced the night away, with family and friends surrounding them. It was a dream wedding like none other..and we were there to witness it all!!
Photography: Sally Pinera | Event Planning: engaged & inspired | Floral Design: Christine Cater | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Catering: Paradise Catering | Calligraphy: Brightroom Studio | Band: Cosmo Alleycats | Officiant: Cantor Margaret Bruner | Venue: Holman Ranch | Dessert: Freedom Bakery | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Photo Booth: The Vintage Photo Box | Rentals: Abbey Rentals
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
For membership information, click here
We might be headed into the cold months of winter, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream of summer days spent on the water. In fact, that was exactly the idea behind Maryal and Chris’ wedding – who you might recognize are the bloggers behind Love and Specs – that played out as a small town, Americana-style celebration in Petoskey, Michigan. Pop to the gallery shot by Ashley Slater and don’t miss a look back at their desert chic engagement.
From planner Sarah Rhodes Boyce with Sincerely, Ginger Weddings… When I first spoke with Maryal, I knew I hit the bridal client jackpot! She’s enthusiastic, witty, smart, stylish and a little spitfire! This made planning with her and her lovely mother, Anna, all the better. After understanding Maryal’s vision for her big day, I couldn’t wait to get started!
At the very beginning of our planning together, she had some great ideas, but most importantly she was excited to show off her favorite place in the world to her family and friends: Walloon Lake in Petoskey, Michigan, the place where her family has had a home for almost 40 years and that filled her life with years of happy memories. Several of Maryal’s ideas and inspiration were derived from Petoskey, for it’s small town flair with local shops overflowing with cherry pie, fudge, local art and old-school soda pop – it all fit into her vision of a classic Americana wedding. With that vibe in mind, we went with a palette of soft white, blush, cherry lipstick red and royal blue.
The invitation suite really set the stage for for the theme the couple had chosen. The bride and graphic designer Ayofemi Creative Studio (who also happens to be Maryal’s friend) worked together to create a beautiful cherry-adorned, red, white and blue vintage-esque suite with watercolor details and blue gingham ribbon to tie it all together. The envelopes were addressed in red and blue watercolor by the insanely talented Michigan-based Sable & Gray to give guests a peek of what was to come.
The guys and gals in the bridal party chose their own suits and dresses with two rules in mind: stick with the color palette and have fun with it! To be completely honest? I wasn’t so sure it could be pulled off, but as you see in Ashley Slater’s photographs, everything was so classically perfect. Both parties got ready at the gorgeous Hotel Walloon right on Walloon Lake. Maryal went with a vintage wave for her hair and that iconic red lipstick we all wish we could pull off! And her shoes? Suede Carolina Herrera pumps in the same hue of red, of course. Her dress was a two-piece Monique Lhuillier stunner that incorporated a hint of blush in the skirt. Chris looked dapper as ever in a navy check Hugo Boss suit and a perfect chambray bowtie to top it off (that happened to match their dog Hamlet’s bowtie). They looked amazing.
After 8 months of planning together, the vision came together perfectly, the timeline was set, and Maryal and her fiancé Chris were more than ready to get married. We were all ready to pull off an amazing party. However, on August 20th the forecast was feeling a little less enthusiastic. We were looking at a 100% chance of rain for the entire day. Luckily, the bride and groom, their awesome bridal party and their amazing photographers walked into the day with a positive attitude.
We were lucky enough to get their first look outside when as the rain broke for 30 minutes, and my goodness are we ever thankful for that. The pictures were beyond perfect. From there, photos were taken inside and on the porch at the Hotel Walloon. Luckily, the interior designer and Maryal had a similar sense of style! Every detail in that hotel is incredible.
The ceremony took place at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Petoskey with Chris’s father as the Officiant, a string quartet and a surprise singer for Chris who played a special song on the guitar as Maryal walked down the aisle. As they kissed and hugged their friends and family as a married couple, Maryal’s father’s classic car in that glorious lipstick red was waiting for them. Maryal’s parents surprised the couple and adorned the car with tennis shoes and soda cans just like the good old days. The car also had a stunning floral display because, well, every detail matters!
The couple chose to have their reception at the Walloon Lake Country Club, where Maryal’s family have been members for many years and where they spend every summer of Maryal’s life. The space had been newly renovated which definitely worked to our advantage. Crisp white walls, tall ceilings and an out of this world wrap around porch overlooking the lake were definitely things we could work with! Even though the rain was still coming down, the guests were able to enjoy the Cocktail Hour underneath the porch listening to live music, enjoying a few fun signature cocktails and a stunning display of charcuterie and passed appetizers. Guests found their seats via the classic Coke bottle display adorned with the sweetest royal blue gingham ribbon.
Upstairs, for dinner and dancing, the Country Club has never looked better. La Tavola linens dressed the tables in white and blush and local florals from Bloom Floral Design knocked guests’ socks off. The dinner was as locally sourced as possible, with Whitefish from the Great Lakes and produce from farms just 10 miles away. Even the drinks were local: Mawby Sparkling, wines from Walloon Lake Winery and Michigan made Bells Brewery beers. Once dinner was finished, it was time for dancing! One of their must-haves on their big day was a killer live band and that killer band had to play Motown. Well, let me tell you – Soul Xpress was even more amazing than the couple had dreamed! Everyone was out on the dance floor dancing to Otis Redding, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye and more. It was the perfect ending to the most perfect day.
Maryal and Chris’s day was so perfect because they allowed it be perfect. They trusted their vendors and when clients can let go and trust that everything will go well, an unforgettable day is bound to follow!
Photography: Ashley Slater | Cinematography: The Compass Points Here | Event Planning: Sincerely, Ginger Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Bloom Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cakes: Simply Sweet By Jessica | Invitations: Ayofemi Creative Studio | Ceremony Venue: Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Petoskey | Reception Venue: Walloon Lake Country Club | Bride's Shoes: Carolina Herrera | Engagement Ring: Trumpet & Horn | Rings: Sedgwick Design | Hair + Makeup: Vogue Salons | Calligraphy: Sable & Gray | Band: Soul Xpress | Favors: Murdick's Fudge | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Ceremony Music: Festival of Strings | Accomodations + Getting Ready Venue: Hotel Walloon | Ceremony Music (Bridal Entrance): Dylan Holmes | Dog's Bow Tie: Rover Boutique | Groom's Bow Tie: The Tie Bar | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Pies: Jesperson's Restaurant | Place Settings (Flatware, Glassware, China): Gigi and LaClede | Vintage China: Vintage Place Settings
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Amid all the beautiful chaos of wedding planning it can be easy to forget that not every day is filled with romance and roses, so we love any opportunity to support causes that help those in need both near and far. And with The Good Beginning, it doesn’t get any easier. Founded by wedding planner Beth Helmstetter, The Good Beginning is an online charitable donation registry program. Beth’s giving us the 411 and even sharing some of her favorite sustainable and stylish picks for your home – pretty fab, huh?
Beth Helmstetter, one of our go-to wedding planners and owner of Beth Helmstetter Events, recently launched The Good Beginning; an online wedding registry for charitable causes around the world. In addition to (or in lieu of) classic china and luxurious cotton sheets, couples can invite their guests to join them in supporting a worthy charity and start their marriage out with the ritual of generosity.
“I’ve always felt strongly connected to philanthropy, having spent much of my early career in the nonprofit world. After visiting Haiti following the 2010 earthquakes, I felt compelled to connect my couples with charitable causes that would impact the world around them in a very significant way. I soon found out that many other couples shared the same desire to give back,” says Beth.
The Good Beginning streamlines the giving process by allowing couples to choose from over 130 organizations, both in the United States and in developing countries. From well-known names to smaller specialized efforts, couples can select a cause that is meaningful to them. .
Couples register for their wedding just like they would with a traditional retail registry by selecting an organization or by adding a new charity. From there, the couple is given a personal domain name to their registry that can be shared with guests. The clean and stylish interface invites visitors to browse their profile, learn more about various causes, and contribute easily. The Good Beginning makes the perfect complement to a more traditional wedding registry, for those couples who may not need the top-of-the-line espresso maker, and are seeking a way to donate those extra funds to a worthy cause.
In addition to sharing The Good Beginning with SMP, Beth has curated a list of her favorite stylish and ethically manufactured goods below! Check out The Good Beginning’s blog, The Daily Give, for more even more inspiration and to learn about starting your charitable wedding registry today.
KITCHEN
Halston Espresso Cups by Arran Street East, available on The Citizenry
Handcrafted in Ireland, each of these ceramic cups takes several days to throw, fire, and glaze – all made start to finish in a fair trade environment.
Apasco 5-Piece Mezcal Set by Xaquixe Glass Studio, available on The Citizenry
Handcrafted by a studio of 19 glassblowers, each piece is a one-of-a-kind work of art made from recycled glass. Each piece is tediously tended to in a Oaxacan glassblowing workshop employing a truly sustainable manufacturing process, including ovens powered by recycled oil.
Alabama Chanin Wooden Spoons
Made in Alabama from sustainably-harvested wood from South America, these wooden spoons are built to last many a dinner party or quiet meal for two.
LIVING
Estrada Floor Pillow by Mexchic Design Studio, available on The Citizenry
Perfect for creating a warm and inviting holiday home, these pillows are made by a family-owned workshop in Tianguistenco de Galeana, Mexico and are created from start-to-finish in a fair trade environment.
La Piedra Coasters by The Peca Design Studio, available on The Citizenry
For cocktails shared in good company, we love these starry, marble coasters made of volcanic rock in Tonalá, Guadalajara. In partnership with a small, fair-trade stone masonry in Mexico City, these coasters make for a great complement to a classic glassware set for the bride and groom.
BEDROOM
Mayarte Throw by Ara Collective
This handwoven throw will help keep couples cozy as the seasons change. For every throw purchased, Ara Collective donates 10% of the proceeds to education and health care for the artisans and families of Aid to Artisans Group; a network of artisan weavers and embroidered in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas.
Sama Basket by Local & Lejos [so sorry — sold out]
Marriage means twice of everything – store it all in this beautiful naturally-dyed grass basket from Tanzania by the Weavers of Babati. Each purchase provides the artisan and her family with water for one month.
Parachute Home Linen Venice Set
Create a sanctuary with flax linen fabrics from Parachute Home, made in Portugal and free of synthetics and chemicals. Partnering with the United Nation’s Nothing But Nets campaign to prevent malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, Parachute sends one life-saving bed net to people in need for every Venice Set sold.
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The Complete Bride + Groom’s Guide to Wedding Registries
SMP’s Wedding Registry ABCs | Unique Wedding Registry Ideas | 10 Must-Have Registry Items
Inspired by the idea of contrast – and the striking beauty often found there – this styled shoot captured by 2 Brides Photography leaves us breathless. From the gorgeous, chic big bun on this bold bride to her jumpsuit that is making us green with envy, every single bit is on point. And we haven’t even gotten to the florals! The colors! The wild abandon! We could go on forever raving about these pics but save yourself the time and head to our Vault for all of them – it’s totally time well spent.
From 2 Brides Photography… Maybe, sometimes love isn’t always about being as one. Maybe sometimes it’s about allowing each other to be unique? Finding harmony in the contrast between your different personalities. This conundrum is something we’re incorporating into the styling of this shoot. The contrast between two persons can be visual, much as the contrast between high-end fashion and an medieval castle. Or as between tin and lace, plexiglass and solid rock. Contrasting materials and colours, displaying how two people can come from different worlds but still fit perfectly together.
Set in the historic castle of Brahehus, located in between the two biggest cities in Sweden, is where we choose to play out the story. This fortress, built 1637 by Count Magnus Brahe, is now house of the crows. From the castle’s fascinating history we spun a vision of legends and fairy dust put in modern day Sweden. A table set with tin plates that contrasts beautifully with the plexiglass in chairs and invitations, the concept starts to unfold. The bride is from a different town, a different class, and dresses in a jumpsuit and lace cape. The groom dresses up beautifully in the midnight blue tuxedo, and their different personalities are equally shown.
Photography: 2 Brides Photography | Styling: Elins Art Studio | Floral Design: The Wild Rose | Cake: Sockersöta smulor | Invitations: Elins Art Studio | Hair + Makeup: isa Larsson Bröllop & Event AB | Antique Rings: FÅFÄNGANS ANTIK | Bride's Pantsuit: Efva Attling | Concept + Idea: 2 Brides Photography | Concept + Idea: The Wild Rose | Concept + Idea: Elins Art Studio | Film Processing: Carmencita Film Lab | Hair Accessories: The Wild Rose Accessories | Lace Cape + Veil: LILLY | Location: Brahehus Castle Ruin | Models: Angelica Niemi + Adam Lindquist | Rental Chairs: Kartellen | Ring Box: Artilleriet
I believe that a dirty wedding dress at the end of the night is a sign of a perfect party success but what is that mess occurs before your last dance? Not so great. But fear not dear friends, we have J. Scheer & Co. here to advise on all wedding dress stain stresses. From what to have on hand to what to do to ensure you never see that wine spill again, read on and take notes!
If you spill something on your gown, don’t panic. Keep in mind that water or prepared “stain removers” can leave a mark or irreparably damage the fabric if used improperly. Instead, follow the guidelines below for properly treating wedding day stains and preparing your gown for cleaning after the wedding.
Come Prepared
A happy wedding day is likely to be full of hugs, kisses, eating, drinking, and dancing. By preparing a simple wedding gown emergency kit, you will have all the tools needed to help prevent, treat, and hide any wedding day stains that may pop up. Some recommended items include bendable straws for drinking, safety pins, a needle and thread in a matching color to your gown, baby powder or cornstarch, q-tips, a soft bristled brush, and clean dry white towels.
Watermarks
For watermarks, softly blot dry with a clean white towel. If possible, you can lightly press with a hand iron when dry.
Makeup
Makeup, lipstick, or any other oily stain should be lightly coated with cornstarch or baby powder and left to absorb the oil or moisture for 15 minutes. During this time, take care not to rub the fabric. Gently remove the excess powder from the fabric with a soft bristled brush. This technique will not only mask the stain, but will also prepare the area for professional cleaning after the wedding
Blood
Surprisingly, for minor blood stains the best remedy if to apply your own saliva to the spot with a dampened q-tip. The enzymes will safely break down the stain. Afterwards, blot to dry.
Wine
For wine or other beverage stains, do not apply water or another liquid that might dispense the stain. Instead, blot the area with a dry towel and apply cornstarch or baby powder. The powder will absorb the residual moisture and mask the stain, all while preparing the area for professional care afterwards.
The Most Iconic Wedding Dresses of All TimeView Slideshow
ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…
We’re excited to share that Shine invitations is currently offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $500 (US orders only) as well as a free sample kit featuring the invitation of your choice, color charts, paper samples, and an example Save the Date! Don’t miss out!
THIS WEEK’S DISCOUNTS…
For our California Brides… Discounts from The Ranch at Laguna Beach and a giveaway from The Heritage House Resort & Spa!
For our Destination Brides… Discount from Hitch’d Weddings & Events
For our Southwest Brides… Don’t miss upcoming trunk shows at Lovely’s in Dallas, Phoenix and Houston!
For our New England Brides.. Discount from Long’s Jewelers
For our Tri-state Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design, giveaways from NST Pictures, OLLI STUDIO and Twobirds Bridesmaid, and don’t miss the Designer Loft Aire Barcelona Trunk Show Oct. 14th – 16th and the Anna Campbell and Rue De Seine trunk shows at Lovely NYC location Oct. 28th – Oct. 30th!
OUR WINNERS:
Congratulations to our Nambe winner Nicole!
Congratulations to our Craig Paulson Photography winner Ginny!
Dress Care Advice: J.Scheer & Co Cleaning and Preservation
There’s not a doubt in my mind that Nikki and Tyler are the real deal. They’ve got a love that beams through every single photo Alea Lovely snaps, from their stunning engagement session to part one of their wedding day. And while their ballroom reception was designed to a T by Madison Sanders Events, it was moments like these that really stole the show. Cheers to the newlyweds, and the adventure ahead!
“The reception was beautiful and we danced the night away…
It truly was magical, yet over way too quickly.”
-Nikki
From Madison of Madison Sanders Events… Nikki came to me around 6 months out from her wedding. At this time, she had selected both the ceremony and reception venues and had a general vision for the day. I was able to assist Nikki in pulling together the pieces that would bring that vision to life. We worked with her and her vendors to bring in elements that would give an elegant and romantic feel to the day.
Our main goal was that the day would be a strong representation of both she and Tyler’s tastes. This meant incorporating feminine, fun details while also keeping our design classic and traditional. One of my favorite parts of the design was the pop of “marsala” that she decided to incorporate into her floral in the final month. As we discussed the seasonality of her event, we realized that this beautiful hue would add depth to her design and would tie in some of the rich tones already present in Kansas City’s fall season.
Nikki devotes a lot of her time to her work and to her patients and because of this, did not have a lot of time to spend planning the wedding. It was so exciting for her to be able to arrive on site the day of the wedding without a worry and for her to enjoy each detail we had planned. I am so grateful for her trust in us to bring her dreams to life and wish the VanLoos all the best as they begin their marriage!
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Photography: Alea Lovely | Cinematography: Adan Hanly | Event Planning: Madison Sanders Events | Floral Design: Village Gardens | Wedding Dress: Eve Of Milady | Cake: McLain’s Bakery | Invitations:Shine Wedding Invitations | Church: St. Johns United Methodist | Reception Venue: the grand ballroom | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Rings: Meierotto’s Jewelers | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Two Birds Bridesmaids | Catering : Brancato’s Catering | Make-up: Heidi B Artistry | DJ: Platinum Productions | Accessories:Lindsay Marie Design | Bridesmaid Dress Boutique: Bella Bridesmaid | Chairs: Platinum Productions | Event Design (Curtain): Harvest Productions | Garter: La Gartier Wedding Garters | Hair ( Bride ): Heidi B Artistry | Hair ( Bridesmaids ) : Christy Hansen | Linens : Ultrapom | Photo Booth: Platinum Productions | Robes: Love Ophelia | Second Shooter: Kyndall Durkee | Veil: Veronica Couture Veils
Peek back at Nikki + Tyler’s Engagement
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There are glamorous weddings, and then there are GLAMOROUS weddings. And this Bel-Air beauty? Well it lands itself squarely in the latter category. Because when you’ve got the talented Kristin Banta Events planning the pretty at the Hotel Bel Air with Braedon Photography behind the lens you know you’re in for something special. See Cara and Ryan’s wedding in The Vault!
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From Kristin Banta Events… Classic elegant garden party in soft creamy whites and lush greens with bold pops of onyx and accented by brushed gold metallic.
Guests will be offered cucumber spa water from a gold bar cart as they enter the Swan Lake ceremony area. They will take their seats in the garden on gold Versailles chairs with white cushions as a string quartet plays from the gazebo. The aisle will feature the couple’s monogram in cream flowers set on the grass leading up to a sophisticated alter set with brushed gold pedestals, overflowing with cream florals and greenery, accented by onyx pillar candles.
Following the ceremony, guests will be led up to the cocktail area where they will be offered old fashion cocktails and strawberry mojitos upon entry. The patio will be placed with outdoor lounges with white cushions, high and low cocktail tables draped in textured luxe cream linens and overhead vineyard chandeliers which will be hung wrapped with green garlands. Guests will find their escort cards from a long table adorned with textured cream linen in a different pattern and set with a series of gold plateau style stands draped in cream florals and green garlands and placed with groups of black cards penned with gold calligraphy. A solo guitarist will play while guests enjoy tray passed hors d’oeuvres and drinks as well as a full open bar.
Guests will be invited to the lawn for dinner as a lively five piece jazz group fills the air. They will take their seats from gold Versailles chairs with white cushions placed at two long tables draped in textured cream luxe linens and set with wine glasses and cut crystal water glasses, stacked gold rimmed glass chargers and gold rim china dinner placed along with cream Swiss dot patterned napkins folded into squares and tied like presents with dramatic black bows. The tables will be accented with cream florals and lush greenery, sparkling votives and hung overhead with a series of vineyard chandeliers overgrown with greenery. Each long table will be divided in 14 table numbers illustrated on hand-made paper, each numbered with gold foil scroll work.
As the sun sets, guests will be invited into the ballroom an after party accompanied by an 8-piece dance band. Cream linen lounge vignettes along with high cocktail tables will surround the dance floor and guests will be able to visit a custom gelato bar throughout the night. A series of cakes with gold painted detailing will be displayed and served from wrought iron console tables and the adjoining bar will remain open all evening. Guests will also be able to lounge amongst exterior soft patio seating under the stars. Upon departure, guests will be offered a lemonchello as a parting gift.
Floral Design: Lilla Bello | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Fantasy Frostings | Lighting: The Lighter Side | Entertainment: Elan Artists | Groom's Attire: J. David's | Wedding Venue: Hotel Bel-Air | Event Planning + Event Design + Event Production: Kristin Banta Events | Invitations + Day-of Collateral: East Six | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Linens: Luxe Linen | Photography + Cinematography: Braedon Photography | Specialty Rentals: Casa de Perrin | Tent + Rentals: Town And Country Rentals
We here at SMP have been to more than our fair share of weddings, and one trend we think should be banished for the rest of eternity? The cake smash. We get it, you’re trying to be playful, but honestly it’s just downright heartbreaking (as a guest) to watch. Because in our eyes there is nothing worse than seeing a beautiful Bride with bits of buttercream smashed all over her perfectly primed makeup. So do us (and yourself) a favor and use a fork to feed your favorite person. xx
See Our Favorite fall inspired cakes below!
Favorite Fall Themed Wedding CakesView Slideshow
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Find More cake inspiration below
A WEDDING CAKE + BABY GENDER REVEAL! | PERSONALIZE YOUR CAKE | LASER-CUT CAKE TOPPERS
Finding the perfect cozy yet insane stylish sofa is one thing. Accessorizing it beautifully is quite another. Don’t let your after market accessories totally kill your sofa moment. Instead get inspired with these perfectly executed cozy couches and never make a living room faux pas again. It’s as easy as pillow, pillow, pillow, throw, and go. Learn the art of lounge-worthy styling with these beauties.
The Art of a Well Styled SofaView Slideshow
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You know what I really, truly love about this wedding? These college sweethearts managed to bring an English garden vibe to the bride’s home state of Michigan. Think summertime romance set at an elegant manor, with ‘maids dressed in the prettiest pink gowns by twobirds Bridesmaid. Amy Carroll photographed and there’s much more this way.
From the Bride…Jake and I have been together for eight years, since our freshman year in college. I knew he was the love of my life as soon as I met him and I could not wait to marry him. We got engaged in New York City, where we live, and always knew we would tie the knot back home in Michigan. While that definitely came with challenges, I absolutely loved planning our wedding. I found our venue, Greencrest Manor, on a photographer’s blog and instantly fell in love. It’s set in the middle of nowhere and out of 200 guests, only a couple had ever heard of it. It was perfect for the casual-yet-elegant garden wedding we envisioned.
The amazing and slightly difficult part about our venue was that we needed to bring everything in, from the tent and tables to the catering. We spent hours doing research online and speaking to different vendors to find exactly what we wanted. It was tedious and time consuming, but we ended up with a team of vendors that we adored. About three months before the wedding we realized we really needed a day of coordinator. Hiring Emily and Claire from Polished Events and Celebrations was one of the best wedding planning decisions we made.
Because we planned from a distance, we tried to keep the DIY projects to a minimum, but thankfully my family helped a lot. My mom is an angel and spray-painted all of our candelabras gold and spent hours at flea markets looking for vintage cake stands and pie plates for the dessert table. My dad made a rustic set of cornhole boards, my sister made banners and a bunch of other decor, my lovely husband attached 150 envelope liners for the invitations, and I spent the nights leading up to the wedding hand-assembling 200 program fans.
One of my favorite parts about planning a wedding was finding ways to incorporate personal details. Our officiant was our favorite professor from college—he got ordained just to perform our ceremony and it could not have been more perfect. Part of my bouquet ribbon came from my mom’s wedding dress, which my grandma handmade. She passed away a couple years ago and she always wanted me to marry Jake, so I loved having part of her with me. My headpiece and earrings were custom-designed by my favorite jeweler, Lulu Frost. She also designed earrings for my mom and sister, which we plan to pass down to our daughters. The donuts and bagels (which we served as a late night snack) came from a bakery Jake used to work at, the cake was made by a childhood friend—I could go on and on!
The smartest thing we did was a first look. We took all of our photos before the wedding, and then as the shuttle pulled up to the venue with our guests, every bride’s nightmare came true—it started pouring. I’ll be completely honest, I was really, really sad at first. But Jake took charge and decided we should start with cocktail hour and see if the rain let up. We had a “grand entrance” down the spiral staircase, ate a few hors d’oeuvres and, thankfully, it stopped raining so we could get married outside.
Even with the rain, it was the perfect day. Our guests had so much fun dancing to the Bluewater Kings Band, our dessert table was nearly empty by the end of the night and it was amazing to spend an evening with our closest friends and family. The dress and Manolos may have ended up covered in mud, but I wouldn’t have changed a single thing.
Photography: Amy Carroll Photography | Cinematography: .Vintage Storybooks | Floral Design: Park Place Designs | Wedding Dress: Berta | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Jewelry: Lulu Frost | Bridesmaids' Dresses: twobirds Bridesmaid | Catering: Adeline Leigh Catering | Hair + Makeup: Cheeky Strut | Band: Bluewater Kings Band | Venue: Greencrest Manor | Bride's Robe: BHLDN | Bridesmaids Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Cake + Cupcakes: Fox Trox Baking | Day of Coordination: Polished Events & Celebrations | Donuts + Bagels: Johan's Pastry Shop | Farm Table Rentals: Fancy Fray | Invitations + Stationery: Centennial Avenue | Tent + Chair Rentals: Rentalex
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These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
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It’s a well know fact that we here at the SMP offices LOVE (and I mean, L-O-V-E) ourselves a good pink moment, so it should come as no surprise that Kathryn & Hayes’ wedding is our cup of tea. Add in the massively talented Michelle Boyd Photography behind the lens and you’ve got yourself on gorgeous gallery. See it all in The Vault!
From the Bride… We wanted it to be a big celebration for all of the people that helped to raise us and befriended us throughout our lives. We wanted to have a great party that felt timeless & felt like us. While I absolutely love Pinterest, it is easy to get wrapped up in a lot of trendy extras that just are not necessary & become easily dated. Our focus was to make sure we did all of the “biggies” right. The biggies included a great band, the best photographer on the planet, garden-inspired florals, a modern southern cuisine, unbeatable service & beautiful planning & styling by Jessica Rourke. Our wedding planner later coined our day as “timeless elegance,” which perfectly captures the southern affair we had always dreamed of.
I always, always dreamed of a beautiful Spring wedding. The season radiates joy through its’ beautiful new blooms & longer days of light. I sent Jessica some inspirational images that I loved and she took that & came up with a palette I had hoped for! The palette was spring-inspired with neutrals, natural greens, hues of peachy pink & a pop of a charcoal gray. In terms of styling, we wanted to enhance the already beautiful club with garden-inspired florals to give it a more relaxed feel. We wanted everyone to feel at ease, so they could let loose and have fun. The floral design played a huge role in that. We steered away from the usual BIG floral arrangements and opted for lots of greenery & natural garland swag instead.
Also, I love the look of long tables in a ballroom. However, because we had a big wedding & more of a cocktail/heavy hor d’oeuvres style reception, it didn’t make sense to have them. Since it was a big party, we wanted people to be milling throughout the club/club’s balcony and not be seated for too long. So, we decided to have elevated long tables and tall chiavari chairs instead, which allowed guests to sit if they wanted to, but kept the flow of the party we were hoping for. I think the combination of the elevated long tables, natural greenery, rented bar with florals, the mantel floral design, custom monogramed napkins & printed linen bar signs were truly show-stopping. Jessica and Fern studio exceeded our expectations and it was breathtaking!
We wanted to include as many family elements as we could. We incorporated elements from both of our families throughout the day that made it all feel so loving and special. I wore my Mom’s diamond earrings and an Ashcraft family ring (my something blue!) given to me while we were engaged. My mother-in-law has a beautiful rose garden, so we incorporated some of the roses in my bouquet as well as on some of the cocktail tables. In my husband’s family, there is a family brooch that every bride since the 1800s has worn. Since my dress didn’t call for any jewelry, we decided to put the brooch on the bouquet and it was stunning. Also, my parents gave us the two crystal champagne glasses that we drank out of after the cake cutting as a wedding gift. I think one of my favorite details are the gifts that we gave our parents. I thought about this for a long, long time. They have given up so much to raise us into the people we are today & their gift couldn’t be less than. We got one set of parents a silver compote and the other a small silver platter with the words, “O give thanks unto the Lord” with our initials and wedding date on the back. This small piece of scripture says so much, without saying much at all. We asked Michelle, our photographer to photograph these details in some of the styled shots and I absolutely love them!
My favorite moment was during our ceremony at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. My mom carries a CD in her car that our church in Lexington, SC made years ago. On the CD, our church choir director sings the duet, “The Prayer.” Every time we heard it in the car, my mom, sister and I would all get teary-eyed. We had the choir director recreate the duet with the same guy during the ceremony on the piano. When she sang (she truly has the voice of an angel), it was like my whole life flashed before my eyes and all the tears came streaming down. It was something we had dreamed and thought of for so long and there we were in that moment. It was actually happening.. I was marrying the absolute love of my life. It was indescribable the amount of joy and love that I felt in those few minutes. It is something I will never forget. The next day, on the flight to our honeymoon, I wept tears of pure joy replaying that moment over and over, hoping that I never forget it.
The gown… oh man, that is a biggie. I had a vision for what that would look like. We went to Charleston, SC over labor day weekend last year. It took us three days to find the exact one. I would find dresses that were beautiful, but then would try to piece things together to make them exactly what I wanted. You know the phrase.. “Your Mom is always right.” Welp, in this case, that couldn’t have been truer. I was in-between two dresses and could not make up my mind. My Mom said, well Kathryn, the perfect one has to be out there that has everything you are looking for. So, we went back to White on Daniel Island to try on one of those dresses again and in the meantime, found the “ONE” that had everything I had been looking for. And, to top it all off, my grandmother went with us on the last day, so that made it really special. I think if you really wait on the perfect one, you have no doubts or second-thoughts. I would have chosen that dress a thousand times over.
The cake.. I LOVE wedding cake. Due to the space of the club, we wanted to make sure the scale of the cake was right. Jessica found a picture that inspired our cake. It has two soft blush layers with white hydrangeas that added a modern, yet soft touch.
Late night snack.. it is totally key to a fun party. Hayes has a mad love for anything from his home state of North Carolina. Bojangles, a local fast-food chain, makes a mean (& greasy) chicken biscuit. Around 10pm, we passed around Bojangles chicken biscuits and hummers on silver platters. The hummers are basically like adult milkshakes and delish! We had them at the club’s Christmas party and both said we had to serve them at the wedding.
Petal bags.. Since the club did not allow sparklers, we decided to use rose petals for the grand exit. Jessica designed these beautiful petal bags for the guests to grab on their way out. They said “Au Revoir!” on them, which I loved, since we took a trip to France while dating & went to St. Barths on our honeymoon that my husband planned & surprised me with.
Getaway car.. One of our family friends has a bentley (we were really lucky!), so he and another friend were our drivers for the night. It was so nice to have some “us” time right after the ceremony. I would suggest riding separate from the wedding party just to really enjoy each other and to get some peace and quiet!
Bridesmaids gifts.. In addition to robes and anthro earrings, I found these super fun, glitter T. Swift Keds. I ended up getting them for all of the girls to wear while we were getting ready, as well as to change into for some late-night dancing. My mom, mother-in-law and myself (I opted for the white glitter Kate Spade Keds which are adorable!) ended up getting a pair too! It was just fun to have some party shoes to get the night going.
If you decide to get a wedding planner or coordinator, really observer his/her demeanor. Jessica was cool as a cucumber and it honestly changed the whole dynamic of the day. Because she was so calm, we were just loving life & enjoying time with friends while getting ready. We were ahead of schedule (which almost never happens!), so I got to look in every room at every detail that we had planned for months and months! I even remembered looking at every linen that we had picked out, which I was even surprised by.
When choosing a photographer, Michelle said to me, if you look at a photographer’s work and really envision yourself in those photographs, then that’s your girl/guy! That was the case with Michelle’s work. I kept telling Jessica I wanted a photographer that had a light and airy feeling to his or her work. She picked up on the fact that I wanted a film photographer. Film gives the photos a timeless look that adds so much life & natural beauty. I talked on the phone with Michelle and immediately felt a connection. We are not used to getting photographed, so it can be a very awkward thing. She gave us enough direction and confidence to feel at ease & we will cherish the photos she captured for the rest of our lives.
Photography: Michelle Boyd Photography | Floral Design: Fern Studio | Cake: Charlotte Country Club | Stationery: Lydia Robins Hendrix Studio | Reception Venue: Charlotte Country Club | Catering: Charlotte Country Club | Hair + Makeup: Mikel Rumsey | Wedding Venue: Meyers Park Presbyterian Church | Event Planner + Stylist + Coordinator: Jessica Rourke | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Reception Band: Karat Gold | Rentals: Party Reflections
Crafting a Halloween costume is a lot of work. It’s probably why I’ve sat out on Halloween one too many times in the past! I’d rather spend my moolah on a bottle of wine and a good movie. But if I could make the items in my closet pull double duty? I’d be so down to attend every spooky party. These stylish ‘costumes’ are definitely ones that can be worn time and again!
Fashion Finds that Double as Halloween CostumesView Slideshow
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When the Bride is a wedding planner herself and you have your own 36 acre farm to host your celebration on, you know it’s gonna be good. But that was just the beginning. Add in a creative escort card packed with petals and a menu filled with carbs and ice cream (aka my personal menu of choice) and it’s a home run. And in case you need to see to believe, we have Ruth Eileen’s inspiring images all in our Vault right this way – can we say happy Friday or what?!
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From the Bride… Scott and I were married at our home a few weeks after celebrating our six year anniversary. After planning so many “backyard” weddings for clients, I always swore when I got married I would never do so at home because of the all the stress that comes with hosting a wedding at your house! Of course, it was one of the most important things to Scott. He was so excited to show off our 36-acre farm we purchased three years ago and have put so much love into to make it our dream house. So, after he proposed on the 4th of July, I hit the ground fast trying to secure my must have vendors for our wedding. I loved how Ruth Eileen captured the couples she was shooting. As a planner, Im always so focused on how the details of a wedding are shot, but when it came to my wedding day, I realized I really cared about how we were captured and Ruthie does it so incredibly. We hit it off from our very first meeting and it was a treat to have her present on our wedding day. The photos tell so many stories and I can’t wait to share them for years to come. The White Apron was a no brainer for catering. The fact that they prepared such an incredible meal in our garage still blows my mind. Our guests are still raving about their dinner and Scott’s 83 year old grandfather insists he had the best beef of his life on our wedding night. Katie from Sweet Annie Floral took my all-white, wild and carefree vision and made it into a reality. She didn’t even bat an eye when I decided to change our centerpiece vessels three days before the wedding (yeah, I did that).
For Scott and I, the ceremony was the most important and special part of the whole wedding day. My dad and I drove up in his 1969 AMX which we would take for hamburgers and curly fries every summer Tuesday night when I was little. We decided against doing a first look, so when the doors opened at the ceremony, neither of us could hold back our emotions. I saw no one else but Scott for those few moments I walked down the aisle. Apparently, I made an impression on Scott too because he totally forgot to come meet me and my dad at the first row… he stood motionless for quite some time until his Best Man reminded him what he was supposed to do…. that has to be one of my favorite moments from the ceremony!
I look at countless wedding blogs every day and have seen so many trends come and go, so when it came to designing our day, I wanted to keep the palette neutral and simple and let the surrounding property be the star. Mixed metallics, grays and white were used throughout. Katie Kerrigan added beautiful calligraphy to our signage and the escort card wall I dreamt up after seeing a cute flower display at a farmers market last year. Each guest had a personal bag of bread stamped “#Carbivore” because of my borderline obsession with all things carbs and our social media obsessed guest list.
From the get go, we knew we wanted our wedding to be a giant celebration with lots of surprises for our guests. One of my favorites was Scott rolling onto the dance floor late at night on Sweet B’s Ice Cream Cart. Scott’s family has owned a local ice cream stand for decades and since he’s not a big fan of cake, we decided it would be fun to feed each other ice cream instead of the traditional cake cutting. When I couldn’t find a cute way to serve the ice cream, Sweet B’s Ice Cream Cart was born (named after one of the nicknames for our dog!). We set off fireworks while “Born in the USA” played in the background as a nod to our July 4th anniversary and the day we got engaged and the dance floor was packed until 1am thanks to Jeff from Beat Train Productions.
Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Cinematography: Ryan Denning Creative | Event Planning + Design: Bridget Brunet Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Sweet Annie Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Inbal Dror | Cake: Sweet Dreams Bakery | Invitations: Katie Kerrigan Lettering and Design | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: White Apron Catering | Makeup: Rita Sorrentino | Hair: Neil Gannon | DJ: Beat Train Productions | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Day of Coordination: Nicole Mower Weddings & Events | Ice Cream Cart: Bridget Brunet Weddings & Events | Rentals: Exeter Rentals | Rentals: New England Country Rentals
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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We first fell in love with Nikki when she received the final rose on Juan Pablo’s season of The Bachelor. And while their relationship didn’t end in a TV wedding, she went on to find her forever love, Tyler VanLoo. Of course, Nikki needed bridesmaid and fellow Bachelor alum, Andi Dorfman by her side on the big day and Alea Lovely was there to capture every second. We’re only just getting started, so stay put for part two of Nikki and Tyler’s Kansas City nuptials up next.
“This may still be some post wedding nostalgia speaking,
but I am happy to say I have found my Prince Charming.“
-Nikki
Nikki + Tyler’s Wedding Part II Up Next!
From the Bride, Nikki… I feel like as a girl most of us have spent our childhoods dreaming of our wedding day. We all have dreamt of our Prince Charming sweeping us off our feet and riding away into the sunset. As we grow up we soon come to realize not every boy is a prince, and there’s a good possibility we might have to kiss a lot of frogs first. This may still be some post wedding nostalgia speaking but I am happy to say I have found my Prince Charming.
My wedding was something straight out of a fairytale. The weather was perfect, there were butterflies filling my stomach with anticipation, and I was surrounded by my best friends and family members from all over the country. My heart was bursting with happiness even more so than I anticipated.
One of my favorite moments from the day was when I was waiting in the church library before heading to the sanctuary. I stepped outside in the playground and just took a moment by myself to really take everything in. I listened to the birds, watched the cars go by, and felt the sunshine on my face. My Dad soon poked his head out and with a big smile said “You ready to go sweetheart?” This was it. I was getting married! All the heartbreak and douchebags from the past were tucked somewhere far far away in the back of my mind in the “learned from this mistake folder”. I was overjoyed at the reality of marrying my best friend in a matter of minutes.
My Dad walked me slowly to the sanctuary. I could hear the piano version of Taylor Swift’s “Lovestory” as my bridal party made their way to the front of the church. The flower girls and ring bearer soon followed after and the ushers then shut the doors. It was just my Dad and I for a few moments. I will forever remember those moments. I was nervous but so sure that I was making the best decision of my life. When they opened the doors I felt as if I were floating down the aisle. It was really happening.
I’d love to say that I remember everything during the ceremony but I don’t. I was nervous, concentrating on not locking my knees, and trying not to mess up my vows. My brother was the co-officiant and led Tyler and I through our vows which we wrote ourselves. (Best decision ever! Do it if you get the chance.) We were soon pronounced husband and wife! My face was beaming with this goofy perma-smile that would be plastered there for the rest of the evening.
The reception was beautiful and we danced the night away with our friends and family. It truly was magical yet over way too quickly.
This week I have been reflecting on all the people who helped make all of it possible. Madison Sanders, the best wedding planner ever. She was so patient with me when my indecisive introverted self-made things not so easy. I am forever in debt to her. Alea Lovely, my photographer, the magic maker. The one whom I planned my entire date around her availability. She captures emotion with a single photograph and I couldn’t imagine having anyone else there to photograph the best day of my life.
Adam Hanly, my videographer, he was such a kind calming presence that day in the midst of the chaos of nerves. I cannot wait to see how he captured our story. And Heidi Bowles, my hair and makeup wonder girl. I never like my hair or makeup when I get it done and she made me feel like a goddess! I can only imagine that’s how Kim K feels on the daily. Haha. And Lindsay Marie for my gorgeous custom hair piece and earrings. If you are looking for some classy wedding bling this girl is unbeatable! Love Ophelia, for providing me with the cutest robes for my bridesmaids to get glammed up in. Trust me, your bridal party will thank you for these. And La Gartier for providing me with the custom garters. She even used my mom’s veil to incorporate into these special pieces! I couldn’t have done it without all of these people.
Thank you for letting me share my fairytale with all of you!
xoxo, Nikki
Photography: Alea Lovely | Cinematography: Adan Hanly | Event Planning: Madison Sanders Events | Floral Design: Village Gardens | Wedding Dress: Eve Of Milady | Cake: McLain's Bakery | Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations | Church: St. Johns United Methodist | Reception Venue: the grand ballroom | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Rings: Meierottos Jewelers | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Two Birds Bridesmaids | Catering : Brancato's Catering | Make-up: Heidi B Artistry | DJ: Platinum Productions | Accessories: Lindsay Marie Design | Bridesmaid Dress Boutique: Bella Bridesmaid | Chairs: Platinum Productions | Event Design (Curtain): Harvest Productions | Garter: La Gartier Wedding Garters | Hair ( Bride ): Heidi B Artistry | Hair ( Bridesmaids ) : Christy Hansen | Linens : Ultrapom | Photo Booth: Platinum Productions | Robes: Love Ophelia | Second Shooter: Kyndall Durkee | Veil: Veronica Couture Veils
Peek back at Nikki + Tyler’s Engagement
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Aww, fall weddings. The crisp cool air, the stunning hues and a darling duo like Rebekah and Carson joining together with a talented team of vendors for a classic affair that is sooo on point. From the breathtaking locale (umm, hello, Buttermilk Falls Inn) to the sophisticated details crafted by Charmed Places to the awe-inspiring images from Glen Allsop of Christian Oth Studio, this is an autumn wonderland that will warm your hearts. See it all in THE VAULT.
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From the Bride… Carson and I were married at Buttermilk Falls Inn in Milton, New York overlooking the Hudson River. Having been raised on separate coasts, we wanted to find a location outside of the city that felt like an intimate weekend getaway for all of our friends and family. Buttermilk Falls was the first location we visited and we immediately knew this was the place we wanted to get married. The grounds overlooking the river are stunning and we loved that we could create the wedding of our dreams on the property. We wanted the weekend to feel special and unique and encapsulate who Carson and I are as a couple. It was amazing having our immediate family and bridal party stay with us at the Inn for the entire wedding weekend, everywhere we turned we were surrounded by loved ones.
We wanted our wedding to feel elegant and understated, and wanted to highlight the beautiful grounds of the Inn and the Hudson River in the background. We encouraged guests to take advantage of the Hudson River Valley in the Fall- peak foliage season! All of our guests received a hand drawn map of the area along with a weekend itinerary created by Village Invites, who also designed our beautiful invitation suite. Friday night we hosted our rehearsal dinner in the barn at the Inn and the night ended with a surprise karaoke party, everyone was singing and dancing into the night- a great sign for the big day ahead.
The ceremony took place overlooking the swan pond, and Anthology strings played beautiful versions of some of our favorite songs for the procession and recession. For the cocktail hour and reception we served seasonal fare that highlighted vegetables grown at the Buttermilk farm along with other farm-to-table delights.
Dennis Nutley of the Green Cottage really captured our floral vision. He created beautiful arrangements for the cocktail hour along with stunning garlands that ran the length of the farm house tables. We wanted to highlight the beauty of the wooden tables so we kept the table scape free of linens and let the florals shine, accentuated by votive candles.
The reception tent was truly one of the decor highlights. We wanted to feel like we were dancing under the stars, and Events Unlimited provided the clear span tent with views of the Hudson River to one side and the Inn on the other. Stortz Lighting created a magical chandelier of twinkle lights above the dance floor.
The Stingers provided the BEST music we could have ever asked for. The dance floor was packed even before the cocktail reception officially ended. We were even treated to a very special performance by Carson’s cousins, which made the evening even more unforgettable.
Following the reception, everyone was invited to the after party held at one of Buttermilk’s cottages right on the Hudson River. The dancing continued into the wee hours of the morning.
Lydia Bailey for Charmed Places made our entire wedding vision a reality, no detail was spared and she made our wedding the best day of our lives.
Photography: Christian Oth Studio | Cinematography: Vantage Point | Event Planning: Charmed Places | Floral Design: Green Cottage | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Linda Laestadius | Invitations: Village Invites | Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Hair + Makeup: Glamour House | Lighting: Stortz Lighting | Band: The Stingers Band | Venue: Buttermilk Falls Inn
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Russ and Erykah didn’t want the typical wedding day. They wanted a tight-knit celebration surrounded by 15 of their dearest friends and family, so they planned what just might be the prettiest styled elopement ever. Of course, with a dress like Erykah’s you have to have a statement bouquet and headpiece designed by La Fleur Du Jour to match, and our faves Michael and Carina didn’t miss a single second behind the camera. Head to the gallery and see just how chic an elopement can be.
From Michael and Carina Photography…This elopement at the Salamander Resort in Virginia was intimate, stylish, unique and oh so romantic. The bride was rocking a lilac gown, a blueberry bouquet and romantic lace-up shoes. The couple married in a romantic Virginia setting, surrounded by only 15 friends and family. It was so beautiful!
And while it was a unique elopement, nothing was missing at all from this wedding. The calligraphy paper suite, the neatly decorated farm table, and the elegant cake, all made for beautiful accents. Personal pies made a beautiful addition to the wedding cake. This celebration was so special, and I know the trendsetting couple will inspire many brides and grooms-to-be.
Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Floral Design: La Fleur Du Jour | Wedding Dress: ModCloth | Cake: The Salamander Resort | Bride's Shoes: Nordstrom | Jewelry: Boone and Sons | Catering: The Salamander Resort | Calligraphy: Corsivo Calligraphy | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Venue: The Salamander Resort | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab
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