Ines di Santo Bridal Week Fall 2017View Slideshow
Photography: FirstView
Ivy and Keith call New York City home but decided on a destination wedding in California’s wine country. And really, can you blame them? It’s a little slice of heaven on earth where the vino is always flowing, and weddings equal al fresco dinner parties with food from vendors like Paula LeDuc. Amy Kaneko Events helped the couple add personal touches throughout, including custom cookie favors of their pup, Lucas. Go get thoroughly inspired in the gallery from Jose Villa.
Ivy & Keith are a fun-loving couple from New York City that wanted a destination wedding in California’s wine country. After scouring venues around Napa Valley, they fell in love with Beaulieu Garden.
Amy Kaneko Events designed the wedding around the classically romantic setting with some whimsical touches that fit the couple. Ivory flowers were set against charcoal gray linens, and delicate iron chandeliers were suspended above the dinner tables (enhanced with just a touch of ivy, as a playful nod to the bride). Julie Song Ink created gorgeous printed materials, from watercolor invitations depicting the ceremony site to escort cards with personalized drawings of Ivy & Keith’s favorite places (my favorite was Hogwarts).
Ivy and Keith are unabashed dog lovers and such a fun-spirited couple, so even though the wedding was formal and timeless, there were lots of playful references to their pup Lucas. From a reading during the ceremony entitled “How falling in love is like owning a dog” — which was hilarious and actually rather poignant — to cocktail napkins and bar signs with watercolor portraits of Lucas. We even made custom cookie favors in Lucas’ exact image, down to his spots!
Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Videography: Daniel Chae | Event Planning: Amy Kaneko Events | Floral Design: SHARLA FLOCK DESIGNS | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Stationery: Julie Song Ink | Brides Shoes: Gianvito Rossi | Bridesmaid Dresses: Assorted collection via Bride | Catering: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events | Hair and Makeup: The Glamourist | Venue: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events | Cookie Favors: Sweet Dani B | Flower Girl Dress: J.Crew | Grooms Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Grooms Tux: Manolo Costa New York | Music: Dart DJ | Paper Goods: Julie Song Ink | Signage: Julie Song Ink | Veil: Vera Wang
Saying “hello” to fall doesn’t mean just sitting back with a yummy PSL and watching football in your cozies. It also means prepping your casa for all of the hoopla that the new season brings. So today we’re teaming up with our faves at The Registry at Bloomingdale’s to help you achieve that autumn-worthy home just in time for Halloween. Think of it as a helpful how-to that will most definitely impress with everything from tips on fashion to entertaining. Check it out below.
Entertaining
You can’t survive fall without a few crazy cool items from The Registry at Bloomingdale’s to really help you host those fall parties in style. From the perfect drinkware to the cutest platters for serving up those holiday cookies, they’ve got everything (and I mean everything) you’ll ever need to channel your inner Martha and throw those celebrations like a total rockstar.
Things to Remember
- You may be used to hosting more intimate dinner parties, but with the holidays just around the corner you’ll have more than your fair share of larger events on that fall agenda. Be sure to stock up on the essentials for parties of all shapes and sizes.
- Don’t be afraid to ask your Personal Registry Consultant at Bloomingdale’s for advice on just what, and how much, you need. They are the experts… and they are here to help!
[dotted]
Baccarat Dom Perignon Flute Pair | Juliska Berry & Thread Whitewash Christmas Gingerbread Man Platter | Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker | Michael Wainwright Manhattan Gold Salad Servers
[dotted]
FASHION
When it comes to chic attire, there’s nothing quite like a closet full of fall cuddlies guaranteed to keep you warm… and super stylish. From chic booties to amazing puffy vests to knit caps for those Saturday morning walks with your love, autumn is the ultimate fashion happy place.
Things to Remember
- Filling your closet with cozy knits and scarves is an absolute MUST, but don’t forget those fashionable finds for nights out celebrating the new season or the holiday get-togethers with your friends and family.
- With your Registry at Bloomingdale’s, you can take advantage of exclusive savings (20% off in store!) on dresses, intimates, fine jewelry, men’s suiting and men’s formal wear. Which means you’ll def be voted Best Dressed at your annual work party.
[dotted]
Theory Treeca 2 Printed Crop Pants | Sergio Rossi Betty Double Strap Mary Jane Pumps | Burberry Sheer Mega Check Scarf | MICHAEL Michael Kors Large Hayley North/South Tote
[dotted]
DECOR
The best part about fall? (Other than the lazy weekends in, of course.) The decor. And The Registry at Bloomingdale’s most definitely has you covered in that department with a never-ending lineup of awesome finds that will transform your home into an autumn wonderland in no time at all.
Things to Remember
- When it comes to holiday decorating, classy and sophisticated is key. Which means saying goodbye to that orange and black love-fest and hello to fab pieces like crystal pumpkins from Simon Pearce.
- You may not receive every decor item on your list when the Big Day rolls around, but with The Registry at Bloomingdale’s, you can complete your registry with their insanely cool Completion Offer at 10-20% off. (Yes, it’s amazing.)
[dotted]
Georg Jensen Supernova Tiny Candleholder | Simon Pearce Short Pumpkins | Juliska Forest Walk Gratitude Gift Tray | Nambé Twist Bud Vase
[dotted]
Outdoor Essentials
Just because it’s a little chilly outside doesn’t mean you’re relegated to celebrating these beautiful fall days inside near the fireplace. Nope, you can throw on that wool scarf and head to the great outdoors to relax, soak in the sunshine and breathe in that crisp, cool air. You’ll never be more invigorated.
Things to Remember
- Hosting that fall get-together with your friends and family? Make the outdoors an extension of the party with a chic outdoor rug and patio heater to keep your loves warm. You can even serve up hot cocoa (or coffee!) for a little extra dose of cozy.
- Use your Registry Checklist and Big Brown Mobile App at The Registry at Bloomingdale’s to save time AND keep organized. You don’t want to miss an outdoor essential that could make or break your fun times.
[dotted]
Jaipur Patio Area Rug – Triangles | kate spade new york Patio Floral Blush Acrylic Glasses | Sparrow & Wren Sherpa Chunky Knit Throw | Lasko 50″ Patio Fan with Light
[dotted]
To start prepping for your fall-inspired abode, visit The Registry at Bloomingdale’s TODAY. Your Personal Registry Consultant will walk you step by step through all of the fab benefits + perks, including honeymoon packages, bridal event invites and a Thank You Manager, so you won’t miss sending a big hug to that special friend. They’re beyond awesome.
[dotted]
Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography
If you’re craving color then look no further because this lovely wedding captured by Michael + Anna Costa Photography is just the ticket. Rich hues of red paired with the loveliest (and lively) celebration, we’ve got it all just waiting in The Vault!
From the Bride…Aaron and I have been in love since the first day we met. I remember walking in his house wearing my favorite high waisted bell bottom jeans, white eyelet crop top and most importantly…my thick tortoise frame glasses. Aaron says his ‘moment’ was when I locked eyes with him from over the top of my glasses. Yes, it is true – I was starring. Quite honestly, it was hard not to… Aaron is the sexiest combination of Robert Downey Jr. and David Duchovny! To top it off his laughter fills a room, it is so contagious and sincere that he makes everyone around him happy. From that day forward we were the best of friends, we still are, there is so much love between us, it feels as if we have known each other in many lifetimes beyond this one.
After 4 years of dating and countless adventures together – Aaron bought a ring (the most breathtaking ring EVER). He got down on one knee January 10th, a rainy Saturday morning in Malibu and proposed a lifetime of unconditional love, support, kindness, joy and laughter; and without any hesitation I said yes. Aaron said he was planning something more intricate for the proposal but from the minute the ring was finished, he had been too excited to wait any longer.
When planning our wedding Aaron and I wanted it to reflect our relationship…passionate, romantic and intimate. We are both free spirited people working in creative industries, so having an environment that felt effortless and enjoyable was also an inspiring force. We wanted to get married in California because it is the place we both call home. We love the ocean and rolling mountains, and Santa Barbara really fit the vision we both had in mind. When we walked into Belmond El Encanto for lunch on their stunning terrace we knew this was the place we wanted to say ‘I do’ – perched on the hills with lush gardens and its gorgeous ocean view of the Channel Islands. I was then introduced to Tenley Erin Young, our Event and Floral Coordinator, and this was another ‘love at first sight’ moment for me. Tenley’s work is extraordinary, I was drawn to her eclectic and creative vision, mixing various themes and styles; I knew she was the woman for the job! Aaron and I love the Fall season, in fact it is the thing we miss most about the Midwest (with the exception of our families). With that being said, we really wanted in incorporate deep reds, taupes, lush greens, golds and various textures into the design. Aaron and I were looking to merge bohemian and romantic styles and the harmony that Tenley created exceeded our wildest dreams. Our wedding was a fairy tale, what a magical day to celebrate our love with our nearest and dearest family and friends.
Photography: MICHAEL + ANNA COSTA PHOTOGRAPHY | Coordination: Alegria by Design | Event Design: Tenley Erin Young | Floral Design: Tenley Erin Young | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Invitations: Honey Paper | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Jewelry: Untamed Petals | Rings: Roxbury Jewelry | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Hair + Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Calligraphy: Sophia Loves Letters | Lighting: Bella Vista Designs, Inc | DJ: Gavin Roy | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein | Transportation: Eos | Venue: Belmond El Encanto | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rehearsal Dinner: Wine Cask Restaurant | Rentals: Scout Rental Co
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
For membership information, click here
They met at a wedding and their first five dates were at weddings, so these two? They were meant to say “I do.” And when they decided to tie the knot, they put their wedding know-how to the test and turned to One Fine Day Events to create a drop-dead gorgeous affair that is as colorful as it is rich in personal details. Fall in love with every moment captured by Mike Larson in THE VAULT, then press play on the sweet film from Reel Eyes Media below.
[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/103947645 600 338]
From the Bride and Groom… John and I have been to A LOT of weddings. In fact, we met at a wedding and our first five dates were at weddings. When it came time for us to take the plunge, we knew we wanted our big day to be a one-of-a-kind reflection of us. Something classic, creative and personal.
I was eight years old when I told my mom I wanted to get married in Lake Tahoe. I grew up staying in those cabins, skiing on those slopes and playing on those beaches. It is truly my happy place. And since John and I hit it off at a wedding in Lake Tahoe, we knew it was the perfect place to share with our friends and family.
We can’t say enough about the people who made our day exactly what we wanted it to be. We enlisted the help of One Fine Day Events to find the perfect venue. We knew we were in good hands with Stephanie and the rest of the One Fine Day team. Living in San Francisco, they helped us find the best vendors in Lake Tahoe and always steered us in the right direction, while allowing us to call the shots. Our photographer, Mike Larson, and videographer, Darren Baca of Reel Eyes Media, became fast friends of ours. We are so grateful to have had them capture the best moments of our day.
In addition to our top-notch vendors, this was a family affair. My Dad, the owner of Michael Fischer Design, designed every printed piece for the wedding and every event leading up to it: engagement party invitations, save the date postcards, welcome letters, programs, personalized dinner menus and cocktail napkins. We kept him busy all. year. long.
Our hair and makeup was done by the The Makeup Dolls. Co-owners, Indiana, my sister-in-law, and Violet spent the morning dolling up myself and my bridesmaids. What a special morning it was for me to share with my closest friends, my mom and my sister-in-law.
We wanted our officiant to be someone who knew both of us, and our relationship well. Someone who would have our guests laughing and crying. My brother was the perfect person for the job. We knew he would do a fantastic job, and he delivered even more than we expected. During our ceremony he asked us to turn around and look at the extraordinary group of people we had assembled. It was one of my favorite moments of the day to look out at the encouraging, loving faces of our friends and family.
We chose a private estate on the west shore of the lake for our venue; the ceremony and reception were just steps from the water, making for the most beautiful backdrop (and a convenient late night swim for a couple of groomsmen!). We made sure to add personal touches that reflected us and celebrated our fabulous location:
– As a surprise to our wedding party, we arrived to the ceremony on the Wild Goose II charter boat.
– I walked down the aisle to “Here Comes the Bride” on the bagpipes to celebrate our Irish and Scottish heritage, thanks to Sean Cummings of Tahoe Bagpiper.
– Whenever our families are together, the conversation lands on baseball. My family members are die hard Giants fans and John’s family are loyal Cardinals fans. To celebrate our teams, our flower girl (my niece) carried her flowers down the aisle in a Giants hat. And our ring bearer, John’s nephew, carried our rings down the aisle in a Cardinals hat.
– We had guests sign vintage skis instead of a guest book.
– During our cocktail hour we had a beer tasting bar for my Dad, who is a craft beer fanatic, and a wine tasting bar for John’s Dad, who grows wine grapes in Missouri.
– John and I rarely get off the dance floor at any event, and our wedding was no different. Our DJ, Brian Hess, kept the dance floor packed all night.
Looking back on our wedding day, it was exactly how I had pictured it, but infinitely better. I was so touched to receive the compliment, “This wedding is so you guys.” several times that night and since. I am so incredibly grateful to have shared my favorite place with my favorite people, and my favorite husband.
Photography: Mike Larson | Cinematography: Reel Eyes Media | Event Planning + Design: One Fine Day | Floral Design: Jiosia Designs | Hair + Makeup: The Makeup Dolls - Airbrush Makeup and Hair Artistry | DJ: Brian Hess | Ceremony Music: Tahoe Bag Piper | Venue: Private Estate | Boat Rental: Wild Goose II | Catering + Desserts: D'Lish Catering | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Celebrations Party Rentals
Thanks to the talented lens of Jose Villa I’ll be daydreaming the rest of the day away in The Vault. Because this lovely inspiration is SO incredibly beautiful that not even wild horses could drag me away. See all the beauty for yourself below! P.S. We’ve got even more from Jose Villa coming up next!
Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Floral Design: Running Wild Florals | Invitations: Amber Moon Design | Hair + Makeup: Janet Villa | Art Direction: Sarah Park Events | Wardrobe: Gossamer
You don’t need to be a feng shui expert to tackle a more efficient and harmonious workspace. Simply implement these 10 rules for your office and feng shui your way to success. It’s all about harmony, good energy and desk power poses. Read-up on these simple tricks below and make that office work for you.
Office Feng ShuiView Slideshow
[dotted]
Another way to doll up your office…
Saying “I do” in classic fashion is never a bad thing, and when these two sweeties tied the knot in their traditional meets romantic affair, it was everything you want your wedding day to be. Think gorgeous details, a beautiful locale and moment after moment of HAPPY. Oh, and the bride’s amazing hair? It’s beyond. See it all captured perfectly by the talented Kristina Lorraine in THE VAULT.
From the Bride… It all began on a hot and humid day back in July 2012, fittingly, at a Chicago street fest a few beers deep. It started innocently enough, Kurt’s friend knew mine, which started the introductions. This led to an afternoon of a few awkward flirtations and a whole lot of Bud Light. Kurt claims that he had asked for my number that day, but this part of the story is still a little hazy. It took three months and the magic of Facebook to reunite us (we’re a shy duo).
We had our first date at a romantic local establishment (Kirkwood in Lincoln Park), and again keeping with the theme, learned more about each other over a few adult beverages. The next few years were spent meeting each other’s wonderful friends and family (Kurt was welcomed with party hats and boas and thankfully my introduction was a lot more tame), a few weekend getaways, moving in together to our cozy Roscoe apartment, and a little bit of heartache. All of which showed us that we can pretty much handle anything that is thrown our way. Our story shows that love can be found at any corner even when you least expect it. Even the corner of Lincoln and Montana!
Our wedding vibe can be described in three words: light, romantic and antique-y. This made the most sense due to our casual venue and our laid-back personalities. We went to a countless number of good will stores and a few antique rental spots to make our look complete! Our theme for the wedding was “love” (unique right??) which we were able to incorporate all over our venue. Starting from the drink we loved, to Polaroids of the people we loved (in lieu of a guest book), to centerpieces with displays of Kurt and my favorite things. It really turned out to be a perfect day of love!!
Photography: Kristina Lorraine Photography | Event Planning: Graceful Events | Floral Design: Trellis | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Invitations: BHLDN | Ceremony Venue: St. Andrew | Reception Venue: The Abbey Resort and Spa | Bride's Shoes: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair + Makeup: Sonia Roselli | Cocktail Cruise: Lake Geneva Cruise Line | Dessert: Holey Moley | Photography - Assistance: Mugan Films | Rentals: Relics Vintage Rentals
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
For membership information, click here
Not only have we looked to some of these iconic women for their incredible style—but we also love the beauty of their names. From Garance and Coco Chanel to Bianca Jagger and Poppy Delevingne, these ladies rock uber style and have fabulous names that are sure to inspire your baby naming process for a little lady.
Baby Names Inspired by Iconic Women with Uber StyleView Slideshow
[dotted]
Paper Wisteria Backdrop DIY for a Flower-Inspired Shower
[dotted]
See our full baby name archives here!
Give me a bouquet from Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs and I’m always on board. It’s the beginning of this classic southern affair designed by A. Dominick Events and we’ve got all the moments from the lens of Katelyn James. Adorable first look reaction, included.
From the Bride…Yes – the groom, my dress, the unbelievable weather, the incredible venue were what made my wedding day special, But also, truly? The people.
Our families, whose generosity and patience really made the day and weekend itself a reality, but who also shaped everything we believe in, and surrounded us with love on the day and always. Our wedding party made it special – they are not just beautiful humans, but they have always supported us and continue to support us. Our friends (who we consider to be family), who came from near and far and wide, to stand by us as we said our vows.
Both my parents walked me down the aisle – it was important to them, and to me – and then in the middle of the father-daughter dance, my dad and I had planned to surprise my mom by pulling her up to the dance floor with us. Then it just felt silly without my sister – we’re a unit – so we pulled her up too. It was one of my favorite non-ceremony moments. It is so hard to choose just one favorite detail from our wedding, but if I had to it would be pinning my grandmother’s wedding ring (along with a little blue ring of my mother’s) into my dress as my old, borrowed, blue – because I believe my grandmother would have really loved to have picked my dress with me!
I just wanted it to be both the loveliest and most logistically smooth day that our guests had ever attended – it was important to me that it was beautiful, that it reflected us as people and as a couple, and that guests always knew what was happening, how, and where. (As someone in the events industry, the guest experience matters!) So that was major “inspiration.” Decor-wise, I just wanted it to be lovely. Our colors were technically gray and chartreuse and white – modern (John’s taste) but also a little unexpected and romantic (my influence). And then we added in some pink for me, and some deeper greens because spring produces a bounty of beautiful flowers that are hard to resist. My dress and the venue inspired a lot – I picked my dress first, actually, which I wouldn’t have planned to do – but it ended up laying the groundwork for the tone we wanted to set. Romantic, beautiful, flows easily, and a little bit organic but refined. Boom: Pippin Hill. A match made in heaven. And the rest fell (or at least mostly!) into place.
It sounds cliche but I loved the food, the sparkling rose, the perfect gray and white of the escort cards, and the glimmering mercury glass of the votives on the tables. I loved our ceremony music and our reception DJ – it doesn’t sound like a detail, but when it’s good, it’s really good and the guests really enjoy themselves. And of course, the cookie table. It’s a Western Pennsylvania tradition, and my aunts and family members made all those cookies for us – it is such a generous and delicious tradition that we were lucky enough to have our families be willing to transport it to Virginia.
All of this would not have been possible without the most wonderful vendors (who I really continue to think of as my partners in the whole thing) – Cindy from A. Dominick Events (who saved me), Katelyn James (who captured everything more beautifully than I remember it), Pat and Sherry from Southern Blooms (who made my floral dreams come true), Hannah at Pippin Hill (who made my food dreams come true, and service look like a total breeze), Cheree Berry and team (who made my paper dreams come true) and last but not least Alison Harper’s team (who made me feel beautiful) They all brought this entire beautiful thing to life – and made it so easy and smooth for me – and I am forever grateful!
Photography: Katelyn James Photography | Event Planning: A. Dominick Events | Floral Design: Southern Blooms | Wedding Dress: Suzanne Neville | Cake: Favorite Cakes | Invitations: Cheree Berry Paper | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Hair + Makeup: Alison Harper and Company | DJ: Evan Reitmeyer | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: Pippin Hill Farm
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
For membership information, click here
When you have the perfect pairing of photographer and adorable couple – and a beautiful backdrop that’s just one amazing added bonus – you don’t need anything else. No props, no fillers, no extras. Just pure, simple talent and a too cute for words twosome. Need proof? Look here: Joel Serrato captured these cuties in the hills of Los Olivos – see all the pics in our Vault right this way!
From Joel Serrato Films + Photographs…Emily and Sean’s engagement session in the mountains of Los Olivos.
Photography: Joel Serrato Film Photographer | Hair + Makeup: Janet Villa
For the creatives behind Ashley & Malone, working with your significant other looks beyond dreamy. And this glammed up office is the proof. A sleek white backdrop, a pop of pink sofa, perfectly edited desks and all the pretty vignettes you could possibly imagine – that’s just a bit of what you’ll find in this creative workspace. Take the full tour captured by Krista Fox Photography right here.
The Ashley & Malone office is a space for us to work as a team, collaborate on exciting new projects, welcome our clients into a space that’s inspiring and hopefully foster our company culture in a bright environment.
Ashley & Malone began with the dream of building a boutique agency that better served the creative industry. A loving team who believed that design didn’t have to be complicated and development didn’t mean confusion for our clients.
The journey behind Ashley & Malone didn’t just happen one day, it was shaped by years of late nights and hard work, but also a unique story of the love of Ashley and Dallas, a husband and wife duo who fell in love during our last semester of design school.
After a few years of courtship, long distance between Dallas’s home in The Bahamas, and finally a move to Ashley’s hometown, we were married in 2012. Since graduation, we had run a successful freelance business where I designed and Dallas developed. It largely served corporate clients and to say I was uninspired was an understatement.
We were both working full-time jobs and ran our company in the evenings and weekends. I was happy, but something felt like it was missing… Why was I working every night after work to design projects that I wasn’t passionate about? During our wedding, I was so inspired by the creativity and beauty found in the wedding industry. The people who we worked for were fun, female entrepreneurs who valued stunning design but also lacked the know-how and experience in graphic design and code.
I can remember a few times when our vendors reached out to us in a panic saying their website crashed or a simple change they wanted to make wasn’t possible because their developer was MIA. Alas, Dallas would come to the rescue and fix whatever problem they were having. I didn’t realize how valuable it was having a coding pro that wasn’t going anywhere.
The idea for Ashley & Malone came to life. We slowly transitioned our freelance business and setup a landing page for our new venture – A design agency that catered to creative entrepreneurs, wedding pros and bloggers. It was built on the concept of having a creative, reliable and personal approach to branding and website design.
Before we knew it, we were booking one, two and now six months in advance. After a year and a half of building the business out of our home, we made the jump and signed an office lease. I maintained my flexible full-time job, and Dallas soon left his gig to work for the company full-time.
Nine months later, I left my cushy job and hired our first Office Manager. Six months later we hired on a Graphic Designer and Web Developer. We’re now a happy little team of five (hopefully forever) and I couldn’t’ picture it any other way. This office shoot was a way for us to celebrate where we have been and where we are going.
To more intentionally showcase the story behind Ashley & Malone and honor our incredible team. The business has changed so much in the last 3 years, we service small and large clients and really wanted to communicate that to our following. A few noteworthy partnerships have been with The Body Book (by Cameron Diaz), Lover. Ly and Inspired By This.
[dotted]
20 Chic Ideas for an Organized OfficeView Slideshow
Photography: Krista Fox | Office of: Ashley & Malone
First comes the proposal, then comes the planning! As a new bride on the cusp of holy matrimony, it can be difficult to know where to begin. While friends, family and internet inspiration can be resources to figuring out where to start, it’s important to first know the style of wedding you’re going for. The wedding style you choose will walk you through each step of planning and better equip you to make decisions quickly; without stress or confusion.
Browsing wedding websites (like SMP, of course) and magazines are usually the first things a bride begins to do in the planning process. It may seem like a good idea, but if you don’t first figure out your wedding style, browsing inspiration endlessly will leave you overwhelmed and spinning in all directions. There are so many options and beautiful choices that can pull at our heart strings so it’s important to have a firm idea on the wedding style before deciding on other details such as the flowers, colors, or reception decor. The wedding day style you choose will be the ultimate tool to guide you throughout wedding planning. So let’s get to it…
[dotted]
Closet Perspective
First, think about your wardrobe. Your personal style says a lot about who you are as a person and can bring about certain keywords that will help guide you to a more personalized wedding day. Do you and your fiancé have similar style? If not, take note of both styles to make sure you’re taking into consideration a collective style that speaks to the both of you. Now, take a look into your closet. What kind of styles do you wear? Are you conservative, preppy, trendy, glamorous, edgy, or casual? Although we all seem to have a finger on our personal style, it helps to visualize each piece and see our closet or style from a different perspective. I may think I’m really trendy but when I see my staple wardrobe pieces, I quickly realize I have a more laid-back approach to fashion. Keep your personal style in mind while you ponder the next steps to discovering your wedding day style because it will help your decisions stay ‘on brand’ and be more authentic to who you really are as a couple.
[dotted]
Weekend Vibes
What do you and your fiancé enjoy doing together? Do you like to explore the great outdoors or prefer a nice dinner out before a show? Your wedding day style should reflect common interests that will ultimately help you make more personalized decisions for the wedding. A couple that enjoys sunshine and surfing wouldn’t be likely to choose an indoor, winter wonderland wedding but the bride might fantasize it for a moment if she doesn’t take their common interests into consideration beforehand. For example, if I were to skip this step and went straight to browsing inspiration on the internet then I may end up wanting a million things for the wedding that look pretty in a picture but clearly doesn’t speak to our relationship. Dreaming of all the different weddings you could have will leave you falling from a cloud without solid direction and make wedding planning seem far more difficult than it should be.
[dotted]
The Power of Three
Once you have your personal styles and common interests in mind then you will be able to narrow down your wedding day style into a maximum of three keywords. There are so many descriptive words to choose from, so to make it easier, I’ve included a page from my book My Fairytale Wedding below that lists many of the keywords to reference! With your partner, note only 2-3 of the words that speak to your personal style and how you want your wedding day to look. Do these words complement each other for a refined wedding theme? Write these words down or keep them in mind throughout wedding planning. As you begin to make decisions on the specific details for the wedding, these keywords will help you stay focused and confident for an overall cohesive look and wedding style you will love for your big day.
Happy planning!
xoxo, Desiree
[dotted]
Peek Back at Desiree’s Wedding!
Desiree Hartsock
The Bachlerotte,Bridal Designer,Author
Anne Barge Bridal Week Fall 2017View Slideshow
Photography: Dan Lecca
