Style Me Pretty: Wedding Blog for the Style-Obsessed Bride

Anne Barge Bridal Week Fall 2017

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Anne Barge Bridal Week Fall 2017

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Photography: Dan Lecca

Fall in Love with This Autumn Wedding Inspiration

A change in season means one thing: a change in color, and boy oh boy do we love ourselves a rich pairing of autumn hues. Thankfully Jasmine Pettersen has answered our call because this lovely little inspiration is bursting with seasonal elements that you’ll want to steal. See it all in The Vault!

From Jasmine Pettersen … We took inspiration for this shoot from the golden light of autumn, and the gardens and grounds of the Heide Museum of Modern Art in Melbourne. Organic and slightly wild, the fenced gardens hide secret nooks for lovers to wait, and surprise us with delicate green shoots among the autumn tones.

Our bride looked ethereal in her embroidered silk Houghton NYC Beatrix gown from The Bridal Atelier, paired with a delicate crown from Anna Marguerite.

Shades of gold and silvery grey feature throughout: in the soft billowy silk ribbons, the art deco diamond rings, and the exquisite paper goods in metallic ink on grey handmade paper.

Our florals, mirroring the wildness of the garden, feature poppies, garden roses, peonies and autumn berries and foliage.

The overall effect is both elegant and refined, but grounded in the imperfect beauty of nature.

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Written Word Calligraphy

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SMP Blogger Bride ‘Dressed by Jess’ Wedding Reveal Part II

Now that we’ve had a chance to drool over part one of Jess Galfo’s wedding day captured by Love & Light Photographs, it’s time for the magic that came after “I do.” Beginning and ending with epic staircase moments, it’s no surprise this fashion blogger turned bride made sure her gowns fit the Cinderella occasion. In her words, “It has been such a pleasure to share my wedding journey with you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following along.” The feelings are so mutual, Jess.

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After the vows, our guests headed into cocktail hour overlooking the bay. Few places on earth can reflect the postcard-quality views, and nothing beats a summer sunset over the ocean. After cocktail hour and as guests headed into the reception, I quickly transitioned my look into something a little more sleek, for dancing of course! My hairstylist Michelle (of Up and Out Beauty Bar) stayed with me the entire day to help transition my hair for the evening. I wore a custom hairpiece by Foolish Ginger that delicately strung along my curls.

Our guests found their seats with the help of calligraphed escort cards adorned with wax seals. French inspired centerpieces, candelabras, linens of textured ivory with lace embroidery, and a stunning ballroom with a scenic view set the tone for the evening. Our sweetheart table featured a beautiful garland (over 3 feet of flowers!) simply laid across a sparkling linen in a soft ivory. Our band, Almost Easy, kept us on our feet, and I can truly say we danced the night away under the stars overlooking the beautiful coast.

The whole day was an ethereal vision and the happiest day of my life! It has been such a pleasure to share my wedding journey with you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following along and for all of your sweet words. I would love to hear about your wedding plans too in the comments below. Cheers to planning your very own fairytale!

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Follow Jess’ Entire Wedding Journey!

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Wedding Dresses

Jenny Packham

Bridal 2016 Catwalk

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Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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Adrianna Papell

Spring 2015

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Now This is How You Announce the Gender of Your Baby

You guys have NO idea how much of a tease writing this post was for me. We find out the gender of our very own baby in just ten days. Ten! I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning. Although we aren’t planning to do a gender reveal party, after seeing this adorable shindig planned and designed by mama-to-be, Elizabeth Carberry, I’m starting to think that maybe we should. Read more about the inspiration behind the sweet details below and see the rest captured by Bonnie Sen in The Vault!

From the Mom, Elizabeth Carberry… Before even finding out we were pregnant I knew I wanted to host the perfect gender reveal for our future little star. We had to wait a little longer than expected because our doctors made us wait until week 20 to find out but it was worth the wait!

I know from day one that I wanted the theme to be Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and working and collaborating on events with some of the most creative people in Washington, DC made it so easy to pull together my vision. I wanted everything to be really simple and neutral in color palette and design with just a touch of sparkle.

My dear friend from Taffy Floral created luscious, unassuming, gorgeous bouquets that served as the focal point of our tablescapes. And the icing on the cake was a custom wall mural made by The Blue Haystack to pull the theme together that corresponded with the cake topper to share “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, How We Wonder What You Are” with our family and friends.

My husband wanted the reveal itself to be interactive, so we went with the poppers, but I knew that I wanted to include the most delectable cake to surprise us from Buttercream Bakeshop. And to add to their tasty creation, Cookies On The Side, made the most adorable and delicious cookies!

The poppers were a fun way to include all the people we love most in sharing in our surprise – although coordination took a bit of finesse so everyone popped at once. The confetti was blue! And even though “I already knew it was a boy” (call it a mother’s intuition), we could not have been more thrilled! Baby Carberry now has his own version of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Start signed by all of the people that already love him most – and now onto his nursery to make his little world come to life. We can’t wait for our Christmas baby!

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Try this DIY backdrop for a baby shower!

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Petit Bouquet

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SMP Blogger Bride ‘Dressed by Jess’ Wedding Reveal Part I

You guys, we’ve followed our girl Dressed by Jess since the very beginning. We followed her from the engagement to the bridesmaid ask, to the wedding planning, bridal shower, and bachelorette weekend. To say we’ve come to adore her is an understatement, and that’s why we’re nearly bursting at the seams for the wedding day reveal! Shot by Love & Light Photographs and filmed by Endless Wave Studios, it’s simply too good for one single post, so stay put for part two up next.

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From The Bride…The time has finally come to share all of the details from our wedding day. It’s been just about three months since we said “I do” and it was truly everything we could have imagined and so much more. We feel so consumed with love from our family and friends and we are so thankful for each and every person who helped our big day come to life. Here’s how our fairytale unfolded…

Our wedding celebration was inspired by the French countryside and the grand beauty of Paris. We were engaged in Paris during a vacation there in October of 2014, and it was one of the happiest times of our lives. Incorporating a touch of France into our wedding made the day even more sentimental. We scouted several venues in the tri-state area in search of a whimsical setting that felt special and reflective of our old-world kind of love. We chose a waterside estate, The Mallard, just south of where Rob and I grew up. It was an extremely romantic setting that felt straight out of a storybook.

Leading up to the wedding Rob and I poured our hearts into planning. I worked with Paige of Gilded Lily Events to design every last detail. We set the tone for the celebration with French blue, ivory, rich greenery, blush, and gold accents. Our invitations along with all of the signage for our wedding day were custom made by Victoria of Design House of Moira. The softest French blue was hand painted over gold foil invitations and finished with our initials in a floral embellished crest.

If I had to choose three favorite wedding planning moments, it would be customizing our invitations, working with Reynolds and Gilded Lily Events on the floral theme, and designing my dress alongside Mark Zunino. To be honest, while I enjoyed almost all of the wedding planning, these moments will always standout as my favorites. I’ve been waiting to talk about my dress for what feels like years now! Mark designed the dress of my dreams which featured a 9 foot detachable train delicately adorned with Italian 3D-cut lace which was scattered organically throughout the ballskirt and bodice. The A-line skirt fell softly on top of a fit-and-flare reception dress. The sleeves featured more lace to add softness and dimension and they were also detachable. Mark designed a cathedral veil to complement my dress (nearly 12 feet long) with a blusher. It was truly the dress of my dreams!

I woke up on the morning of our wedding to the bluest sky and to a cool ocean breeze. It was a perfect 73 degrees with zero humidity…totally not normal for New Jersey in June. I couldn’t even envision this weather if I tried to. I was surprisingly calm and collected throughout the day. I really wanted to enjoy every moment and absorb all the love and happiness that surrounded Rob and me. Getting ready with my girls in the bridal suite at the Mallard was magical. The suite is 3,000 square feet (it takes up the entire 4th floor!) and overlooks the bay. I truly felt like a princess in a palace sipping champagne and dancing around during my final moments as a Miss.

I treated each of my bridesmaids to custom robes by Cloud Hunter Co., accessories from Olive + Piper, a customized bridesmaid hanger, a gold clutch, and a delicate chain necklace with a pearl charm from Trollbeads as a keepsake. The girls each wore a different dress from Monique Lhuillier, and my Maid of Honor wore a sparkly Adrianna Papell gown that was complemented by the other girls’ gowns. They all looked so beautiful.

As hair and makeup wrapped up, the hours finally turned into minutes before seeing Rob for the first time. I’ll never forget stepping into my dress, slipping on my shoes and accessories, and holding my bouquet in front of the mirror. Seeing the full look come together brings out all the different emotions of the day in one glance- overwhelming relief, excitement, nervousness, and absolute joy. I opted for an all-white bouquet full of garden roses, peonies, sweet peas, and scabiosa, all tied with raw silk ribbon in the day’s signature color, French Blue. It was total perfection. The final few moments before I saw Rob surrounded by my mother, mother-in-law, and bridesmaids were so precious. My heart was beating so fast in anticipation of seeing him.

Our first look took place underneath beautiful stone arches next to the garden. The florist and Gilded Lily Events adorned this area with a vintage couch and a garland of roses and greenery. It felt as if we had been swept away to a French Chateau. As I walked towards Rob, his back to me, I could see him swaying back and forth. I knew he was just as excited and anxious to see me. I tapped his shoulder and when he turned to me we both smiled, hugged each other and then bawled our eyes out. It was a raw emotional moment that was so special. I fell madly in love with this man 7 years ago and we have shared many special moments together, but nothing compares to how I felt when I saw him for the first time on our wedding day.

The ceremony took place in a charming chapel surrounded by water, and we exchanged vows underneath a garland of garden roses, hydrangeas, and dahlias all carefully strung about over the stones. A gold vintage frame filled with flowers hung above the mantel and hundreds of lit candles overflowed the fireplace. Chandeliers intertwined with roses lined the aisle along with white rose petals. Tiny packets of lavender were placed on the guests’ chairs for a celebratory toss. A string quartet played traditional pieces as guests sipped on lemonade before heading into the ceremony. Once inside, the ceremony began. One of the most memorable lines the Reverend said while marrying us just so happens to be the opening frame to our highlight video and it was a piece of advice I will cherish forever: “When love lives, as it does here today, it reflects the deepest and most tender secrets of the universe. Devotion… Joy…and love can only grow if you nurture them together.”

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Follow Jess’ Entire Wedding Journey!

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

Wedding Dresses

Jenny Packham

Bridal 2016 Catwalk

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Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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Wedding Dresses

Adrianna Papell

Spring 2015

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Jess Galfo

Dressed By Jess

Proof that a Black and White Color Palette Works in any Room

A simple black and white color palette always seems to work no matter the decor style or space. It’s modern, it’s classic, it’s timeless and perfect for a room you are designing to grow with your babes. Take this nursery turned magnificent toddler space designed by Harmony Lynn Photography. A b & w color palette, mixed with modern details makes for a big kid’s room that they’ll never want to leave.

My little boy, Domenic, recently turned four! Took me a while but I finally turned over his room from nursery to big boy. They really do get so big so fast! I was originally inspired by the black and white striped rug and designed the room with that pallet in mind.

The room is large, featuring one gigantic window overlooking the Banana River here in Satellite Beach! Because the room was so big, I filled it with two twin beds, perfect for future sleepovers and in the meantime, an easy secondary bed for midnight accidents.

The art was a fun project me Domenic did together with watercolor paints. He picked out his favorite themes and I recreated them. We found matching pillows for the rain cloud and sun for just a little pop of fun and color which he now calls the happy and sleepy beds.

Behind the beds is the original chalk board wall that I created for him when we first moved in. It has his birth date and weight and sweet love notes from me to him written on it. I’ll never erase it until he wants to paint over it!

On the other side of the room is a giant built in to house his many little man accessories. The dresser was a changing table now converted to a shelf. I love having cabinets where I can put away his many colorful books.

He loves to hide out in his Teepee with this stuffed animals and read books on his own or jump on his bed. He loves his big boy room and all the things inside of it that make it his.

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43 of the Most Well Designed Kids' Rooms the Internet has Ever Seen

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43 of the Most Well Designed Kids' Rooms the Internet has Ever Seen

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Photographer & Designer: Harmony Lynn Photography | Private Home: Our Home

Cultural Wedding in the English Countryside

Monica & Andrew’s English countryside wedding is what daydreams are made of. With the truly talented Faye Cornhill behind the lens snapping up every second of beauty, we’ve got every bit of their celebration waiting for your to fall head over heels in love with via The Vault!

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From Faye Cornhill… I’m so happy to share this beautiful wedding with you, it really will go down as one of my all time favourites. It was at the wonderful Notley Abbey in Buckinghamshire. Notley Abbey weddings are always sublime. I love the seclusion, the space and the opulence of this beautiful venue.

Monica and Andrew are genuinely two of the loveliest people you could ever wish to meet. Breaking with tradition they arrived on the morning of the wedding together. Hand in hand they walked up the cobbled stones to the huge Notley Abbey oak door, exchanged a simple kiss and agreed to meet at the alter. Super cute.

Monica was the picture of calm throughout her preparation. She effortlessly styled her own hair and make up, smiling the whole way. As she unpacked her lace Monsoon dress and her stunning pink sari (bought by her father in India) I knew I was going to be in for a visual feast.

Monica’s huge smile lit up the room as she walked to meet Andrew. Together they stood, clinging on to each other, as they exchanged their vows. There was such an overwhelming sense of happiness as the registrar announced them as husband and wife. Andrew wasted no time in kissing his beautiful bride.

After the ceremony, Monica and Andrew were greeted by guests with a shower of confetti. We then moved to the lawn for a champagne reception. The three of us managed to grab some time away to take some portraits on the amazing driveway at Notley. I can’t tell you how much I loved this part – working with such lovely people makes me so happy.

After this, Monica was changed into her stunning pink sari by her Mother and Auntie and we moved straight into the speeches. After a delicious banquet I managed to grab some more time for photos of Monica and Andrew. The light at Notley was just perfect for the sparkle of her sari.

From the Bride… Andy and I got engaged in September 2015 and we knew pretty much straight away that we wanted a summer wedding the following year. Come January 2016, we hadn’t made even made a start!

I had always envisaged a country chic sort of wedding, but Andy preferred the more formal surroundings of central London, so when it came to choosing a venue, we were at opposite ends of the spectrum. Then, a couple of weeks into the search, Andy stumbled across Notley Abbey, a beautiful country house set in idyllic grounds and full of history. We both looked at each other and thought ‘wow’, but knew there was next to no chance of securing a date this year, let alone in the summer. Needless to say, we were astounded to hear that there was a solitary Saturday available for July this year, and we jumped at the chance to view the venue the following day.

We drove up the beautiful tree lined drive; everything was covered in snow and looked so picturesque. We knew there and then that we wanted this to be our venue, even though it was the first (and only) venue we had visited. We deliberated for all of sixty seconds, and proceeded to hand over a deposit immediately.

From that point onwards, the planning went relatively smoothly. I knew I wanted some personal touches that reflected us as a couple, so (with the help of my mum and sister) handmade all of the invitations, place cards and wedding favours. I even did my own hair and makeup on the day. The day itself couldn’t have gone smoother; the weather was exceptionally beautiful throughout the day (particularly given the temperamental summers we have in England), the ceremony was emotional, and even the fact that our little flower girl ran off down the aisle only added to a glorious day. And, best of all, Faye (our brilliant photographer) was there to capture all of those wonderful memories, which we will treasure forever.

Both Andy and I had said from the start that we wanted our wedding day to be fun and relaxed, with everyone we know and love with us to share our special day. It is a cliche, but that’s exactly how it was. We will forever look back on this day as the happiest of our lives.

Hot Pink Is Always A Good Idea

You just can’t go wrong with a wedding at home. Especially when you deck it out from top to bottom with blooms as bright as these babies! Thanks to Fleur De Lis for their talent and mkPhoto for capturing it all, we have a uber colorful (aka uber perfect) Vault gallery to dive into today – right this way!

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Summer Weddings

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Backyard Outdoor Weddings

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Al Fresco

From mkPhoto… Micaela Carrasco and John Gallagher planned a super exciting wedding in a surprisingly short time. They imagined summer outdoor event and when none of the venues they considered offered quite the right combination, they decided to transform their home and yard into the perfect setting. No detail was left to chance and a team of extraordinarily talented and creative minds worked together to create a dream wedding.

The dress, shoes, flower, the home – every detail was stunning. The combination of the back yard sophistication was a pleasure to capture. The wedding day could not have been any more perfect including a quick trip to Longwood Gardens for portraits. Micaela and John tied the knot at home and will always remember their perfect day when they are relaxing on their deck and watching the sunset over the field.

From the Bride… John and I were friends for years and were co-workers. We were both in outside sales and had a strong passion for sales. That common interest among many other shared interests brought us together. We quickly fell in love and knew that we both wanted the same things out of life: family, travel, laughter and excitement. We were quickly engaged during the Christmas Season 2015, our favorite holiday. John proposed in New York City on the Bow Bridge in Central Park.

I was able to plan a beautiful wedding at home in just six short months. I asked a lot of questions and valued vendor recommendations on who to use. My dress was purchased at the Wedding Pavillion and was a Pronovias design. My shoes were Jimmy Choo and jewelry was by Thomas Knoll and flowers were Fleur-de-Lis. The Styled Bride helped with the day of planning and the event was catered by Max Hansen. Claudia Seyler did hair and makeup. Event Quip did the tent and lighting. MK did the wonderful photography ;)

The best advice we could give is that the details make the event. The more detailed you can be the better things will turn out. Let people know what your vision is and ask how to get what you had in mind!

Country Chic Tuscan Wedding

Le Mille e Una Nozze knew what they were talking about when they recommended Tuscany to Martina and Fabrizio. It was a home run from start to finish. Les Amis Photo captured it all – the views and the special moments between the two, to all the rustic chic details that make our Pinterest boards bloom (thanks to the talented Flowers Living). More in our Vault right this way!

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Spring Weddings

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Hotels + Resorts Weddings Outdoor Weddings

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Al Fresco

From Le Mille e una Nozze… When I met Martina and Fabrizio, they were thinking about a wedding as a three day party and they thought that the Italian Riviera was the good choice for a party by the sea. But meanwhile, as they were describing their ideas of their dreaming wedding, I suddenly realized that Tuscany was their perfect location.

They immediately loved my proposal. Borgo Sant’Ambrogio was the perfect venue: not too big, with a little church and a big field in front of it, with a right number of rooms for guests, but above all with a beautiful meadow for the dinner and a breathtaking view on the landscape!

So I started to think about the wedding’s concept and the beautiful landscape helped me: I chose the olive tree and its leaves as the main component, and I suggested the idea of a wreath, evoking a big hug, for the graphic suite. Colors were the ones of the landscape plus a touch of pink to adorn.

The religious ceremony took place in the field in front of the church, with a simple setting. “Love theme” from Nuovo Cinema Paradiso was the song that accompanied the bride’s entrance. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a standing cocktail, and then the dinner. For centerpieces we chose simple compositions to get a natural effect, lots of candles, and an outdoor garland lighting for the dinner area.

After dinner a spectacular wedding cake was served under an illuminated tree, and then the guests danced all night long.

Wedding Inspiration That’s All About Bringing the Garden Inside

Blooming with beauty, that’s what we’ve aptly named this inspiration from Apryl Ann Photography. Because when you combine the true talents of The Wildflowers and Bows and Arrows, you know you’re in for a terrific treat. Enter peonies as big as plates and the prettiest way to bring the outdoors in for your big day. Get inspired and be sure to see it all for yourself in The Vault!

From Rebecca Marin with The Wildflowers… In this dreamy growing garden wedding, we let florals run wild. The flowers, leaves and vines that enveloped the space were as beautiful as they were untamed– a far cry from traditional tightly-bunched white blooms. A palette of cream, yellow, pink, merlot, and tiny touches of green and lavender was present in the flowers, as well as in the cascading Frou Frou Chic ribbon, the naturalistic tablescapes, and the Bonne Nouvelle paper goods.

The bridal beauty looks were undone, effortless, yet sophisticated. The first bride piled her natural curls into a messy chignon, so that the delicate florals and translucent back of her gown could take the stage. The other sported a loose fishtail braid, an ethereal flowing dress, and dewy lips and lids. Little petals and leaves wove throughout their hair as though they had fallen from the arrangements around them. Our brides’ rings, both by Shapiro Diamonds, were modern yet elegant. One boasted an unconventional light-catching yellow diamond that bounced the sun onto a loosely draped bouquet; the second featured a sparkling white diamond in a dainty gold setting. The full effect of these bridal portraits, captured by Apryl Ann Photography, was one of regal beauties who had escaped their big days for a quiet moment among blossoming plants and sun-drenched tile.

Outside, the reception table was shaded by a vine installation mimicking the soft lines of the leafy overhead branches. The florals, by Bows and Arrows, included dozens of tiny vessels, each containing its own arrangement of just a few flowers and leaves. Paired with varying heights of candles, the flowers created an eye-catching multilevel centerpiece. A few blossoms topped the atypical yet playful strawberry cream cake. The neutral gray wooden table and blush-colored chairs, as well as the simple white plates and antique-looking glasses, formed a perfect blank canvas to showcase the florals’ natural beauty. In all, the just-foraged look of the plants and decor created a romantic authenticity that resembled an intimate, elevated estate wedding.

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Florals

Bows and Arrows

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10 Ways To Have a Stylish Home with Kids

As my husband and I get prepare to welcome our baby into this world, one thought keeps coming to mind. Is it possible to maintain style in my home with a little one running around? This baby gate I recently stumbled upon gave me all the proof I need that, yes, it is SO do-able. Here are a few other ways we’ll be aiming to keep our dignity in the style department after babe arrives!

10 Ways To Have a Stylish Home with Kids

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10 Ways To Have a Stylish Home with Kids

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The Fashion Statement You Most Definitely Need to be Making

Not that you need any other reason to completely adore Twobirds Bridesmaid, but just in case you were looking for another to add to your list of why they are so very, very awesome, here’s one: their new Convertible Jumpsuit. A drop-dead gorgeous fashion masterpiece that can be worn in endless styles and comes in two sizes that require absolutely ZERO alterations. It’s ah-mazing, loves.

THE perfect piece for any occasion, the Twobirds Bridesmaid Convertible Jumpsuit is as easy to wear as it is beautiful. Think six gorgeous colors (white, ivory, sapphire, pewter, black and lace), a stunning silhouette that will work with ANY and all body types and one glam look after another with their wrap options. You can even custom order your fave hue for that bridal party. I mean, it’s basically everything you love about the wrap dress with a side of sass that only a jumpsuit can deliver. I can’t tell you how obsessed we are about this. (Hint: It’s an insane amount.)

Whether you’re attending your besties’ Big Day or simply want a fun piece to wear out and about on the town with your love, the Twobirds Bridesmaid Convertible Jumpsuit is available NOW on their website, their New York showroom and in stores across the country. I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these beauties.

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GIVEAWAY

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WHAT: Twobirds Bridesmaid is giving away one jumpsuit in the color of your choice! (Valued at $295)

HOW: For terms and conditions and to enter, CLICK HERE. Good luck! xo

Photography: Trent Bailey Studio | Bridesmaids' Dresses: twobirds Bridesmaid | Location: Wave Hill

Their Modern Wedding Felt Like the Ultimate Party

This colorful gallery is my ultimate version of happy. For starters, the couple wanted a wedding that felt more like a fun summer party than a formal affair and I’m pretty dang sure they delivered. Many of the details, including the hanging geometric figures were handmade by the duo and the Drunken Pixel photo booth and cheeky paper goods tied it all together. Keep the party going with The Great Romance Photo gallery and film by Memo Collective.

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Modern

From the Bride…Sam and I started dating at the age of 19, so it would be an understatement to say that I’ve been dreaming about our big day since…Well, forever.

We’ve always envisioned having our wedding at a very modern chic space, and the Fig House fit our vision perfectly. I remember the exact moment we stepped inside The Fig House for the very first time – we felt as if we were being transported into a secret world and instantly knew it would be the “one.” The art-deco design, the colorful mid-century modern furniture, and the open yet intimate setting of the space was everything we dreamed of.

One of the biggest focuses of our wedding was making sure that our wedding felt more like a fun summer party rather than a formal affair. Despite having a guest count of 160, we created an intimate feel, by confining our cocktail hour and dinner to a smaller space, arranged the dinner tables into long rows, and served American barbeque for dinner.

Majority of our décor was handcrafted because we both personally love DIY projects and creating things with our hands. With the help of our amazing wedding party, we handmade key pieces like the hanging geometric figures, personalized place card holders, and dessert forks. The table florals and ferns were hand-picked from the Los Angeles Flower Market and arranged on our own as well. We tried to keep our décor as low-key and as simple as possible because we didn’t want to take away from the charm of the venue.

My favorite moment of the day was our first dance. About 15 seconds into our (slightly awkward) slow dancing, Sam resorted to his silly self and began lip-syncing the lyrics of our song to me to help me feel more relaxed (let’s just say it’s a little overwhelming to see 160 pairs of eyes watching you dance). I remember feeling incredibly happy and thankful in that moment – everything seemed so timeless.

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Color Trend Alert: Weaving Fall’s Prettiest Hues Into Your Stationery

In the world of seasonal colors, fall reigns supreme. From rich berries to soft neutrals, there’s not a hue in the autumn palette we don’t go completely gaga for. So today we’re teaming up with our friends at Wedding Paper Divas to help you weave fall’s hottest hues into your Big Day. Think stunning stationery meets the most beautiful of shades. Kick your wedding game up a color notch below.

SOFT NEUTRALS

Have you heard? 2016 is the year of neutrals. And with fall making its pretty little debut, this trend is going nowhere. From subtle whites to cozy grays to beautiful nudes, these sophisticated palettes will most definitely make a statement when it comes to your stationery. Choose a suite from Wedding Paper Divas that falls squarely in the neutral category, then layer on textures (hello sweet letterpress and awesome florals) for a look that simply screams fall chic.

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STUNNING METALLICS

Wondering how to add a pop of modern style to your classic or rustic affair? Metallics is most definitely the answer. Think seriously stunning (+ seriously sparkly) shades of gold, rose gold, silver and copper joining forces with your autumn celebration to really create that sophisticated party you’ve been aiming for. Even better? Wedding Paper Divas has an entire lineup of gorgeous invites that fall squarely in the metallics category – from foil-stamped to personalized foil to shimmering beauties, we love them all.

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BEAUTIFUL BERRIES

You can’t have an autumn soiree without a beautiful pop of color, and this year we’re head over heels for rich, deep purples, gorgeous reds and vibrant pinks. It’s a twist on the typical fall palette with a little side of romance that pairs oh-so-nicely with your cozy, yet luxurious Big Day. Add a pop of berry to your metallic base or jump head-first into the mix with one of Wedding Paper Divas’ fab berry-toned invites (I’m looking at you floral pretties) and you can’t go wrong.

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With a never-ending lineup of stunning invites, thank you cards and everything else in between, Wedding Paper Divas has you totally covered when it comes to weaving those fall hues into your wedding day. Head there NOW to start perusing the pretty and truly embrace the new season… in style.

Engagement Inspiration You’ll Want to Steal!

Every couple dreams of engagement photos that they’ll treasure forever. And while planning the outfits and scouting the location take a bit of legwork, the payoff is a photo session like this one from Joel Serrato. Head right to the gallery for more, and just in case your beau hasn’t popped the question quite yet, we’ve got some proposal inspiration below!

From Joel Serrato Film + Photographs…It was truly a special engagement session with Devon and Byron, the setting took place on Devon’s family ranch in the Los Olivos valley where their wedding will be next year! It’s special to travel to client’s locations that have a special meaning to them. In this case, Devon grew up on this ranch, and as you can see it’s beauty is going to be a perfect setting for a wedding!

Photography: Joel Serrato Film Photographer | Hair + Makeup: Janet Villa

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Where You Need to Get Engaged

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Where You Need to Get Engaged

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Joel Serrato Film Photographer

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10 Bedrooms that Mix His + Her Styles Seamlessly

You won’t find pink, ruffles, band posters or hand-me down furniture from your frat days in this roundup. Instead it’s a cool mix of his and hers that’s gorgeous and cozy without being overly frilly or masculine. It’s the kind of bedroom that anyone would feel right at home in. So if you are struggling with a design that blends styles seamlessly, look no further than these 10 insanely stunning spaces.

His + Her Bedroom Decor Styles

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His + Her Bedroom Decor Styles

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Another design tool for decorating that love nest…

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Rustic Meets Refined Glamour in This Outdoor Ranch Wedding

Connie Whitlock has a way with weddings that speaks directly to your heart. Take Anne and Ryan’s glamorous outdoor ranch celebration as evidence, because every single detail is downright lovable. Don’t believe me? See it all for yourself in The Vault!

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From Connie Whitlock… From Being from New York City, Anne and Ryan wanted open spaces and sprawling mountain views for the backdrop for their wedding. Devil’s Thumb Ranch is situated on 6,000 acres of flowering meadows and lush woodlands with the ceremony and reception location at the base of some stunning peaks on the property. As guests arrived, they were immediately greeted by the expansive views. The couple exchanged vows under a floral covered pergola facing open horse pasture and watercolored, lush, blue and green mountains – surrounded by family and friends from all over the country. As guests made their way up to the outdoor cocktail hour, they enjoyed libations and passed hor d’oeuvres while enjoying the views and the perfect weather that day. The reception barn was softened with floor to ceiling draping on the columns, and the head table was a long exposed wood table that sat the entire bridal party. The bride and groom sat on chairs adorned with frames containing childhood photos of themselves. Guests found their seats one handwritten magnolia leaves as escort cards, and sat at round, silk covered tables on elegant crossback chairs surrounding the bride and groom. Large barn doors that were opened during dining allowed for everyone to continue enjoying the views as they ate and danced the night away.

From the Bride… Ryan and I wanted a weekend celebration in a classically Colorado setting – Devil’s Thumb Ranch was a no brainer. Not only is it stunningly gorgeous, most of our guests stayed on the property and were able to enjoy days full of fly fishing and horseback riding. It was really important to us that we maximize our time with friends and family and because no one had to deal with transportation, we were able to do that. We organized a group hike, a welcome celebration at the Pavillion with corn hole and plenty to eat and drink, and of the course, the wedding itself. For the wedding, we wanted it to feel “Colorado” – not like we were somewhere else. It had a rustic elegance and included touches such as Magnolia leaves for escort cards, birch wood as center pieces, and Mountain inspired table names. We also wanted to incorporate a ton of greenery throughout the ceremony and reception space to give a natural and organic feeling. Overall, it was absolutely the best weekend of our lives.

32 Beautifully Unique Names for Fall Babies

As the leaves turn and the days grow colder, there are lots of babies about to make their sweet way into the world this season. Fall is such a wonderful time to welcome a little one, and cozy to boot—think of all those newborn snuggles bundled up in chunky throws. Heaven! And with autumn, comes lots of inspiration in the naming department. From Asher and Reed to Willow and Aster, these fall-inspired names would fit any baby of the season beautifully.

Fall Baby Names

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Fall Baby Names

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See our full baby name archives here!

A Coastal Wedding With Lots of Chic Style

Just because you’re on the coast, doesn’t mean you have to go full on “beachy” with your wedding style. Eva Williams Clark of Belle of the Ball let the coast inspire this wedding’s design in stylish, subtle ways and infused the whole space with a romantic, rustic elegant vibe. The results? Perfect. Harwell Photography captured all – see more in our Vault right this way!

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From Eva Williams Clark of Belle of the Ball… Lauren and Michael’s love story began at Auburn University when mutual friends introduced them. The emerald coast of Florida was so much a part of Lauren’s upbringing that it only seemed fitting for it to serve as the backdrop for her wedding. The reception venue was only steps away from their family vacation home so she felt right at home on her wedding day. It was important to the bride that elements of the coast were incorporated without it coming off too ‘beachy’. Pops of green and white floral added a distinctly beautiful freshness to the modern rustic venue!

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An Anthropologie Shopping Bag Inspired This Entire Shoot!

I have the unique pleasure of living a stones throw away from Willowdale Estate and let me tell you, that place is seriously special. So much so that a talented team of vendors decided to get together and make said venue all the more enchanting. Because when you add in oil paintings from SMP alumni Jess Blazejewski, the ideas of Esme Isolde, and the lens of Annmarie Swift Photography, you’ve got yourself a wedding inspiration to save. See it all in The Vault!

From the designer, Ghislaine Ruiz of Esme Isolde…Little did I know, what began as a sweet treat at Anthropologie would soon transform into a source of inspiration for a fine art wedding design. The beautiful combination of colors on the Anthropologie shopping bag simulated a painting of perfectly imperfect brushstrokes, blended just so to formulate what quickly became a design that I could not forget. Deep golden yellow, woven with pale blue, and the softest whisper of translucent grey.

This bag gave way to the idea that a fine hand painted work of art should be the statement piece of the tablescape design, providing an exquisite and inimitable backdrop to a beautifully simple place setting with clean fine lines. The stunning works of art by Jess Blazejewski with their darker hues provided a moody edge to the jovial celebration scene. Set atop with Pottery Barn’s ‘Joshua’ dinnerware, West Elm’s brushed gold flatware, and Crate and Barrel’s ‘Camille’ glassware and textured linen napkins. The Silk and Willow dove runner blowing elegantly in the breeze, anchored with brass candlesticks and the most humble of floral centerpieces nestled in a hand-etched brass vessel. Olive branches chosen for their natural beauty and ability to make a statement all on their own, a symbol of peace centered within a celebration of joy. Sprinkled with all-white blooms, and few pops of golden yellow, allowing the paintings to be the true heart of the spotlight. The Heritage at Home cake with its minimalistic, artistic, and textured design provided a playful ambience for the vivacious wedding party, along with the handcrafted blueberry lemon cocktails. Hidden away within the treasure that is the Willowdale Estate, surrounded by elegant stone walls and ivy covered trellises, the wooden table and cross-back chairs all delivered the intimate cottage-like experience I imagined for such a wedding, where you would savor this special moment and create memories with only the very closest family and friends. The door to the secret garden, a custom invitation suite by Becca Joas, with her willowy hand-lettered calligraphy providing the key to this heavenly bliss. Wrapped up in a translucent vellum envelope, giving you just a taste of the exquisite experience that is to come.

Our bride in the Alexandra Grecco ‘Aurelia’ gown, looking ever so graceful in fine layers of ivory silk and delicate hand-beaded neckline, giving way to the unexpected open back of the gown. Selected for its understated elegance, then made complete with the hair and makeup design of Jenny Luu. My very favorite touch is the pop of red on her lips, as it is unanticipated, fresh, and bold. Complimented by our maid of honor, effortless in a Katherine Bignon two-piece gown, weaving in the pale blue into this bespoke fine art wedding inspiration. Our handsome gentlemen donned in The Black Tux’s ‘The Redding Outfit,’ purposefully chosen for its lighter hue, adding an element of fresh air to the occasion.

This ethereal setting, captured by Annmarie Swift Photography, is near and dear to my heart and by far my all-time favorite wedding design to date. Filled with ingenuity, simplicity, and raw artistic elements, each and every detail was intentional to the very core. A testament that true inspiration can come from anywhere, transform into something magical, and create the most charming of weddings.

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