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

Gorgeous Gray + Modern Waterfront Wedding

A lovely grey number that would a perfect addition to your Pinterest boards, we’ve got Ivy Robinson Events to thank for this undeniably beautiful wedding in The Vault! Millie Holloman Photography was on hand snapping every detail and we’ve even got the sweetest film from Heartstone Films below.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/156759474 600 338]

Colors

Seasons

Fall Weddings

Settings

Outdoor Weddings

Styles

Modern

From Ivy Robinson Events… Modern flair and back yard soiree merge on the coast of Wilmington, NC. The branding started with a grey and white pattern introduced in the save the dates and carried throughout from the invitations printed on metal, yes metal and mailed in a box. The napkins, custom linens, tent boarder, welcome bags were all branded with this pattern. The wedding day kicked off with pre ceremony cocktails in a lounge area on the property. Guests sipped on Salted Meyer Lemon-Sage Presse (non alcoholic), A Shade of Gray Cocktail and Sparkling Cava. They then shifted to the point of the property were ghost chairs and huge arrangements greeted guests with the tunes of an acoustic guitarist. Cocktail hour followed the ceremony where guests found their metal escort cards prior entering the tent for a sit down dinner. Orchids, mirrored table tops and mirrored chandeliers adorned the tent. The pool was covered with a clear top and turned into a dance floor. Simply Irresistible Band kept the floor packed all night. Guests dined on the following and the cake was also hand designed to match everything! We even drained the hot tub and put fam mixologist Bob Peters in there shaking up cocktails.

Throw a Mini Bohemian Festival in Your Own Backyard

Turning your little one’s next birthday bash into a whimsical backyard festival is as easy as low tables, loads of pillows and flower crowns, go. Lexi of Glitter Inc. wanted to give her daughter’s birthday a bohemian infusion while incorporating a fairytale like ambiance. From macrame photo booths to peach cobbler shooters and a line-up of the cutest cakes photographed by Annie Watts and Jeremy Timmons, see why little girls and big girls alike are going bananas for this party.

Being new-ish to North Carolina, we’re fairly smitten with the weather here. We grew up in Miami, where it’s 90° and humid most of the year. In North Carolina, we take advantage of the gorgeous weather every chance we get, and Scarlett’s 2nd birthday party was no exception. As a blogger, I’m constantly surrounded by on-trend party and décor ideas, and one of the trends I can’t get enough of: parties with bohemian vibes. I knew for Scarlett’s party that I wanted to borrow from that bohemian feel, giving it a more feminine, fairytale-like twist, and weaving in a bit of the South (in honor of our new home.)

The first thing I dreamed up were the low tables, rugs and floor cushions, and the brilliant ladies behind Greenhouse Picker Sisters helped me bring the idea to life. Those low-tables were actually built by Holy and Amanda and their awesome husbands. There was also a VIP lounge and plenty of chic places to eat, gather, and have a good time. Using macramé curtains that I already had and a backdrop made out of industrial pipes (created by GHPS), along with a whole lot of green garland and fresh flowers from Fifty Flowers, we built the photo booth/backdrop. Who doesn’t want an excuse to take an adorable photo?

And speaking of flowers: Fifty Flowers is a company that sells wholesale flowers at amazing prices; perfect for parties. I will forever be a fan. I had this idea for a simpler flower crown – one that kids would love as much as us grownups, and thus the flower crown headband came to be. Wide plastic headbands held the fresh flowers beautifully (with a little bit of glue and flower wire), but the animal ear headbands were just the cutest and felt so whimsical and fun.

The kids went crazy for face (and arm) painting and the metallic tattoos were a huge hit with the adults too. All of the incredible hand-lettered signs were created by Sarah of Bella Joviality. The menu was chock full of Southern favorites: homemade macaroni and cheese (my Mama’s recipe), fried chicken, shrimp, artichoke dip, plenty of veggies and fruit, and a huge dessert bar complete with strawberry shortcake, vegan chocolate cake, classic trail mix, cherry handpies and strawberry cake and peach cobbler shooters. We even had a “lemonade stand” for all of the drinks (juice boxes for the kids, sodas and craft beer for the rest of us.)

Because we had so many gorgeous flowers leftover, we decided to set up a make-and-take bouquet station as guests left the party. We set out craft paper, scissors, twine, and buckets of flower stems for guests to pull together their own bouquet to take home. It was almost sad to take apart our backyard fairytale festival grounds at the end of the day. I’m pretty sure I’ll be pulling cushions and our coffee table out into our backyard for many months to come.

A Sweet Pink + Navy Garden Wedding

Not only did Sheradee Hurst photograph this garden wedding to perfection, but she’s sharing a pro tip with brides-to-be. “Be sure to talk with your photographer about ceremony time and be open to their suggestions for the best lighting.” She advised Randy and Joi on that golden timeframe to get ceremony shots like this, and you can see everything inside The Vault.

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Garden Weddings

Styles

Classic Weddings

Randy and Joi hosted a lovely garden wedding that was welcoming to guests at every turn. The details of entertainment and gifts for all ages made guests feel like they were the most important part of the night. An open bar for drinks for the adults, and even a separate classy cigar bar with some of the finest cigars were available to guests. This was a family event, so kids were also included in the surprises. Fun packets to keep the kids busy with crayons and other goodies were at the kids table with a sign saying these items were for when the adults got boring.

The ceremony was shaded with gigantic shrubs all around the gorgeous aisle at Cole’s Garden. Tony Foss created stunning floral pieces to garnish the outdoor event. Navy bridesmaids dresses paired with soft touches of pink in the floral created a beautiful contrast. The bride specifically asked for peonies in her bouquet with navy in them to tie the romantic look together.

Just as the couple said I do, they walked down the aisle for the first time as Mr. And Mrs right as the sun was setting. This was not by chance. Randy and Joi planned every detail, right down to the timing of the ceremony with their photographer, Little Black Book member, Sheradee Hurst Photography. Sheradee advised them on the best time for the ceremony for the best light for their photography. This is a great tip for brides planning their wedding, be sure to talk with your photographer about ceremony time and be open to their suggestions for the best lighting.

The couple cut a piece of their soft grey and ivory cake and danced the night away with guests.

What’s a Bride to Do When Her Zipper Breaks on Her Wedding Day?

Brides-to-be, you might want to take note from Cassandra, or as we like to call her – cool as a cucumber Cassandra. Because this lovely lady? Well, she didn’t let a little wardrobe malfunction ruin her big day and for that we say – you go girl! Because with a little laughter and a few loving ladies, everything was made right again and she married her sweetheart. Thankfully, Jordan Brittley has captured it all and we’ve got the entire celebration waiting for you in The Vault!

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Country Club

Styles

Romantic

From Jordan Brittley… What’s a bride to do when her zipper breaks on her wedding day? It looks a lot like room service in the Ritz, drinking champagne, listening to your husband sing to you (guitar in hand), and private moments on a balcony that hangs over the city. I love Cassandra’s advice to other brides when the unexpected things happen (more below). This wedding is full of city views, private walks in Lafayette Square Park, and there’s a cascading bouquet that will leave you dreaming of blooms. Cassandra asked an artist to paint their reception throughout the night – the painting is incredible!!

From the Bride… My zipper broke while going to the bathroom at our lunch stop. 3 other bridesmaids went to the bathroom with me to help take my dress off. First, we unzipped it. I went pee… And then next thing you know we couldn’t get it back up! It wasn’t because it was too tight- it was the zipper itself. The zipper was poorly made unfortunately and my tailor also had troubles with it during dress fittings. I should’ve known and asked her for a different one but oh well! It made for a great story to tell! What really meant a lot to me during that chaotic part of the day was the way James instantly responded without any hesitance. He made sure that I was happy and that everything, yet unexpected, would still be perfect for me because he knew how hard I worked to make our day flawless. He also laughed… At first it wasn’t funny. In fact, I thought he was being very mean!! But now looking back, he saw the sweeter side of things and took advantage of the situation to show me how he will take care of me for the rest of me life. James ALWAYS sees the brighter side of things the moment anything slightly bad happens. He’s one of the most optimistic people I know and that is one of the many reasons I fell in love with him. Every last “perfect” detail that I had planned in my head for the past 6 months was completely blown away by James thoughtfulness and passion to make “our” kind of perfect- which is so much better than what I could’ve ever planned!! 3) If I could give any advice to other brides for unexpected events it would be to expect the unexpected- something is bound to go wrong and everything won’t be exactly as you pictured it. My wedding day was a complete blur- not just because my dress broke- but because for the last six months I planned out every single detail and when the time comes things just naturally fall into place. IF something unexpected and awful does happen- laugh it off and take it lightly! Trust me, it’s hard to do and I didnt do that fully but tried as hard as I could. Looking back I smile knowing that my zipper breaking was the best thing that happened on my wedding day. It showed me what my future would be like through life’s ups and downs. 4) My favorite memory of the wedding day was getting to the altar and James whispering in my ear that everything was going to be okay. I was incredibly nervous! I thought that I was going to pass out at times. BUT as soon as I got to the altar and saw James I was fine. It was almost as if it was just him and I alone with the priest in the room. It was magical, romantic and by far one of the most memorable moments in my life thus far. 5) Ironically, James is currently singing songs on the same guitar he sung with at the Ritz. The only thing different is that I am even more in love with my husband now than when I was the day I married him!

10 Ideas for a Scrumptious Weekend Brunch

Brunch is hands down my favorite non-routine meal of the day. Admittedly, I have a breakfast and a brunch every single day right now during my pregnancy—but I’m kind of thinking I need to keep this trend going after baby comes. From eggs whipped into delish quiches to dazzling donuts to melt-in-your-mouth french toast, get your brunch on with me in this delectable roundup.

Ideas for the Best Ever Weekend Brunch

View Slideshow

Ideas for the Best Ever Weekend Brunch

View Slideshow

[dotted]

Get sassy at brunch with this sangria recipe…

[dotted]

See more breakfast and brunch ideas here!

Pretty in Purple, This Destination Wedding is Classic Yet Colorful

Heidi and Josh are my kinda couple. Reason being? They love to travel, drink wine, eat gelato and explore – I mean, can we be best friends? Oh, and did I mention that their wedding was also darling? Captured by Wendy Laurel these Minnesota natives packed up and planned a dreamy day in Maui. Appropriately hashtagging their celebration #mauisota, it’s a wedding designed by Unveiled Hawaii and we’ve got it all in The Vault!

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Outdoor Weddings

Styles

Bohemian

From Wendy Laurel… Heidi and Josh came from Minnesota for their “#mauisota” wedding (as they hashtagged it). These guys love to travel, to drink wine, to eat gelato and explore. A destination wedding was the perfect wedding day for them and their friends and family. I loved Heidi’s style and especially loved her wedding dress and the lace sleeves — so beautiful. They incorporated the travel theme into their wedding invitations and the guest gifts were gorgeous leather luggage tags. Of course, of all their adventures, they both agree that Love is the Greatest Adventure of All.

What Do You Get When A Florist Gets Married? COLOR!

What do you get when you yourself are a fun loving florist and after saying “YES” to that sparkler, decide to plan your wedding in three months? One super colorful, super creative, super cheerful celebration! With The Graceful Host helping orchestrate it all and Lauren Rosenau snapping away, our Vault is bursting with beautiful colors and we couldn’t be any happier – see it all this way!

Colors

Seasons

Spring Weddings

Settings

Outdoor Weddings

Styles

Romantic

From The Graceful Host… What do you get when a florist gets married? The answer is a beautiful, intimate, colorful celebration! Melanie and Scott met through Melanie’s brother, a pastor at their church. Melanie’s brother actually set them up after meeting Scott – he knew they would be great for each other. Months passed and then Scott and Melanie finally got a chance to meet. He fell for her creative heart, captivating smile and easy going personality. She fell for his sense of humor, generous spirit, and practical nature. They say opposites attract and that is exactly what happened – a florist married a lawyer.

They were engaged after just over a year of dating, and knew they wanted to get married right away. So in the off-season for weddings and events, Melanie set out to plan her own wedding. She had always dreamed of eloping to Lake Como, since Italy is her favorite place to visit. But it was more important to be surrounded by their family, so they decided to host a small 63 person celebration in her backyard – in under three months! Melanie has a love of color. You can see her setting up weddings in a tea length floral A-line skirt or color blouse, always draped in flowers and always full of color! So it was only natural that Melanie wanted her wedding style to be as vivid as can be. With help from flower friends Deedie with Springvine Design and Pam with Flowers From The Cellar, as well as Melanie’s business partner Kate, the four of them worked together to create the centerpieces, ceremony arbor and beautiful garland that hung from the tent. We used floral linens from La Tavola that look exactly like one of the skirts Melanie loves to wear when she is working on events every Saturday for other brides. The decor was a direct reflection of Melanie and her love of flowers! The cake was made by a family friend, and placed donuts from Krispy Kreme (a North Carolina favorite!) all around because they are the groom’s favorite sweet treat.

The ceremony was intimate, lead by the bride’s brother who introduced the pair. They recited vows under the arbor that Melanie and friends created the day before. Before the ceremony, Melanie and Scott had a moment to themselves. Melanie had pinned on countless boutonnieres for grooms in the past – so she was very excited to be able to pin a boutonniere on her groom! With her sister-in-law singing as she walked down the aisle with her father, Scott had a look of pure joy seeing the girl of his dreams walking towards him. Guests enjoyed heavy hors d’ouerves and dinned under the beautiful tent created with such care. They even had a specialty beer created just for their event by Melanie’s brother-in-law. The wedding guests consisted of family from near and far, all who came out to celebrate this beautiful couple.

Melanie’s dress was one of her favorite details. It was created by a local wedding dress designer, CJ with Erin Grey Couture. It included flower applique detailing, which was a nod to Melanie’s love of flowers. The blue ribbon on her shoes was ribbon she purchased in Paris and was saving for a special occasion. Her bouquet was made with all lilies of the valley – her favorite flower!

You’ll Be At A Loss for Words with this Elopement Inspiration

Wow. I’m not really sure what else to say here, in all honesty. Because I’m every single cliche feeling right now – breathless, head over heels, swooning. This elopement inspiration shoot by Simply Sarah Photography is all that and more. Styled by Lacy Geary, we have a scene straight out of an epic romance and there’s nothing else I need on this Friday. See it all in our Vault right this way!

From the stylist, Lacy Geary… The mountains of western North Carolina are some of the most captivating landscapes of undulating hills, crevices and peaks as far as the eye can see. For this beautiful elopement I wanted to capture that beauty and focus on nature. A wedding to me is about the union of two people, a bond they create between themselves and God. When Sarah of Simply Sarah Photography approached me about styling a mountain-top elopement for her most recent 1:1 photography workshop I was thrilled.

She chose Max Patch mountain outside of Asheville as our location and I was immediately drawn to create something simple and meaningful. An elopement on the mountain top overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains speaks volumes to a creation we don’t necessarily always understand but are still in awe of. I wanted to create the feeling of awe inspiring love with this couple here. I was inspired by the natural beauty and color palette of the mountains in my design. I wanted to keep a simple style with the picnic as well, a place where they could sit and relax with one another and enjoy this moment without all the “noise” of the everyday and the distractions of a bunch of guests. Our florals for the bouquet and arbor were a soft mix of greens, ivories and foraged elements added in from the area.

From every angle you couldn’t help but have your breath taken away and this was captured perfectly by Sarah.

A Modern Autumn Wedding (Without a Single Pumpkin)

Leave it to Valley & Company Events to deliver the perfect autumnal wedding with details every fall bride will surely want to steal. The couple gave their event designers free reign to create a “warm and cozy celebration” and they totally delivered. Think copper mugs filled with mulled cider, greenery garland, gold lettered invites by Laura Hooper, and fresh plum place cards as an ode to the season. Cozy right up with the photos from the lens of O’Malley Photographers.

Colors

Seasons

Fall Weddings

Settings

Urban Space

Styles

Modern

From Valley & Company Events…We had so much fun working with Savannah and Steve planning and designing their intimate Seattle autumn wedding. They gave us carte blanche to surprise them with charming details and experiences, giving us the parameters of desiring a warm and cozy celebration.

With many of their guests traveling from the East Coast and Colorado, we knew they envisioned a wedding that was quintessentially Seattle, showing off the character of their new home. Guests were greeted at a century-old industrial building in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood with warmed mulled cider cocktails in copper mugs and Spanish guitar playing in the background. The ceremony space was draped in gorgeous Northwest greenery garlands, peppered with magnolia leaves with hints of brown.

We incorporated fresh plums with calligraphy as table numbers and a subtle fall color story was told through the slate linens and autumnal centerpieces. We surprised Savannah and Steve by having their crest embroidered onto hemstitch napkins that we cinched with silk ribbon that sat atop each guest’s place setting. Guests dined on a decadent fall offerings, drank delicious wines, and danced the night away to a 7-piece band. It was such a pleasure to work with Savannah and Steve and looking back on their photos is so meaningful!

Go Glam this Halloween with Copper Foil Pumpkins

While some early birds have already dusted off the Halloween decor, others are just about ready to dive in to the pumpkin patch and decorate accordingly. From fruit inspired to calligraphy, options run a-plenty but this version just might be our new fave. See how Rachel Shingleton gave these painted pumpkins a pretty pop of glam. And for more Halloween inspo, click here!

Inspired by a foil Easter egg project I created a few years ago, this year I decided to try my hand at applying foil to pumpkins. The result was a fun, if imperfect, DIY featuring real pumpkins painted in chalky nontraditional hues and then copper foiled. Perfect for fall tablescapes, holiday decorating, dinner parties, weddings, etc.

Materials

acrylic paint
chalk paint
mod podge
copper foil sheets
paint brush

Paint each pumpkin with acrylic paint, and then apply a layer of chalk paint to give it a matte quality.

Apply a water based adhesive (mod podge) and allow it to dry for 10-15 minutes. Don’t let it get too dry, but make sure it’s still tacky to the touch.

From there, apply sheets of foil in the color of your choosing. Copper is hot for fall 2016, and makes a beautiful warm sheen.

Carefully brush away the excess — but remember, the look here is purposefully imperfect. The more brushstrokes the better!

[dotted]

No Carve, No Mess Pumpkins

View Slideshow

No Carve, No Mess Pumpkins

View Slideshow

photographer: Rachel Shingleton | designer: Rachel Shingleton

Stop Everything and Enter This Giveaway

Listen up, loves. If you haven’t already taken the time to enter Macy’s Ultimate “I Do” Sweepstakes, we’re here with a friendly reminder… DO IT. Because if there is one thing you don’t want to miss out on, it’s your chance to win a fab honeymoon trip to The Buccaneer Resort in St. Croix, a $5,000 Macy’s gift card and more. You have ONE DAY left to enter, so do yourselves a favor and find out the deets below.

What: One lucky couple will win an amazing honeymoon trip to The Buccaneer Resort in St. Croix, a $5,000 Macy’s gift card, a $1,000 Sunglass Hut Gift Card, top registry picks from kate spade, Lenox, KitchenAid… and more! (Approximate Value $15,600)

How: To enter, create a Macy’s Registry with at least $500 worth of product, then fill in the details HERE.

For Terms and Conditions, and to enter: CLICK HERE.

An Elegant Coastal Wedding That’s Quintessentially Summer

While fall may be a contender for your new favourite season, allow me to remind you of that magic that is summer. Thanks to this stunning affair captured by Perry Vaile Photography, it’s a day blooming with Hana Floral Design and undeniable romance. See it all and get ready to join #teamsummer once again via The Vault!

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Estate Weddings

Styles

Classic Weddings

From Perry Vaile Photography… Sunnie and Jin celebrated their wedding day in the lush gardens of Eolia Mansion at Harkness State Park – the bride’s breath-taking gown complimented the architectural and natural beauty of the venue, while her maids floated across the grounds in pale hues and full florals. The invitation suite was a nod to the airy blue and blush tones of the rest of the day. Sunnie’s sophisticated wedding was highlighted with unique fluffy reeds instead of typical florals for much of the reception and ceremony decor.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Florals

Hana Floral Design

View Portfolio

This is How Your Body Knows Who’s “The One,” According to Science

Apparently you really can have chemistry with someone — at least, that’s what scientists say. In a recent study, published in Nature, scientists discovered that white-hot attraction is part of our genetic coding.

All humans have their own unique human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex, which helps the immune system differentiate between its own cells and those of unwanted viruses and bacteria. But the HLA complex doesn’t just keep you healthy, it also influences attraction. After studying attraction patterns in 254 couples, researchers found that having a partner with a very different HLA complex “correlates with sexuality and enhances the desire to procreate” — a.k.a. opposites attract!

[dotted]

Now That You’ve Found the One, Get Planning!

What’s Your Wedding Style?

Wedding Planning Secrets Every Bride Should Know

The Prettiest Wedding Details for Every Season

Property Brothers’ Jonathan Scott Spills His Secrets to a Relaxing Bedroom

If you’re an HGTV junkie like we are, you’ve seen Jonathan Scott work his magic on “Property Brothers,” turning rundown gut-jobs into all of our dream homes. Now, Jonathan is teaming up with Stearns & Foster to break down his recipe to creating the perfect bedroom oasis. And trust us, these tips are sure to give you the sweetest dreams!

Why is it important for you to create a bedroom oasis?

A lot of clients come to us and the one thing they look past is their own bedroom. They talk about the kitchen, you know, the spaces you can show off to their friends and their family and they’re like, “Oh, we’ll put ourselves last.” And I think that’s the biggest tragedy. We spend more than half of our lives in the bedroom — if we have a poor sex life, maybe less — so why not put a little effort into it? Don’t be working in there. Don’t have a desk. Don’t have kids’ stuff and clutter everywhere. Have a place where you wake up and feel so refreshed and you don’t even want to get out of bed because it’s so beautiful. We wanted to redesign your retreat, make over your oasis and make it something that speaks to you.

What’s the key to a relaxing retreat?

It’s all about making it inviting and soft. You can have more color in the spring and summer and when we switch over to fall, usually I’ll swap out the pillows and throws and it makes it feel cozier, warmer in more muted colors. You don’t have to go and repaint. You’ll notice on most of the episodes of Property Brothers, usually the bigger ticket stuff — the paint, the flooring, the countertop — that’s usually more neutral so you can pop the color with the decor and the curtains and the area rugs and that way from season to season you don’t have to change those things, you can just change the decor.

Where should you spend your money?

You have to think about what you want to invest in so the bedroom for example, the anchor piece in the bedroom and what is hopefully giving you a good sleep is your bed so it’s worth spending a little bit more on getting the right bed and doing your homework. Don’t ever hastily purchase a bed. You need to lay on it. You need to make sure that you’ve tried them out and that you know what you need and then all the other stuff is easy. Bedrooms are the easiest thing to do because you’re not doing plumbing, there’s rarely cabinetry. It’s pretty much all styling so once you’ve got that anchor piece of furniture, the rest falls into place.

How do you mix his and her styles?

Therapy. That’s the biggest challenge we have, when you’re bringing these two different lives together, especially if they’ve never lived together before. The funny thing is, I usually find that the wife will have more demands on her side than he has. I don’t think it’s a cultural thing or a societal thing, I think it’s that women tend to spend more time investigating things that they like and men are just lazy. Guys will have a couple things that they want, but the women have actually gone in and they’ve done their research and they’re like “These are all the things I need to have in my perfect home.” What we have to figure out, though, is what’s the balance of your must-haves with “Oh, it would be nice, but I don’t really have the budget for it right now.” So we’ll sit down with our clients and we’ll go through what a realistic budget thinking about now and your future income-earning potential because a lot of people will make out right now but if you’re about to have a baby in six months, your life is going to get a lot more expensive.

[dotted]

More Bedroom Inspiration

5 Soothing Bedroom Paint Colors

Create an Instagram-Worthy Bedroom on a Budget

25 Bedroom DIYs for a Dreamy Space

Guests Stayed in Safari Tents For Their ‘Desert Chic’ Wedding

If you’re the kind of couple who’s looking to buck tradition and design a nontraditional day, take notes from this bride and groom. They brought their guests to the Utah desert, where they enjoyed incredible natural scenery and luxe safari tents as on-site accommodations. Of course, they called on the pros at Under Canvas and Celeste Greene: Sustainable Event Design to help bring their desert chic vision to life, and Brumley & Wells didn’t miss a single beat.

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Rustic Weddings

Styles

Rustic

From The Bride (Amanda Beethe)…When envisioning our perfect wedding my fiancé (Anthony Neff) and I both wanted a natural setting – a backdrop that was grand yet understated…where the minimal wedding details could stand on their own. We felt strongly that any artificial decorations couldn’t hold a candle to the beauty in the living landscape. So we set out on a journey to find a “natural chapel” in the sky or at the edge of the earth. A place where our family and friends from all corners of the country could gather together. Growing up I would take family road trips through the southwest desert and the area holds a special magic for me – luckily my fiancé felt the same. We found a beautiful location at Moab Under Canvas; a serene plot of land overlooking Arches National Monument where our guests could stay on site in canvas safari tents and wake up to the same beautiful sunrise that we had fallen in love with. It was the perfect setting for a friend/family reunion and celebration of our love. As an aside, my (now) husband and I have known each other for 14 years and have been living together in NYC for 12 years – so this was not exactly a surprise or formal affair but more of a ceremonial “coming together” to rejoice the past and future.

The color palette was pulled directly from the landscape – soft rose, red and tan of the desert sand; sun-bleached whites and greens from the juniper trees and sage brush. The wedding party colors followed suit; the ladies in white and the men in white, tan, and grey. The style was minimal and understated with a focus on strong geometries and the simple movement of the white canvas blowing in the wind. Both of us being architects, we wanted to create a sense of space in the expansive desert but with a light hand that would respect the natural surroundings. We designed a procession through three gathering spaces: First the Tipi Marquis with lounge seating, bar and classic western films projected on the canvas with a nearby fire pit for s’mores and stargazing. A second path led to the ceremony site: a natural vista with stunning views leading out from our deluxe safari tent. And third, the reception area where we designed and built a temporary platform floating over the desert under a canopy of garden string lights. All connected with lantern-lit paths. Each area was connected by a lantern-lit path.

One of our favorite moments had to be the first dance ending with the full moon rising over the desert behind our guests (unplanned). It was heavenly. Music plays a major role in our lives and we spent a lot of time gathering “The Big Day” Playlist so we had an endless supply of music to dance late into the night.

Join Us For a Wayfair Registry Celebration!

You know we’re never ones to miss a crazy cool party, so when Wayfair asked us to join them for a VIP preview + reception on Tuesday, October 4th, we signed up immediately. I mean, an entire evening celebrating Wayfair’s awesome new registry with yummy bites, signature cocktails AND a meet and greet with yours truly? We can’t wait to see you there.

The first ever registry to offer a lineup of options for your home across ALL styles and price points, the Wayfair Registry is your one-stop shop for everything (and I mean everything) you’ll ever need with over 7 million products in kitchen, bath, bed, living, patio, garden and beyond. In other words? If you want it, the Wayfair Registry has it… and all with free shipping, white glove delivery (for larger items), a 90-day return policy and a 10% off completion discount on those remaining items that weren’t purchased by your nearest and dearest. You can even personalize your registry by adding those adorable engagement pics and leave sweet notes of thanks to your guests. Even better? Wayfair Registry offers Group Gifting, so you can add all of those awesome items you have your eye on (think new furniture or gourmet appliances) and your guests can contribute the amount they want. It’s what we call a win-win. Want a little sneak peek of our fave registry finds? Here you go…

Mark those calendars NOW and prepare to help us celebrate the new Wayfair Registry on Tuesday, October 4th from 5 to 9 pm. We’ll be there to chat about our special, hand-picked items and you can also check out the Kleinfeld Lounge for a sneak peek of their latest designs, mix and mingle with Wayfair Registry Specialists and enjoy tasty hors d’oeuvres. It’s a can’t-miss event.

[dotted]

What: To celebrate the launch of the Wayfair Registry, Wayfair is offering couples a chance to win $20,000 to put toward their big day!

How: To enter, couples must sign up for Wayfair Registry and add at least $1,000 worth of product to their Registry between September 20th, 2016 and November 3oth, 2016. No purchase necessary.

For Terms and Conditions: Click here.

[dotted]

SMP Registry Sneak Peek: 1. Vintage 5 Piece Place Setting Set by MEPRA 2. Cake Stand by BIA Cordon Bleu 3. Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree in Pot by Brayden Studio 4. Glass Stemware Pink Red Wine Glasses (Set of 4) by Certified International 5. 5 Piece Kitchen Utensil Set 6. Forum Dinner Plate by Casafina 7. Dorset Basket for Four in Gazebo by Picnic at Ascot 8. Stoneware 12 oz Coffee Mug by Le Creuset 9. Pizza Peel by Ironwood Gourmet 10. M’Heritage 10 Piece Cookware Set

A Modern Indian Wedding in Palm Springs

Scott and Parth planned a wedding day that both broke and embraced tradition simultaneously. Their three-day wedding weekend brought the beauty and culture of India to Palm Springs with vibrant color everywhere you looked. They pulled it all off thanks to COJ Events by their side, and you absolutely must make a trip to The Vault for all the festivities captured by Randy + Ashley.

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Estate Weddings

Styles

Multicultural

From COJ Events… Scott & Parth’s Big Fat Gay Indian Wedding! Nothing is sweeter than planning a wedding of those we hold closest to our hearts and family friends Scott & Parth were absolutely no exception. They chose the historic La Chureya Estate in Palm Springs for a three-day celebration for their July 4 wedding weekend that included a Pool Party complete with flamingos and swans, a White Party Rehearsal Dinner and the wedding festivities.

The grooms wanted a simple yet vibrant Palm Springs wedding with only their closest family and friends. Parth hails from India and elements of his heritage were infused into the wedding. So, of course, there were elephant (little gold ones!), marigolds, henna, traditional garb, dancing, and color galore! An Indian wedding with color is always a good idea!

Even though wedding day dawned sunny and a sultry 110′, nothing could keep the infectious excitement from spreading! With help from their friends and family, especially Parth’s oldest friend Duti, the grooms danced down the aisle to a choreographed Bollywood number. The Signature Party Rental team help install 20 sari’s Parth’s family brought from India to create a canopy over the ceremony seating and a Mandap for the grooms to stand under. The Mandap garlands at the back were handmade by Parth’s mother.

We chose vendors that were able to bring in an Indian / American fusion vibe including caterer Fusion Flair that created a paneer appetizer for the vegetarian guests. Florist Mary Cass captured an elegant, vibrant color style for the dining tables; DJ Chris Paul rocked the crowd with a mix of American and Bollywood tunes! Signature Party Rentals provided the tabletop, purple wine glasses and gold chaivari chairs which highlighted the bright Indian color palette. Cupcakes and desserts from Over the Rainbow Cupcakes featured matching vintage groom and groom figures.

The grooms donned traditional Indian attire completely embellished with beads and gold jahri. After a photo shoot, the grooms did a quick change from Indian attire to Palm Springs Casual, making their special day completely unforgettable! Dinner and dancing followed, all the way into the shallow end of the pool!

See A Wedding Workshop Inspired by Garden Roses

When the ever-so-talented Holly Chapple hosts a class for floral designers you know you’re in for a world of pretty. And this June workshop inspired by none other than David Austin garden roses? Well, it certainly didn’t disappoint. For each and every one of these creations belongs to the class that crafted them and thankfully Jodi and Kurt Miller captured it all to revisit time and time again in The Vault!

From Holly Chapple…This photo shoot was inspired by David Austin garden roses, and Holly’s recent journey to London. Holly teaches her Chapel Designer workshops in the UK, Australia, throughout the USA and at her farm Hope Flower Farm. Holly brought many treasures home from her most recent visit to London, she was there this April to teach the London Chapel Designers conference. The garden rose bunting and matching doilies were purchased at Hampton Court Palace, these items and their beautiful garden rose pattern inspired Holly to create a shoot based around the items she gathered in London and her beloved David Austin roses. Vintage silver containers were gathered in London and were also used in the tablescape. On the table you will find lovely salt and pepper shakers, silver tea strainers, tea sets and gorgeous silver all purchased in London. The fact that her guest teacher Robbie Honey was coming from London helped to Solidify her desire to create an English Rose Garden – Tea party shoot. Baker and food stylist Sarah Orman also from London, went about creating traditional English tea party treats. I Sarah could bring an authentic tea party vibe to the shoot.

All florals were dripping with david austin garden roses, peonies, and vine. We wanted to create a design that looked a natural trellis. This area would be the perfect place for our table scape. The arbor custom made at the workshop was covered in vine and floral. The structure was a fabulous group project led by Holly Chapple. Robbie taught the designers about cascading bridal bouquets and the tradition of wiring stems. Custom stationery was designed by Sarah Kate Couture who did custom sketches of garden roses which complimented the bunting.

5 Tips to Create a Color-Happy Home

Infusing color into your home can be daunting — there’s a fine line between a color-happy home and one that looks like a rainbow exploded inside it. But, today is your lucky day, because we’re teaming up with Kid & Coe and Oh Joy! for the Joyful Family Homes Giveaway! One lucky reader will prizes from favorites like Kid & Coe, Oh Joy! For Target, Hygge & West, Maryanne Moodie, Aelfie, and Gray Malin. The giveaway ends October 5th, so click here before you miss out!

Create a Color Story

Look at your entire home as a ‘color story’ vs. each room on its own individually, choosing one to three main colors that will create a cohesive look throughout.

[dotted]

Start with a Favorite Design Piece

Inspiration can come in the smallest forms! Dying over that coral patterned throw pillow at your favorite boutique? Let that hue and/or pattern inspire your entire look. Layer in varying shades or complimentary colors for a truly beautiful home design.

[dotted]

Don’t Breakup with Neutrals

So you want a colorful home? Appreciate the beauty in contrast. A pink velvet couch would look amazing in your sitting room, but that doesn’t mean it will look amazing with loads of equally pink pillows on it. Balance out your brights with neutrals where it makes sense to. This is especially important when considering larger furniture pieces!

[dotted]

Give Your Front Door a Happy Hue

There is just something about a sweet little cottage with a sunny yellow entrance or a stately brownstone with a high gloss black door. It’s such an easy way to let your personality shine through from the very moment people lay eyes on your home sweet home.

[dotted]

Create Balance

Just as you want to appreciate contrast when it comes to colors and neutrals, practice the same concept when incorporating textures and patterns into your color-happy home design. You can have too much of a good thing when it comes to texture, pattern and color!

[dotted]

Enter the Joyful Family Homes Giveaway Now!

They Tied the Knot in Their First Date Spot and it was Magical

Saying “I do” in Aspen is meant to be amazing, but saying “I do” in the exact spot you had your very first date? Magical. Which is why Michelle and Andrew spent weekend after weekend diving into clean up projects to make their meaningful locale all their own. The results? A drop-dead gorgeous soiree planned to perfection by Bluebird Productions with amazing details throughout. See it all captured by Becky Schwartz here in THE VAULT.

From Bluebird Productions… Michelle and Andrew are truly some of the sweetest people (and most IN LOVE people) we’ve come across! Their wedding was a perfect labor of love. They chose to get married in Aspen as Andrew was raised here and, as a couple, they have spent a ton of time in the Aspen area together. Their wedding was at the Smuggler Mine, a historic mine that is a huge part of Andrew’s family history in the area. The moment they got engaged, they immediately knew they wanted to get married there. Their first date was even at the mine (a tour of the mine!!). For them, it was the perfect venue: unique, rugged but elegant, has expansive and amazing fews, has great meaning and history for them and is the most authentic “Aspen” venue one can find.

From the Bride… We spend countless Saturdays at the Mine doing various clean up and building projects- planting flowers, building the arbor, painting fences, and laying gravel. I wouldn’t trade these memories for anything. It made our wedding day feel so magical because we built the magic that our guests felt at our ceremony. We were sharing with them a piece of our lives that means so much to us, and I loved that.