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

English Garden Meets Coastal Grandmother At The Historical Darlington House

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The wedding colors were light blue, white, and pink. Blue felt very coastal and complimented the blues seen throughout the Spanish tiles at Darlington House, white because it is timeless as well as neutral, and pink because it added a whimsical and feminine touch.

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I grew up just a few minutes away from Darlington House in La Jolla. My mom and I used to walk my dog past Darlington, so I think getting married there was always in the back of my mind! My love for Spanish architecture, antiques, and the fact that it is in my hometown made it my dream venue. I love that it doesn’t feel like a “venue” per se but more so like a historic home with character and charm. Initially, all I knew was that I wanted our wedding to feel as far as possible from a banquet. After extensive Pinterest research, I decided I was going for more of an “English garden meets coastal grandmother” vibe. Since La Jolla has incredible weather, it felt like it would be a missed opportunity not to have the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all outdoors.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

Matias and I were visiting my parents in La Jolla. We were supposed to go out to dinner with a few friends (or so I thought) when he suggested we take our dog on a quick walk before heading out. We were on a walk by my favorite beach, when he suggested we pop out onto a rocky lookout point and the rest is history! We then walked back to my parents house where my family and friends were gathered for a surprise backyard dinner celebration.

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I tried on SO many dresses! I actually liked quite a few of them, but I landed on “Logan” by Sarah Seven at the The Dress Theory San Deigo after shopping with my mom and two of my closest friends. I loved the way I felt wearing it despite it being far from what I thought I wanted. My mom started to tear up when I tried it on, which snowballed in to all of us in happy waterworks which is how I knew it was the one!

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]I decided to go for mismatched blues to complement the blue color palette. I really wanted all my bridesmaids to like their dresses and have some creative liberty. They ended up choosing a variety of textures which added nice dimension in photos.
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Matias is wearing a black Indochino tux.

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We had two signature cocktails: spicy margarita and Pisco sour. We thought this would be fun since we recently returned from visiting Matias’ family in Chile where Pisco is quite popular. For our white wine, we chose an Austrian Grüner Veltliner as an ode to Matias’ late father, who was Austrian. Lastly, our red wine was the Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano D’ Abruzzo, our personal favorite, which we drink so much of that we now jokingly refer to it as the “Rodlauer house wine.”

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

All the florals and decor were chosen to compliment the outdoor patio space. I wanted a very natural and whimsical feeling, like an afternoon garden party. I chose ARCHIVE RENTALS in San Clemente because they had such an incredible inventory and were flexible with sourcing more items and quantities to make my vision come to life. I chose Kasia at Plenty Of Petals because I had seen some photos of her work that I loved and felt she would really nail the whimsical look.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

The wedding cake was not as important to me since the weddings I have been to most everyone is out on the dancefloor by the time cake is served. The only thing I cared about was having a little topper of our dog, Chowder, since we couldn’t have him there on the day of. We also had some bite-size desserts provided by our caterer.

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

Our officiant is a close family friend who knows both of us well, which is important to us. Darlington House does not allow live amplified music since it is tucked within a residential neighborhood, but they do allow single live musicians. We chose Lee Coulter, a local musician who has a beachy and soulful sound. We love Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and James Taylor, so we also asked our DJ Matt Phipps to play some of the likes during the reception.

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Instead of traditional placecards, we had envelopes at each place setting with a personal note to each guest. I borrowed this idea from my friend’s wedding because I still remember how special l it made me feel to have a hand written letter waiting for me at my seat! Guests travel so far, and spend so much money to help celebrate your big day, so to be able to thank each guest and make them aware of our gratitude was really important to us.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Matias, the groom, shared a traditional Austrian Waltz with his mother in honor of his late father. This dance opened up the dance floor, soon everyone was on their feet practicing the Waltz![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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BBJ La Tavola

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XO and Fetti

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A Fairytale Wedding Weekend in Provence at Le Vieux Castillon

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]White & green[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]This wedding is a fairytale in Provence. Coming from Miami, bride and groom wanted to have an amazing wedding in France.

To organize their wedding, they chose Anne-Clothilde from HEDHERA agency based in French Alps, in Annecy.

To immortalize their wedding they chose Thomas Audiffren (photo) and Laurent Rostaing (video).[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”][/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]The bride chose her wonderful dress at Vivienne Westwood.[/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]For the cocktail hour, the bride and the groom had a wonderful selection including “Gin & Tonic”, “Moscow Mule”, “Cuba Libre” and “Tequila Provençale”.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]All the wedding and floral design was created by La Maison Dautel. The style is very modern and white. We wanted to offer something pure and timeless.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The beautiful wedding cake was create by the venue, The Vieux Castillon.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Le Vieux Castillon, an authentic venue in the South of France, Provence. A place steeped in history, with ruined walls that give the place a great deal of charm. The outdoor pool is ideal for brunch.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]All details are very important :
° Embroidered napkins with bride and groom’s initials by La Maison Potamine
Customized stationary by CMO, a French graphic designer
° A unique guests book (with different envelops) thought by Coramour
° A wonderful dress by Vivienne Westwood
° A lot of flatlays inspired by Provence created by Hedhera[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Here are some of the tips to pull off the look :
° A strolling live band for cocktail
° A sophisticated chignon for the ceremony by Joana Ronquillo, one of the best make up artist in France
° Light, flowing fabrics for modernity
° A spectacular entertainment by Sébastien The Artists based in South of France[/field]
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La Maison Dautel

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Thomas Audiffren

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A Classic Garden-Inspired Italian Wedding With Pretty Pops Of Citrus

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The wedding colors were greens, orange, peach, white, and gold.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

It is a classic Italian garden party with the use of real fruit and vibrant pops of orange.

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The wedding gown designer was Monique L’Huillier.

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[field title=”Food & Drink”]The evening began with a greeter of prosecco and fresh lemonade. The aperitivo had stations of charcuterie and passed local bites. They also featured a live mozzarella making station. For the dinner the first course was a pumpkin cappellacci sauted with butter and sage with an amaretto biscuit crumble and spinach puree. The main course was a bake Cinta Senese pork loin with stewed baby red onions, roasted potatoes and sauted carrots with butter and chives. [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The design all began with a love of the local mandarins and wanting to incorporate them into all of the decor elements. They used them in the cascading bridal bouquet complimented with phalaenopsis orchids as well as the asymmetric pillars for the ceremony. The chandeliers with the greenery arches across one communal table for their 70 guests was an impressive design filled with warm candle light and petite arrangements. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]They decided to do a tradition live show cooking of the Italian Millefoglie that was serenaded by a live saxophone player[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]One of the highlights of the wedding was the saxophone player that accommponied the live showing cooking of the cake and then led guests to the dance area where the DJ was waiting for them.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Maria’s gorgeous floral printed Monique Lhuillier gown was a statement piece that was complimented by the Tuscan views.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Elegante Weddings and Events

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Embracing The Natural Beauty of Tuscany at Castello di Meleto

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The wedding colors were shades of pink and peach, with a touch of dusty blue.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

From the bride & the groom: “From our very first conversation about marriage, our dream wedding consisted of a celebration surrounded by family and friends in a location where we could bring all of the wonderful people in our lives together and enable them to make new friends. We also believe in never procrastinating happiness, in finding a way to make our dreams come true. While the pandemic made this dream wedding impossible during 2020 and 2021, it didn’t prevent us from getting legally married and planning our family. All with the shared promise that we would make the dream wedding happen when it was possible. We decided to have our daughter first, so she could be a part of the special celebration, and there really is no order to things in life! In October of 2021, over the course of two weeks exploring the Tuscan countryside, embracing the beauty of Florence, and dining our way from Rome to Lake Como, we fell in love with Italy. We knew that this was going to be a special place for us. We named our future puppy, Como when we found we would get to bring him home (while in Lake Como). We named our future daughter, Siena (after the medieval province in Italy). And we knew that the rolling hills of Tuscany was where we wanted to bring those most important to us together to celebrate our marriage. We wanted more than just a wedding. We wanted to give our friends an intimate week of quality time together; we wanted a week of exploring Florence and Tuscany, culminating in the wedding and several days staying together on the same property. We planned for several days in Florence with tours of the city, Uffizi and the Accademia, and dinners at our favorite restaurants. At Castello di Meleto we found the perfect venue – castle lodging for our guests, with beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside, an onsite winery, and a gorgeous wedding venue. To help us plan our dream wedding, we were so fortunate to discover The Tuscan Wedding. From the moment we met Daniela Tripodi, we knew that her team would be the best in the industry to help plan our dream wedding. Daniela was such an expert when it came to the most experienced caterers, photographers, florists, entertainers and artisan vendors. She truly pushed the boundaries of creativity where modern romance meets Italian renaissance. We had just begun wedding planning after our daughter Siena was born, and The Tuscan Wedding team made the planning abroad so seamless and smooth. We are forever grateful. For the wedding day, we wanted to make the most of Tuscany, holding all events outdoors until the post-dinner celebration. We lucked out with 80 degree weather in October! Each event in turn needed to also include a few special touches to mark it as uniquely ours. Holding our wedding in late 2023 presented the unique opportunity to include our seven month old daughter, Siena, and she was a star of the ceremony, stealing the show as she came down the aisle in a white wagon. The cocktail reception included a guest table with hand-carved wooden hearts, which we found a few weeks earlier in the Dolomites, upon which our guests left individualized notes – creating a special memento which graces our Christmas tree each holiday season. Shirlene’s design eye lies at the heart of the wedding, but no event more than the reception itself. Here she envisioned an outdoor Tuscan reception with a touch of elegance. Color palette included coral, blush, dusty rose, and burnt orange, reflecting fall colors in the countryside. The flowers included dahlias, garden roses, sweet peas and lisianthus flowers and adorned with Pomegranates, grapes and sweet pears. Crystal candelabras boasting tangerine and peach tapered candles graced the center of the reception table. The grand table was brought to life by shimmering outdoor chandeliers, adding a modern touch to the castle walls, also back lit with warm uplighting. Amber glasses and burgundy artisanal plates were highlights of the place settings. We created a single table to bring the entire group together, and left a few empty seats to memorialize some of the special friends and family we’ve lost over the years. No reception is complete without a wedding cake, which is why included two! First, a personalized American style Tiramisu cake and, second, a traditional Mille Foglie Italian wedding cake – the star of the show being made in front of all the guests and a treat that we savored in the castle on the following day. No wedding celebration would be complete without a party and for ours we knew we needed two things: a great band, and a great bar. For the entertainment, we reviewed a long list of local artists before selecting The Puppets, a talented group who set the perfect atmosphere for our party. The bar also required special attention; one outcome of the pandemic is that Mike became an amateur home bartender. For the occasion, he created a special menu of three signature cocktails for the occasion. Each cocktail, The Como, The Siena, and The Kodiak, is named after the family and consists of a different base liquor and different preparation. If the party is any indication, both the bar and the band hit the mark.”

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

From the bride & groom: “Sunday night, September 16, 2018, San Francisco Mike is lounging in bed, recovering from a weekend in Sonoma with his sister. He opens his phone to discover a notification on Bumble – it’s from Shirlene, a girl he matched with several days prior. They chat and quickly realize that, between their work and international travel schedules, the only available time to meet in the next month is this week. They pick Thursday. Thursday night, September 20, 2018, San Francisco Shirlene walks into the cocktail joint and spots Mike reserving a pair of bar stools. She takes a seat and conversation takes flight. Amongst the ensuing drinks they discuss family, goals, work adventures, and travel plans. They share dessert. They stop at a second bar. They strike a spark that will change both of their lives. The next week they ventured off to Japan and Germany on separate trips. Their second date wouldn’t be for another six weeks, but the initial connection would bring them back for more. Over the next year and a half, Shirlene and Michael build a life together. They embrace each other’s friends; they embrace each other’s family. They embark on countless adventures, exploring Portugal, Morocco, Japan, and Taiwan. In a stroke of luck, they move into a San Francisco flat together just months before the pandemic shut everything down. And during those months locked in together they realize they’ve found the perfect life partner. Saturday afternoon, May 9, 2020, Monterey Bay Shirlene and Mike are taking a weekend trip to Carmel, their first in months in the pandemic. They’ve built a life together during the last year and a half, discovering a best friend and partner in each other. Mike convinces a local boat captain to take them on a sunset bay cruise. The evening is wonderful and the wildlife is active; dolphins, seals, and sea lions abound. The moment is right. Mike falls to one knee. Shirlene says Yes.”

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Shirlene emerged like a vision from a dream, captivating all with her presence. Her dress was a pure marvel—a creme white masterpiece adorned with pure white broderie, molding into an elegant mermaid silhouette with a magnificent trailing skirt. The elegance of her attire was an understatement; it was a living fantasy, and Shirlene herself was the central bloom in the garden of love. Her hair, crafted into a beautiful styled bun by the talented hands of Cherie Spisso, exuded a timeless elegance, while her makeup, done with a natural touch, accentuated her beauty. Her long, luscious lashes framed eyes filled with love and anticipation.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]

Shirlene’s bridesmaids, an embodiment of grace, donned dresses in various shades of pink, reminiscent of the hues of a Tuscan sunset. Each carried a bouquet mirroring the bride’s, but in a smaller, more delicate fashion. Their smiles were a symphony of joy, an expression of the love that bound them together. The briesmaids wore different dress brands: Anthropology, BCBG, BHLDN, Birdie Grey, Michael Costello, Ramy Brook, and Shona Joy.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

Michael, the groom, he was the embodiment of quiet sophistication in his dark gray suit, elegantly tied together with a soft pink tie. His attire was a harmonious complement to the scene, a piece of the grand mosaic that made the day perfect. Custom suit by Divij Hemrajani, a Los Angeles area based tailor

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[field title=”Food & Drink”]The menu was not just a meal; it was a culinary voyage through the flavors of Tuscany. Stuffed pasta delighted the senses with tortelli cacio e pepe, accompanied by crispy Tuscan bacon. The next course featured fresh pasta, mezzi paccheri adorned with duck ragout, fried sage, and juicy raspberries. For the main course, a sea bass crusted in Bronte pistachios reigned supreme, served with fresh cherry tomatoes, capers, and the treasured olives of Tuscany. A vegetarian delight was in store as well, featuring an exquisite Eggplant Parmigiana by the renowned vendor, Galateo. The meal was a celebration of Tuscany’s rich culinary heritage, presented with elegance and finesse.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

The ceremony unfolded beneath a half-style arch adorned with organic greenery and blossoms, creating an ambiance that bridged the natural and the dreamlike. Grounded florals lined the sides of the aisle, symbolically guiding the couple towards their shared future. It was a moment where love blossomed, where the beauty of nature interwove with their love story. Warm-toned flowers in shades of pink, creme, orange, and white, including ranunculus, garden roses, sweet peas, lisianthus, dahlias, seasonal berries, and eucalyptus, adorned this natural altar. Their vintage, old Italian romantic look was nothing short of enchanting, as if nature itself had whispered its secrets into the bouquet, creating an ethereal masterpiece. Crafted by Flowers Living, this bouquet featured an assortment of warm-toned flowers in shades of pink, creme, orange, and white, including ranunculus, garden roses, sweet peas, lisianthus, dahlias, seasonal berries, and eucalyptus.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

In front of the grand doors of the castle, the wedding cake awaited its moment of glory. Comprising three layers, transitioning from a deeper pink hue to a lighter one, it was adorned with an array of flowers. The cake was not just a dessert; it was a representation of the sweet moments that Shirlene and Michael would share on their lifelong journey together.

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The Tuscan Wedding

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Italian Renaissance With a Touch of Opulence at the St. Regis Florence

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Red & Gold [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Italian Renaissance with a touch of opulence. A luxury setting celebrated with the closest friends. It was inspired by a palace wedding which was reflected in St Regis ballroom.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]A 6 years long distance relationship between UK and Malaysia prior to the proposal.
I travelled back to Malaysia in December 2021, as it was covid season, attended a full week of quarantine in a hotel. Upon my release, it was date night and I proposed to Stephanie in a fine dining restaurant, EQ Kuala Lumpur. The restaurant was overlooking the Petronas Twin Towers and is significant as both of us are from Malaysia.
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]A representation of simple elegance.

Custom tailor made bridal dress from Thailand, custom made red dress from Womance.  [/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Custom tailor made dresses from Thailand, Nittibodean [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Custom tailor made suit and pants from Thailand, afterparty blue velvet suit from Reiss.
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Apertif menu: Red prawns from Sicily, Wild Salmon tartare with wasabi mayonnaise, Crouton bites with chicken liver and stuffed tomato, Vegetable samosa,

Our favourite Italian wines from a selection in St Regis (La Solaria Pinot Grigio & Castello Di Albola Chianti Classico) , our favourite Cilegio in Fiore sparkling wine from

Menu from St Regis (Risotto with Saffron & Black truffle pelage ; Burrata Tortelli, cherry tomatoes and basil oil ; Grilled fillet of beef, truffle scented potatoes and sauteed mushrooms, beef jus, and a fish option; Strawberry salad, mascarpone mousse and raspberry sorbet), Open bar for our guests. [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]All flowers & decorations prepared by our florist, Mainardi Fiori. The theme for the day was Ivory, dusty pink in its warm shades, earthy colours in their shades and a touch of greenery.
Ceremony and Apertif: Mixed seasonal flowers, pale pink, earth and warm colour palette with a touch of greenery.

Dinner: Red roses with gold and glass elements, mise en place by St Regis, Red and white Calia lilies bouquet for the bride and bridesmaids, buttonholes for groom and groomsmen also made by Calia lilies.  
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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Italian Mille Feuille cake with Chantilly cream & fresh wild berries prepared live by the chef at St Regis.
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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]We are both from Malaysia, however Cavan spent 13 years in the UK for his studies and work. During our travels, we fell in love with Italy, hence we picked Italy as our destination wedding location. It was a dream! Friends and family travelled from all over the world, and I am glad we got to celebrate the special day with them.
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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Both Cavan & Stephanie’s wedding attire were custom made in Thailand to reflect Stephanie’s half Thai heritage. Her mum is from Thailand and is also Cavan’s dad favourite country in Asia. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Welcome drinks held in Sesto in Arno, Westin Excelsior Florence. Wedding ceremony in Chiesa di San Salvatore in Ognissanti Church, Apertivo in the Balcony in St Regis followed by dinner in Salon Delle Feste ballroom, St Regis.
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Gianni Aiazzi Photographer

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A Cheerful Spring Forward Wedding in Georgia at Greenfield Farms

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”] One thing Emily knew she wanted for her wedding day was color! As much as she loved the timeless white wedding, she was ready to include lots of vibrance in her wedding day design. She has always been a “pink girl” and luckily Zubin supported her including as much as she wanted. The color palette began with a pairing of pink and blue and evolved into added pops of yellow and orange.[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Emily and Zubin had always dreamed of a Spring garden party vibe – romantic, fun, and full of joy. She wanted the colors, flowers, and decor to be reminiscent of a beautiful Spring day. The couple chose Greenfield Farms wedding venue for its sprawling outdoor spaces. They planned for an outdoor ceremony site as well as a patio cocktail hour to really embrace the garden party vision. And when it was time to bring the party inside, the guests were greeted by lively floral centerpieces and Springy linens.
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[field title=”Proposal Story”]Zubin proposed on a crisp Fall day. He had told Emily they were meeting his family for lunch at an Italian restaurant in their neighborhood. He convinced Emily they should walk and take a detour through the park since it was such a nice day. In the middle of the park he had flowers and champagne waiting on them. Emily recounts that it was the easiest yes she had ever said. After the proposal they spent the afternoon soaking in all of the joy. They later celebrated at dinner with both of their families and drinks with close friends.
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Emily knew she wanted something more modern with an interesting detail, whether it be sparkles, lace, applique, etc. When she started dress shopping, she had her mind set on a fitted gown and had tried on over ten of them. She had even narrowed it down to one dress when she happened to mention to a Lovely Bride associate that she wanted to try on Tara Lauren’s Kismet gown. As soon as she had it on and looked in the mirror she knew it was perfect. She loved the corded lace and rose motif. The A line organza gown was romantic but also quite striking with the high slit detail. It felt like the very best balance of modern and fun without being too trendy.
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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Emily asked her bridesmaids to choose a blush or peach, floor length gown in either a solid or pattern. She trusted they would all choose gorgeous gowns and she couldn’t wait for the pop of color it would bring to the ceremony. As each bridesmaid chose her dress, it came together more and more and Emily enjoyed watching her bridesmaids be a part of creating such an important piece of the aesthetic of the day. The final assortment of dresses was stunning!
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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]For the groomsmen, Zubin wanted classic fitted black tuxes. Emily wanted him as the groom to stand out from the groomsmen a bit. So, they customized a tux for him with a navy jacket to give him a pop of color against the groomsmen.
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]As guests arrived, they were greeted with a glass of champagne. Emily and Zubin wanted them to enjoy the wedding experience from start to finish. After the ceremony, the couple went into cocktail hour with signature cocktails of moscow mules and margaritas. Guests enjoyed District Events Catering passed hors d’oeuvres including goat cheese phyllo triangles, chicken chipotle empanadas, and steak “frites” on a waffle chip. In the reception space, there were preset berry salads and bread baskets at the tables. Dinner was a served buffet with grilled asparagus, roasted potatoes, chicken roulade, and churrasco skirt steak. The couple had a full, open bar all night and at 9pm, they had passed espresso martinis as a special cocktail for their guests.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”] The talented Soiree Southern events created a bridal bouquet in a “fresh picked” shape, tied with the fabric of Emily’s bridal gown. It was full of roses, peonies, and ranunculus in the couple’s chosen colors of whites, pinks, yellows, oranges, blues and plenty of greenery. The bridesmaids’ bouquets were more prominently white with pops of color. For the ceremony flowers, there were two pedestals on either side of the aisle with two large, asymmetrical arrangements on the inner pedestals and two smaller arrangements on the outer pedestals. Lush arrangements were also placed on the mantle at cocktail hour and the reception space.
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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The cake, by Acuna’s custom cakes, was slightly off-white with light dusty blue palette-knife florals and small white pearls. It was a three-tier cake with the bottom tier being white cake with almond and raspberry icing. The smaller two tiers were chocolate cake with dulce de leche icing. Why choose one flavor when you can have two?!
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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]It was very important to Emily and Zubin that they write their our own vows. They wanted the wedding to feel personal and for all of their guests to understand how important this moment was to them. Hearing each other’s vows was their favorite part of the wedding. To make it even more special, the ceremony was officiated by Emily’s grandfather. It was incredibly special to have him there to marry them.
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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Passed espresso martinis at nine o’clock. It was the perfect break from the dance floor and all their guests still rave to them about that moment of the evening. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]After spending time browsing invitations, Emily wasn’t finding anything that felt quite right. She decided to put her graphic design background to work by designing the invitation suite herself. It was a labor of love that Emily felt so proud to see come to fruition. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Megan Wallach

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5 Elements That Make for an Unforgettable Wedding Reception!

While the ceremony is a significant and beautiful part of any wedding, we all know the reception is where the real fun begins! But, planning a reception can be very intimidating. From deciding on the right menu to please all guests to the reception decor, to seating arrangements, it can be hard to know where to begin. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming!

Here are five helpful tips to ensure your wedding reception is a huge success:

1. Thoughtful seating arrangements and clear seating chart.

Have you ever gone to a wedding reception and felt out of place at the table you were assigned to? Well, I have, and let me tell you, it’s the worst feeling! To avoid putting your guests through that, I highly recommend assigning seats that create the best dynamic for good conversation and connection. You want every guest to be around people they can connect with. There’s nothing worse than someone who’s single sitting at a table full of couples with children. It’s essential to take time to thoughtfully decide where each of your guests should sit. It takes time to plan this properly, but it’s so important to provide your guests with the best possible experience.

Photo by Eric Kelley

2. Lounge areas.

Photo by Sean Cook Wedding Photography

3. Good entertainment.

Whether you want an exciting DJ, a festive band, or soothing music, the quality of the entertainment is crucial. If you have music that doesn’t appeal to you and your guests or a DJ who can’t ready the dance floor, it will ruin all the fun. Entertainment is one of the 3 pillars of your reception (right behind food & beverage), so make sure you invest in high-quality entertainment. You only get one shot!

Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography

4. Great service.

Yes, food quality is very important! It’s not a real party without delicious food! But, it’s just as important to get a caterer that offers high-quality service as well. Tables should be cleaned as soon as your guests are done eating. You don’t want dirty plates lingering on the table! No guest should be struggling to get a hold of staff to ask a simple question, either. So, make sure your caterer offers high-quality service. It doesn’t matter if you’re serving fine cuisine or having a pic-nic-style luncheon; good service is a must.

Photo by Jen Rodriguez Photography

5. Organization.

For your reception to flow smoothly, guests need to know where to go and when. Having someone direct everything, answer questions, and take care of each aspect of the night is essential to make guests feel welcome and at ease. A disorganized reception can delay your timeline and keep everyone from having a good time. Ideally, you’d want to have a full-service wedding planner, but I understand that’s not always within budget. However, you should at least have someone come in a few months ahead of the wedding day. They can help you line everything up and make sure your wedding reception runs as smoothly as possible.

Photo by Joel Serrato Film Photographer

You don’t want your reception to be the one everyone wants to leave. Keeping these five tips in mind will ensure your guests have a fantastic experience, no matter your wedding style!

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Joel Serrato Film Photographer

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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Inspiration Shoot At Villa del Balbianello On The Shores Of Lake Como

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[field title=”The Inspiration”]

The inspiration for the photo shoot at Villa Del Balbianello on the shores of Lake Como stemmed from its breathtaking natural beauty and timeless elegance. The villa’s refined architecture and lush gardens evoke a sense of romance and grace, perfectly capturing moments of serenity and beauty. This shoot aimed to blend the essence of love and union with the unique harmony of nature, history, and art that defines this enchanting location.

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

The color theme centered around pastel pink, creating a soft and romantic atmosphere. This hue was beautifully integrated into the floral decorations, tablecloths, and even the cake, adding a cohesive and dreamy touch to the setting, reflecting the natural blush of the surroundings at sunset.

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[field title=”The Venue”]

The Villa Del Balbianello, located by the stunning Lake Como, provided a picturesque backdrop. The tranquil waters of the lake and the villa’s historic charm added a sense of serene elegance to the setting.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The floral arrangements and decor played a crucial role in enhancing the ambiance. Lush and artfully arranged blooms added a vibrant yet elegant touch, harmonizing beautifully with the venue’s natural charm. The decor, carefully chosen for its simplicity and elegance, further accentuated the romantic and serene atmosphere of the setting.[/field]
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AMV Weddings

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A Coastal Wedding That Exudes Nostalgic ”Slow Living” Style

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]All answers are from the bride’s POV:

My vision for wedding colors was to have lots of coastal blues with pops of peach, pink and creamy yellows.[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]I grew up in Virginia, but spent many summers and long weekends at my Nana’s second home in Edenton, North Carolina. Much of my wedding inspiration was drawn from the town of Edenton and the memories I created in spending so many summers there. Edenton has always had the ability to bring my family together in a way that is fun and relaxed. Our family and friends were a main focus in creating our vision; we wanted an atmosphere that allowed our guests to slow down, relax and enjoy being together. Our aesthetic vision was that of a “coastal garden party” and one that played off the natural beauty and classic elements of the Historic Barker House (or venue) in downtown Edenton. Our hope was to incorporate coastal blues with pops of color and texture through florals, patterned table linens, rattan lanterns, and mix-matched bridesmaid dresses.[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Not only was Edenton a special place to me growing up, it is also a special place in mine and Dom’s relationship. My Nana’s house in Edenton is where he was introduced to my family and where we spent a great deal of time together while dating. In May of 2022, we were in Edenton with my family for Memorial Day Weekend. One evening, Dom asked if I would join him on the pier in front of the house. It was there that he proposed; after an enthusiastic “yes” I turned to see my entire family cheering on the balcony. They rushed to us with flowers, balloons and cupcakes from a local bakery. It was such a special moment and one that I will never forget. [/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]My gown was the “Katherine” by Alyssa Kristin. It was a classic high-neck silhouette with an open back. My seamstress sewed buttons to the back and added a French Bustle. It was a dress I felt was made for me.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Bridesmaid dresses were hand selected by and for each girl. I sent a color pallete and we worked together to find the perfect style for everyone. My sister and maid of honor wore the Ruby Twist halter gown by BHLDN. My sister and matron of honor wore the Chelsea gown by Sachin and Bibi. Other bridesmaid dresses included those from Yumi Kim, Show Me your Mumu, and ASTR the Label.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Dom wore the midnight blue tuxedo from the black tux, the groomsmen wore the blue suit from the black tux.[/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Signature cocktails were up first with a french 75 for me and a classic Old Fashioned for Dom! These were paired with appetizers of classic southern food such as sweet potato biscuits with ham, southern crostini, and corn muffins with honey butter. The award winning and local Old Colony Smokehouse catered dinner with our favorite brisket, barbecue and all the fixings![/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]We chose lush yet airy florals full of peach, pink, creamy yellows, soft greenery and touches of blue. The ceremony included large basket floral arrangements. For reception decor, tables were decorated with patterned linens and a mix of ceramics, rattan hurricanes and cut glass votives. Rattan lanterns hung above the wood and white check dance floor. We chose to include lots of candlelight to create a warm glow after sunset. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”] Our cake was a simple three tiered cake by a local baker. It featured lemon cake, raspberry filling and a vanilla buttercream.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]My grandmother read a passage from 1 Corinthians 13 and we were officiated by my youth pastor. He opened the ceremony by acknowledging how much it meant to us that so much family and so many friends had traveled to celebrate with us. Our first dance was to “Sweet Symphony” by Joy Oladokun and Chris Stapleton. I shared a first dance with my step-dad and mom to “Do you believe in Magic?” by the Lovin’ Spoonful. Dom shared a dance with his mom to “Your Song” by Elton John.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]This wedding was a destination to all and many of our guests chose to spend the weekend with us in the charming town of Edenton. My bridesmaids and I got ready in an AirBNB above a local shop in the heart of downtown. Throughout the day, we peaked out the windows to see our guests walking around, browsing the local shops and grabbing drinks. It meant the world to introduce so many people to a place that means so much to us and to watch them enjoy it as much as we do.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]We had our invitation suite designed by the talented Lauren Quesada who made a custom map of Edenton to enclose in each invitation. The map included our ceremony venue (The Historic Barker House) as well as our reception venue (The Courthouse Green) and the Captain’s Quarter’s Inn where many of our guests stayed for the weekend. The invitation suite captured the floral design we were envisioning and gave guests a little insight to the beautiful coastal town where they would be spending the weekend![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Allison Dash Photography

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Bonnet Island Estate Wedding With New England Summer Style

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Pinks & Blues [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

We got married at Bonnet Island Estate in Long Beach Island. The space was exactly the vibe I’ve envisioned since I was a little girl. We were right on the bay in Long Beach Island and it was a perfect sunny day. The overall vision was a New England Coastal wedding.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]We both went to Quinnipiac University we started off and friends and then begun dating our senior year. Fast forward to January of 2022, he planned a proposal in Central Park at Belvedere Castle, where he had a photographer and a beautiful set up waiting for us. After popping the question, he wisked me away to the Campbell Apartment at Grand Central Station, my absolute favorite bar in New York City, where our families were waiting for us to celebrate. I was then surprised by a host of our friends from childhood through college at a local bar in NYC. [/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Ines di santo. This was my dream wedding dress. I’ve heard a lot of brides say that they ended up with a completely different dress than originally planned, but this is what I’ve always seen myself in. It felt simple, elegant, and easy to dance in! I also changed into a fun short sparkly dress from Self-Portrait.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]I wanted to stray away from the standard matching bridesmaid dresses. It was really important to me that all of my bridesmaids felt comfortable and beautiful in their dresses and were able to dance the night away! They each picked a different dress that ranged in different hues of pink and pink florals.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Casey was wearing a navy tux jacket from Canali with a simple pattern, and custom tux pants from Enzo Customs in NYC. The groomsmen all wore matching blue tuxes from Black Tux. [/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Merri Makers provided our catering and it was absolutely perfect. Outside the ceremony space, we offered guests mini Coronos and Rose. Then they moved into the cocktail hour, where we had a steel drum band playing, oyster bar, mini taco bar, sliders, and many many more options. Our signatures drinks included the “Spciy Mrs. Margatina” – which was casamigos triple sec, lime juice, and jalepenos. Then “The deckhand” which was corona and lime. My husband loves to fish, so we had subtle hints to this. [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]For the florals, I wanted to keep it simple, beachy, and clean. We worked with our incredible vendor at Reynolds in Long Beach Island. We had white garden roses, with hints of blue and green. I’m Portuguese and I’ve always loved the blue & white tiles. My favorite part of our decor was all the ginger jars that I had spread out throughout the venue including on the fireplace of our ceremony space. I think this really tied everything together. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]We had a simple white wedding cake that included a few of our flowers. [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]We had Craig Scott Band for our music. They provided a string quartet (ceremony), steel drum band (cocktail), full band (reception), and the DJ (after party, which was hosted at the venue until 2AM). They did such an amazing job capturing all the generes that we wanted. The dance floor was packed until 2AM! Our first dance song was Atlantic City by the Band, I danced to Butterfly Kisses with my Dad and Casey danced to You are the Best thing with his mom. We had co-maid of honors and co-best men who all gave a speech and my dad gave an amazing Father Daughter speech that had everyone in tears.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Casey’s uncle, Rob Diestel, officiate our wedding which was very special. My husband’s mother is Japanese and they’ve had a family Kimono in the family for years and years. I was honored to be able to wear this during our cocktail hour. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Karina Mekel Photography

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Pastel Garden Wedding Inspired by the Romance of France

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Lavender, periwinkle, shell pink, ivory, touches of blue toile[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Francesca & Greg were hugely inspired by France and their recent trip there. They loved soft pastels, periwinkle, shell pink, ivory, touches of blue toile, and of course lavender. The wedding was in a beautiful garden setting surrounded by greenery and florals galore. The day was full of romance and elegance.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Francesca had dreamt of seeing the lavender fields in Provence, so Greg made her wish come true by traveling there together in 2021. To top it all off, he proposed on the trip making it an experience Francesca would never forget! Francesca says it was “straight out of a Van Gogh painting.” The backdrop for the proposal was absolutely stunning. The two drew inspiration from their experience in France when designing and planning their own wedding.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Francesca wore a clean, simple, off the shoulder ballgown with a long dramatic train. She also had a stunning veil adorned with pearls to add eye catching texture. Her bridal look was completed with beautiful Bella Belle shoes, which also tied in the pearl details.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]The bridesmaid dresses were long and french blue, each with a different pattern, creating a beautiful cohesive look. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groom and groomsmen kept it simple and classic with black tuxedos.[/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Signature drinks were “The Groom’s Manhattan” because of their time as a couple in New York and “The Bride’s Lavender French” which highlighted the overall theme of the wedding.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The gorgeous floral arch for the ceremony showcased an abundance of greenery, roses, lilac, and hints of blue. One special detail was when the guests tossed dried lavender over the couple as they walked up the aisle after pronounced husband and wife![/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The couple had a three tiered cream wedding cake adorned with lots of florals. It was a sight to see and a huge focal point during the reception.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]They had a harpist for the ceremony and a live band playing during the reception.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″][/field]
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[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Mallory Dawn Photography

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A Fairytale Destination Wedding In Italy

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

Dusty blue, soft pink, powdery, lilac accents, and different shades of greenery.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Fairy tales exist! Olivia and Lucas are an incredibly beautiful couple from Austria who wanted to have a fabulous wedding. They really like the classic and romantic style, and therefore, our couple wanted to prepare a classic open-air wedding while not losing the elegance of the event. They wanted to hold the official ceremony in a church with panoramic views of the Tuscan Hills. Isn’t this a fairy tale?

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]It was April and close to the date where we had their first date. Lukas surprised Olivia with a beautiful trip to Venice.
At the 16.04.22 after a beautiful and relaxed day they went out for dinner at a romantic restaurant. After dinner they had a beautiful walk back to palazzo and talked about their future. They came back in their suite and the room was decorated with Olivia’s favorite flowers, champagne and candles. They drank a glass champagne on the beautiful balcony and Lukas proposed – AND SHE SAID YES![/field]
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The big wedding dress is a tribute to the bride’s mother’s wedding dress. She also had puffy sleeves and big roses on the back. Olivia visited a fashion school and designed her dresses on her own. It is a taffeta fabric from a D&G collection. It’s sewen in an atelier in Vienna. – The lace dress – Olivia always dreamed about two styles of wedding dresses. A dramatic taffeta dress and a lace dress with pearls on the back, high neck, and long sleeves. So she decided to switch her dresses. The lace dress is also custom-made. – The party dress: the bride loves capes and wanted something light and a dreamy look for the party. It’s a silk dress with pearls and a chiffon cape. Also, this dress is custom-made.

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The color scheme was delicate floral bridesmaid dresses.

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Lukas Suit was a linen double-breasted suit from the Italian brand Tagliatore.

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Before the wedding dinner, an aperitif was waiting for the guests, at which the first appearance of the bride and groom turned out to be very bright. The couple went to the tower of crystal glasses, pouring champagne with their own hands for all the guests. There were also corners with Tuscan cheeses, cold cuts, and tempura vegetables for the aperitif. At the gala dinner, the best catering in Tuscany offered a royal set.

Starter: Courgette flower with burrata cheese filling on cherry tomato sauce and crispy sautéed courgette

First Course: Calamarata with Verace clams, basil flavored courgette strips

Main Course: Beef fillet with aromatic herbs, Belgian endive purée, and sweet and sour red onions

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

With such a stunning location as Villa La Commenda Concordia, the flower decorations must coincide with the level of the venue. To attain this goal, we were working with rich textiles, gorgeous floral arrangements and beautiful golden tableware. The elegant applique tablecloth and colorful napkins played a key role in the reception area’s design, compiling the floral arrangements with breathtaking views. The beautiful, stylish compositions consist of a wide selection of flowers of blue and pink tones: dahlias, various kinds of roses, astilba, scabiosa, sweet peas, and narine. The candles became an elegant touch to the general look of the compositions.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

Our couple cooked the traditional Italian Milfey wedding cake together with the chef right in front of the guests. It was strewn with fresh wild berries, and the culmination of the dinner was the opening of a bottle of sparkling wine with a sword!

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

The classical trio, consisting of Piano, Violin, and Cello from the Florentine orchestra, performed at the ceremony in the church. Specifically for this event, they dedicated time to master the selected compositions:

Entrance:

Lukas + Best Men entrance: “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Olivia + Bridesmaids entrance:

“Happiness Does Not Wait” by Ólafur Arnalds

Song for Kiss & Signing papers:

“Canon in D” by Pachelbel

Lighting up candle:

Iris cover by Modde Music on Piano, Violin, Cello

Going out:

“Wildest Dreams” by Taylor Swift

Their rendition added a touch of elegance and harmony to the ceremony, making it a memorable musical experience for everyone in attendance.

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

The bride especially wanted to leave her ceremonial dress as a surprise for the groom. In this regard, she has already prepared three wedding dresses. The first was a lace dress – delicate and beautiful, in a retro style. An unusual bouquet in green tones was matched to it. Olivia wore this dress for the first meeting with the groom and their joint photo shoot before the ceremony. Then Olivia asked Lucas to go to church early with the guests, and she secretly changed into a second gorgeous dress, which was custom-made in Vienna. In this dress, everyone saw our bride in the church with another bouquet in delicate shades and a beautiful long veil. But Olivia changed the third dress after the cake for the dance part. This dress was light, delicate, and flowing, which was especially remembered by all guests.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]The couple drove from the church to the villa in a vintage car, which was provided to them by a close friend. He specially traveled from Vienna to Tuscany (Vicchio) in his parents’ retro car! Olivia and Lucas could make a real fairy tale out of time and drive through the Tuscan hills in this retro car, like in the Italian movies.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Classic Wedding Filled With Filipino Traditions At San Francisco City Hall

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

We knew that we wanted our wedding to be modern yet timeless. San Francisco City Hall is just that place, so we decided to have our ceremony there. It epitomizes marriage equality, so it was the perfect spot. As for the reception, we wanted to incorporate our Filipino heritage. We decided to have our reception at a Filipino-owned restaurant t—Abaca Panaderia, at the kimpton alton hotel. Their modern and contemporary take on Filipino cuisine was what we had in mind.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

We love the fall season so we incorporated natural browns and oranges in our color palette along with some neutral tones. We let the beautiful architecture of San Francisco City Hall speak for itself for our ceremony. As for the reception, fortunately the space was beautiful on its own. We added a few details with the help of some of our family and friends helping with signage and party favors.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Nikko planned a surprise engagement in the disguise of his aunt’s “surprise birthday party”. We took a road trip to see the family and attend this “birthday party”. As we arrived to the party, I was pretty upset that we were too late for the surprise as I noticed his aunt’s car already out front. As we walked up to the backyard, I immediately saw my best friends and sisters all gathered up and bunched up together with Nikko’s family like they were taking a group photo.. I was immediately confused. I was thinking in my head, “Aw man, they’re already taking pictures without us, but wait what are my best friends and sisters doing here?!” Then, I hear Bruno Mar’s song “Marry Me” start to blast in the background and they unveil a balloon arch with plants around it with a sign “Marry Me?”.. Another layer of confusion set upon me, as I was still processing as to how and why my close friends and family were here!! Nikko got on one knee and proposed with both hands full as I was holding his aunts birthday present and cake. Right then and there as he shook my hand and asked me again, “Jay, will you marry me?!” I dropped everything I was carrying and cried as I said YES. Fast forward to now, I’m still in shock as to how he kept all this a secret especially during a pandemic.[/field]
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The search for the perfect suit was quite overwhelming. We shopped virtually and in person for hours for the best suit before making a decision. Seeing the photos by our awesome photographers, I say we made the perfect decision. Jay wore a classic black tuxedo with onyx dress shirt buttons and cuff link and Nikko wore a white top tuxedo stitched with my initials and our wedding date. We matched our cuff links, which we thought of the day of. We were very much giving a yin and yang moment, as Nikko would describe it.

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[field title=”Food & Drink”]During cocktail hour we wanted guests to enjoy foods that we personally enjoy: Vegetable lumpia, chicken and pork skewers, and shrimp kinilaw which is a shrimp dish served raw with chilis, ginger and onion.

For our main entrees, guests were served smoked hen (chicken option), crispy lechon pork belly (pork), crispy octopus (seafood), squash okoy fritter (veg). Accompaniments were cucumber and melon salad, java rice, and vegetable Pancit.

To finish off the night, we treated guests one last bite. Since we were moving to Japan in November, we decided to serve guests Spam Masubi, Tuna Onigiri, and furikake fries. [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]We had large size floral bouquets throughout the venue. The tables had multiple fall themed center pieces with several amber glass tea candles and a custom made coaster with our name and wedding date for each guest. We also had a welcome sign surrounded by tall plants and large size bouquet matching our centerpieces.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

Our dessert featured an ube-flavored cake with coconut, known as “ube macapuno,” a popular Filipino cake/dessert flavor. Additionally, we included “taho,” a well-known Filipino street food dessert made with silkened tofu, brown sugar, and tapioca pearls. The combination celebrated our Filipino heritage and brought a touch of nostalgia for Jay and our friends and family.

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

We hired Golden State Trolley to shuttle our guests to the ceremony and back to the hotel for the reception. It was a wonderful addition to our special day because it allowed guests to come together and celebrate before the nuptials. According to our family and friends, our signature drinks were a hit. We incorporated ube, which is a purple yam commonly used in Filipino desserts, in an espresso maritini and a gin fizz topped with sea salt made with volcanic ashes of the Philippines— known as “asin tibuok”.

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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“Beachy” Elegance on the Big Island at Mauna Kea Resort

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Greens and whites for the florals, with some splashes of blue with the decor. Our couple liked the natural look of green and white. [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]From Jill of La Fleur Weddings: “Paige and her mom had a really beautiful vision in mind and I merely helped them to bring it to reality. They were looking for beachy elegance, not over the top, but romantic and mesmerizing so that when you walked in you were just blown away by the beauty. They loved the venue of course and wanted to play off of the beauty that was already there. The views of the ocean with the black lava rocks spilling in alone took your breath away!”[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]From our Bride, Paige: “Michael proposed in Rome, Italy in July 2022 on the last night of a two week trip in 100 degree weather. Paige was not thrilled to walk a mile plus up a hill (where Michael planned to propose), but once we got there it was beautiful and worth it!”[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]From our Bride: “I was looking for a strapless and classic style dress. Something simple and elegant. I knew I would know once I saw it and it was literally the 2nd dress I tried on. I went on to try on a few more just because, but I knew I had already found it. It was a super easy process. “[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]With a Hawaiian wedding dress Paige wanted her bridesmaids to wear lots of colorful florals. She gave them a storyboard with examples and let them choose what they felt best in and it worked out perfectly.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Food and Beverage was really important to our couple throughout their wedding weekend.
“We made sure to have plenty of beer for our Beach Party on the Friday morning. It was epic and everyone was in the ocean together having the best time.
Our Welcome Party Friday night had plenty of sliders and poke and a full bar. It was very important to us that there was never a line at the bar.
On our wedding day we had beers and wine for our guests before the wedding ceremony as it was sunny and hot. The cocktail reception had plentiful appetizers and Frederico’s the Mauna Kea signature drink flowing. The wedding reception was family style with fish and steak. Mauna Kea nailed it! There was never a line at the bar and the food was spectacular. “[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]”For the Ceremony, it was about the couple and the view but the beautiful floral arch framed both perfectly! Adding in the leis and the conch shell blower brought in that Hawaiian cultural symbolism that made it extra special for the place. For the reception, we had so much fun sourcing and creating a custom surfboard seating chart and having special touches like printed leaf menus for the bars and tiki torches all around. We really loved choosing linens with some pop of pretty color from BBJ and the rattan chargers on the tables added a beautiful island touch while keeping it elegant with green and white in the floral-with some tropical flowers added in and lots of candlelight and romantic string lighting.” ~ Jill of La Fleur Weddings[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]”We chose a beautiful 3 tier cake of vanilla, lemon and coconut. The special touch was the orchids on the cake. It matched the orchids that were placed on every guests place setting. It was so beautiful and we wish we could relive the whole weekend all over again!” ~ Paige[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]The Aloha Splitty Photo Bus was a huge hit as well as the band. The group danced the night away as the sun set behind them into the Pacific. It was a perfect day![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]From Jill of La Fleur Weddings: “Following the devastating fires in Hawaii, their wedding took place shortly thereafter. Having resided on Maui for many years, I cherished many friendships and colleagues in the area. Now living in California, I did what little I could to help from afar by purchasing essential items from an Amazon wish-list curated by a friend and supporting another friend’s GoFundMe page. This friend, along with her husband, owned Maui Coffee Company, and the fires had severely impacted their employees, some of whom had lost homes and belongings.

In the most loving gesture, the couple expressed their desire to assist those affected and approached me to connect them with my friends. Not only did they make a personal donation, but they also included the GoFundMe link on their wedding website, urging guests to contribute to the cause instead of presenting traditional wedding gifts.”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Their Welcome Reception Party at the Mauna Kea Resort included delicious mai-tais, mouth watering appetizers , live music and an exciting fire-dance show to welcome their guests to their Big Island wedding weekend. [/field]
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These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

BBJ La Tavola

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Dmitri and Sandra Photography

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Tuscan Garden Meets Palm Springs Glam At This California Wedding

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Olive green, dusty rose, white, cream, accents of black and ochre yellow[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Tuscan Garden meets Palm Springs Glam: romantic, floral and contemporary with a splash of edginess. The wedding venue, Toscana Country Club, is unique from most Palm Springs area venues in that it has lush landscaping, gorgeous stone architecture, and truly feels like you are in Italy. We wanted to work with the Tuscan vibe of the venue, while incorporating a little bit of Palm Springs character and edginess – it was a destination wedding, after all! It was also very important that we designed events reflective of Haley and Marco’s fun-loving personalities. They are social butterflies and love to host their friends, and it was important that the wedding events felt like them as a couple.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]Marco surprised Haley by popping the question on a trip to New Orleans while walking through City Park. Haley’s twin sister and her husband were also on the trip, and they were able to snap some photos of the moment! [/field]
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Haley wore a timeless Paloma Blanca gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline and A-line skirt.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]

The bridesmaids wore nude gowns by Shona Joy from Revolve Clothing.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]In anticipation of very hot weather (at least for Canadians!), Marco graciously opted for his groomsmen to forego suit jackets. They donned white dress shirts and suspenders instead, with forest green pants to match Marco’s suit.[/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]

Haley had recently graduated culinary school, so food and drinks were very important! Immediately following the ceremony, tray-passed appetizers were served on the Garden Terrace, as guests enjoyed the scenery and live music. For dinner, guests indulged in their choice of New York strip, Chilean sea bass or Napa Valley rack of lamb for their main course. His and hers signature cocktails – custom created by a good friend of the couple’s who is an award-winning bartender – were aptly named “Chef’s Kiss” and “McDavid in the Desert,” as the Edmonton Oilers were in the playoffs at the time of the wedding (the couple rarely misses a game).

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

The reception was held in an outdoor space called “The Olive Grove,” which was filled with gorgeous olive trees. We designed a unique layout to optimize the al-fresco experience. Guests dined at a mix of long wooden rectangle tables and rounds covered in luxe linens. We used black as an accent through the chairs and flatware to bring in a modern vibe to a traditional setting. Two lounge seating areas with contemporary pieces included accents of ochre yellow and dusty rose; colored marble and fluted tables added texture and interest to the vignettes. Native Poppy did an incredible job bringing our floral vision to life! We used a mostly traditional palette, but added in modern floral selections and designed the arrangements with negative space to allow for movement.

[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Haley and Marco opted for an off-white wedding cake with a fluted design to coordinate with some of the unique furniture pieces we included in their lounge design.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Live music was a must for the ceremony, and Haley fell in love with the wedding scene in Crazy Rich Asians where the bride walks down the aisle to a rendition of “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” We found California-based singer-songwriter Whitney Lyman, and she was the perfect choice to make our bride’s musical dreams come true. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

Haley and Marco hosted a “welcome fiesta” on Cinco de Mayo the day prior to the wedding (since it fell on May 5th). The event was held at Marco’s parents’ home in Indian Wells, and was brightly decorated with vibrant colors, florals and pool lanterns. Guests indulged in signature margaritas, tacos and churros, and were serenaded by a Mariachi band. It was the perfect way to kick off the weekend festivities!

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]The after party was held indoors at Toscana Country Club, and we transformed the space so it felt like a nightclub – transitioning guests to the final portion of the celebration. A custom neon sign hung on the DJ booth which was centre stage. Hot pink lighting reflected off a white dance floor and white sequin linens. Guests enjoyed some of Marco and Haley’s favourite late night eats, including chicken wings, an ice cream sundae station, and a poutine bar (a nod to Canadian cuisine).[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Romantic Garden Wedding at Quail Ranch

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

With a lush green landscape, hill views, and Spanish Revival architecture, the estate, Quail Ranch, built in 1933, set the tone for an elegant, charming, and intimate celebration. To complement the various textures and vivid greens – Carina and Nate chose neutral and blush tones as their color palette. Gold-plated accents and light-catching elements were also sprinkled throughout to add a bit of glimmer.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Carina and Nate hoped for a calm, elegant celebration set in nature. Most of all, they hoped people would feel comfortable and relaxed. As the sun set, Carina and Nate encouraged all of their guests to mingle and get to know each other as they explained how much each and every person in attendance meant so much to them. The relaxed, welcoming environment was accomplished from the moment guests arrived; Quail Ranch ticked all their boxes – from the various, easy-to-get-to outdoor settings to the amazing food and friendly owners. The gorgeous estate transported everyone in attendance to a serene evening, making it easy for joyous moments to unfold.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

Nathan surprised Carina with a proposal in their favorite picnic spot, a quiet meadow hidden within the Huntington Library Botanical Gardens, followed by a surprise party thrown by him and Carina’s future bridesmaids.

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To compliment their outdoor wedding, Carina’s custom-made dress by Jinza Couture Bridal in Los Angeles included hand-sewn pearl flowers. The elegant and intricate floral design of the gown took our breath away!! Prior to the ceremony, Carina added on a Cathedral length veil with floral appliqués that seemed to have spilled over from her gown in the most beautiful way. A note-worthy detail that does not surprise us, was the off-the-shoulder straps that easily and comfortably tucked into the dress following the ceremony, making it easy to dance during the reception. Carina not only pulled off the elegant romantic bridal vibes, but also the relaxed – dance all night – vibes that we love so much!

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]The bridesmaids all wore Dark Mauve, but each person chose the style of their dress to best compliment their body type and comfort. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Nathan, the groom, wore a classic tan suit with simple, modern styling. His groomsmen rented suits in similar fashion.[/field]
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Carina and Nate had a range of dishes including braised short ribs, stuffed acorn squash, and lumpia, a Filipino egg roll that Carina and her mom adore. Plus, a spicy margarita and classic old fashioned for drinks.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

Carina and Nate opted in for florals and decor that added pops of color throughout the various parts of the venue. The grounds are beautiful on their own, so the goal was to add color that did not compete with the venue’s natural beauty. De Flora Event Flowers achieved this with greenery, delicate florals and organic yet structured designs that showcased the beautiful floral recipe. Their reception also included romantic candles and twinkle lighting after dark.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

Since the venue is an active avocado and citrus farm, Carina and Nate loved the idea of a 3-tiered lemon wedding cake from the incredible Sweet Art Bake Shop. Each layer had a different filling of fresh chopped berries, lemon curd, or raspberry pure. The naked cake was also adorned with cascading florals that matched the sweetheart table.

[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Carina and Nate had their first dance to Nervous by John Legend.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Our two kitties, Ravioli and Gnocchi, made a few surprise appearances on their bar menu and welcome table![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Carina and Nate opted in for a few “first looks” as they wanted to preserve special moments and time with loved ones . Carina did a first look with her bridesmaids, her father, her brother, and then Nate.

Later in the evening, they both shared a “Reception First Look” which allowed them the opportunity to preview their wonderfully designed space before their guests entered. This was the perfect opportunity for them to preview the details before the sun fully set behind the hills, allowing them to see how the natural light enhanced the hues and textures of the reception decor.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Carina and Nate wanted photos with everybody, but instead of a giant group shot, they had their DJ play a song that challenged them to run from table to table to capture photos with groups on a time limit. They had so much fun, got all their photos, and set a fun tone for the rest of the evening![/field]
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These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

The Blushing Details

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XO and Fetti

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Chicago Rooftop Wedding Lush With Thousands of Pink Roses!

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Blush pink and ivory, with green and gold accents
[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]The vision was to create an airy and ethereal indoor-outdoor experience with a romantic, ‘enchanted floral fairy tale’ vibe. To bring their vision to life, they created an outdoor garden on the rooftop of Chicago’s Navy Pier for the ceremony, overlooking Lake Michigan. Music played a key role in the evening, setting the tone as the bride walked down the aisle to Taylor Swift’s “Enchanted.” Following the outdoor cocktail hour timed to a picture-perfect sunset, the reception was held in the venue’s glass atrium where the twinkling stars outside joined with glowing globe lights inside to create a magical night vibe. Once the new couple was formally introduced and the band started to play, the vibe turned from romantic to full on, non-stop dance party, complete with bride and groom ‘body surfing.’[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]When Andrew asked Sloane’s parents for her hand in marriage last August, he learned that Sloane’s dream was for an outdoor summer wedding the following year, which would not be an easy task, especially given the Covid wedding backlog. So early the next week, Andrew ordered an engagement ring and then promptly contacted his and Sloane’s favorite band, Gold Coast All Stars. Learning they had only 1 summer 2023 date available (September 9th), Andrew bet on a positive proposal outcome and immediately reserved the band! With date in hand, Andrew and both sets of parents got to work behind the scenes to stealthily scout and secure an ideal venue that would accommodate their size group and fit Sloane’s vision before they were all taken. They narrowed to three venues they thought the bride would love and put a hold on them.
A few weeks later, the ring was ready and Andrew had one more secret to plan. He told Sloane they were going to lunch with one of his clients to make sure his soon-to-be fiance would be picture-worthy when the stealth photographer captured the special moment. On the way to “lunch,” they stopped at the beach with their beloved mini Bernadoodle Waylon in tow for a pre-arranged doggie playdate there. The playdate turned into a proposal and Waylon was part of the lasting memory.

Once Sloane said “yes,” Andrew revealed even more surprises — that they already had a wedding date, band and 24 hours to select one of 3 venues. The rest of that day, Sloane was swept off her feet with pre-arranged hair and make-up appointments, a family dinner at Ema Restaurant, followed by a festive engagement party at The Godfrey Hotel rooftop, where family and close friends flew in from New York to California as part of the surprise. The very next morning, Sloane toured the three venue options and signed on the dotted line — her dream for a summer 2023 wedding would indeed come true![/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Sloane wore a made-to-measure couture Mira Zwillinger gown from Ultimate Bride, the exclusive distributor for Mira Zwillinger in Chicago. She chose the Limka gown from the Winds of Wonder collection, a strapless A-Line gown with form-fitting corseted bodice, all-over 3D floral embellishments and matching veil. The dress fit Sloane’s figure and her romantic floral fairytale vibe perfectly.
[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]The 13 bridesmaids wore gowns of their own choosing, each in a shade of blush pink highlighting their personal style, creating a visually diverse while still cohesive look. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groom and groomsmen each wore fitted tuxedos with suspenders and bow ties…socks optional. [/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Hors D’oeuvres: A variety of passed appetizers were served, including the groom’s favorite lamb chops, and a sushi station for the mother of the groom
Signature Cocktails: Bride – Skinny Margarita; Groom – Old Fashioned; Waylon the Mini Bernadoodle – Lavendar Lemonade Mocktail
Entrees: Guests had their choice of beef tenderloin, sea bass or vegetable risotto
Dessert: Wedding cake, S’Mores Station, Stan’s Donuts, Sweet SHOT Cookies, Mini Dairy Queen Blizzards
Late Night Meal: Portillos Hot Dogs
After Party: Lou Malnati’s and Levian Cookies[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The bride’s bouquet was a round pavé of blush Geraldine roses, with stems partially wrapped with floral lace from Sloane’s bridal gown. Bridesmaids had complementary bouquets made of ivory roses. Tablescapes brought the ‘enchanted’ vision to life, filling the room with three different designs, each complemented by dramatic floral creations of blush pink and ivory with greenery accents, romantic candles, mirrored tabletops and crystal, lucite and gold accessories.
[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Three tier banana cake with milk chocolate mousse filling and vanilla buttercream frosting. Adorned with matching florals.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Golden Hour (JVKE) – Set the tone at the start of the ceremony, particularly fitting as the wedding began at the actual “golden hour” just before sunset, overlooking the lake.
I’m Yours (Jason Mraz) – Accompanied the officiant, grandparents, immediate family members and parents of the bride
Die a Happy Man (Thomas Rhett) – Introduced the country-music loving groom and his parents, followed by the bridal party
Enchanted (Taylor Swift) – Created a special moment when the bride walked down the aisle joining her parents halfway, meeting her soon-to-be groom, and extending through the 7 circles ceremony tradition. The bride is a big Swiftie, so “Love Story” was also the last song of the night, ending the high energy dance party on an amazing note.
I’m a Believer (The Monkees) – Joyfully announced the newly married couple following the ceremony
[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]To create a picture-perfect ceremony, the couple created a garden on top of the rooftop of Navy Pier, overlooking Lake Michigan, framed with floral bookends. A lush floral entry ‘arch’ welcomed guests to the garden, while a custom-designed lavish floral chuppah stood in the horizon, overlooking the glistening water. Both arches were designed with an ombre of ivory, light and medium pink flowers. The photographer captured the perspective of the chuppah seemingly framed within the oval entry arch, creating an unforgettable shot. Affixed under the top of the chuppah was the talis of Sloane’s late grandfather in loving memory. The entry arch was then repurposed as the entry to the venue.
[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]The groom is affectionately known as ‘Sterny’ to friends, so they created a fun photo booth experience with a lush green and floral photo-wall adorned with a hot pink neon sign now introducing ‘The Sternys’. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Wanting to incorporate their mini Bernadoodle Waylon into the special event, the couple created cocktail napkins featuring a photo of the very photogenic Waylon with the message, “My paw-rents are married.” Specialty drink signs were also designed featuring Waylon and his specialty mocktail, Lavendar Lemonade. [/field]
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This Fashion Designer Bride Designed Dresses For Herself And Her Wedding Party!

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White, champagne, and pale blue.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Planned beautifully by A.Dominick Events, this all-outdoor wedding took place at a magical estate nestled in a quaint area of Delaware: Winterthur. Featuring gorgeous stationery by Cheree Berry Paper, blooms from Darling & Daughters, and the most personal ceremony we’ve ever witnessed, wedding planning brides are invited to take inspiration from classic yet show-stopping gowns, thoughtful details like a custom message (written in computer code for the techie groom!) inside suit jackets, and a venue with natural beauty around every corner.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

I have always vacationed with my mom and sister on Captiva Island, so when we planned a trip to the beach, I thought nothing of it. We spent a couple of days together enjoying our time on the island, and one night; we decided to walk down to the beach for sunset as we often did. I saw a guy walking from afar and said, “that guy kind of looks like Beau… but a leprechaun version” (he had decided to dress in full disguise- haha!), and low and behold, as he got closer, I realized it was my goofy groom to be in full costume who had flown in to surprise me! He got down on one knee right there and asked me the easiest question I’d ever heard. Yes!

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Inspired by her late grandmother in many of her designs, professional fashion designer Audra has always prioritized her family. So it only made sense that she’d custom design each dress (including her own!) worn on her wedding weekend by her mom, sister, and close friends. (I featured her designs in the gallery from both rehearsal and wedding day!) For her wedding day, Audra had always dreamed of something classic with a touch of lace. When it came time to design her own gown, she searched high and low for the perfect ivory satin to create her strapless, soft a-line shape and accentuated the timeless design with lace applique she sourced herself.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]

Audra knew she wanted to compliment her wedding gown when designing the bridesmaid’s dresses and searched high and low for the perfect shade of blue satin. She had a vision of a lace-adjacent fabric that wasn’t actually lace- and low and behold, she found the perfect soft floral patterned option! It was also important to her that her sister stand out from the crowd, so they worked together to design her one-shoulder champagne lace gown that perfectly complimented the other gowns while setting her apart. Audra also wanted to design the mother-of-the-bride gown and chose a creamy lace applique that she knew would look beautiful next to her sister for family photos.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

When it came time for Beau to design his suit with Tom James Audra knew she was just the gal to take the reins. Beau works in technology- so Audra designed a special jacket liner with a message written in computer code for Beau to crack on his wedding day.

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[field title=”Food & Drink”]

The couple knew they wanted to delight their guests with a meal that wasn’t just “typical” wedding food. They worked with CxRa catering to design a menu that accomplished just that! Guests were able to choose between three delicious entrees: Garlic Hanger Steak with Late Summer Chimichurri, Vouvray Mascarpone Smashed Potatoes, and Haricot Verts with Basil Butter. For those wishing to enjoy a taste of the sea, they were offered Mediterranean Branzino with Basil-Pesto, Roasted Pepper Caponata, and a Crisp Mascarpone Polenta. And, of course, not wanting to forget her vegetarian friends, they also had Florentine Ravioli with Truffle Cream, Hen of the Woods, and Maitake mushrooms, served with Asparagus Tips.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

As a fashion designer, Audra knows all too well how quickly trends come and go. For her big day, she decided she wanted something as classic as possible that would stand the test of time. She chose florals and decor from Darling & Daughters and White Glove Rentals that highlighted the natural beauty of the Winterthur, opting for blooms of roses, ranunculus, bluebells, and thistle in white and cream with subtle pops of blue and greenery. For her reception, Audra pictured a cozy, candlelit dinner under a tent from Dover Rentals in the garden. Family is extremely important to Audra and Beau, so intimate candlelit farmhouse tables brought everyone together for a long meal enjoyed over conversation.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

Audra loved designing her wedding cake with The Master’s Baker because she wanted the details around the vanilla and buttercream confection to nod to her wedding gown, of course! The third tier of the cake donned a lacey pattern that perfectly matched her invitation and nodded to the lace elements on her bridesmaids’ dresses and wedding gown.

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]The ceremony was the most important part of the day for Audra and Beau. Their faith is extremely important to them, so they opted to include a ring warming ceremony that allowed guests to pray over their bands, a foot washing ceremony, and sang several of their favorite songs from church as a group. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

Audra thought it might be fun to include a small interactive element in her cocktail hour, and worked with Aimee from A.Dominick Events events to create a “table tree” where guests could search for their table number and trim it off to carry over to the reception with them and find their seat.

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

As I mentioned, faith is so important to Audra and Beau! They chose to sneak off together after the ceremony to a private place to enjoy communion together and soak in their first 10 minutes as husband and wife.

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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]

For her editorial shoots, Beau always accompanies Audra to help bring her vision to life. She often gushes about how he has a keen eye for detail and can read her mind when it comes to displaying her creations. Well, the wedding day was no different! Beau was such an attentive husband, carrying and fluffing Audra’s train in the perfect way all day long.

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A Wedding Photographer Becomes The Bride for This Pastel Garden Party Southern Wedding

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

We utilized a color palette based off the tones I see most in when editing wedding galleries as a Photographer. The pinks and peaches from the skin tones and the greens and blues from the sky and grass.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]I wanted an upscale garden party vibe. As if you went to a bbq in the Hamptons where you knew you’d look fabulous but it wasn’t stuffy. We had less than 100 people there because we wanted the people that mattered most to us to feel really special when they attended and know just how much they meant to us.[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]James is in the military and was about to have to move stations from FL to VA, making weekend visits no longer possible, so my parents suggested we had a “going away” lunch at a new restaurant near our lake house. We planned to bring the dogs to the lake post lunch, which gave James the perfect excuse to stop at the lake house on the way to lunch to “drop off” our dog, Maple. I waited in the car for a minute, until he came and said let’s go for a walk. I was so confused and thrown off I didn’t get out but rather told him ” I thought you were nervous about being late to lunch with my parents” He walked me toward to back yard and I could see the flower arrangement at the end of the dock. I immediately started crying. As he walked me down, I saw my 2 best friends videoing, he had asked them to drive in from NC and TN to AL to celebrate us. The dock was covered in petals, candles, and flowers. Our song (that would soon also become our first dance song) was playing as he got on one knee and proposed. Champage, charcuterie, and a change of clothes for a photoshoot were on the patio. We had a moment to ourselves and go to buzz and talk about all the plans he had laid out. After our photos, he drove me back to my house, where all of our friends and family were waiting. We celebrated the night away![/field]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

Beaded Gown by Eva Lendel

Overskirt: Martina Liana

Bridal Boutique: Ivory and White

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]

The bridesmaid dresses were from Mac Duggal, Sabina Musayev, Revolve, Asos, Reformation, and Lulus.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

The groomsman attire was from Mens Warehouse.

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Tbe food and drink was done by Ross Bridge Weddings.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

CS Floral Design designed the florals.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

The wedding cake was from Publix.

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Blessings by Kari Jobe, What a Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]We incorporated handwritten thank you notes as the guests seating chart, so as they sat down for dinner, they were able to read a personalized letter about why we were grateful for them.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]We had espresso martinis on our first date, and share the initials “JK” as a married couple, so we served espresso martinis topped with our “JK” monogram to our guests.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Our dancefloor was a custom floor designed to mimic the entryway tile of the brides’ first home, that her and her fiance James spent many night cooking dinner and falling in love in. She added a twist to the tile pattern by incorporating the blue seen in the wedding design.[/field]
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Contemporary Design Complete With Bright Pops of Color at L’Auberge Del Mar

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Neutrals of bone, brass and terra cotta with fun, bold, bright pops of color in coral, tangerine, poppy, golden hour yellow, blush and watermelon with touches of citron green and light wood accents [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”](The perks of being a wallflower) Reminiscent of meeting at the Fire flower festival & of Jeanne patiently waiting 3 days for Davis to ask her dance we blended Classic Modern Romance with playful touches throughout. Infusing florals and happy pops of color we brightened up the spaces and offered surprising elements of eye candy to tickle curiosity & imagination while cultivating community and comfort and honor those you love most! Guests were welcomed with the cool ocean breeze, soaking in the sunshine and sipping on cocktails after watching our darling couple say their i do’s. Everyone gathered at thoughtfully curated tables with colorful china & unexpected details all while hearing the music swell and dancing the night away under festive market lights![/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]From the Bride: We picked out the ring together so I knew it was in the apartment and whereas I thought this would be something I was very cool and casual about, I was not. I didn’t feel any sort of rush to get married, I knew Davis and I were in it for the long haul no matter what, but the idea that I could be surprised at ANY moment was truly too much. So, I was constantly on my toes and when Davis and I made a plan to go to one of our favorite spots (a little area off a path in Muir Beach that we had discovered during quarantine), I though “maybe this could be happening,” so I got my hopes up, but the more I thought about it, the more signs pointed to this not happening. All of the friends I thought he’d want to be there were very credibly busy that day, he had absolutely NO sense of urgency that day and seemed so calm and somehow he got ME to suggest we go to that spot so I was convinced it was my idea. So by the time we were on our way I was kinda bummed with myself for getting my hopes up. We even got to the spot (where our friends had set up a picnic for us) and I saw the blanket and was like, “Aw man someone is in our spot”. Turns out it was for US! He proposed, and our closest friends popped out. It was the best. And then we decided to go to dinner with those friends and when we met them at their apartment, MORE of our friends were there for a surprise party. Truly the perfect day!
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”][/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]A mix of solid poppy colored dresses paired with fun florals and patterns to play to that fresh summertime feel! [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The men were dressed in classic black suits, complimenting the ladies with brightly colored boutonnieres! [/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Fun specialty cocktails like a: Hold my Hair Back Margarita to play to Jeanne’s love of hair ties we added a cute hair tie around the stem of the glass! We also had two others that were called a, 100% good time; cosmopolitan and a Drive Safe which was a mocktail moscow mule with a fun lime garnish.

Guests sat down to a first course made up of warm artisan bread and an ahi poke dish before an intermezzo course of blood orange sorbet. For the main course guests chose between Mahi Mahi with brussel sprouts, Grilled Ribeye with a chimichurri sauce and mushrooms or a Butternut Squash Ravioli with a bechamel sauce. [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Florals: Best in bloom varieties with peonies, dahlias and garden roses (as a nod to Davis’s grandpas rose garden) and small moments of Bougainvillea which grew along of the fence of Jeanne’s childhood home.

Decor: To create dimension and texture throughout the space we draped tables in both bone velvet linens + a floral pattern to pair with the poppy florals. Floral chargers with coral plates and bone flatware sat upon half of the tables with a monochromatic citron setting on the other tables with velvet grass green napkins. Coral and bone place cards sat upon each table setting for guests to find their seats. Sprawling greenery hung above the tables across market lighting giving a romantic and intimate feel as the night went on and dusk settled in. Arches were carried through the entire wedding day starting with a triple arch ceremony backdrop, then into the cocktail hour with a cane arch bar with dusty pink barstools and arch gold back bars.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Rather than a traditional wedding cake, the couple opted for an Ice Cream Sandwich bar from the Baked Bear! Fun flavors for guests to mix and match like Mud Pie, Blackberry Crumble and Cookies & Cream ice cream were paired with cookies in flavors like Funfetti, Snickerdoodle and Chocolate Chip. [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Jeanne’s family has a special tradition to do a Flash Mob at each of the family members wedding where cousins, aunts, parents and even grandparents get together to create a dance + one of a kind song for each couple getting married and perform a song and dance for the happy couple! Jeanne’s family surprised Jeanne + Davis during the reception with a rendition of Taking Care of Business which they switched to “Jeannie Mae and Davis” and had all the guests up off their seats dancing along! [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]To play to how Jeanne and Davis first met at Fireflower Festival we created an escort display full of wildflowers where guests found their names on each individual petal and their table number on the back side of it when they picked them off the wall! [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]To bring the space to life a bit more for the reception as we flipped the space from the ceremony, we placed the head table under a trio of white cabanas with a soft nude and white striped backdrop to create a clean canvas! Velvet grass pendants + a mix of gold and clear pendants hung above the table with greenery and florals to create a lush tabletop.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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