If you thought a black tie affair was something to special all on its own, just wait until you see how said celebration becomes even more spectacular when the venue just so happens to be a barn in the middle of Texas. It’s rustic meets regal and Becca Lea has captured it all to share. From the Bride’s one-of-a-kind wedding gown, to the elegant outdoor ceremony, to the bright indoor reception, we’ve got it all in The Vault!

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From the Bride… Being from Texas, I couldn’t have thought of a more perfect place to get married then a barn out in the open country. I looked at a few venues before this one but nothing quite struck my eye like the White Sparrow Barn. The whimsical feel that the natural wood floors and whitewashed walls made it impossible for both my husband and I to turn down. I knew the open field surrounded by oak trees would give me the nature driven ceremony that I had imagined and the rustic details of the barn would promise me a fairytale reception.

I wanted my flowers to stand out so with the help of Lindsey, my planner, I chose to use a pop of black in my arrangements as a way to make the event unique and add some formality to it. Our flowers were a garden style mix of silver dollar eucalyptus, cafe au last dahlias, burgundy ranunculus, white anemones, and patience garden roses. Frou Frou chic ribbon was added onto my bouquet for a more romantic touch. The head table was lined with mixed greens and pops of big blooms. I wanted each floral piece to contain loose greens with big blooms because I knew it would accent the beautiful ceremony space.

My dress I knew had to be one of a kind. I shopped for months to find something unique enough to stand out to me. After multiple trips to different bridal stores I fell into the arms of the Bridal Boutique in Lewisville, TX. The dress was featured in the store and my eyes were immediately drawn to the unique lace. There was something bold yet timeless about it and I knew it was the one before I even had the chance to put it on. On top of that I knew the dress was made by the stores private line therefore it wasn’t going to be accessible to many making it even more special.

The day of the wedding was everything Rhett and I could have imagined and more. We couldn’t have asked for things to go more perfect than they did. We wanted our guests to feel our love and have the best night of their lives and we think we did just that. It was a dream come true.

Photography: Becca Lea Photography | Cinematography: When It Clicks | Floral Design: Something Pretty Floral | Wedding Dress: Bridal Boutique Of Lewisville | Cake: Tastefully Yours Cakes | Invitations: Minted | Hair & Makeup: The Styling Stewardess | Wedding Venue: The White Sparrow | Dress Boutique: Bridal Boutique Of Lewisville | Event Planner + Stylist: Lindsey Brunk | Place Card + Calligraphy: Cleggraphy Designs | Tables + Coffee Bar: The Olive Bench

When your husband-to-be hails from Santiago, Chile, it only makes sense to infuse a touch of Latin style to your wedding day design. In the words of the bride, “I knew immediately I wanted to accent with copper since one of Chile’s main exports. We were especially excited to surprise our Chilean guests during the ceremony by having our flower girl and ring bearer walk down the aisle in traditional Chilean clothes.” See how it all turned out with a peek at the images by Gloria Mesa Photography.

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From The Bride…Boris and I met at UCLA. Boris and his brother came from Santiago, Chile to study English and then marketing at UCLA Extension and I was an undergraduate studying Spanish and Linguistics at UCLA. It was love at first sight!

After finishing my BA, I went on to get my doctorate. Two years into my doctorate, Boris left Los Angeles to start a business with his brother in Chile. We separated for two years. Finally after finishing my doctor of optometry degree I moved to Chile for one year, teaching English and learning Spanish alongside Boris in Santiago, Chile. We spent one beautiful year together living and traveling through Chile. We visited Patagonia, wine growing regions, and deserts, along with other parts of South America including Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

I moved back to Los Angeles after a year abroad to start my career as an optometrist and 9 months after coming home, Boris and I were engaged. We immediately picked Quail Ranch in my hometown as our wedding venue for its natural beauty and its peaceful Spanish inspired architecture. We felt quail ranch offered us the perfect mix of elegance and Latin styles.

It was important for us to include many Chilean touches to our wedding since we both love Chile and hold it close to our hearts but live in Santa Monica, California. I knew immediately I wanted to accent with copper since one of Chile’s main exports is copper and is used in Chilean decor. My mother in law helped bring copper plates from Chile for our centerpieces. She also brought table runners from Chile for our accent tables. We were especially excited to surprise our Chilean guests during the ceremony by having my niece and nephew, our flower girl and ring bearer, walk down the aisle in traditional Chilean clothes, that of a Chilean cowboy and girl. We had my mother in law bring their outfits from Chile. We also used copper in our signs throughout the day. Boris and I handmade the copper signs with the copper tubing at our local hardware store.

California and Chile share many similarities and one of them is that both regions we come from have excellent wine. My parents selected red and white wine from Napa, California and my mother and father in law brought red wine from Chile. We encouraged our guests to sample wine from California and Chile during the dinner and reception.

Our escort cards were a nod to Boris and I’s first official date. Boris picked me up outside my apartment and handed me a Ferrero Rocher before we walked to a local coffee shop. We handed each guest a personalized mini cake stand with a Ferrero Rocher inside with their table assignments.

Our ceremony and reception were completely bilingual events, Boris and I each wrote and read our vows in English and Spanish. Our officiant, DJ, and photographer were also bilingual.

Overall, our event was extremely inclusive, intimate and reflective of our cross-cultural values. We were so happy to have our friends and family from both North and South America come celebrate us, together. All of our vendors worked with us smoothly to bring everything alive and our photographer captured the day perfectly!

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Coordination: Kim Paolone Of K. Rae Events | Venue: Quail Ranch | Photography: Gloria Mesa Photography | Floral Design:Unique Floral Designs | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Skiff’s Cakes | Bride’s Shoes: Bloomingdales| Bridesmaids’ Dresses: ASOS | Catering: Command Performance Catering | Hair + Makeup: Cheek to Cheek Artistry | DJ: GTZ Entertainment | Groomsmen Attire: Friar Tux | Officiant: LA Wedding Woman| Groom’ s Attire: Friar Tux | Maid + Matron of Honor Dresses: BHLDN

This is one duo that knows how to throw a party.  In fact, when it came time to plan their Big Day, celebrating with good food, tasty cocktails and a whole lot of dancing was tops on their list of priorities. The result? A simply chic, fun-filled soiree that was as personal as it was pretty. Fall in love with every moment captured by Weddings by Two in THE VAULT right this way.

From the Bride and Groom… Our vision was simple, we wanted to have great food (Lukas was a chef and is now a butcher), open bar and music that our guests could dance to all night.  We ultimately just wanted everyone (including ourselves) to have an amazing time. Since the Green Building was gorgeous to begin with, we were lucky that the place came alive with the addition of just a few lights.

We didn’t use a specific color palette. We only wanted our flowers to be seasonal with tons of color. Since we chose not to have a wedding party, we did not have to think of our bridesmaids or groomsmen’s outfits matching anything.

It was important for us to use the courtyard and have the ceremony outside. It was dream weather, flanked by rain the day before and the day after. We were really lucky. Leah used Pinterest ideas to incorporate photos in unique places throughout. We placed family photos inside old shutters. We also wanted Leah’s grandmother and Lukas’ grandfather, who are no longer with us, to somehow be remembered. We had photos of them on a special table with a note. Additionally, our photo booth was completely DIY, complete with props and selfie sticks.

We loved the Ketubah signing ceremony because it was a unique, private part that close family could be a part of.  We also loved dancing with friends and family (especially to Whitney Houston during our first dance).

Each table had a unique arrangement of flowers. We provided different size vases and mason jars to our florist, Sprout Home, so they could incorporate potted plants and succulents. It was stunning. Leah’s gown was from BHLDN. For the ceremony Leah wore a beaded topper (also from BHLDN) and took that off for the reception. The dress was simple but totally Leah’s style. Lukas’ suit was from Suit Supply, and he wanted something unique and colorful. He wanted a vest so he could take off the jacket when dancing but still look somewhat formal. We chose to have pies and cannoli’s for dessert (the whole thing was catered by Pies N Thighs), two dessert items that we love! Leah’s friend created a groom’s cake for Lukas with a Warrior’s theme because he is from Oakland and a huge fan. Our favors were homemade soaps (made by us) using rendered lamb fat from Lukas’ butcher shop. Don’t worry — they smelled of lavender.

Our main advice to couples planning their wedding would be to plan as much as you can, as early as you can, because things always come up last minute. Put trust in others (family, planner, photographer, caterer, florist) to do their job/task so you don’t have to do everything. Make sure you do what YOU want — its you and your husband’s wedding, no one else’s.

Photography: Weddings By Two | Event Planning: Lindsey M. Events | Floral Design: Sprout Home | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Catering: Pies N Thighs | Hair + Makeup: Channing Reinert | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Venue: The Green Building

If you’re going to have a Southern wedding, The Vineyard at 37 High Holly is pretty much where it’s at. The beautiful setting played perfect backdrop to this ultra rustic day with a country chic vibe – flower girl cowgirl boots, included. Go see all the images from Sunshower Photography in The Vault.

From The Bride… Our unique country-chic wedding took place at The Vineyard at in Scaly Mountain, North Carolina, right near Highlands. The outdoor ceremony area is located within the vineyard and apple orchard, and the picturesque ceremony area is every bride’s dream. It poured rain on our wedding day and therefore the ceremony area was no longer an option for us, but they were able to completely and beautifully transform the pavilion to fit our ceremony inside there.

We had an awesome “Welcome Party” barbecue thrown by good family friends the night before our wedding so that everyone that came from all different locations was able to meet and mingle before the big day. The pavilion was adorned with beautiful sunflowers, dahlias, apples, candles, red-check tablecloths, and hay bales for a superb barbecue setting. Guests wore jeans, boots, and cowboy hats and enjoyed a live bluegrass band and catered barbecue food. 

The Vineyard owners, Jim and Deedee Vance did things above and beyond- building and creating all sorts of exclusive things for the wedding the next day. My mom handmade the intricate paper magnolias on our arbor we got married under, hand-cut all of the Mackenzie Childs paper pieces to fit on each centerpiece box on the tables, designed wood-grain wedding programs, and so much more. 

One of my favorite special touches of this wedding was when my 3 cousins (2 were groomsmen) rehearsed for months and sang and played the guitar to me and Quint’s favorite song, “Hey Pretty Girl” by Kip Moore as I walked down the aisle. The best part was that this was kept a complete surprise to the groom and guests until it happened, which made him very emotional. Followed by the first dance, father/bride dance, and the mother/groom dance, there was a special dance for the bride and groom accompanied by all couples married over 50 years on the dance floor. This was exceptional because both the bride and groom’s grandparents were married the same year and over 50 years.

There was a lavish dinner by Avalon Catering along with a dessert bar and everyone danced the night away in cowboy boots. There was a bouquet toss and garter toss and the garter was wrapped around a football for the groom to throw to the guys. The bride and groom were sent out with a sparkler exit by all of the guests and headed to the honeymoon to Nashville. 

Photography: Amy Kolo Photography | Event Planning: I Do Events | Floral Design: Flowers by Aldo | Wedding Dress: Bellissima Bridal | Cake: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bellissima Bridal | Catering: Avalon Catering | Catering: On The Side Barbecue | DJ: Ken Markovitz | Band: Curtis Blackwell & The Dixie Boys | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: The Vineyard at 37 High Holly | Decor: The Vineyard at 37 High Holly | Decor: Ann Kohlmeyer + Kelly Williams + Deedee and Jim Vance | Party Rentals: Professional Party Rentals

Want a room refresh? Havenly co-founder, Emily Motayed is sharing genius tips and tricks for taking your home design to the next level. Plus get a peek inside a recent Havenly project with this gorgeous Brooklyn apartment. Click play for all the juicy details and don’t forget to enter to win a Havenly design package and $400 in merchandise right here!

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Click here to enter the Havenly Giveaway!

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Your baby’s first intro to the world is deserving of a special outfit – something cozy enough for the newest bundle and special enough for the keepsake chest. So, when it comes time to bring home your most precious delivery, doll them up in one of these cute numbers and maybe grab a few more for all those meet and greets with loved ones. You can never have too many itty bitty, adorable outfits. Trust us.

15 Outfits for Bringing Home Bebe

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15 Outfits for Bringing Home Bebe

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Make DIY Wallpaper Panels for the nursery!

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When Sara Weir and Carmen Santorelli combine their creative talents, really good things happen. Just look at this inspiration shoot designed with the modern, chic, stylish bride in mind. I’m talking major fashion and accessory moments from our friends at Blush by Hayley Paige + SIBO Designs, and the very best part? We’re only just getting started.

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From Sara Weir… Carmen Santorelli took great care choosing details that would complement each other while also designing something with my photography in mind. From the first moment, I fell in love with the details! I love how the shoot combines so many soft romantic details with fresh and modern ideas.

The bride wore such soft romantic gowns and natural makeup. The bouquet was filled with all white blooms perfectly paired with each look. The tablescape featured romantic white and gold dishes offset with soft florals, beautiful handwritten menus, and milk glass candlestick holders. All of this white was so perfect against the backdrop of the venue!

Photography: Sara Weir Photography | Event Planning: Meadowsweet Events | Event Planning + Design: Oak And The Owl | Floral Design: Oak And The Owl | Invitations: Flourish Calligraphy | Jewelry: Trumpet & Horn | Hair + Makeup: The Halcyon Agency | Groom's Attire: Generation Tux | Venue: Vista Valley Country Club | Bridal Boutique: The Dress Theory | Cut Lace Back Wedding Dress: Watters | Film Processing: Goodman Film Lab | Hair Accessories: SIBO Designs | Long Lace Sleeve Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone | Rentals: Folklore Vintage Rentals | Scalloped Top Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | V Neck Ballgown Wedding Dress: Watters | Workshop: Carmen Santorelli Photography

If you’re tired of the traditional something blue, then why not opt for another shade of said hue? That’s right, we’re talking teal and if this wedding is any proof, it’s totally a new trend. With the talented Meg Perotti behind the lens snapping up every Every Elegant Detail, you know you’re in for a bevy of beauty. Like those Chestnut & Vine Floral Design blooms and Bright Event Rentals – don’t say we didn’t tell you so. See it all in The Vault!

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From Every Elegant Detail… These two busy doctors finishing their residency programs in Chicago were the happiest couple on their gorgeous summer wedding day! Working with Christine’s parents here in California allowed Christine and Andrew to focus on their work and know that all of the details of their relaxed and elegant winery wedding to be brought together beautifully for them.

The soft colors in the florals brought together with teals allowed for the natural aura of the winery and all of it’s outdoor beauty to stand out to the many guests who were visiting California for the first time. The views at the Thomas Fogarty Winery are breathtaking and it was important to work with the rustic feeling that winery gives.

Every Elegant Detail loved designing the escort card table with the gorgeous garland that Chestnut and Vine created which looked so pretty on the wood deck with a view of the vineyards.
Guests enjoyed eating outdoors in the pavilion as they were served a lovely four course dinner starting with chilled white corn soup followed by a watermelon, feta, arugula and mint salad and finished with a choice of black cod dish or hanger steak panisse followed with wedding cake served as the couple wowed guests withe their first dance together as husband and wife. Ending the evening with a sparkler send off was a surprise for everyone as they said their goodbyes to the happy couple!

Photography: Meg Perotti | Event Planning: Every Elegant Detail | Floral Design: Chestnut & Vine Floral Design | Wedding Dress: AriaDress | Cake: Componere Fine Catering | Catering: Componere Fine Catering | Hair + Makeup: Liner and Lace | DJ: Big Fun DJs | Day of Paper Designs: Aerialist Press | Linens: Napa Valley Linens | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals

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Event Planning

Every Elegant Detail

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Hi SMP’ers! Nicole of Sorella Muse here to talk wedding dress shopping. There is so much pressure to say YES to the dress, and things get even more complicated if you’ve decided to spend LESS on the dress, or take a non-traditional route towards a colorful gown. Raise your hand if you’re hoping to find something affordable and minimalist that still feels special, or you’re looking for something unique and stunning which you have a feeling you won’t find amid the taffeta and satin of a bridal shop!

I’ve seen my fair share of dresses as a wedding photographer and I adore a gorgeous gown with exquisite detailing, but after thinking carefully about our wedding budget priorities (i.e. throwing a memorable weekend-long party in Tuscany) and my own personal style (simple refined bohemian), I knew I wanted to approach wedding dress shopping differently. I don’t want to feel like a princess in heaps of tulle on my wedding day, I want to feel like myself. I set out looking for a dress that would be free-spirited and unfussy but still chic. Luckily there is a growing trend of affordable and non-traditional wedding dresses, as my first stop at Reformation showed me, where the whole eco-friendly bridal line is under $500. But it’s still a trickier process to navigate than taking the standard bridal salon route, so hopefully these tips help you in your search!

Non-Traditional Dress Shopping for the Minimalist Bride

When to shop

You may not need the traditional 6-9 months you would for a made to measure gown, but still plan to start shopping earlier rather than later. While off the rack options are great if you’re planning a wedding on a tighter timeline or want to skip the bridal salon, keep in mind that you may still want to have slight alterations done. Also remember to shop during the right season! If you’re getting married in the fall and want an off the rack formal dress, looking for long dresses during summer can be tough because everything in stock will be short or in lighter, breezier fabrics. Or if you want a relaxed maxi dress for a beach elopement, trying to shop mid-winter will limit your options.

Listen to your heart

It’s so important to decide what your priorities are, and not feel pressured by the messages you may receive from well-meaning friends, bridesmaids, family, or the wedding industry about how you should plan your wedding. Some might question your decision to spend less or wear blush instead of ivory, but try to hold on to your own priorities of budget and style. But also keep checking in with yourself as you try on dresses because you may find that while you liked the idea of a floral gown, you are only having that oh my gosh bride feeling in ivory.

Where to look

The list of brands offering alternative and affordable wedding dresses is growing ever longer these days! I found myself browsing J.Crew, BCBG, and BHLDN most frequently, as well as Free People and Reformation. There are so many beautiful bridesmaid dresses that could be ordered in ivory or cream for a less formal wedding, which you can browse online at high-end department stores. Or take a peek at the designer gowns on sale at Gilt or Net-a-Porter, if you want something that’s high impact but not traditionally bridal. And have you noticed that Rent the Runway has launched a bridal-specific section?

Embrace color

If you are able to see yourself walking down the aisle in a dress that isn’t ivory, a whole world of options just opened before you! You can dip your toes in the alternative pool by going with something in blush, wade in a little farther with a floral print, or be totally daring in a bright red or black dress! White wedding dresses only became the standard in bridal fashions when Queen Victoria wore white on her wedding day in 1840. Yellow, blue, and red were more common choices for brides back then. And if you’re worried about your dress standing the test of time, just think about those 80’s brides in huge puffy sleeves, take a deep breath, and let go of the hope to predict the future of fashion! Wear whatever makes you feel happiest right now.

Choose accessories thoughtfully

Whether you’re opting for an affordable gown or a colorful wedding dress, choosing accessories becomes even more important. You may want to dress up an inexpensive frock with an elaborate veil, show-stopping shoes, a delicate sash, or pretty hair adornments. Maybe it’s the Carrie Bradshaw in me, but if you spent less on the dress, doesn’t that give you full license to splurge on Manolo Blahniks? Or if athleisure is your thing, wear white sneakers! Why not, it’s your day. A colorful dress can be styled with classic simplicity, since the big statement is the non-traditional color.

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I can hardly believe my own wedding is less than three months away now. And after a weekend of dress shopping with my mom and sister, I found the one I’ll be wearing when I say I do!

xoxo, Nicole

Photography: For the Love of It | Wedding Dress : Reformation | Blogger Bride: Sorella Muse

I’m convinced that our girl Jen is secretly an interior designer on the side. First, we were wowed by her 1950’s kitchen remodel featured here, and her latest bathroom reno? Has my patterned tile obsession through the roof. So, of course I had to whip up a get the look for this dreamy space, which I totally want to steal for myself. You too? Click here to get all the goods!

10 Ingredients You Need for a Chic Patterned Tile Bathroom Makeover

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10 Ingredients You Need for a Chic Patterned Tile Bathroom Makeover

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More ways to pretty up your home…

10 Show-stopping Wall Mirrors that Make a Statement
12 Stylish Stools to Complete Your Kitchen Island
30 Dream Kitchen Moments that’ll Make You Want to Renovate

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Photography: Jen Ha | Design: Jen Ha | Tile: Cement Tile Shop | Sconces: Cedar & Moss | Mirror: West Elm | Faucet: Delta | Vanity: Ikea| Vanity Hardware: CB2 | Wall Hooks: Light & Ladder | Bench: Ikea | Bath Mat: Urban Outfitters | Toilet Paper Storage Tower: CB2 | Paint: “Oxford White” by Sherwin Williams

This ethereal outdoor ceremony surrounded by nature and captured by the talented Jen Dillender Photography is what dreams are made of. With sweet personal touches such as a backdrop of calligraphy love poems created by the maid of honor to the most adorable crew of flower girls, you’ll want clear your morning to pour through all the prettiness here in The Vault!

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From Jen Dillender Photography…Under a tree adorned with beautiful flowers, Alexis and Cason tied the knot this past April. With a heavy emphasis on hospitality, they welcomed their loved ones with lush greenery, delicious food, and entertainment. The bride’s style was simple and elegant with the perfect details to complete the day.

From The Bride…We envisioned a very personal and heartfelt wedding. We wanted it to be a community event where people felt involved and included. We hoped that people would walk away feeling that our wedding was not solely about us but rather something bigger than us. We wanted people to know that our love for each other starts with and is animated by God’s love for us. We also wanted to create a joyous and memorable experience for all of our family and friends.

The style we envisioned was whimsical, soft, and ethereal. We wanted the colors to be soft and muted with lots of organic elements. We chose the flowers, the gown, the signage, the cake and all the decor touches to flow with the overall style of the wedding and venue. The Barr Mansion is already a gorgeous wedding venue, dressed with beautiful trees and flowers so we wanted the details to compliment it’s natural beauty rather than overshadow them. One of our most favorite details was the banner behind the cake. My talented maid of honor created a calligraphy back drop for the cake table with one of our favorite love poems on it. It added such an elegant touch!

Our favorite moment during our wedding was the surprise gospel choir that sang at the recession. Being an April fools wedding, we wanted the wedding to be full of entertaining surprises for the guest! Another surprise we had during the reception was a choreographed flash mob and dance off between the bridesmaids and groomsmen. We also had Gourdough’s, a local Austin gourmet doughnut truck, bring their signature airstream trailer at the end of the night for a late night treat!

One piece of advice I would give to brides to be is to enjoy each step of the wedding journey. It’s easy to get into the mindset of “once this is done, then I’ll be happy.” Each stage of the wedding planning process has it’s joys and challenges. Don’t dwell so much on the challenges that you fail to experience the joys!

Photography: Jen Dillender Photography | Cinematography: Heart Visuals | Floral Design: Rosehip Flora | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Invitations: Minted | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Hair + Makeup: Lola Beauty | Lighting: Ilios | Band: Matchmaker Band | Venue: Barr Mansion | Cake + Catering: Barr Mansion | Donut Truck: Gourdough's | Event Planning + Styling: Leeves + Berries | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Photography - Assistance: Shalyn Nelson | Rentals: Barr Mansion | Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Signage, Banner + Table Numbers: Leeves + Berries

What do you get when the masterminds behind T Bakes get married with Brancoprata behind the lens? Why you get the sweetest elopement in the entire world. A seaside ceremony complete with plenty of wow-worthy moments, it’s a day that you’re sure to love. For not only did this darling pair bake their own wedding cake, but they also got to eat it too. See it all (including their sweet picnic inspired reception) in The Vault!

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From the Bride and Groom…Our wedding was intimate and meaningful, a spiritual experience unlike anything we’ve ever felt before. We are very private people and so felt like our wedding would have to be authentic to who we are. It was not about the dress, the venue or even the cake! It was about this bond between two people madly in love. It was about celebrating our lives together through the most simple and raw connection – it was about celebrating the beauty of love in its essence. Once we realized that all we needed was to have the person we love by our side, everything fell into place!

Eloping allowed us to just be ourselves. We took in the time and the meaning of every step along the way! From discovering an island with dear friends Sofia & André, going on long swims in the morning, knitting a bridal piece, foraging flowers and fruits, taking pictures, baking our very own cake to cooking our wedding dinner are memories we will always cherish.

The ceremony was powerful and emotional, a true reflection of love that ended by the sea where we exchanged the vows we wrote for each other. It was a privilege to have our beloved friends blessing our sacred union, witnessing these soulful moments and making them even more magical through their artistry and grace! We are forever grateful for their friendship! We were beyond excited to be married! Those were days filled with pure happiness that still lingers in our everyday and we believe will last a lifetime.

Photography: Brancoprata | Wedding Dress: Rute Moreda for Manuela Noivas | Cake: T Bakes | Rings: Carolina Curado | Calligraphy: Levado à Letra | Venue: Pico do Refúgio | Floral Design + Styling: Brancoprata

It’s not every day you get to gear up for your big “I do’s” with an amazing inspiration sesh with some of the best vendors around, but for this stunning Tinder-loving duo (they met on the app!), that’s exactly what happened.  Together with the likes of My Floral Bliss, Lemiga Events and Simply Sarah Photography (just to name a few), they’re showing us what city chic style looks like. (Hint: It’s gorgeous.)  See their wedding “test run” in THE VAULT.

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From The Bride… As cringe-worthy as it is to say out loud, Daniel and I were love at first “swipe”. That’s right folks, we met on the infamous Tinder app. Daniel joined Tinder mostly for the entertainment since his fraternity brother/roommate joked about it all the time. But I was a bit naive and didn’t realize the then-new app was notorious for hooking up, not dating. Thankfully fate quickly took over when Daniel and I matched. We chatted via text for 2 weeks before deciding to go on our first date soon after the holidays (my 10th first date in a year!). You know how everyone says love finds you when you’re not looking for it? Well I had decided if that date with Daniel didn’t go well, I’d quit dating until I turned 30. Luckily, we hit it off and have been practically inseparable ever since. We moved in together just 9 months into our relationship and bought a home together at the 1.5 year mark.

As a wedding photographer who is happily in love, I adopted a “why rush forever?” viewpoint on marriage. Of course we’ve discussed marriage and I know it’s important to Daniel (his parents set a wonderful example with over 40 years of joyous matrimony), so I let Daniel take the reigns on when he was ready for that life-changing step. I already had the man of my dreams in a beautiful home with 3 adorable fur babies. Marriage would simply be the icing on the cake (no pun intended). But on March 20th, after I finished the Georgia Publix Half Marathon, Daniel gave me the surprise of a lifetime when on bended knee he asked me to be his wife. I had NO clue this proposal was coming. He bought the ring completely on his own so I was none the wiser. He still nailed it by slyly finding my literal dream ring in my Pinterest boards! We’re now planning our intimate San Francisco City Hall wedding for early 2017 and loved getting to “test-run” the big day with a stunning shoot from Lemiga Events and Simply Sarah!

From Lemiga Events…We collaborated with a talented team of creatives to produce an elegant summer wedding inspiration for the bride who is looking to have a romantic city chic wedding. The venue, Four Seasons Atlanta, provided a park like setting high above the skyline of Midtown Atlanta for our vignette.

My Floral Bliss created a gorgeous ceremony piece that floated over the altar area with lush white floral, and floating orbs attached to sand-blasted manzanita and accented by greenery. It was such a lovely way to add softness to the ceremony area without taking away from the dramatic skyline and architecture of the space. Our bride and groom recited hand written vows calligraphed by Sass and Frass which were held in custom vow books from Wedding StoryWriter.

Our beautiful bride wore a gown by Monique Lhuillier “Jade”, belt Jenny Yoo “Mischka”, and veil Cha Cha “Imperial”, all from Fabulous Frocks. Jewelry worn from Perfect Details. Hair and Makeup by Scoobie West. Wedding garter designer La Gartier, styled her garters with shoes and accessories from Jimmy Choo for a glamorous touch. The groom was dressed in a tan summer suit by The Modern Gent.

The stationery suite by Sass and Frass featured calligraphy on gold edged paper. Custom acrylic table numbers and escort cards by Host and Toast mimicked the paper with gold agate details. The stationery was displayed on a hand-crafted driftwood grey tray with genuine leather straps from Host and Toast. A hand-made Vow Book with custom silver and gold marbled paper finished the suite.

We love incorporating fun surprises into our wedding designs. We think guests would have a blast with the Cult Cart, where they can select their own organic flavor of cotton candy. And Cult Carts goes above and beyond to customize the experience for clients by making color coordinating cones and toppings to accessorize the cotton candy to match the wedding design.

For cocktail hour, the escort card display was set in the middle of the Four Season’s herb garden. Manzanita branches held acrylic escort cards in an agate design with names in gold calligraphy. The Four Seasons provided hand-crafted refreshing Summer cocktails – the “Lady Victoria”: Hanger One Vodka, Lemon Juice, Cocchi Americano, Rosemary

Michelle Gainey of Lemiga Events designed the reception display with crisp whites and mixed metallics. White metallic linen from Nuage Designs provided a clean base for silver rimmed chargers and gray Lucca dinner plates from Classic Party Rentals. Silver dupioni napkins and romantic calligraphy menu cards edged in gold, finished the place settings. Mixed metallic containers held candles, soft white floral, and painted succulents, creating a beautiful table display perfect for a summer reception.

It’s A Sweet Life Bakery designed our wedding cake with white floral accented by metallic gold. The cake was displayed on a custom white and gold stand made by Host and Toast.

Sarah and Will of Simply Sarah Photography captured all the beautiful details of the day and the sweet love shared between our bride and groom. All in all our vendors came together to provide a perfect summer day in the city and gave our couple some beautiful imagery they will cherish for years to come!

Photography: Elizabeth Lanier Photography | Event Planning + Design: Lemiga Events | Wedding Dress: Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta | Cake: It's a Sweet Life Bakery | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Jewelry: Perfect Details | Hair + Makeup: Scoobie West | Stationery + Calligraphy: Hollis Wright | Groom's Attire: The Modern Gent | Venue: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis | Bridal Boutique: Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta | Cotton Candy Cart: Cult Cards | Floral Design + Decor: My Floral Bliss | Garter: La Gartier Wedding Garters | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Specialty Decor: Host & Toast Studio | Veil: Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta | Vow Book: Wedding Story Writer

Virginia continues to amaze and impress me when it comes to wedding inspiration and this shoot by Elisa Bricker is perfect proof. Mallory Joyce took the traditional beauty of this historic manor and infused it with modern and minimalist detailing creating a scene I’d be quite happy to live in. Plume Calligraphy set the stage and all that followed can be found in our Vault aka where I’ll be all day long. Join me there!

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From Elisa Bricker… This shoot features floral and concept design and styling by Mallory Joyce, who blended this modern couple’s aesthetic with the bride’s historic family home. She chose linens, florals, and calligraphy to nod to the more traditional home, and more modern pieces in the silverware, and glassware on the tables.

Photography: Elisa Bricker | Event Design: Mallory Joyce | Floral Design: Mallory Joyce | Wedding Dress: Lora Kelley | Cake: Maliha Creations | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Hair + Makeup: Anna Breeding | Invitations + Calligraphy: Plume Calligraphy | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Venue: Rust Manor | Cheese Board + Pitcher: Farmhouse Pottery

There is nothing, and I do mean NOTHING cuter than a fur baby in a bow tie. *Enter* Reece the Labradoodle who crashed his humans’ engagement session and loved every second of it. Elizabeth Fogarty captured the fun and we can’t get enough!

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From Elizabeth Fogarty…Winston and Taylor are just the sweetest couple ever, and so is their engagement session! Winston looked handsome in his navy suit and Taylor is simply gorgeous with her side braid. They brought key details like a romantic bouquet and her very own ring box from Tiffany. Taylor is truly living every girl’s dream. Winston is head over heals for her and asked her to marry him with her dream ring. The BEST part of this session really is Reece the labradoodle. He pretty much stole the show with his adorableness. He just had to be with his humans the whole time. And let’s talk about his bow tie! This engagement session is just perfect from beginning to end.

Photography: Elizabeth Fogarty | Floral Design: Radebaugh’s Florist And Greenhouse | Ring: Tiffany & Co. | Hair + Makeup: Audrey Bethards | Location: Glenview Mansion

BONUS: More Cute Wedding Crashers

Our Favorite Furry Friends

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Our Favorite Furry Friends

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Whether you accidentally hit snooze one too many times, got zero sleep last night or you’re just facing a regular ol’ Monday, bad mornings are a part of life. So when you’ve got those sunrise blues? It’s the perfect day to make your life a thousand times easier with an effortlessly pretty hairstyle. See three of our favorite (and bad morning-friendly!) buns here.

3 Beautiful Buns to Make a Bad Morning SO Much Better

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3 Beautiful Buns to Make a Bad Morning SO Much Better

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See all fashion + beauty inspiration here!

Is there anything more captivating than a California wedding? The short answer is no, but the longer answer? Well it goes a little something like this celebration. With Wedding Kate on hand orchestrating elegance, this is one soiree that’s sure to stun. From the indoor reception to the sunkissed ceremony, Laurie Bailey Photography captured it all we’ve got it in The Vault!

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From Wedding Kate…Not every couple is as natural as Madison and Patrick. As we sat at our menu tasting, it seemed as they didn’t have a care in the world. Food came out, they tried it, gave a whole hearted thumbs up and just went about being madly in love. And really, that’s what this thing called a wedding is all about.

Madison’s effortless style was the design focus of her wedding day. Nothing stuffy or overdone. Loose, beautiful flowers and subtle, soft colors truly set the backdrop for their love story. We used florals that spoke to the couple, enhancing the venue but also bringing forth an unexpected whimsy. The combination of greens and shades of white was executed perfectly by Camellia Floral Design. Madison chose a soft, natural arch for the alter, opposed to the overdone, heavily fabricated structure. When she saw it for the first time, I knew we nailed it. Branches and blooms formed a beautiful, organic shape that was hard to take your eyes from.

Madison wore a gorgeous, ethereal gown with tulle and lace detail that fit her personality perfectly. The trailing ribbons from her bouquet seemed to dance in the salt water breeze as she prepared to walk down the aisle. Patrick, quite the gentleman, wore a sharp suit, adorned with the sweetest matching boutonnière. They were the classic couple, exuding elegance, grace and above all, love!

The wedding day was one from the movies where truly nothing went awry. The guests just beamed with excitement for the couple, and hoards of friends from college and younger days cheered and hollered for the newlyweds. Through the night, Patrick kept beside his bride, whisking her around the dance floor in between menu courses and hugs and kisses with family and friends. At the very end, we escorted guests out to enjoy the warm Pacific air as we bid the couple farewell. Off they went from this thing, this wedding, hand in hand and even more madly in love.

Photography: Laurie Bailey Photography | Event Planning: Wedding Kate | Floral Design: Camellia Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Marchesa | Invitations: Black Ink | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Engagement Ring: Kim Faison | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair: Mobile Bridal Salon | Band: Soulville Band | Bow Ties: The Tie Shop | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis | Bridesmaid's Earrings: J.Crew | Earrings: 23rd Street Jewelers | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Mother of the Bride's Dress: Samantha Elizabeth Designs | Photo Booth: Thought Box Photo Booth | Rings + Jewelry: XIV Karats Ltd

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

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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I have yet to meet a Judy Pak wedding I’m not instantly obsessed with. She’s got a way with the camera and when Judy captured these two loves’ special day on Shelter Island? It was sheer perfection. From the seaside ceremony to a classic Sperry Tents, it’s nautical gone chic and the film below by Meredith Heuer = icing on the cake.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/173952174 600 338]

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From The Bride…Our wedding was held overlooking Coecles Harbor at the Ram’s Head Inn on Shelter Island. Having been raised on opposite coasts, it made sense for us to choose a location that held special meaning for both of us. Shelter Island captures deep sentimental values within our relationship; JP grew up vacationing there with his family and introduced it to me in the first few months of dating (it was on a dock overlooking Dering Harbor where we first said “I love you.”), and we got engaged at sunset on an antique yacht just a stone’s throw from my parents’ summer house, which they bought after spending two summers there with us.

We wanted our wedding to feel elegant, yet relaxed and fun, like Shelter Island itself. It was also really important to us to make it feel like a mini destination wedding for our guests and to give them a taste of Shelter all weekend. Guests were greeted with welcome bags with local treats – mini bottles of Wolffer Estate Rose Cider, North Fork Potato Chips, Tate’s Chocolate Chip Cookies – and a hand-drawn map of the island and weekend itinerary by our incredibly talented calligrapher and invitation designer, Karla Lim. Friday night, we held a rehearsal dinner at our favorite restaurant on the island, Vine Street Cafe, followed by welcome drinks for all of the guests at Sunset Beach. This was the perfect way to set the vibe for the weekend.

Given our love of cooking, planning began with the food. We were adamant that guests sample the produce, seafood, and in-season pies that the East End had to offer in mid-September. Local Catapano goat cheese and heirloom tomatoes, Montauk striped bass, Briermere Farm fruit pies, and a coconut cake from Sag Harbor Baking Co. were among some of the items served. At cocktail hour, we served our two favorite cocktails, an Aperol Spritz and Spiked Watermelon Agua Fresca, alongside rustic platters of cheese and charcuterie, crudites, and miniature lobster rolls, fish tacos, and pulled pork sliders.

The ceremony took place overlooking the water and cocktails followed from a higher vantage point. As guests were ushered into the tent for the reception, a light rain began to fall, which made for an even more intimate setting. Lilly-Anne Merat, a singer/songwriter who grew up in nearby Sag Harbor, and her two guitarists led the first dance with a beautiful rendition of “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne. From there, our guests joined us and we danced to an acoustic mix of soul and Motown classics like Otis Redding and newer hits from Leon Bridges.

Annie Casale of Sag Harbor Florist created the most gorgeous florals throughout the inn and tent – loose, natural, garden picked arrangements in varying shades of white and green; the cutest, potted herbs on the cocktail tables; and garlands of silver dollar and seeded eucalyptus scattered with dahlias, ranunculus, garden roses, and white snowberries on archways, the tent entrance, and down the length of the dinner tables.

In the tent, it was very important to us to create an intimate space that felt like a dinner party at home. We used four long dinner tables spanning the length of the tent with La Tavola grey linen tablecloths and tons of candlelight. Sperry Tents sourced my favorite vine ball lights to hang over the dance floor – combined with the candles and strung bistro lights, it created the most beautiful ambient light and cast a magical glow on the sailcloth tent.

After dinner and dancing in the tent, we grabbed umbrellas and ran up the hill into the inn’s bar, where Abby and Tom, the husband and wife duo of Play Something Good, DJ’d the rest of the night – they absolutely killed it and we had the best dance party of our lives. The night ended at my parents’ house down the road with a pool party and late-night snacks.

We were so lucky to have Judy Pak capture it all in exactly the way we had envisioned. Her film photography is so natural and ethereal and she managed to get the perfect mix of posed and candid images. Meredith Heuer, an incredible photographer and videographer, created the sweetest, black and white wedding video that we still can’t stop watching. Carrie and Alex of Lyndsey Hamilton Events share our aesthetic and attention to detail and were the perfect partners to help us plan the most amazing day.

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Cinematography: Meredith Heuer | Event Planning + Design: Lyndsey Hamilton Events | Floral Design: Sag Harbor Florist | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Sag Harbor Bakery | Invitations: Written Word Calligraphy | Bride's Shoes: Tabitha Simmons | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Ram's Head Inn | Makeup: Beauty Exchange | Lighting: Sperry Tents | DJ: Play Something Good | Ceremony Music: Lilly-Anne Merat | Venue: Ram's Head Inn | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. | Tent Rentals: Sperry Tents

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

Written Word Calligraphy

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Hang around these parts long enough and you’ll quickly learn that the vondys. are a photography duo like none other.  And since their amazing images never fail to leave us speechless, we’re dedicating every moment of today to their fabulous talents… AND a little something extra special for you loves. Think an awesome giveaway for one very lucky couple. Scroll below for the details.

Whether it’s capturing those special moments you didn’t even realize were happening or documenting all of those details you worked so hard to cultivate, the vondys. will be there to help you remember that crazy beautiful day you call your wedding… and will do so stunningly.  From their gorgeous use of natural light to their traditional meets modern style, the vondys. are continually pushing boundaries and rockin’ what they do with their fab photojournalistic style.  We heart them… big time.

Contact the vondys. today to begin your journey.  And then be sure to enter their WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGE GIVEAWAY below. (That’s deserving of all caps, don’t you think?)

THE GIVEAWAY!

What: the vondys. are giving away a FREE complete wedding day photography package to one lucky couple getting married in 2017! The wedding can take place ANYWHERE worldwide and includes:

• eight (8) consecutive hours of wedding photography coverage with the vondys.,
• an online viewing and ordering wedding gallery to share with family and friends,
• a digital download of your professionally edited, full-resolution digital images from your beautiful wedding day, and
• a one (1) hour engagement session (dependent on travel and dates, tbd after the winner is announced).  (Value $6,000)

How To Enter: To enter, and for terms and conditions, CLICK HERE!

And a sweet little note from last year’s winner, Michaela… An extra special thank you to our amazing photographers, Shannon and Justin of the vondys., who were literally our lifeline on our wedding day. We entered a contest on SMP 6 months before our wedding for a free photography package and consider ourselves the luckiest people in the world to have won. Besides the beautiful work they produce, The Vondys also have a talent of making everything better by just being there and went well out of their way to help us throughout the day. We cannot thank the vondys. enough for everything they did and the lifetime of memories they created for us.  

We’ve seen just about every kind of nursery there is, from wallpapered pretties to mid-century modern to adventure-inspired. But the one ‘theme’ if you will, that I’d love to see and gets my ooh’s and ahh’s going is a tropical-inspired space. Maybe it’s this fun shower we shared a while back or cutie finds like this that prompted it, but you have to admit, a nursery filled with these tropical treasures would be so darling!

12 Adorable Finds for a Tropical-Inspired Nursery

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12 Adorable Finds for a Tropical-Inspired Nursery

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Try these DIY Paper Flowers for a Baby Shower!

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