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

This Tented Reception Was Inspired by ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’

While an al fresco reception is the dream of many brides-to-be, Jane had something else at the top of her dream wedding list. Landing in at number one? A tented reception reminiscent of ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. Thanks to the artistry of Designs by Ahn and Seniman Calligraphy, Jane and Ben’s tented reception was transformed into cinematic magic effortlessly captured by Jeremy Chou Photography. See it all in The Vault!

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From Jeremy Chou Photography… Jane and Ben had an elegant outdoor wedding at the classic Hamilton Golf Center in New Jersey! Since they are both lawyers, they wanted a classic affair for their wedding. With an understated elegance. The couple went with a beautiful color palette of white & blush pink peonies. Jane wear a beautiful Monique Huillier gown and Ben wore a custom fitted classic tux.

From the Bride… Before I even started, I knew I wanted the whole vibe to be romantic and elegant, but not overly formal. When it came down to it, I wanted the guests to feel the love through the decor, the music, and through me and my husband. How did I seek to accomplish that? Well I didn’t have a wedding planner and I was restricted to venues in New Jersey because of my parents. I had two requirements: first, I wanted a tented reception because I remember watching the movie “my best friends wedding” growing up and thinking how gorgeous that reception was. Second, I wanted an outdoor ceremony because I find them to be less formal and also consistent with the romantic/whimsical vibe that I wanted. Thankfully, NJ doesn’t have too many venues that fit those requirements so when I found Hamilton farm golf club I knew it was the right place.

My favorite moment was the ceremony. We had been anticipating rain all week and all day long. It was an added stressor to the day because my ceremony was supposed to be outdoors – it’s why I chose the venue after all. The rain managed to hold all day for our gorgeous photos, but just as I was waiting to walk down the aisle with my dad, it started drizzling. By the time I had reached my husband, the umbrellas were out. I barely noticed it though because the sound of the rain drops added the most magical and romantic feeling, especially as we were saying our vows. Standing next to my husband and making our commitments to one another while being surrounded by the people we love most in the world with a gorgeous back drop… I’d say that moment couldn’t have been any more perfect. They say rain on your wedding day is good luck and hey, I got the romantic vibe I was going for.

A beautiful wedding has so many elements: the flowers, the photos, dress, venue, etc. But personally, I think what makes a wedding distinguishable are the intangibles: The love between you and your husband, the excitement and energy from the guests, the laughter you hear and the joyful tears that are shed. The details are important, but don’t forget to appreciate all the things that are invisible to the eye.

A Baby Shower So Gorgeous You Might Mistake it for a Wedding!

When I first laid eyes on this elegant-as-ever baby shower, I could have sworn it was a wedding. See? And it comes as no surprise seeing as this sweet day was in honor of the lovely Shalyn Nelson and designed by the fab team at Inspired Events and Designs. Complete with a menu inspired by Mama-to-be’s food cravings, a mimosa bar and a cutie onesie station, there’s more goodness captured by Sophie Epton right here in The Vault!

From Inspired Events and Designs… As an event planner and stylist I get to be a part of so many amazing events and bringing creativity and personality into every event is always a blast. It filled my heart with so much joy being able to plan this special event in my friend’s life. I originally met Shalyn back in 2010 when I was pregnant with my second baby. We became instant friends sneaking candy from a candy bar at a wedding we were working, and ever since that day I met her, I’ve been excited for the day she would become a Mom too. I always told her that I was going to make her baby shower fabulous when her time came, and I really meant it. When my friend called and told me she was pregnant, I was so excited and I knew right away I was going to plan the sweetest, and most gorgeous day for the fabulous mama to be.

We decided on a theme that was simple, classy, soft, and intimate. We wanted to keep everything light with lots of white, greenery, and a few touches of gold. We also had to add some fun with Baby Beau’s name, to personalize things a little. Guests arrived to Baby Beau’s bash at the lovely One Eleven East venue in Hutto, Texas and were greeted by a table with a box for them to sign, that read, “Beau’s Favorite Things.” The hostesses all pitched in and got Shalyn a personalized tepee with Beau’s name on it for the nursery, but also thought it would be the perfect backdrop for the gifts to sit in. We also had a little sitting area with some beautiful white chairs for Shalyn to sit in while she opened the gifts.

We knew we wanted to make the experience for guests intimate and social, so we decided to have a “lunch party” vibe in the middle of the room for guests to visit with one another. The tables were covered with simple white linens and paired with fruitwood crossed back chairs from a fellow vendor and friend of ours, Birch and Brass Rentals. Each setting had a simple vintage gold accent plate, layered with white napkins and a personalized jar of the mama to be’s favorite candy treat (Sour Patch Kids) and a simple glass with gold and white striped straws. The beautiful flower arrangements and greenery on the tables by Bristol Lane added the perfect touch.

There were so many lovely details throughout the entire space. We had a bib and onesie crafting station that was stocked with stencils, paints, brushes and markers. This station was a great way for guests to take the time to get a little creative for baby Beau. Another was the dessert dresser, also from Birch and Brass Rentals, which was full of yummy treats including a simple naked cake with a gold glitter topper that added a nice touch. Above the dresser we hung a swaddle as a banner (Shalyn’s first baby purchase) from the How Joyful Shop, which was surrounded with some beautiful touches of greenery.

My favorite part of the shower was personalizing the food selection. We thought it would be fun to do something different than the usual finger foods you see at a lot of baby showers. Shalyn is a fun person, so we knew she would love this idea. We decided to have all of the mama-to-be’s favorite cravings these last few months, which included french fries from McDonalds (the guests loved this!), Olive Garden Salad, and tacos. Let’s just say the guests went home with a very happy stomach! It truly was the most special day for the most special friend.

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Try these DIY Paper Flowers for a Baby Shower!

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You might also love…

32 Classic Baby Girl Names + Matching Nicknames
5 Ways To Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
10 Ways To Make Your Baby’s Nursery One-of-a-Kind

When Friends Fall in Love, They Then Marry in a Rustic Barn Wedding

When a childhood friendship develops into a lifelong love, you know what you do? You plan the ultimate barn wedding complete with unbelievable design details. Captured by Meredith Sledge, this is one celebration that’s refined rustic and totally chic. We’ve got it all waiting for you in The Vault!

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From the Bride… Lee and I have known each other since we were 10 years old, though back then we would never have thought that on June 25, 2016 we’d be committing ourselves to one another in front of our friends and family. But after six years of dating and thirteen years of being friends and the time came to plan our wedding, there was no other place considered besides our hometown, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Our relationship was built on friendship, and Lee and I wanted our wedding to have the same comfortable and at home feeling we’d found in each other. When my mom and I started looking at venues in Charlottesville, Lee’s one requirement was he wanted us to be able to wear our cowboy boots at the reception. We came across Panorama Farms Event Barn and just knew this was the place for our wedding. The rustic barn would allow us to create a wedding that perfectly described us as a couple.

We chose the theme of rustic elegance and had so much fun incorporating the theme into different elements of the wedding. Our invitations were wrapped in lace and twine sewn by my mom. The church pews were lined with mason jars filled with beautiful white hydrangeas. Our caterer provided a delicious family style meal to make guests feel at home. And our course, Lee and I danced the night away in matching cowboy boots.

The word that best describes Lee’s and my wedding is joyful. There was never a moment we didn’t have a smile on our faces. Our commitment to one another was many years in the making and truly blessed by the Lord. The wedding was the perfect start to our life together as husband and wife. All our vendors were integral to making the day flawless, and they helped us create a day that we both haven’t stopped smiling about.

Why New Orleans’ French Quarter Is The Perfect Place to Say ‘I Do’

If there were ever a couple to be inspired by, it’d be Alyssa and Jon. They met in college, fell in love, walked through Alyssa’s battle with breast cancer, and later moved to NYC for her dream job as a fashion editor. And as if that’s not enough, they also happened to throw one of the most amazing weddings of all time. Sapphire Events helped them design their classic French Quarter affair at Latrobe’s on Royal and Rylee Hitchner documented everything waiting inside The Vault.

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From Sapphire Events…Alyssa and Jon are the epitome of college sweethearts. They met during their freshman year at Tulane University and have been inseparable ever since. Jon supported Alyssa through her year long battle with breast cancer and moved to New York City with her when she landed her dream job as the online fashion editor for Marie Claire Magazine. After their rooftop first look with a view of the charming French Quarter in the crisp Fall weather, the two said “I Do” at the New Orleans landmark, St. Louis Cathedral, in front of 200 of their family and friends. From the ceremony, guests participated in a traditional New Orleans second line to the reception venue, Latrobe’s on Royal, where the celebration continued into the night.

Registering? You Need to Ask These 5 Questions!

When it comes to registering for the Big Day, turning that house into a home is key. Which is why we’ve teamed up with our faves at The Registry at Bloomingdale’s for an FAQ sesh that will get you moving in the right direction. From the when to the where to the how much, we’ve got you totally covered. See our tips below and don’t forget the fine china. (Yes, you need it.)

WHEN SHOULD I START TO CREATE MY REGISTRY?

Grab those scanners and start registering EARLY, loves… Whether that’s right after saying “Yes!” to the one you love, or a few months later, you’ll want those details finalized for every celebration on your agenda. Which means contacting your Personal Registry Consultant at least six months before the Big Day, so your guests can conveniently purchase items for that engagement bash, bachelorette party and bridal shower (among others).

SHOULD I REGISTER ONLINE OR IN-STORE?

The short answer? Both. Registering online is sooo simple and sooo easy, so it makes total sense to start your registry from the comfort of your very own home. We suggest setting everything up while relaxing in your yoga pants, then scheduling a time to meet with your Personal Consultant at The Registry at Bloomingdale’s to spend a fun-filled day perusing the goodies. Once you’ve added everything you’ll need in-store, you can continue to manage and add items from anywhere in the world with the Big Brown Mobile App. That’s what we call convenience.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I REGISTER FOR?

Cultivating the perfect registry? Research is sooo important. Which means sitting down with your Personal Consultant and really figuring out what you need now AND in the future. Think entertaining must-haves, luxe bedding, kid-friendly place settings and even extra glassware for those slip-ups in the kitchen. And that aforementioned fine china? You’ll most definitely want to show off those gorgeous patterns during holidays and all of those future celebrations. Plus, don’t be afraid to add those big ticket items for group purchases. Remember, having extra items on your registry isn’t a bad thing – you can always pick up those must-haves for yourself later. (Hint: The Registry at Bloomingdale’s has an amazing 10% – 20% off Completion Offer.)

HOW AND WHERE SHOULD I ADVERTISE MY WEDDING REGISTRY TO MY GUESTS?

Technology? It’s our friend. And gorgeous wedding websites are THE perfect place to share your registry info with your nearest and dearest… for every party on your agenda. Not the wedsite type of couple? Then it’s time to go old school and spread the word via the ones you love with a few intricately placed phone calls. Just avoid the ultimate faux-pas and leave the info off your invites… trust us on this one.

WHEN DO I SEND THANK YOU’S TO MY GUESTS?

Four words: as soon as possible. Your guests are helping you and yours start an amazing new life together… thanking them immediately is a necessity. Helpful tip? The Registry at Bloomingdale’s has a fab Thank You Card Manager, which tracks your gifts and the senders, making the entire process seriously easy.

So now that you know all there is to know about registering for your Big Day, it’s time to turn to the place that makes it all so very, very awesome… and very, very easy. Yep, I’m talking The Registry at Bloomingdale’s, one of our fave places on earth that also happens to make registering one of the best parts of your entire wedding. Think crazy cool products, exclusive savings, bridal events, honeymoon packages and a 10% – 20% off Completion Offer that is sooo amazing. They even have fab time saving tools, like a Wedding Checklist, a Thank You Manager and the Big Brown Mobile App. They’ll help you build that dream home one step at a time and, well… we love them for that.

Contact The Registry at Bloomingdale’s TODAY to speak with a Personal Registry Consultant. And don’t forget that if you open a qualifying registry in August, you’ll receive a Michael Aram set of 4 demitasse cups and saucers, a retail value of $200!

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Registry Picks Board 1: 1. kate spade new york Charlotte Street Dinnerware 2. Villeroy & Boch La Classica Gold 5-Piece Place Setting 3. Lucia Linseed Flower & Goat Milk Candle 4. kate spade new york Two of a Kind His & Hers Stemless Wine Glass, Set of 2 5. Shiraleah Basant Block Print Decorative Pillow 6. LSA Flower Mini Bouquet Vase 7. kate spade new york Crown Point Gold Frame 8. Matouk Esme Throw

Registry Picks Board 2: 1. Fringe Good Morning Sunshine Mug 2. Fringe Water Studies Small Lacquer Tray 3. Vera Wang Painted Stripe Sheet Set 4. Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker 5. Shiraleah Biscayne Diamond Embroidered Decorative Pillow 6. Smeg 2-Slice Toaster 7. Liberty Flowers Watering Can

An Outdoor Wedding with an Oak Tree Altar

When it comes to couples that totally captivate Lindsay and Joe are as charming as can be, and their big day? It’s somehow even more enthralling. With the talented Anne-Claire Brun Photography behind the lens capturing every mesmerizing moment, we’ve got it all waiting for you to favorite in The Vault!

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From Anne-Claire Brun…Last Spring I have shot a wedding in Campovida. I already loved my couple, I had shot their engagement session in Northern California the previous year and it was a lot of fun! I thought it would be a good wedding but I had no idea…

First, the venue was incredible and Lindsay (+ her mom!) did an incredible work with the design! I loved everything about this wedding. The animated getting ready, the emotional first look between Lindsay and her dad, the friendships in the bridal party and with the siblings, the ceremony under the tree, the speeches and the four parents holding hands, how the couple had planned a cake for the groom’s brother as well, because it was also his birthday and finally, everyone having a blast on the dance floor.

I have rarely seen so much love between two families. Between all the guests. It was truly different, the way that everyone interacted with me, the way they talked, laughed and danced…

I always say that I shoot weddings because it’s wonderful to be surrounded by so much love and happiness but it’s rare for it to be this much. I feel honored to have been the witness of such a pure moment and I am grateful that I came across so much love. It was humbling and amazing.

From The Bride…Joe and I went to high school together, but were just friends back then. It wasn’t until many years later, when we both found ourselves living in San Francisco, when we reunited. A mutual friend was in town, which brought us together one night, and there was an undeniable chemistry between us. We hung out long after the rest of the group had left, talking for hours and learning about each other like it was the first time we were meeting. We were together from that moment on!

He completely surprised me by doing his proposal in a way that was actually not so surprising! He had always said he would do it in some very obscure, non-cliché way so that I never saw it coming. But he got down on one knee while we were at the beach at sunset on the first day of our Hawaiian vacation! I never thought he would have done it in such a “what you see in the movies” kind of way, so ironically enough, it ended up being the perfect way to completely catch me off guard!

We are so lucky to have so many amazing family members who were so supportive and helpful throughout the process. If it wasn’t for our amazing Moms and Dad’s, we would not have had the final product that we did! We spent what we thought at the time was way too long choosing each vendor, but it turns out that was the best thing we could have done! We ended up with an amazing group of wedding vendors who made the whole experience so enjoyable. Our wedding planner, Courtney Cargile, made us feel so at ease in the months leading up to the wedding. Since we had so many of our family members contributing in various ways, and so many little DIY projects throughout the process, our biggest concern had always been whether everything would come together in the end. She really took charge and went above and beyond to make it sure that it did!

Joe and I tend to have eclectic taste – we appreciate both a classic/refined, and a modern/funky aesthetic, so it made it hard to decide on which direction to go with our wedding look. We took our time brainstorming and exploring different ideas and venues, but once we found Campovida, our vision totally fell into place. Campovida is centered around sustainability and nature: “we are obsessed with all things rooted in real – not tinkered or changed for the sake of fitting in.” (in their own words from their Website). We kept this as our mantra to create a simple, yet elegant wedding that would accentuate the beautiful gardens and unique grounds there. We worked with an amazing local florist who uses only local and sustainable florals and materials. We accented the flowers and greenery with simple gold and natural wood touches, and kept the frills to a minimum, focusing on details that had real meaning and purpose. My Mom and Dad were amazing and surprised us with even more DIY touches that we didn’t know about – a custom “We Did!” sign for our dinner chairs, beautiful signs and hanging golden spheres to deck out our dessert table, and beautiful gold candlelit lanterns hanging above the head table. It all came together even better than I had imagined it!

My favorite moment of the day was the ceremony. We chose not to have a first look, so standing at the altar was the first time we had seen each other that day. I had been so nervous about being in front of so many people with everybody’s eyes on us. But it turned out to be an oddly serene and calming moment knowing we had so many loving friends and family members together in one place to support us. It was an amazing feeling to finally be saying our vows – something we had been looking forward to for so long! We couldn’t have imagined the ceremony being any more wonderful – it was the perfect, peaceful way to kick off the rest of the evening!

An advice for future brides and groom would be to try to simplify wherever possible. Wedding planning can spiral out of control if you let it. Don’t get caught up in what you ‘should’ do – stay true to yourselves and remember how you feel as a guest at a wedding and what you do and don’t notice. Another big piece of advice I’d give is to not focus as much on how you want things to look, as much as how you want to feel and how your guests to feel throughout each part of the wedding.

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10 Makeup Tips for Your Wedding Day

Y’all, August is Hot…But These Grooms Are Hotter.

On a typical August day, we’d all be about beating the heat. But this month is a little different because we’re launching our SMP Hot Groom Awards that are guaranteed to make you sweat. We’ve rounded up 16 of the most handsome hubsters from our archives and we’re leaving it up YOU to vote week-by-week and crown the winner. Up for grabs? Major bragging rights plus a surprise gift for our winning groom. Pop open the rosé and let the voting begin!

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CLICK TO CAST YOUR VOTE!

TO VOTE: Cast your vote here on our Facebook polls throughout the month of August.

THE DETAILS: Each week we’ll narrow down your Hottest Groom Picks, getting one step closer to crowning the winning cuteness.

THE WINNER: Announced right here on SMP Monday, August 22nd!

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Trust us…your summer just got a WHOLE lot better. Happy voting! xoxo

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See This Hollywood Funnyman’s Mad Hatter-Themed Engagement Photos

T.J. Miller isn’t your average groom (he’s currently earning lots of laughs on HBO’s hit series “Silicon Valley”). And his engagement session with fiancée Kate Gorney isn’t your average e-sesh. Full of whimsy and fun, their Alice In Wonderland-themed photos, captured by Mandee Johnson, are straight out of Lewis Carroll’s imagination and as the Bride put it, “the perfect metaphor of our life together.”

From Mandee Johnson… T.J. and Kate came to me wanting a fun, modern day Mad Hatter engagement shoot. These images capture their whimsy, stunning beauty & love.

From Kate… We both delighted in the story in childhood & the book is part of our shared adult lives in many way. Alice in Wonderland speaks to our share love of whimsy absurdism. It’s always felt a bit like a surreal dream, the perfect metaphor of our life together.

Cast Your Vote for Style Me Pretty Living Home Awards!

Our archive of home tours is by far my favorite little corner of SMP Living. Getting to peek inside the prettiest of abodes on the daily makes my home-loving heart smile. And it seems to do the same for y’all, which is why we’re launching the SMP Living Home Awards! Each week during the month of August you’ll vote on our Facebook page and decide which home will advance to the next level. Read on for the contestants and click here to cast your vote!

Click to cast your vote!

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The Bracket Contestants

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Classic One | Classic Two | Classic Three | Classic Four

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Coastal One | Coastal Two | Coastal Three | Coastal Four

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Eclectic One | Eclectic Two | Eclectic Three | Eclectic Four

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Modern One | Modern Two | Modern Three | Modern Four

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OFFICIAL RULES

Voters must follow Style Me Pretty on Facebook to cast a winning vote. The first round of voting, ending on August 6, voters will select the two homes from each style category that they’d like to move on in the bracket. These two homes from each style category with the most votes will advance in the SMP Living Home Awards bracket. Voters will then pick one home from each style category, until August 13. Then, voters will pick two homes from the final four until March 20. Finally, voters will vote for the ultimate home from the final two until August 27. The final home will be revealed on August 31. Followers are allowed one vote per IP address. Facebook voters determine the ultimate home winner, votes will only qualify if submitted daily through Facebook polls on the Style Me Pretty page. The home winner will be announced on August 31st.

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Click to cast your vote!

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The Perfect Favor for Every Wedding? These Pretty Flower Cookie Rings!

The only thing better than a diamond ring? A cookie ring, of course! At least these delicious and beautiful flower ones from Silviya of Kurabiiki. Originally created for her daughter’s sixth birthday party, Silviya’s edible rings would be a fabulous addition to any bridal shower, bachelorette party, wedding reception (hello, favors) and so much more! Get the how-to below!

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How To Make Chocolate Sugar Cookie Dough

Ingredients

1 cup salted butter
1 cup white sugar
½ cup light brown sugar

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
2 medium to large sized eggs
1 cup dark cocoa powder
4 cups all purpose flour

Instructions

1. Place the salted butter in the mixer and beat for about 30 seconds
2. Add in the white sugar
3. Sift the brown sugar and add it in, do not over mix (Sifting beforehand helps to prevent lumps)
4. Add the eggs and vanilla extract
5. Sift the cocoa powder and flour together
6. Slowly add the flour and cocoa powder to the mixture one cup at a time
7. Once it is all incorporated together, wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours

How to Make Your Cookie Rings

After you have gotten your dough nice and chilled it is time to make your rings. For this part you will need your dough of course as well as a cooling rack and parchment paper (or a sil pad).

Materials

Chocolate cookie dough
Cooling rack
Parchment paper or sil pad
2 circle cookie cutters – 3.5 cm and 2 cm Tip: You can use your icing tip if you have a hard time finding a small circle cutter
Rolling pin
Cookie sheet
Piping bag
Piping tip #104 (rose tip)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375F.
Cut about 5-6 sheets of parchment paper (if you are not using a sil pad) that match the size of your cookie sheet.
Divide your dough into 4 to 5 pieces, this makes rolling it easier. Take a piece and place the rest in the refrigerator until needed. Chilled dough is simpler to cut shapes into.
Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll it out. Tip: If at any point your dough starts to get too sticky, just place it back in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes.
Cut circles out with your bigger cookie cutter, leaving just a small space in between the cookies. Cut another circle inside of the big one. This makes up the “ring” part of your cookie. You will need two ring pieces and one top for each cookie. The top is the same size as the ring, just made with one cutter and no smaller hole in the center.
Using a small knife or a pointed spatula, remove the extra dough from around the cookies.
Slide the parchment paper (or silicone pad) with the cookies onto the cookie sheet and bake for about 11 minutes.

How to Make Royal White Icing

In order for these cookies to become beautiful and tasty daisies, they will need some icing. In my royal icing recipe it turns out white, which is a typical daisy color of course. You can always add some food coloring to create your own flowers for your special occasion. In order to assemble the rings you will definitely need the icing so here is my Royal Icing Recipe!

Ingredients

4 large egg whites

2 pounds of powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Mix with electric or stand mixer on high for about 3 minutes, until it forms a stiff peak. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.

How to Assemble a Flower Cookie Ring

Instructions

Take two ring sections and attach them together with a few drops of royal icing and let them dry for about 30 minutes.
After they are set, take a top section of the cookie and attach it to the ring using a touch of icing. Set the ring upside down (top section on the flat surface) and let it dry for another 30 minutes.
When set, it is time to pipe the flower. This can be tricky but with a little practice your flowers will look stunning!
Using an icing bag and tip 104 – rose tip, you will be piping directly onto the top of your assembled cookie ring. After frosting, the rings dry best if you hang them in a drying rack. Tip: You can also pipe onto the rose nail and transfer it onto the cookie.
There are two styles that you can frost your cookie in to create unique flowers.
- Basic Flower Petals: When you look at your piping ring there is a narrow section and slightly wider section at the top. With the narrow side downward pipe the frosting out at a slight angle towards the outside of the cookie. In small sections create a waved look as you move the piping bag around the cookie in a circle, working from the outside in.
- Rose Style: Pipe a dot in the center and then holding the pipe vertically wrap small sections around the center working your way out to the end of the cookie.

When it comes to designing your flowers, there is really no limit to the imagination you can put into it. Each one becomes its own unique work of art. You can even add delicious details like clear candy (diamonds), gummy bears, gumdrops and more to go with your party themes. With gorgeous rings like these at your event, your guests are sure to come back wanting more!

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Photography: Rachele Huonker-Frickey | Cookie Artist: Kurabiiki

A Romantic Morning Stroll in Vienna Engagement Session

Is there anything more romantic than a morning walk through the picturesque streets of Vienna hand in hand with your new fiancé? This stunning photoshoot from Peter & Veronika is all our dreams come true and has us wishing we were packing our bags for the next flight to Austria. See more of this stylish couple’s destination engagement session in The Vault!

From The Groom…We planned a trip to southern England to location called seven sisters which is a very beautiful cliff area. To set a good mood I played her video of our memories with romantic music. She cried after that so things were going well that morning. When she is feeling cold I put her hand in the pocket of my jacket. This time ring was suppose to be there. That was the plan. But better opportunity arrived. We just walked up the cliff for the view. Couples left some stones on the ground that they were using to write their love notes. I immediately got an idea and made a sign of ring and our initials…

Photography: Peter & Veronika | Floral Design: Ponk Rentals | Location: Vienna Austria

Love Color? You’ll Heart This Kate Spade-Inspired Wedding!

Not only are we crushing on this bride’s Martina Liana dress, but her entire wedding day too. Along with her hubby-to-be, she pulled inspiration from Kate Spade and incorporated bright colors and playful patterns, resulting in a Southern affair with a completely relaxed vibe. Colonial House Of Flowers designed her color happy bouquet and we’re officially staying put in the gallery from Lisa Blume Photography.

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From The Bride…Jaimie and I met on a work trip in Ellensburg, Washington in 2014. I was traveling with the Alaska office and he with the Sidney BC office. The two offices had a joint project in WA (I’m a field biologist and Jaimie is a software developer). Jaimie and I became friends and after a month of working 12hour days together he asked me out. I ran away a few times as I didn’t want to date a coworker. He still teases me about that! I said yes in the end. Yay! Our first official date was a month after we met in WA. Jaimie flew me out from AK to Victoria BC for Canada Day weekend. We explored Vancouver island, ate poutine, and everything else quintessentially Canadian. It was the perfect first date weekend. After dating for 11 months, Jaimie proposed in their kitchen after getting home from work. He had spent weeks waiting for the ring to be made and was anxious to finally get it on her finger!!

We chose the quintessential Southern location for our nuptials, Forsyth Park, in Savannah, Georgia. I grew up a little all over the country but was brought back to my southern roots when my parents decided to retire to Savannah, just a year ago. I couldn’t have chosen a more picturesque spot for our special day. We chose to have our reception at the Savannah Yacht Club, because we love being on the water and really enjoyed the idea of exiting the reception on a boat! Also Savannah Yacht Club had the perfect combo of outdoor and indoor space for people to have fun.

For our wedding look I was going for Southern, warm, fun, and not too serious. I guess you could call it the Kate Spade appeal. I’m a huge fan of the color green and bright colors….and absolutely hate the pastel palette. We wanted to make sure we had lots of activities so kids could play and parents could relax.

My mother is a true artist and did a lot of work for the wedding: she made signs, special pillows for the bar, painted vases and votives, lawn games, made the table runners & bridal robes. She had so much fun being crafty and it was all just perfectly bright, simple and fun.

We absolutely LOVED our florals!! They were everything I wanted and more! Our take aways were little candy bags that read “love is sweet” as Jaimie and I are candy-holics and we’re kids at heart and what says kids better than candy?

We were so thankful to have family and friends travel from all over to celebrate with us., traveling from Alaska, China, Colorado, California, Texas, Mississippi, Indiana, Florida, England, Ontario, British Columbia, Seattle Washington, Virginia and Georgia.

We left our wedding reception in a dock send-off and hopped on a boat that took us to the Bryce Hotel, which is a new Kimpton property, in downtown Savannah, GA. After that we went jet setting all over Asia! We spent the first three weeks in Thailand, exploring the islands in the South and then the mountains of Chiang Mai in the North. We adventured into caves, went sea kayaking, took long boat snorkeling trips, learned how to carve fruit, took cooking classes, visited many Buddhist temples, bumped into monkeys, held snakes, hiked 1267 steps to the tiger temple, swam in waterfalls, bathed with elephants, and relaxed on the beach enjoying Thai massages. It was a romantic trip filled with adventure! I’m just getting through all my photos. We also stopped in Dubai for a few days on our way home to enjoy the history of the old town, delicious food, souk shopping, and viewing the world from the top of Burj Khalifa. Our favorite places in Thailand were Koh Samui in the South and our beautiful hotel 137 Pillars House in Chiang Mai. It was all a perfect adventure!

Katie and Jaimie live on Vancouver Island in Victoria, BC with their cat named Ducky!

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Rustic Meets Glam Wedding Inspiration for the Win

The talent behind this whole shoot is undeniable and this dress, with these beautiful back details, I dream of adding to my own closet. But don’t stop there because as you continue through these pics by Kristin La Voie; from the beauty created by Fragrant Design to the whole scene by Beso Weddings & Events, it’s all rustic meets elegance perfection. See it all in our Vault right here!

From Kristin La Voie Photography… The Inspiration…
Beso Weddings & Events is known for combining modern and vintage elements to create an elegant aesthetic and personalized wedding experience. Our vineyard wedding design is inspired by an adventurous couple that loves wine, the art of winemaking and has vineyard wedding dreams.

The Vision and Wedding Experience…
The bride is breathtaking as she walks down the aisle holding a ‘swept up from the garden’ bouquet full of endless natural elements. Included are peonies, freesia, lisianthus, sweet pea, bouvardia, astilbe, and veronica florals with accents of fresh lavender, umbrella ferns, olive and seeded eucalyptus with green amaranthus.

The aisle is framed by modern mirrored stands reflecting the natural surroundings with candle treatments lighting the path. Her dress is embellished in crystals and vintage details; together with a cathedral style veil makes her the epitome of timeless elegance and beauty. Perfect for a young sophisticated bride that wants to shine on her big day. Sunny blue skies and a light breeze embrace the couple as they exchange vows of love and devotion under chandeliers covered in sheer draping and garlands including salal, coculous, seeded eucalyptus, calcinia, thistle, sword fern, olive, hanging Boston fern, and grapevine.

After their nuptials, the newly married couple greets their guests at the vineyard estate as they step into the lounge to enjoy wine tasting and gourmet meats and cheeses to be followed by a delectable wedding feast. Guests are invited back to the vineyard where they arrive to an elegant mirror chart and are seated at an exquisitely arranged table covered in modern rustic elegance. Down the center of the table is a garland intertwined with antique hydrangea and fruit such as cherries, artichoke, grapes and organic elements of lavender, white astilbe, sword ferns and grapevine. Taper and votive candles across the table evoke an inviting and romantic ambience. An eclectic mix of vintage place settings, delicately calligraphed menus and driftwood place cards come together beautifully. Guests enjoy filet mignon and Chilean sea bass with perfectly paired wine varietals.

Next, guests are invited to a custom cake bar and enjoy one or more slices of the creatively designed rustic cakes – lemon with fresh raspberry, chocolate with Nutella mousse and champagne cake with tangerine mousse. Guests continue to enjoy the vineyard surroundings and delightful wine.

While guests are blissfully enjoying dessert, the newly married couple loses themselves for a quiet moment alone amongst the lush rows of grapevines and reflect on their special day with excited anticipation of their future life together.

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Tour a Modern Black and White Home Heavy on the Art

Lauryn Evarts is not only the voice behind The Skinny Confidential but she’s also the owner of one crazy stylish home. It’s a sleek contrast of black and white, masculine and feminine and all layered with incredible art. Step inside this space she calls home. And for even more, follow along on her wedding planning adventures over on Style Me Pretty Weddings!

The Skinny Confidential is all about creating a healthy lifestyle through balance. Think kale in one hand, champagne in the other. I created The Skinny Confidential while studying at San Diego State University. I was inspired to create a platform for women to connect through their tips & tricks.

Since then, the blog has grown into a full-on lifestyle brand, book, fitness guide, YouTube channel & social network, with a product line coming soon. The blog is my home base, where I share recipes, workouts, fashion, home décor, travel itineraries, personal stories, & more.

The Skinny Confidential office is extremely whimsical. After moving in with my fiance, I just KNEW I needed a space that was girly with a touch of edge. My desk is hugeeeeee. It’s white marble with a gold bottom. I designed it with Westin Mitchell Designs.

My office feels detached from the house because it’s so girly and it’s on the other side of house. The themes here were black, teal, gold, with a lot of white. There’s a lot of powerful females around my office where it’s paintings, drawings, or books by amazing women. Powerhouse babes are everywhere in The Skinny Confidential office.

In my office you’ll find a lot of girly touches like this lipstick holder. Continuing the whole whimsical theme. I have a lot of coffee table books too throughout the house. I joke with Michael that he’s not allowed to touch them…I kid, I kid.

Lots of coffee table books around our house! We mixed it with vintage pieces though. Here is a camera found by my stepmom. It’s very blogger of me to have a vintage camera but totally appropriate. I recommend mixing highs & lows & different heights. I love different dimensions.

A pop of purple was all this room needed to bring it all together. I love this room because it’s peaceful. We always crowd around this room with a cheese plate & wine. Just don’t spill on my white couch! I’m kind of a freak about it.

Our chihuahua’s teepee is in this room too so they’re always hanging out with us!

Our black and white wall is something my stepmom (blogger at Burlap and Crystal), Julie helped us with. She’s an interior decorator & has a real eye for design. We mixed masculine and feminine vibes here.

Our whole house is contrast so the black and white wall really represents that. Meshing the female with the male was pretty difficult but this wall was easy because it’s a mix of both.

Our bedroom is our sanctuary. I never show this on social media, but here’s a quick sneak peek. It’s a lot of white with a HUGE black bed board.

Artists in Lauryn & Michael’s Home: Pink Cat: by Simone Berrini from Italy | Never Quit (lips, cig painting) by: Thomas Saliot from France | Porca (whale pig) by Simone Berrini | Pink Square (boob photo) by Natalia Lewandowska from the UK | Tals IV (guy on the piano) by Alessandro Pagani from Italy

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51 Reasons Black and White is Having a Moment

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51 Reasons Black and White is Having a Moment

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Photography: Lauryn Evarts

The Skinny Confidential Reveals Her Wedding Plans

You know Lauryn as the brains and beauty behind The Skinny Confidential, and today we’re welcoming our fave Cali girl to the SMP Blogger bride tribe! From advice to anecdotes, she’ll share her every step down the aisle and you know absolutely no topic is off-limits. So shake up your margarita and let’s cheers the cutest couple and their upcoming celebration! P.S. Tour their home here!

From Lauryn, the bride-to-be behind The Skinny Confidential… HI HI HI! I’m Lauryn, creator of The Skinny Confidential, author, & co-host of TSC HIM & HER podcast…also soon to be a MRS. The Skinny Confidential is all about creating a healthy lifestyle through balance. Think kale in one hand, champagne in the other. The brand’s foundation began while I was studying at San Diego State University. The blog has grown into a full-on lifestyle brand, book, fitness guide, YouTube channel, & podcast with a product line coming soon. The site is the home base, but you can also find me actively engaging on social media, Snapchat being my current favorite!

So…the fiancé part! Michael & I met in sixth grade. Yup. That’s right…SIXTH GRADE. Crazy! I was like, 5’7 & he was like 5’3 when we met ( people thought I was his babysitter, LOL )…he’s grown since! We started dating and fell madly in love in sixth grade. We’d sneak into movie theaters & make out and hang out at each other’s houses…with the door open ( thanks Dad! ). We dated through 8th grade until we parted ways. Throughout high school & college, we dated other people, but always stayed friends. Until senior year of college, when we connected romantically again. The rest is sort of history. Because now we’re engaged! Since our wedding is fast approaching, I’ve been sharing the whole process. Which, to be honest, I’ve been totally slacking on! I just might be the biggest wedding procrastinator ever. Very excited to bring you guys along for the ride.

ASK HIM & HER PODCAST

The Skinny Confidential ASK HIM & HER PODCAST features Lauryn Evarts, creator of The Skinny Confidential blog & lifestyle brand and Lauryn’s fiancé Michael Bosstick, serial entrepreneur & Internet marketer. The dynamic duo discusses a wide range of topics. Think business, relationships, social media, sex, branding, & everything in between. The more taboo, the better. So get ready to LAUGH and meet a bunch of interesting and inspiring guests. Lauryn and Michael bring two unique perspectives: the HIM side offers the business operations & management perspective, while the HER side offers more of a new media, creative, & a innovative online marketing approach. The Skinny Confidential ASK HIM & HER Podcast is a production of POCASTONE. PODCASTONE is the leading online destination for the very best in on-demand audio. The production company makes it easy for people to discover, connect and engage with the best & most popular podcasts. Happy listening!

Blogger Bride: Lauryn Evarts | The Skinny Confidential Podcast: Lauryn Evarts

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This Blush-Hued Affair is What Romantic Dreams are Made Of

News flash: we love a little romance. So this blush-hued beauty captured by the uber-talented Elena Wolfe? Basically everything. From the stunning barn setting to the adorable bride and groom to the mismatched maids. See every breathtaking moment (including a gorgeous cake from J Cakes) in THE VAULT right this way.

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Travis and Lindsay were both enrolled as freshman at North Carolina’s East Carolina University in fall 2007. Lindsay, a North Carolina native, pledged Alpha Phi sorority in her first year of college. It was through one of her good fraternity friends that she met Travis, a native of Stamford, Connecticut. Lindsay and Travis remained friends throughout their early college years until they began dating during their junior year. During their final years of college, Lindsay and Travis remained head-over-heels for each other. After graduating in 2011, Travis and Lindsay moved back to their hometowns. They continued dating through a long distance relationship until Lindsay made the decision to move north in 2012.

For their last vacation of summer 2014, Travis and Lindsay adventured to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was on this trip that their lives would forever change. After a romantic dinner on their first night stay, Travis suggested for them both to sit out on their balcony and look at the stars. Little did Lindsay know, Travis was about to ask her a big question. Travis gently sat Lindsay down in the one of the outdoor balcony chairs, where he then leaned in for a kiss. He followed by gazing into her eyes and speaking sweet words, elaborating on how their relationship has blossomed over the past five years and he truly could not envision himself without her. After vowing himself to remain hers forever, Travis got down on one knee and asked Lindsay to marry him. Of course, she said “YES!”

Lindsay anticipated a longer engagement because she had envisioned her wedding day since she was a little girl. During the year and a half that she and Travis were engaged, she planned her wedding herself, without the help of a wedding planner. The theme she wanted for her spring wedding day was timeless romance. This elegant setting was expressed throughout many details of her and Travis’s special day.

The bridesmaids sparkled in various styles of Adrianna Papell and Aidan Mattox light pink dresses, while the bride stunned in an ivory Judd Waddell fit and flare gown, featuring a lace bodice and beaded belt. To finish off her romantic look, the bride also donned a cathedral length veil lined with matching lace.

Lindsay and Travis chose to be wed at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church and their reception followed at the Barns at Wesleyan. Both venues fit her romantic vision perfectly. Her soft color palette consisted of blush pinks, ivories and gold. Lush peonies and garden roses were the focus of her floral arrangements. Dim lit tree branches and an array of family wedding photos were highlights of the cocktail area, while dramatic chandeliers and opulent sheer fabric hung lavishly from the ceilings in the main dining area.

Travis and Lindsay’s love for one another was captured from the moment they laid eyes on one another at their first look at the Wadsworth Mansion to the very end of the night. The newlyweds said their goodbyes under a sparkler send off, and then jumped into a vintage 1965 Rolls Royce. It was then they began their next chapter of their happily ever after.

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Pearl Accessories That Are Infinitely Cooler Than Grandma’s Pearls

There’s nothing more classic (or bridal) than a strand of pearls. And while these stylish accessories are definitely bridal, there’s nothing classic about them. From trendy ear jackets to chic chokers to embellished sandals, prepare to say “I do” to all the pearl pretties below.

Not Your Grandmother's Pearl Jewelry

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Not Your Grandmother's Pearl Jewelry

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3 Effortless Summer Makeup Looks that Show Off Your Natural Beauty

My makeup routine is pretty natural year round. But during the summer months when I’ve got a bit of an extra glow? I like to lighten it up even more and let that sun-kissed skin shine through with just a bit of added help. That’s when super easy tutorials like these beauty archive faves of mine come in handy—get the steps for each right here!

3 Effortless Summer Makeup Looks that Show Off Your Natural Beauty

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3 Effortless Summer Makeup Looks that Show Off Your Natural Beauty

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This Spanish-Inspired Wedding Editorial is Straight Out of a Dream

This inspiration session from Stephanie Ponce Photography is the very definition of pretty. The Claire Pettibone x Trumpet & Horn engagement ring. TheYolan Cris lace wedding dress. The gilded invitations from Seniman Calligraphy. The florals from Carla Kayes Floral Design. And all the pretty details from Just Wenderful. In short, we’re in love, and after one glance in The Vault, you will be, too.

From Stephanie Ponce Photography…The long drive into Rancho Valencia Resort is lined with lush, green vegetation. This theme is present throughout all forty-five secluded acres, covering the grounds with bougainvillea’s, oversized succulents, palm, olive and citrus trees, and Mediterranean architecture. The resort boasts forty-nine luxurious guest casitas, and a honeymoon suite, that is pretty much to die for. This year it was named one of the finest Five-Star hotels in the world by “Forbes Travel Guide” after the completion of a $30 million dollar renovation.

Couples can choose the hold a smaller intimate ceremony on the Sunrise Terrace, or have a larger, grand wedding on the lush croquet lawn. The Sunrise Terrace is framed with a beautiful pergola supported by terra cotta pillars. It also has a wonderful lounge area surrounded by a cozy fireplace and Spanish blue tiles. The croquet lawn is extensively lined with bougainvillea’s and olive trees that make for the most stunning backdrop! The Terrace Ballroom is where many couples opt to hold their reception. One side is lined with french doors that lead to a patio, and provide gorgeous natural light. On the other side the ballroom are creamy, white pillars, each wrapped in white leather, hammered with metal grommets in creating a stunning visual pattern.

For this wedding inspiration we chose to have a Spanish feel with a color palette of blush pink, light blue and gold. Blush is so popular lately but you don’t see it with blue often so I really wanted to pair those two and be unique. I wanted an elegant feel and I think with the details we put together that we nailed it. The whole gallery has such timeless and elegant feel that was only made possible by the amazing teams of vendors.

Splurge + Save With These Wedding Registry Essentials

In a perfect world, we’d register for everything under the sun and it would all be topnotch, the best of the best. But let’s get real here people, that’s not feasible or fair. So how to choose which kitchen appliances to go big with, and which ones to keep a bit more reasonable? We rounded up registry essentials, sharing both sides of the spectrum, so you can choose the one that best fits your future!

Registry Save vs. Splurge

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Registry Save vs. Splurge

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The Smart Bride + Groom’s Guide to Wedding Registries

SMP’s Wedding Registry ABCs | Unique Wedding Registry Ideas | 10 Must-Have Registry Items

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