Photos from Katie Lopez Photography, design and decor by JCG Events, florals by Anthology Co. and furniture rentals from Unearthed Vintage — this Miami inspiration session features the absolute best of the best, and the result is unlike any other wedding inspiration you’ve seen before. See all the pretty moments of this organic-meets-industrial-meets-modern masterpiece in The Vault!

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The wedding story began with our couple. They are actually married in real life and their love for each other translated through the lens. The venue 1111 Lincoln Road created the perfect backdrop for this shoot. It has an architectural design with clean lines, hanging greener, with concrete and small wood paneling detail. We created a conceptual design for this wedding to inspire and make you reimagine the elements that make a wedding.

We created a ceremony centered around a unique structure and accented with light bulbs loosely strung together to create a romantic backdrop for their wedding. Guests would then be invited to celebrate in the cocktail hour where we created a lounge area in order to make a more intimate setting for guests to be able to converse with one another, celebrate and take in the breathtaking views the venue offers. The focal point of the cocktail space was the helix dome that was placed over the Hampton bar, along with hanging Edison bulbs.

The reception would then follow. Here we used square wooden tables to create one long royal table paired with industrial metal chairs. Designing one long royal table enhanced the intimate romantic yet industrial feel we were looking to accomplish. The centerpieces consisted mostly of greenery with various textures and long black tapered candles in gold modern candleholders. The plate chargers had silver detail and a modern geometric design. We paired them with black linen napkins tucked into hammered metal napkin rings.

The cake was a clean design with a marble fondant finish. The favors were mini chocolate bars with gold calligraphy words on each of them. This concept could also serve as escort cards or place cards. This design and natural feel of the marble cake fit perfectly with the setting. It all was displayed on top of three various height crank tables.

The three spaces for ceremony, cocktail hour and reception all came together in the design. We achieved visually unique experiences for guests at each space for an overall memorable and inspiring design.

Photography: Katie Lopez Photography | Event Planning: Masi Events | Floral Design: Anthology Co. | Catering: STARR Catering Group | Hair + Makeup: März Makeup And Hair | Groom's Attire: My Grooms Room | Venue: 1111 Lincoln Road | Audio Visual: EMG | Cake + Desserts: Earth And Sugar | Rentals: Unearthed Vintage | Rentals: Atlas Party Rentals

Gorgeous brides, sweet little ones and endless beautiful blooms make the world go round (OK, so I may be a little blogger biased, but still). And this California celebration from Sposto Photography has all that and more. Eager for a little live action? Wonderland Cinema’s clip below has you covered. So sit back, relax, and soak up all this pretty in our Vault as we kick of the weekend ahead. Happy Friday!

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From the Bride… Joe and I met on Halloween two years ago when he was going to his usual after-work hang out spot and my coworker dragged me out of the house and 45 minutes away. Although reluctant at first, I’m so glad she did or I don’t think Joe and I would have ever crossed paths. I saw him across the room and was immediately drawn to him. We spent the rest of the evening and the rest of the year getting to know each other. For our one year anniversary, we planned a trip to Big Bear and rented the cutest cabin fit for two. I scheduled a photoshoot and Joe scheduled a couple’s massage. It was our first vacation together. Our photoshoot was the first thing on our schedule and I was so eager to take photos in the forest. As a wedding and portrait photographer, this is my absolute favorite setting. I just love wooded, natural backgrounds. Little did I know, Joe planned to propose to me during the photo session and had secretly contacted the photographer I hired the day before. The sun was setting and the shoot was coming to an end. Joe suggested a pose where I was standing in front and facing away from him. After the camera went wild and the photographers’ eyes lit up, I knew something was happening. I looked back at Joe to find him on his knee holding a ring box with a grin from ear to ear. We enjoyed the rest of our vacation in Big Bear on cloud nine and completely overjoyed to be engaged!

After coming down the mountain and back to reality, I knew there was so much to do! We discussed the elements of the wedding that were most important to us on the drive back and of course, photography was on the top of my list while Joe’s top priorities were the food and music. After doing some research I had learned that a great place to start is to ask ourselves, “What do we want our guests to say to each other on the way home from our wedding?” My answer to this question was that I hoped they would talk about the love that Joe and I share and that they would be emotionally moved during our ceremony. Joe wanted his guests to comment on how fun the event was and that they had a blast!

So we knew our top priorities were to find an amazing photographer, which we did! We can’t recommend Sposto Photography enough and their images easily testify to their incredible talent and vision.

We also ensured our ceremony was led by someone close to us and the ceremony agenda was unique and customized to pull on everyone heart strings. We didn’t want a cookie cutter ceremony! We entrusted our dear friend and Bible study leader, Richard Higgins to officiate because we knew that he would convey a personal and intimate message that would show our guests not only how much we love each other but how much we love them. We also opted to write our own vows in gorgeous custom hand-assembled vow books. My love language is Words of Affirmation and every one could tell because I filled every page of my book.

For Joe, we brought in the best paella caterer, Paella Valenciana. We knew we had to have them the moment we showed up for the tasting and smelt the aromas at the door. Our menu had three paella varieties which included a selection of chicken, pork chorizo, calamari, mussels, shrimp or vegetarian. I paired the Spanish dish with Sangria as my signature cocktail and Joe chose his favorite beer, Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat. To further encourage a good time, Joe’s sister, Emi, a professional vocalist, entertained our guests during dinner by singing “Come Rain or Come Shine” by Ray Charles. We also chose DJ Dougie to get the crowd on the dance floor. I have worked weddings where he was DJ’ing and I knew he would create the party that Joe wanted for our guests.

After taking care of our top priorities, we started to design the rest of the event. Being an island girl from Maui, I’m not quite sure where my love of the forest came from. I believe many expected a tropical affaire adorned with orchids and tiki torches lighting up dancing hula maidens. On the contrary, I chose a romantic woodland style that included moss and wood textures coupled with feminine blush fabrics and touches of gold. I did keep ferns in the mix because they remind me of my mother who loves to garden. If I could have picked the perfect venue, it would have been in the center of the Redwood National Forest. However, since much of our family would be traveling from Hawaii, Japan, and Wisconsin, we decided to keep it local. Secluded Garden Estate served as the best alternative close to San Diego. The property is lush with greenery and trees engulf the path as guests arrive. The view from every angle was breathtakingly beautiful as the rocks sprinkled the rolling hills and caught the warmth of the sun as it set behind us. As a wedding photographer myself, I reveled in all of the photographic opportunities that this location matched to my vision. The most unique aspect of the venue was the wooden greenhouse frame that hosted our ceremony. When Joe and I first visited and I saw the white-painted window panes hanging from what was once the walls of the greenhouse, I knew it was the one. We booked it that day.

Once the venue was booked, I spent the next 11 months loving the wedding planning process. I knew I had waited a very long time to find Joe and getting to plan our wedding was so much fun. The best piece of advice I can offer to brides is to make your wedding yours. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing or what everyone else wants. Stay true to who you are as a couple and put that in your wedding as much as you can! In the early days of dating, we had a hilarious conversation which started an inside joke that we occasionally rehearse with our best German accents. Since then, “Hansel” and “Gretel” have been our terms of endearment for each other. So I chose to have my nephew, a ring bearer, carry a sign down the aisle reading, “Hansel, here comes your Gretel”. Nobody but us knew what it meant and I loved that. It was our own special moment, on our own special day.

More classic + romantic Cali weddings this way!

Photography: Sposto Photography | Cinematography: Wonderland Cinema | Coordination: Serenity Oaks Ranch | Floral Design: Splendid Sentiments | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Invitations: Invitations By Dawn | Jewelry: Poetry Bridal | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Catering: Paella Valenciana | Hair + Makeup: Noelani's Makeup & Hair Artistry | DJ: DJ Dougie Mobile DJ Service | Venue: Secluded Garden Estate | Bridal Boutique: The Bustle | Bride’s Shoes: Marc Fisher | Cakes + Cupcakes: Incr-Edible Cupcakes | Event Rentals: Premier Party Rentals | Groom’s Attire: Gianni Uomo | Linen Rentals: Linen Tablecloth | Photo Booth: Pixster Photo Booths | Plates: Leafware | Ring Box: Urban Outfitters | Robes: Impressionism Shop Etsy | Veil: Blanca Veils | Vow Books: Noteworthy & Co | Wedding Dress Seamstress: Bridals By Susanti

It’s official, this darling duo and the sweetest love story ever. Reason being? It all starting in a taxi line at the airport. Which just goes to show you can literally find love anywhere. Shortly after their chance encounter they wed in a classic ceremony orchestrated by Leigh Pearce Weddings and we’ve got it all from Alexa’s Photography in The Vault!

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From the Bride… I will never forget the day we met! We were both coming back from work trips at the end of the week when I was standing in line for a taxi at JFK airport. I noticed Chris right away when he came up behind me and after a few minutes passed, he struck up a conversation
 with me. Coincidentally, I was meeting my dad for
 dinner at a restaurant on the same block where he lived so we shared a cab and the rest was history! 3 years later he proposed in Central Park after an elaborate
 lie to get me there and then we went away on vacation the next day to Florida. It was perfect. We still live in New York where I have since started a food blog, and will be attending culinary school in June 2016. While we may not be here forever, it will always be a special place to us.

We wanted our wedding to be intimate with the closest of friends and family and we thought no better place to have it than at one of our favorite places, my family’s lake home at the Old North State Club in New London, North Carolina. We wanted everyone who was there to feel special and taken care of so that we could show how important they were to us. We had a lot of priorities – delicious food, fun band, tasty drinks, and beautiful florals and décor. The team working to put our vision to reality was incredible and truly, it was a dream come true. From the gorgeous florals (by our close friend Jay Lugibihl of In Bloom) as you drive down the driveway and around the ceremony site, house and tent, to the outstanding French influenced dinner menu prepared by our close friend, Sylvain Rivet of Renaissance Patisserie in Charlotte, NC, to the incredibly hard working team of Leigh Pearce Weddings who flipped the ceremony site into the dance floor and after dinner party which was everything we wanted and more. A special thanks to all of our other vendors – Alexa Stutts Photography, For Goodness Cakes, Carla White, Sound Illusions, Party Reflections, and the list goes on — your work and dedication to our wedding was so amazing!

When picking out my dress, I wanted something that matched the feel of the party – elegant and fun. It was exactly what I wanted. The designer was Mira Zwillinger and the dress was named after her
daughter, Lihi. I loved the gorgeous detail in the bodice and also how it flowed so effortlessly. It was what I had imagined marrying Chris in, at my family’s home, and in front of all the people I love.

From Leigh Pearce Weddings… Words cannot describe the beauty that was Caroline and Chris’s wedding day! But even more beautiful than the details is the love that Caroline and Chris share for each other and their family and friends. It was such a heartwarming environment and they truly cared about the guest experience at every touch point. From their luxe letterpress invitations to our extensive transportation schedules to the delectable culinary experience to the flawless floral designs created in family silver pieces to the late night snacks of Bojangles chicken biscuits … every detail was meticulously considered by Caroline, Chris, and their families. The result was the ultimate event in celebration of their marriage and gathering of their nearest and dearest. It was my pleasure to design and plan with them, but even more so to know them and play a small part in their love story!

Photography: Alexa's Photography | Floral Design: In Bloom, Ltd. | Wedding Dress: Mira Zwillinger | Cake: For Goodness Cakes | Invitations: Smitten on Paper | Catering: Sylvain Rivet | Hair + Makeup: Carla White | Band: EastCoast Entertainment | Officiant: Patrick Maloy | Ceremony Music: Carolina Classic Strings | Transportation: Holiday Tours | Transportation: Park Inc. | Planning + Event Design: Leigh Pearce Events | Power + Lighting: Sound Illusions | Rentals: Party Reflections

New York in the spring is just magic. Take this stunning engagement session from Rebecca Yale Photography as prime example. From the petal covered park to the sweet kisses Lindsay and Steven share, we think it’s safe to say that they basically had the best engagement session ever. See it all in The Vault!

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From Rebecca Yale Photography…Lindsay and Steven got engaged in a perfect New York moment when Steven surprised Lindsay at Bowtie Cinemas in Chelsea with a movie that ended in his proposal and their friends surprising them in the theater. The New York based couple decided to take photographs in Central Park catching the perfect magical moment when the city is coated in pink petals and is at its most photogenic! The bride kept the styling classic in a white dress and the groom in a blue blazer to compliment the beautiful blossoms and then changing into a more casual outfit for a stroll by Bethesda Fountain.

From the Bride-to-be…. About four years ago, my roommate Jessie and I were riding up in our elevator when a few guys happened to exit on our floor. We turned to enter our apartment and they continued to the one right next door. We later heard music blaring from their apartment, and naturally intrigued, I said to Jessie, “We should crash their party”… and so we did!

We knocked on our neighbor’s door and I said, “If you guys are going to blast loud music, you should really invite your neighbors.” We were immediately greeted with smiles and I quickly made eye contact with Steven from across the room. After about ten minutes of being there, he came up to me and said “do you crash parties often?” I have been smitten ever since.

Steven and I had plans to see the Hunger Games movie opening weekend with two of our friends (I am a fanatic). When we arrived at the movie theater, the usher encouraged us to wait after the movie was over because they were showing special deleted scenes – we were pumped!

After the movie was over and the credits started to roll, people started the exiting the theater but there was no way I was going to miss the deleted scenes! The lights dimmed, and all of a sudden, Steven was on the screen. For the next three minutes, I watched as Steven, our friends, and families lip synced to our favorite song- “Say Hey (I Love You)” by Michael Franti & Spearhead. I watched as he danced and played air guitar in front of our most memorable New York spots – from the building where we first met to our first date spot at Alta.

After the video was over, the lights turned back on and everyone in the theater stood up. To my surprise, it was all of our friends and family, who had been there the whole time! I was in a state of shock. Steven got down on one knee and proposed. The best part is, we have the whole proposal on video to share with our loved ones for years to come.

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Shoes: Valentino | Hair + Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Bride's Dress: ALC

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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It’s time to let your well pedicured toes feel the open air. That’s right, sandal season is upon us and we’ve scoped the interwebs for the cutest sandals for the least amount of money. There’s no breaking the bank with these beauts. Stock up on this season’s faves all under $50 (and most under $35!)… more money to keep that pedi on point.

Summer Sandals under $50

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Summer Sandals under $50

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14 Off-the-Shoulder Pieces That’ll Add ‘Sexy’ to Your Summer Wardrobe
What to Wear to a Dinner Party: 10 Gorgeous Outfit Ideas
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Let me first preface this by saying that the ultimate twin name pairing award goes to our editor Erin, for her sweet babies Hudson + Quinn. Cutest combo right? And they are equally as adorable I might add. If you’re on the hunt for twinsie names for your babes (or even sibling name pairings!) have a look at these 60 darling duos. Already have twins? We’d love to hear their names in the comments!

60 Twin Baby Name Pairings that Would Make Mary Kate + Ashley Jealous

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60 Twin Baby Name Pairings that Would Make Mary Kate + Ashley Jealous

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Try these decorative DIY tassels for a baby shower!

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Roma, Roma, Roma. Is there any place more romantic for a destination wedding? Certainly not in my book. This couple felt the same and planned a celebration in a village just outside the city, sharing vows in a little church steeped in history. They asked guests to put away all cell phones, iPads and the like for a completely unplugged ceremony that set the tone for a truly meaningful day. Laura Gordon photographed and we cannot get enough.

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From Laura Gordon Photography…Irish couple, Lindsay and Michael married in Italy last summer; their organic and elegant aesthetic, from the simple table setting foraged from the Italian villa to the dreamy hillside village where they said their vows. The old world feel paired with the impeccable style of this couple created what I consider the quintessential European wedding.

From The Bride…Michael and I got together about six years ago but we were actually pals for about seven years before that. We are still amused that we ended up together because neither of us ever had notions on each other…I even tried to set him up with my best friend at one point. Thank goodness that never came about because I just couldn’t imagine my life without him now. Living on opposite sides of Ireland to each other meant that most of our relationship was spent traveling at weekends just to see one other. Although worth it, it left very little time for family and friends and when we did get engaged, we both knew that we wanted a wedding that would allow us to spend as much time as possible with our nearest and dearest. I co-own an online destination wedding magazine and both of my older brothers had had weddings abroad, so I was well aware of how a wedding outside of Ireland meant that we would have two to three days of celebrating. Coupled with the fact that we couldn’t find a venue in Ireland that could cater for our tastes and our numbers, we started our venue search in Italy as it was relatively close flight wise and we could also have a legally binding Catholic wedding there.

Being in the wedding industry, I guess I felt quite a lot of pressure from the outset and before even going to Italy on the venue scouting trip, I had to get a few things straight in my head. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to separate my work from my personal life and I really wanted to feel like a bride, not a planner on her biggest event to date. The wedding was about us, not me and my job, so the venue was going to have to be able to cater for lots of music and dancing (Mike and I are both musicians and we originally met on tour) and be okay with our crazy, but amazing family and friend’s partying ways.

Finding a venue that could hold 200 guests abroad was not the easiest task but we struck gold with Borgo di Tragliata, an ancient village located outside Rome. The moment we landed on our first venue scouting trip, something just clicked. Apart from having one of the most amazing onsite coordinators I have ever come across, there was an atmosphere at the village that just felt right and I felt so relaxed there. From our first visit to deciding we wanted to stay one extra night after our wedding, we were treated like royalty. Two hundred people flew from Ireland to be with us for the weekend so it was important to us that we showed them how much we appreciated them traveling so far. We had a BBQ the night before the wedding that ended up being like a wedding in itself. The music was still going at 4.30am when Mike and I forced ourselves to say goodnight and only for our fab hairdresser arriving at 7am, I’d have snuck back down to the party.

We took a lot of the design inspiration for our wedding from the venue. Being an organic farm, we kept that in mind when it came to designing our invitations, choosing handmade paper and hand dyed silk ribbons. Ruby nailed it with the flowers, most of which were foraged from the venue grounds. The color palette kind of came about organically also. I started with greys and golds when putting together our stationery and introduced the soft pastels later on when it was becoming clearer to me what would be available around the time of our wedding and in Italy. My parents, who were traveling to the wedding via France in their motor home, very kindly allowed me to pack it full of our own gold cutlery and table decor so I didn’t have to stress about sourcing locally.

The wedding day itself was just like a dream. My feet didn’t touch the ground. We had asked guests to put away their phones and cameras for the church as I was bit nervous about the walk down the aisle and didn’t like the idea of being snapped on top of it. What we didn’t expect though was the effect it had on the entire ceremony. Everyone was so present. The mass was full of music with 22 musicians thanks to our talented families and friends but everyone got involved and one of my lasting memories is hearing what sounded like the entire congregation singing along to “You are Mine”. It was so emotional, I’m tearing up thinking back. No-one was reaching for iPads and cameras, they were just part of it. Of course our priest, Fr. Flor made it so personal. As a musician himself, he understood how important the music was to us and it was magical. The rest of the day flowed in the same way and I know it’s cliche, but it was the best day of our lives.

We were both incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by a team of vendors that are some of our greatest friends. Rodolphe, who shot our video is practically part of the family and we were so excited when he told us he was free to make the wedding. Sam flew from Ireland with a suitcase full of baking supplies and created a stunner of a wedding cake that tasted as good as it looked. Liv, who I’ve an endless amount of admiration for made the most beautiful headpiece for me. I cried when I opened the box. Laura, who I’d met on one of our recent Irish weddings was not only our photographer, but my sounding board for everything and I’m so lucky to call her one of my closest friends. We really couldn’t have pulled it off without their generosity and their kindness. Their talents know no bounds and we will be forever grateful to them.

On paper, our guest list was huge but somehow, it still felt like a very intimate wedding. With a few days to get to know one another, new friendships were formed and old ones reignited. That was what it was really all about for us. We have incredibly patient parents, brothers, sisters and a bridal party that would rival the best of them. They provided endless support during the planning and the memories they helped us create will forever be with us. We really feel like were the luckiest people in the world.

Photography: Laura Gordon Photography | Cinematography: Best Day Productions | Event Planning: Fly Away Bride | Floral Design: Mary Lennox | Wedding Dress: Paolo Sebastian | Cake: Cloudberry Bakery | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Hair + Makeup: Louise Faulkner | Groom's Attire: Louis Copeland & Sons | Groomsmen Attire: Savoy Taylors Guild | Venue: Borgo Di Tragliata | Calligraphy + Stationery: House Of Hannah | Event Design + Rentals: House Of Hannah | Groom's Shoes: Ted Baker | Hair Accessories: Enchanted Atelier by Liv Hart

You can take the couple out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the couple. For their California destination wedding, Leslie and Cory included hints of home throughout, from the rustic setting to the Texas-inspired BBQ bites to the first song of the night: “Texas Love Song.” See how Kate Whelan Events brought it all together (including the gorgeous Bright Event Rentals reception decor) thanks to Chip Gillespie, Alexander Rubin, and WickFilms in The Vault!

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From Kate Whelan Events…Cory and Leslie had met when they were younger and reunited later on in life in their hometown of Houston, Texas. They loved to travel the world together, try exotic restaurants and sightsee. Cory proposed to Leslie on vacation while they were completely alone on a black sand beach during one of their many adventures. It was only fitting that they would host a destination wedding, sharing their love of travel with their friends and family.

Their destination wedding in Calistoga, California showcased Theorem Vineyards, recently purchased by family members, featuring a long, narrow, long historic barn and beautiful rolling vineyards. The wedding weekend started with an intimate Welcome Party, showcasing the new property to all of the closest family and friends. Guests enjoyed small bites, a gorgeous cheese display and delectable mini desserts while drinking wine to the tune of a live guitarist.

Leslie and Cory were married the next day under a rustic chuppah overlooking the absolutely stunning Napa Valley. After the heartwarming ceremony, guests were treated to passed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and of course, glasses of wine from the vineyard itself on the adjoining patio to the soon-to-be Schoolhouse Tasting Room.

Guests were then invited to dinner in the recently renovated Historic Long Barn for a strolling dinner of multiple stations, including yummy Texan-worthy BBQ fare like mini sliders and pulled pork combined with a California-worthy salad station. After a ceremonial cake cutting, the fresh summer shortcake station opened, complete with fresh whipped cream to top it off. To keep the party rolling, Leslie and Cory hired an amazing live band and opened the dance floor to “Texas Love Song.” Guests continued to pack the dance floor into the evening – dancing the night away under the summer stars.

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Photography: Chip Gillespie | Photography: Rubin Photography | Cinematography: WickFilms | Event Planning + Design: Kate Whelan Events | Floral Design: Flourish | Cake: Susie Cakes | Catering: All Seasons All Reasons | Hair + Makeup: Something Blue By Kaci Stoots | Lighting: BP Productions | Band:Smash City | Officiant: Wine Country Rabbi Steve Finley | Venue: Theorem Vineyards | Tent Rental: RAJ Tents | Linen Rentals: La Tavola Fine Linen Rental | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Rentals: Blue Print Studios

Every bride wants to make a fierce entrance, but a head-turning outfit change to really shake things up? Even better. But before you go splurging on dress numero dos, you’re going to want to see this. Gabriella Rissati — industry pro and brains behind Gabriella New York — is spilling her trade secrets to getting double the pretty out of that dress of yours. Think detachable skirts, chic boleros and separates galore to take you from ceremony to reception — for half the hassle! Press play now … and thank her later!

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Trends to Take Your Dress from Ceremony to Reception

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Trends to Take Your Dress from Ceremony to Reception

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Now that Summer is here and social calendars are filling up, party dresses are in order. But not just any party dress will do. Sorry LBD! Warm weather means floral patterns and Summer brights, pastel lace and off-the-shoulder numbers.  Shop 22 of our current faves that will work for any and all gatherings from cocktail to wedding and maybe even a fancy BBQ.

Summer Party Dresses

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Summer Party Dresses

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This wedding must have floated off a cloud of cotton candy because it is all things pretty, pink and oh-so-sweet. From the floral Plum Pretty Sugar robes and the Bride’s beautiful off-the-shoulder lace Romona Keveza gown to the reception’s boxwood backdrop and decadent dessert display, this day is an absolute dream. See it all from Amy & Jordan Photography and Amore Films in The Vault!

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From Amy & Jordan Photography…Such a gorgeous navy and blush wedding. The color scheme was perfection, the florals stunning. The location was pristine, and the night ended with an incredible fireworks show. But that isn’t what stood out most. No.

It was the small frames that lined the table outside the ballroom doors. Silver ones. Gold ones. White ones, too. Inside? Black and white wedding pictures — a few in color — of generations past. Grandparents. Great-grandparents. Their parents and siblings, too. Holding hands, holding each other and holding all the hope in the world. Of a bright future. Of an exciting tomorrow. Of a life. Together (and forever.) That table, without knowing it, held hundreds and hundreds of years of faithfulness and commitment on its shoulders — and stories, oh-so many stories. Some surely told, some surely not. Ups and downs. Sickness and health. Richer and poorer. Each couple transforming as the photographer clicked the shutter, just moments after they said, “I do.” From two into one. That’s what these two inherited. Something far more valuable than mountains of money, lots of land or precious jewels. But a heritage. A legacy of love. Built on a firm foundation and passed from one couple to the next.

Photography: Amy & Jordan Photography | Cinematography: Amore Films | Coordination: Outstanding Occasions | Floral Design: The Flower Studio | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Invitations: Checkerboard | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Catering: McCormick Ranch Golf Club | Hair + Makeup: Top Knot Beauty | Band: Ray The DJ | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein | Transportation: AZ Limo | Venue: McCormick Ranch Golf Club | Bridal Boutique: Nordstrom | Dessert: Morsel Confections | Fireworks: Fireworks Productions Of Arizona | Furniture Rentals: Prim Rentals | Linen Rentals: Cv Linens | Photo Booth: Snapz Photo Booth | Rental Chairs: Us To U Rentals | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Veil: Mariée

Maybe it’s the golden touches of sun or the beachy salt air that adds a little extra volume, but there’s just something about summer that makes my hair feel amazing. The laid back vibe of the season also means that messy = beautiful, and we’ve got the styles to prove it. From summer weddings to date nights to beach BBQ’s, there’s a gorgeously imperfect ‘do for every event right here.

28 Ways To Style Messy Summer Hair Beautifully

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28 Ways To Style Messy Summer Hair Beautifully

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Get Gorgeous Hair in Minutes

5 Minutes To Perfect Party Hair
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Christmas weddings conjure images of poinsettia-lined aisles and decor in shades of red and green. So, this Christmas wedding in the Cotswolds is a breath of fresh air with its beautiful sophistication and holiday cheer. A color palette of caramel, gray and blush created a warm romance while a stag motif and wintery flora brought the festive feel of Christmas to the whole affair. See all the magic moments (including gorgeous twobirds Bridesmaid dresses), captured by Weddings by Nicola & Glen, in The Vault!

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From Weddings By Nicola And Glen… Nicola and Bryn celebrated their December wedding at Barnsley House in the Cotswolds. We love how our couple embraced the festive feel of Christmas in a fresh and feminine way with a glamorous touch of the countryside too. Caramels, greys and blush hues created a romantic atmosphere. A stag motif ran through the paper goods and table decor evoking the season and setting. Our Bride wore an edgy and utterly wondrous Watters ensemble; consisting of the exquisite Kian corset and Priya skirt!

Some of our favourite details were the bespoke wreath our couple commissioned from Flowers by Passion. Personalized christmas decorations acted as a lovely favour each guest could pick off the christmas tree before sitting down for dinner. Guests also wrote special messages of congratulations to the couple on blank baubles, which Nicola and Bryn will use on their tree for future Christmases as a beautiful alternative guest book.

Our couple opted for a First Look followed by a candlelit church ceremony. They were welcomed back to Barnsley House with a beautiful sparkler reception. Post ceremony celebrations were kicked off with winter warmer cocktails, hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows by the open fire!

From The Bride…We were friends long before we fell in love. We worked for the same company, and although we had very different jobs our paths crossed enough for us to find our shared sense of humour, passion for the English countryside and enjoyment of good company.

Years later, when fate threw us together following the break up of both our previous marriages, we had a solid trusting foundation which gave us the confidence to follow our hearts and go for it.

Inspiration for the day…When Bryn proposed in the summer of 2014 in Rome, we both knew we wanted to be married in the quintessentially English Cotswolds which we are fortunate to have on our doorstep and at our favourite time of year – Christmas.

Having looked at a number of venues – We came up the sweeping driveway of Barnsley House Hotel, took one step inside and was greeted by Michel and his amazing team and our decision was made there and then! It would be perfect for the fun-filled two days we were looking for with our close friends and family. It was to be a Christmas wedding with lots of sparkle, candles, marshmallows toasting on log fires, warming cocktails and lots of laughter and I had no hesitation that the Barnsley House team and the superb Cotswold Wedding Company would have it all covered. Barnsley became even more special when we started going to church in the village as well. The Parish have really embraced us and the personalities which now make this centuries old village thrive have given us some amazing memories.

Most memorable moment of the day… As our wedding ceremony was at dusk our photographers (Nicola and Glen) encouraged us to do a ‘first look’ and see each other before the ceremony. It was the most magical experience walking up behind Bryn and tapping him on the shoulder – he turned round and my heart filled with overwhelming love…There were many tears and re-applying of make up!

Advice? Stretch it out for as long as possible! We gave everybody the chance to get together the day before the wedding, and on the morning of the wedding the boys went shooting and the girls had a lazy breakfast…we wanted our guests to make new friends and leave having felt they had had a break as well.

My dress (a corset and tulle skirt) was from Watters and my footwear was Jimmy Choo! Bryn, Tim (best man) and Steve (surrogate father of the bride and best friend) all wore bespoke HUGO BOSS. The bridesmaids were in TwoBirdsBridesmaids and Jimmy Choo shoes. Paxton and Whitfield provided the cheesecake.

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Photography: Weddings by Nicola & Glen | Event Design + Styling: The Cotswold Wedding Company | Floral Design: Flowers By Passion | Wedding Dress: Jacinda Gown By Watters | Cake: Paxton & Whitfield| Ceremony Venue: St Mary’s Barnsley Village Church | Reception Venue: Barnsley House | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: twobirds Bridesmaid | Makeup: Jodie Hazlewood | Hair: La Biosthetique UK | Groom’s Attire: Hugo Boss Red Label | Bridal Boutique: London Bride Couture

Take me out to the ballgame because this e-sesh? It’s a home run. Captured by Sawyer Baird, these high school sweethearts (Allie the cheerleader and Matt the baseball player) went back to the open field where it all started, and the results? Just about the sweetest engagement sesh you ever did see. See it all in The Vault!

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From Sawyer Baird…Allie + Matt are not only two of the sweetest people filled with all the laughter in the world but two amazing people who have loved each other for a long time. When Allie reached out to me about photographing her wedding and engagements…and after I heard about how they met in high school they suggested that we took photos at the high school. It was only fitting for these two.

With Allie being a cheerleader and Matt a baseball player they shared many memories at their high school.

I couldn’t think of a more timeless session than this one. So simple + so sweet!

Photography: Sawyer Baird | Location: Atlanta GA

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Tips to Look Your Best at Your Engagement Session

You know how we feel about elopements. They’re just about the most romantic way to go, and this Tuscany-set day totally proves our point. With Thecablookfotolab behind the lens, these two sweethearts soaked up all the European charm as they said “I do” and Kristana Marie Events helped the nuptials run smooth from beginning to end. Go see lots more inside The Vault!

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From Thecablookfotolab…This couple is a total romance. Two people should be madly in love if they make an elopement so far away from home without any guests. This couple from San Diego decided to tie the knot in one of the most romantic places in the world – in Tuscany. Everything was so lovely and intimate there: starting from preparations in the suite of the Executive hotel in Florence, then the lunch for two on the Terrazza Brunelleschi with the most picturesque view on Florence rooftops and ending with a touching ceremony held by the most amazing officiant Jo Bertolino from Tuscan Pledges and a couple session in the gardens of villa Gamberaia. I’m so grateful to them for giving me a chance to capture their shining eyes filled with endless love to each other.

From The Bride…Our wedding in Italy was something out of a dream, something we still can’t believe we got to experience. We live in San Diego, and though this is a stunning wedding destination itself, we just knew we wanted something different. We wanted to have more than just a wedding; we wanted to have an adventure together. Our wedding planner, Kristana Burreece of Kristana Marie Events is also located in San Diego, so even though we were traveling somewhere new for our wedding day, the planning process was comfortable and felt like home! She was so much fun to work with and really made us feel so excited for what our day would become. Kristana found our photographer, Darya Kamalova of Thecablookfotolab on Style Me Pretty, and we fell in love with her and her work right away! She is so adorable and has so much style and grace. Darya was so hospitable and warm through out the planning process, and she was very open to sharing lots of helpful information with us. She actually connected us with our florist and my hair & make up artist as well! I would trust her recommendations any day.

When it was finally time to travel to Florence, Italy for our wedding, I couldn’t believe that it was actually happening. We were going to have the experience of a lifetime and I was so thankful that the love of my life and I would always have these memories. We stayed at Hotel Executive, and they made us feel like royalty! Our suite was absolutely stunning, and it really was the perfect setting for us to prepare for our wedding day. We even chose to do our “first look” in the room because it was just that beautiful! For lunch we went to Terrazza Brunelleschi where Darya took some amazing photos of us overlooking the city. The views of the rooftops of Florence and the iconic Duomo were breathtaking. After our lunch, it was finally time for our wedding at the beautiful Villa Gamberaia. When we arrived and finally got to see the Villa in person, we were blown away. It looks even more spectacular in person, and we were so overjoyed that this would be the spot that we would recite our vows to each other.

We met our officiant, Jo Bertolino of Tuscan Pledges and she was just wonderful! She had been great through out the planning process and worked so hard to create the perfect ceremony for us, but when we were there in that moment, her words resonated with us and we felt her sincerity; it really made our ceremony so special. We were both so excited to recite our vows to each other because we had decided that we would both write them when we arrived in Europe so that we could truly capture the essence of this beautiful time in our lives. We wanted our wedding to be intimate, romantic, and an experience of a lifetime, and it was all that and more! I will never forget the way that I felt standing in those beautiful gardens hearing the love of my life’s vows to me. Our life together started in the most perfect of ways, and I am eternally grateful for everyone who helped make our dreams reality.

From Kristana Marie Events…When Kyla & Eric first told me about their wedding dreams, I was so excited to help make their day perfect for them. They wanted to travel together, as neither of them had ever been in Europe before. They wanted it to be intimate and romantic, making sure that they never lost sight of what that special day is all about. And they wanted it to be a fun & stress-free experience. The bride, groom, & myself are all from San Diego, CA so we did all of the planning for this beautiful Florence, Italy wedding from afar.

Style Me Pretty was an incredible tool and helped me to find the right vendors for their big day. Kyla was adamant that her photographer be the best of the best. And let me tell you, the photographer we picked definitely was! When I first came across Darya Kamalova from Thecablookfotolab, I knew she would be the perfect fit. Her style is stunning and she shoots film photography, which is something I hardly ever see anymore! Kyla & Eric trusted her artistry immediately, and really just wanted to let her create. Darya also gave lots of amazing recommendations for vendors that she has enjoyed working with, and gave us tons of tips about the city! She was an amazing help and really made my clients feel so special & taken care of.

The other wonderful contributor to their big day was Jo Bertolino of Tuscan Pledges! From the first skype meeting, it was so apparent that she takes so much pride in creating stunning & personal ceremonies for her clients. Kyla and Eric were overwhelmed with how perfect the ceremony was for them, and Jo really made every effort to make it express the love that they share for each other.

The venue was too perfect. Villa Gamberaia boasted beautiful gardens and architecture that really made Kyla & Eric feel the essence of a Tuscan dream wedding.

We truly had so much fun working together to create a beautiful, romantic, & intimate wedding that felt so authentically them!

Photography: Thecablookfotolab | Event Planning: Kristana Marie Events | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Ring: Diamonds Forever | Groom's Attire: Express | Officiant: TUSCANPLEDGES | Hotel: Hotel Executive | Venue: Villa Gamberaia

Talk about making an exit, because this couple? They literally flew off into the sunset. That’s right, and if you think that’s good just wait until you see the campsite wedding that happened beforehand. The perfect representation of Southern charm and classic details, we’ve got Rachel Whyte Photography to thank for capturing it all. Fall in love firsthand with every single moment via The Vault!

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From Rachel Whyte Photography… Rachel and Ford’s wedding was one for the books. Their wedding weekend took place at Camp Waldemar in the Texas Hill Country. The venue was absolutely gorgeous and they were blessed with perfect, Texas fall weather. (Not raining and not blazing hot- that’s a major win!) Rachel and Ford are a class act couple and their wedding was a perfect representation of them. Rachel was a radiant, peaceful bride and Ford’s love for her was so evident.

Their ceremony took place in a beautiful stone amphitheater on the banks of the Guadeloupe River, and they said said their vows under a canopy of trees. The reception was held in a large tent on a field and they danced the night away under the stars. Rachel’s Oscar De La Renta gown and their epic helicopter exit were just two of the stunners of their big day. The happy couple was surrounded by hundreds of their closest friends and family and the weekend was filled with love, laughter and happy tears. It was an honor to be a part of such a special event!
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Photography: Rachel Whyte Photography | Cinematography: Sight and Sound Films | Event Planning: Lynn Huntress | Floral Design: Viridian Design Studio | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Cake: Bird Bakery | Catering: Perini Ranch | Hair + Makeup: Veronica Ibarra | Ceremony and Reception: Camp Waldemar | Reception Band: In10City

Grown-Up ice cream socials are so a thing. Sprinkles, booze and delicious ice cream treats. It’s heaven in the form of a really cute party. Plus Emily McCarthy is laying out all the creative pairings needed for your own Frozen Booze Fest. From Deconstructed Prosecco Pops to Ice Cream filled Martinis, check out her recipes for the perfect adult frozen beverage with tons more ice cream inspo from Kelli Boyd  in the VAULT…and the cutest calligraphy ever from Ashley Curry.

Ice Cream Martini Mixers

Peach Syrup
Pecan Vodka
Vanilla Ice Cream
Cinnamon Pecan Cookie Topping
Sugar Crystal Topping

Strawberry Syrup
Honeysuckle Vodka
Vanilla Ice Cream
Chocolate Espresso Cookie
Sprinkle Topping

Blueberry Syrup
Regular Vodka
Vanilla Ice Cream
Lemon Sugar Cookie Topping
Sugar Crystal Topping

Deconstructed Prosecco Pops

Raspberry Syrup
Vanilla Ice Cream
Prosecco
sprinkle topping

Blackberry Syrup
Vanilla Ice Cream
Prosecco
sugar topping

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More Frozen Treat Ideas…

DIY Ice Cream Sandwiches
Tips for Throwing Your own Ice Cream Social
Even more Boozy Ice Cream Treats

Photography: Kelli Boyd | Clothes: Kate Spade | Cookies: Grey Ghost Bakery | Glassware and Napkins: Emily McCarthy | Sprinkles: Ceremony & Fuss | Styling and Recipies: Emily McCarthy | Syrups: Blackberry Patch

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For membership information, click here

Petit Bouquet

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There’s no doubt that the French are masters of style, and design, and well, basically everything they do is très chic. Including these sweet bebe names that are anything but ordinary. See the full list of our favorites for both girls and boys below!

30 of the Cutest Ever French Baby Names

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30 of the Cutest Ever French Baby Names

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Make DIY Wallpaper Panels for your bebe’s nursery!

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More inspo for your bebe this way…

25 Ingenious Baby Shower Ideas
Creative Celebrity Baby Names That Aren’t Totally Crazy Pants
60 Twin Baby Name Pairings that Would Make Mary Kate + Ashley Jealous

A late fall wedding in San Luis Obispo equals rich, seasonal vibes but with loads of sunshine still on your side. To play up the setting, this Bride and Groom opted for berry tones accented by lots of greenery, all brought to life by their floral designer, April Flowers. Thanks to Mirelle Carmichael for the full wedding gallery including a first look under an oak tree that’s guaranteed to take your breath away.

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From The Bride…After graduating from Cal Poly, I moved back to the Bay Area to pursue a career in aviation. I’d taken up an internship in return for flight lessons at the San Carlos Airport where Brian was also working as a corporate pilot. From the moment I saw him, I felt butterflies. And four years later, he was down on one knee.

While both of us are Bay Area natives, we wanted to escape the hustle, traffic and energy of Silicon Valley. This made San Luis Obispo an easy choice. We opted for a fall wedding date to skip the heat of summer and allow our guests to experience the gorgeous, vibrant colors the wineries have to offer at that time of year. Santa Margarita Ranch ended up being the perfect venue and reflection of us. The ceremony would take place outside on the gorgeous garden grounds under an oak tree. We’d then move inside to a historic barn to eat, drink and dance the night away under twinkle lights.

It was my always my hope to be married outside and play off the natural beauty of San Luis Obispo. Once we had chosen a November date, I knew the color palette should reflect the changing colors of the grapes and leaves at that time. So we opted for berry tones accented by lots of greenery. It was really important that the wedding felt beautiful, natural and not at all harvest-y. My incredible florist, April Flowers, knew exactly how to bring this to life. In keeping with the casual theme, we left things loose, a little wild and texturally interesting.

My wedding dress ended up being the opposite of what I had imagined. Initially, I looked for an ethereal, boho dress, but I quickly discovered that’s not who I am. Nicole Miller’s dresses fit my body well and I’m drawn to the simplicity of her designs. When I slipped this dress on, I thought it could be the one – classic, timeless and so comfortable. However, I feared it might look ridiculous at my outdoor, relaxed wedding. Nevertheless, I made the decision to go for it and it worked wonderfully. To tone it down, we added ribbons to my bouquet and I wore open-toe wedges rather than heels.

Everyone tells you that your wedding day will go by so fast – must have heard that 50 times. So, in an effort to enjoy every moment that weekend, we broke away from several traditions. We trimmed down the invite list substantially as we couldn’t bear the thought of spending our one night surrounded by people that we didn’t know well. Instead of a hotel room, we rented out Flying Caballos Ranch for the weekend and invited some of our closest friends stay on-site with us. We skipped a rehearsal – saving everyone a Friday afternoon trip to the venue. Instead we enjoyed an early dinner on the ranch and ended with drinks around the fire pit. To keep things exciting, we offered train rides around the stunning property during the reception and then open seating at beautiful farm tables for dinner. Our signature drink was “Gin and Joost” to play off our last name. In lieu of favors, we made a donation to the Wounded Warriors Project Healing Waters, which was beautifully noted by a calligraphy sign of a fly fisherman. To top it off, we brought in a local ice cream truck for dessert, skipping the cake entirely. By ditching some of these traditional wedding pieces, we were able to make the night our own and a real reflection of the two of us.

It’s far too difficult to identify my favorite moment – maybe the vows or the first dance or even walking back to our cottage late in the night hand-in-hand as husband and wife. I loved absolutely every second and will forever hold onto that special feeling.

Photography: Mirelle Carmichael | Cinematography: Sharkpig | Cinematography: Ryan Denning Creative | Event Planning: Sealed With A Kiss Events | Floral Design: April Flowers | Catering: Taste Catering & Eatery | Hair + Makeup: John Olavarria | Calligraphy: Rosey Calligraphy | DJ: THE FLASHDANCE | Transportation: SLO Safe Ride | Venue: Santa Margarita Ranch | Bridesmaids' Hair + Makeup: The Queens Bees | Getting Ready Venue: Flying Caballos Ranch | Ice Cream Truck: Negranti Ice Cream | Rentals: All About Events

I dream of diamonds. Brilliant cut, oval cut, emerald cut — I want them all. But after seeing this pretty pink morganite engagement ring from Rosados Box, I’ll be dreaming of pink. (Of course, the photos of it from Sophie Epton Photography will be playing a big part of these dreams.) See the ring (and the pretty wedding) in all its glory and get the look below!

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Get the Look

SamNSue | Zales | Laurie Sarah Designs

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More Beautiful + Unique Engagement Rings

Unique Engagement Rings

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Unique Engagement Rings

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