Consider this a crash course in fat fishtailing. I promise you, the messier and less done the better. Pair this hairstyle with a pretty daytime dress or a chic coverup and you’ll never go back to a plain old braid again. So go ahead, give your fishtail a healthy dose of undone with this easy tutorial from Face Time Beauty + Judy Pak. Psst… find more hairstyle ideas right here.

Start with hair brushed thoroughly and in a low, centered ponytail.

Begin by deciding hair into two even sections. A left section and a right section. Hold the left section in left hand and right section in right hand. Take a small section of the outer left section and wrap it over the left section and transfer it into the right hand to join right section

Now do the same motion on the other side. So, take a small section of the outer right section and wrap over and into the left hand to join the left section. Keep everything tight in hands as you go down the shaft of the ponytail in order to keep the braid tight.

Continue this pattern all the way down to the end of the ponytail.

Secure the bottom of the braid with an elastic and carefully slide off the elastic put in initially to hold the pony.

Gently pull the braid apart and make the braid “wider” which will give it a more modern “lived in” effect.

Take a tiny section from the middle of the “fringe” at end of braid and scrunch up the elastic. This (again) will help to give a pinterest worthy effect.

Finally, fix any fly aways, and tuck in any pieces of hair that fell out into the creases of the braid!

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More Hairstyles to Add to Your Repertoire, no wash needed

Skip A Wash With These Second-Day Hairstyles

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Skip A Wash With These Second-Day Hairstyles

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Photography: Judy Pak Photography | Hair: Face Time Beauty Concierge

Lena and Viks’ love story speaks directly to my heart. Reason being? It all started with pizza. Yes, you read right – PIZZA! So you can only imagine that their wedding was a major crowdpleaser. From their formal vineyard ceremony complete with Jenny Yoo dressed Bridesmaids’, to the hand-written vows (that even included a round of rock paper scissors), we’ve got it all from Linnea Paulina waiting in The Vault!

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From the Bride… Vik and I met through mutual friends during the fall of 2014. We started dating and a few months later I accidentally told him I loved him at a Pizzeria. He heard me but played it off like he didn’t. I realized after I slipped it that I actually did love him, and from there on we knew we were going to spend the rest of our lives together. We went on countless family vacations together and in the early fall of the following year, he decked out a greenhouse in lights and candles; and asked me to marry him.

Our wedding day was a black tie event. I wanted it to be formal, elegant, and classic. We found this amazing vineyard (Villa Catalana Cellars) not far from our Venue where we took our first look and portrait shots and it screamed Italy. It’s beautiful. You’re drive up and you automatically feel as though you have driven up some wobbly road in Italy. It’s owned by a couple who host wine tastings during the days. (what a dream right!)

The day itself was perfect; we had a huge guest count at 450, and we were lucky enough to have sunshine the entire day. To go with a black tie wedding, our color palate was black, white, and shades of blush. And obviously plenty of greenery.

As for my dress, I found it months before I was actually engaged. I was searching through Pinterest and come across a girl who had the dress and I knew I had to have it! No matter how many dresses I tried on, my heart was set.

A great memory was during the ceremony when it came time to say the vows, we played rock paper scissors to see who would go first. Our officiant was one of our good friends and our whole wedding party was killer.

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Photography: Linnea Paulina | Cinematography: Josh Etheridge | Floral Design: Family Friend | Stationery: Anastasia Marie | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Makeup: Irina Dzubenko | Hair: Anna Zhereb | Wedding Venue: Oregon Golf Club | Wedding Dress: Basix Black Label | First Look: Villa Catalana Cellars | Rental Company: Luxury Events

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9 Wedding Fashion Secrets

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Petit Bouquet

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Creating a wedding registry is all sorts of fun – that is, if you registered with Macy’s. Because not only does registering with this retail powerhouse mean that you’re in for a bounty of beauty, but they’re also offering you and your sweetheart the ultimate sweepstakes. So why wait? Create a Macy’s Wedding Registry by June 30th, add your faves from Martha Stewart’s Collection and enter for a chance to win $15K!

Here’s a question for ya: why not get married at your favorite restaurant? Which is exactly what Tara and Deon did. In a truly heart-warming celebration filled to the brim with delicious moments, Charity Maurer Photography was on hand to capture every minute of the action. See it all firsthand in The Vault!

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From Charity Maurer Photography… In a ceremony focused on their shared love of family and friends, Tara and Deon tied the knot in Scottsdale, AZ at the exclusive Sassi Restaurant. Originally from Michigan, this sweet couple met at work and the rest is history. With their palette of soft grays, blushes, and shades of mint, this gorgeous wedding created a beautiful contrast against the rugged boulders of the Arizona desert. In addition to being a delight to the eyes, this wedding also warmed the heart. Rarely does an entire family demonstrate such love for one another on a day as stressful as a wedding can be, but this family surrounded one another with happiness and support. It made this event truly inspiring to witness, and we know that the bride, groom, family, and their invited guests will cherish the memories for years to come.

Photography: Charity Maurer Photography | Floral Design: Flowers By Jodi | Wedding Dress: Enzoani | Cake: Let Them Eat Cake | DJ: Ray The DJ | Wedding Venue: Sassi

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13 Reasons Why Hiring a Wedding Planner is Worth it

Beaded bridesmaids’ dresses, faux fur shrugs, golden hour lighting and a sparkler exit — does it get any more glam than that? Combine those elements with a New Year’s Eve wedding date, and you have all the makings of the most glamorous wedding possible. Fall in love with every moment of this gorgeous day, thanks to lovely photos from Carly McCray Photography, in The Vault!

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From Carly McCray Photography…You may remember Lindsay + Jake’s adorable Wisconsin engagement session (featured on SMP last summer!), when they visited my neck of the woods — the pine forests of Central Wisconsin — from where they call home in Chicago.

They welcomed the new year in style during a quiet evening ceremony at the Grand Geneva Resort on a snowy night, after years of a long-distance relationship between Minnesota and Chicago, and a secret bridge proposal with all of their friends watching.

All of their friends joined them in their NYE celebration, adorned in a soft palette of grays, blush BHLDN bridesmaids dresses, soft greens and gold tones. Sparks flew at a sparkler exit for the books, and the night wouldn’t be completely with, of course, a New Year’s countdown + celebrating late into the night!

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Photography: Carly McCray Photography | Floral Design: Frontier Flowers of Fontana | Wedding Dress:Jacinda Gown By Watters | Cake: Grand Geneva | Bride’s Shoes: Vince Camuto | Bridesmaids’ Dresses:BHLDN | Hair + Makeup: Clear Waters Salon And Day Spa | Groom’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse | Groomsmen Attire: Vera Wang Black For Men’s Warehouse | Venue: Grand Geneva Resort + Spa Mountain Top Chalet | Bridal Boutique – Bridesmaids’ Dresses: BHLDN | Bride’s Fur: Vintage | Groom’s Shoes: Allen Edmonds

Here’s proof that all you need is a breathtaking locale like the Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, some seriously sweet details and a group of your closest friends + family to celebrate your “I do’s” in serious style. Think stunning seaside “I do’s” meets al fresco dining meets a fireworks display that is all kinds of awesome. See every moment captured by Naal Wedding Photography in THE VAULT.

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From Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa… A lovely wedding happened this winter on Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa. Allie & Bowman met in 2011 after discovering they both had similar passions for travel, food, adventure and sports.

Four years after, Allie & Bowman celebrated their love with an intimate ceremony on the beach with their closest friends and family. They prepared a special itinerary to make sure everyone had fun while staying at Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, including snorkeling, sailing, and of course, the Wedding!

Fireworks, DJ and dancing and a beautiful decor were part of this celebration.

Photography: Naal Wedding Photography | Event Design: Canteiro | Venue: Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa

Move over diamonds, because this girl has got a new best friend – the timeless, the traditional, and the totally chic top-knot. Thanks to Emily Claire Events for dreaming up this beauty of a day (overflowing with Bella Figura goods nonetheless) and Jake and Heather Photo for capturing it all, we’ve got it waiting for you in The Vault!

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From Emily Claire Events… Savannah is know for its historic charm, tree lined streets, and fountains at every square. It is also the perfect location for the modern couple that is looking to have the elopement of a lifetime. All those beautiful historic details provide the perfect contrast for a modern fete. There is something to see and do at every turn and it really is a city full of fun. Jules and Josh had a chance to joyfully walk the streets of Savannah and revel in their love on a beautiful sunny Saturday in March.

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Photography: Jake + Heather | Event Design: Emily Claire Events | Floral Design: August Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Rivini | Stationery: Bella Figura | Bride’s Shoes: Chinese Laundry | Ring: Susie Saltzman| Makeup: Claudia Franz of Dollface by Jules​ | Hair: Mandy Russell of Dollface by Jules | Groom’s Attire: Generation Tux | Earrings: Bauble Bar

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Tips to Look Your Best at Your Engagement Session

The red lip. This dress. The views that legit cause gasps. All in one place; this Vault gallery is seriously stunning. Big props go out to Christine Clark for capturing it all for our viewing pleasure and to Passion Roots for giving us new bouquets to obsess over. All in all, this is our cup of tea if we do say so ourselves.

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From Christine Clark… For this inspiration shoot we nestled ourselves high up on a Hawaiian hill with the ocean far below us. With golden hour glowing, and delicate Sarah Janks dresses from Lace & Love fluttering in the wind, the setting was both barren and lush, sweeping and intimate. The light from the setting sun brought out the rich warmth of the champagne toned gown, while the rosy florals created by Passion Roots married with the romantic blush of the lace gown. An elegant calligraphy set by Alley & Co. added extra grace and beauty to the affair, mirroring the soft lines of the dresses. With dusty golden light and murmuring wind, this session was one for romance and dreaming.

In love with Hawaii? More beauty this way!

Photography: Christine Clark | Floral Design: Passion Roots | Wedding Dresses: Sarah Janks | Invitations: Alley & Co. | Hair + Makeup: Marissa Pastrana | Bridal Boutique: Love And Lace- A Bridal Boutique | Model: BJ Jiyarom

If there’s anyone who knows how to throw a unique wedding with loads of heart, it’s this couple. Along with their planner, A Family Affair of Maine, they incorporated so many meaningful details including a log cutting ceremony to celebrate their German descent and protea blooms as a nod to his South African birthplace. The incredible White Loft Studio came along to photograph and her captures are all waiting in The Vault.

From the Bride and Groom…We met in the fall of 2010 as undergraduates at Bowdoin College. Though it’s a small school and we’d been there at the same time for a full year, we didn’t meet until the start of the second year, when we happened to be in two classes together. As our officiant (the professor of one of those classes) noted during our wedding ceremony, we began that semester sitting on opposite sides of the classroom, but it wasn’t long before we were sitting next to each other.

The college we attended has a beautiful art museum with dramatic front steps, and it was a particularly mild fall. Rory emailed me to ask if I wanted to sit on the steps with him at dusk and eat kiwis. It was somewhat unusual but exceptionally sweet—a phrase I think describes us as a pair. We sat together for a long time, talking and watching the sun go down. I think the kiwis went forgotten.

The proposal all happened very organically. We knew early on that it was ‘the real deal’ and never felt uncomfortable discussing a future together, even before we were officially engaged. We designed rings for each other with the help of a Maine jeweler and carried them around for a while until the time was right.

In 2013, we made the difficult decision to spend two years an ocean apart so that Rory could study history in England and I could study writing in Iowa. We decided it was time to make our commitment to each other, so once we’d moved into an apartment in Iowa City, Iowa, we woke up early one morning and walked to a nearby park to propose. We sat in the grass under an oak tree and each described why we wanted to marry the other, and presented each other with rings. Afterwards, we had brunch at our favorite Iowa City diner.

Every couple is special in its own way, but one thing that we’re always surprised by is how unlikely it was that we had the chance to meet. Rory grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Katie was raised in various locations across the Midwestern and northeastern U.S. Rory is also a few years older, so had he not decided to spend a full year studying abroad during college, we wouldn’t have overlapped in college at all. Additionally, we’re very different. We think all the time about how lucky we are to have crossed paths.

We wanted to include some South African elements in our wedding to celebrate Rory’s background, so I asked the florist to include a few protea, the national flower of South Africa, in my bouquet and in the décor. We also offered our guests iced South African rooibos tea before the ceremony, and used small South African animal figurines, which our wedding planner spray-painted gold, as place-card holders.

One of the craziest and most fun parts of our wedding was the log-cutting ceremony. Rory and I are both of German descent, so we researched German wedding traditions and discovered a ceremony in which the bride’s father and brothers fell a tree and the newly married couple saws through it together as their first obstacle in marriage. Rory and his dad cut down the tree together the day before the wedding, and my dad, brother, and cousins carried the log into the ceremony venue. The guests seemed to really enjoy the spectacle of the log cutting, and it was one of the most memorable moments from the day.

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Photography: White Loft Studio | Wedding Planning + Design: A Family Affair of Maine | Floral Design:Broadturn Farm | Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids’ dresses: JCrew | Caterering: Dandelion Catering | Makeup: Bride | Hair: Big Day Beauty | Lighting: The Event Light Pros | DJ: Dionne Entertainment| Band: Lay-Z Gait Trio | Groomsmen Ties: Liberty London | Groom’s Attire: J.Crew | Groomsmen Attire:The Black Tux | Venue: The Barn on Walnut Hill | Venue: The Barn on Walnut Hill | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Bride’s Robe: BHLDN | Bridesmaids Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Event Rentals: One Stop Party Shoppe | Event Rentals: A Family Affair of Maine | Event Rentals : Heartwood Essentials | Invites:Stationery Bakery | Veil: Melinda Rose Designs | Wedding Cake / Desserts: Nothing Bakes Like A Parrott| Wedding Favors (macarons]: Nothing Bakes Like A Parrott

Leslie Musser of One Brass Fox blogger fame has us all dreaming of a pied-a-terre with industrial bones and girly touches thanks to this Boston loft. It’s a space that is all made up with floral wallpaper, scrumptious velvet and whitewashed brickwork. And would you guess that it started out as an old firehouse? Color us impressed. See the full tour captured by Amy Emily in the VAULT.

Just over a year ago, my husband Eric and I put our condo on the market. We were convinced that life’s next step would take us into the heart of Boston. We were prepared to downgrade to a place one-third this size if it cut our commute. But, after months on the market, we had no buyers biting. And, following a long talk over double-shot cappuccinos, we decided to stay put. For me, that meant an interior upgrade–making every inch of this space feel like home. So the past few months have been a challenging yet delightful process of bringing my vision to life.

One of the reasons we loved this space initially was the combination of exposed brick and industrial ductwork. It felt so open-concept yet inviting. But what I quickly realized was the way that beloved red brick darkened each room. So a first order of business was whitewashing those walls and enhancing natural light. From there, my guiding approach to our loft décor was crafting a clean environment that mixed modern with vintage and offered an organic entertaining flow.

DINING ROOM

I’m truly smitten with our dining room. That wallpapered nook was one of the first projects I conquered when we moved into the loft. And since then it’s been a piece-meal project, acquiring one furniture item at a time. We befriended a local vintage furniture dealer who swiftly became our go-to man. He provided most of the wood items here (heirloom grandfather clock aside) that created a cohesive space. So now we look for any excuse to extend the table leaves and crowd together with friends or family to enjoy home-cooked meals. And how cute is that ‘bon appetit’ wire sign!? Etsy wins again.

Buffet, Table, Chairs, China Cabinet: Vintage Dealer | Bar Cart: Home Goods | Lacquer Tray: West Elm | Moscow Mule Mugs: Bed Bath & Beyond | Bar Tool Set: World Market | Cocktail Shaker: Target | Bottle Opener: Anthropologie | Decanter: Amazon | Wallpaper: Burke Décor | Rug: Unique Loom | Lamp: Home Goods | Hanging Chair: (similar here) | Sheepskin Throws: Ikea | Pillow: Walmart | Wire Sign: Etsy | Air Plant Hangers: Etsy

KITCHEN

For my blog I spend a good deal of time cooking + baking, therefore it was important to have a kitchen that felt both workable and photographable. The original kitchen was rich cherry cabinets and moody, green granite countertops. But the fact that there are no windows in the space meant those design choices really closed it off—a.k.a. it felt oppressive. So we painted the cabinets a grayish white, changed out silver hardware for sleek brass accents, and popped on Carrera marble counters. Now it reflects natural light from the rest of the house and creates a great focal point.

Utensil Holder: Crate & Barrel | Stools: Amazon | Pendant Lights: Etsy | Cabinet Pulls: Knobs4Less | Outlet Covers: House of Antique Hardwares | Spice Rack: Etsy | Knife Block: Bloomingdale’s | Fruit Bowl: Target | Espresso Machine: Bloomingdale’s | Plant Stand: Etsy

TV ROOM

This room took me the longest to finalize. It has some odd angles and endless possible configurations. I knew my hope was to have it be the central spot where guests congregated. So every little knick-knack needed to be perfectly placed. The unifying furniture items were our velvet slub ottoman and vintage media cabinet.

They epitomize my style with brass accents, timeless materials, and modern lines. Plus, knowing a gallery wall was the no-brainer for our tall ceilings, I jumped at the chance to work with Minted in picking artwork. Everything truly exceeded our expectations. We easily spend the majority of our time here and now I’m grateful for all the extra effort we expended.

Gallery Wall: Minted c/o | Ottoman: Anthropologie | Lucite Tray: Amazon | Couch: Macy’s | End Tables: Home Goods | Pillows: Etsy | Ghost Chairs: Amazon | Sheepskin Throws: Ikea | Media Cabinet: Vintage Dealer | Rug: Home Goods | Vase: Amazon | Perpetual Calendar: West Elm | Plant Mister: CB2 | Ceramic Plate: Etsy c/o | Decorative Knobs: Anthropologie

SITTING ROOM

To be honest, we have more space than is necessary for just the two of us. So, while I wouldn’t say a formal seating area was necessary, it’s proved to be a really lovely perk. Funky bistro lights and a vibrantly colored rug offset the traditional hutch and mirror.

It’s not an ‘everyday use’ area (if you sat on the couch you’d know it’s not broken in yet), but it’s convenient for parties or game nights.

Couch: World Market | Nesting Tables: Amazon | Chairs: Wayfair | Mirror: Home Goods | Bistro Lights: Amazon | Hutch: Home Goods | Plant Pot: Amazon | Throw Pillow: Home Goods | Rug: Wayfair | Tray: J.Crew

BEDROOM

Eric was a saint in letting me paint our bedroom pink. The pastel hue felt serene and inviting. So I balanced its femininity with more masculine, darker wood tones. This space gets the best light in the whole loft and I picked up on that with all-white bedding and an understated area rug. For artwork, I kept to simple, standout pieces: a handmade macramé wall hanging from The River Haze and an oversized print my sister gifted us from our one year anniversary photo shoot. Finally, as a fashion blogger, I love the idea of keeping a few key wardrobe stapes front-and-center. 

For artwork, I kept to simple, standout pieces: a handmade macramé wall hanging from The River Haze and an oversized print my sister gifted us from our one year anniversary photo shoot. Finally, as a fashion blogger, I love the idea of keeping a few key wardrobe stapes front-and-center.

So my metal hanging rack accomplishes just that. Overall, our bedroom perfectly balances the tranquility of a good night’s sleep with the energy of an early morning rise.

Wall Hanging: The River Haze c/o | Bed Frame: Amazon | Standing Mirror: Home Goods | Shams: West Elm | Throw Pillow: Home Goods | Dressers: Vintage Dealer | Mirror: Ikea | Clothing Rack: Ikea | Stools: Target | Rug: RugsUSA | Lamps: Ikea | Plant Hanger: Amazon | Makeup Mirror: Nordstrom | Makeup Tray: West Elm

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OUTFITS

Dress: MINKPINK | Heels: Banana Republic | Tee: Joe’s Jeans | Jeans: Madewell | Mules: Old Navy

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Get Your Home Decor on with these…

3 Ways to incorporate Wallpaper
10 Unique Ways to Add Paint to Your Home
20 Genius Ways to Decorate Your Hallway

Photography: Amy Emily | Home Of: One Brass Fox | Interior Design: One Brass Fox

If I am being completely honest, vacation mode for me includes a whole lot of relaxation vs. adventure seeking. That means a gorgeous pool (preferably overlooking the ocean) is a must on my checklist. Sound like your kind of getaway? Add one (or all!) of these dreamy pools to your wanderlist.

5 of the Dreamiest Ever Pools We Want to Float In Stat

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5 of the Dreamiest Ever Pools We Want to Float In Stat

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We’ll be the first to tell you — wedding planning isn’t always sunshine and roses. Between picking vendors, dealing with over-involved in-laws and finalizing your guest list, there are bound to be some hiccups (and a tad bit of stress) along the way. Although your hubby-to-be may seem calm and collected, what happens when that cool exterior starts to crack? Here are 20 surefire ways you’re driving your fiancé up the wall…whether he admits it or not! CLICK THE PHOTO!

20 Ways You're Driving Your FiancÉ Crazy

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20 Ways You're Driving Your FiancÉ Crazy

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There’s nothing better than getting lost in a book that you just can’t put down. Sure, you may be yawning more the next day, but every reader knows that good prose is 100 percent worth the exhaustion. And with these juicy reads, all we can say is get ready for a sleepless summer because these new books are way too good to put down. Start your summer reading list below!

Best Books of Summer

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Best Books of Summer

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Get in Vacation Mode Now!

What to Pack for Your Honeymoon | The Best Vacation for Your Zodiac Sign | Pack the Perfect Beach Bag

Summer is here and the temperature will be rising in more ways than one. Reason being? We’ve shopped around for a few sexy summer staples that should be in your trousseau pronto. Think luxe lace, sweet eyelet details, and even a few polka dots for good measure. Get ready to buy below!

Summer Lingerie For the Bride

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Summer Lingerie For the Bride

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More inspo below!

What To Wear Under Your Gown | Elegant Bridal Boudoir | Boudoir Session Inspo

Every now and then a wedding comes along that’s a total breath of fresh air, and this right here certainly fits the bill. Designed with the softest shades of blue, yellow, ivory, plus a little punch of teal, the color palette beautifully played off The Golden Gate Club setting and the Bay Area’s outdoor scenery. Sending all the virtual hugs to Brumley & Wells for amazing gallery waiting in The Vault.

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From Brumley and Wells…Jeremy & Allie’s love story was pure romance from the beginning, with a chance meeting in Chicago, followed by long distance communication, and trips back and forth across the country to see each other. Eventually, Jeremy moved to San Francisco to be with Allie and to complete his residency. It only made sense that they’d be married here, minutes from the Golden Gate bridge and surrounded by the foliage of The Presidio, which is quintessential to the Bay Area landscape.

Photography: Brumley & Wells | Cinematography: Acorn Films | Event Design + Planning: Amanda O'Shannessy Creative | Floral Design: Lambert Floral Studio | Cake: Pretty Please Bakeshop | Invitations: Brightroom Studio | Catering: Fraiche | Hair + Makeup: Kelly Jones Makeup | Lighting: Got Light | Band: The 415s | Ceremony Music: Ivy Hill Entertainment | Transportation: Urban Limos | Venue: Golden Gate Club | Bridesmaids Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Desserts: Fraiche | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Rentals: One True Love Vintage Rentals

The minute I said my “I do’s,” I started throwing dinner parties like it was no one’s business. But here’s the deal.  I’m not crafty.  So all of those sweet DIY details that really make a party POP?  I turn to Skillshare, the crazy cool community where creatives come together to teach + learn everything. Think 5,000+ classes on topics from design to DIY to making French Macarons.  There’s even a sweet promo code for free unlimited access that you can redeem right here!  Me + DIY tutorials = an awesome party. I sooo got this.

STEP 1: DESIGN A HAND-LETTERED INVITATION

We’ve all dreamt of crafting the perfect invitations and with Skillshare’s amazing class, Preparing for Letterpress: Design a Hand-Lettered Invitation, that dream is now a total reality.  I mean, what’s better than designing, laying out and choosing lettering style pairings, then sending off your creation to a letterpress printer like a pro?  Answer: absolutely nothing, loves.

STEP 2: CREATE PAPER FLOWERS WITH BOOK PAGES

Every great party needs beautiful blooms and with Skillshare, you can wow your guests with paper flowers made from book pages.  Yes, I just said that and it’s as awesome as you think.  In just 21 easy minutes, you’ll be tearing those pages from your fave novels (spare ones, of course) and setting your table with some of the most interesting + talk-worthy centerpieces you OR your guests have ever seen. Even better? No matter the skill set, this sweet tutorial has you totally covered. It’s that simple.

STEP 3: MAKE YOUR OWN FRENCH MACARONS

Guys, I love French macarons. Like love, love, love them.  So when I saw that Skillshare offered a class on baking up these yummy delicacies, well… let’s just say that a happy dance ensued.  And you know that I’ll be using this sweet (pun intended) tutorial for my next great get-together.  They’re colorful, tasty and take only 32 minutes to learn.

STEP 4: INTERIOR STYLING: STYLE YOUR SPACE LIKE A PRO

So, we’ve all done that last-minute re-arranging before all of our guests arrive.  A new vase there, a lamp move here, maybe a new photo that looks just right in the dining room.  But with Skillshare’s fabulous class on interior styling, you’ll be MORE than prepared with everything from floral + coffee table styling to sofa pillow how-to’s to getting that bookshelf just so.

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Whether you’re channeling your inner Martha Stewart or simply want to get your craft game on, head to Skillshare to peruse their 5,000+ classes in everything from design to business photography.  And don’t forget to use code SMPFREE for three months of Skillshare Premium for FREE right here (Code expires December 31, 2016). Your creativity is waiting.

Because flats? Well they’re totally fab. Think casually comfortable to majorly embellished, bride’s everywhere are forging height in honor of happy feet. See a few footwear favorites that’ll have you bidding adieu to your sky high stunners in lieu of something a little more grounded. See our picks below!

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Even More Cute + Comfy Ballet Flats

Cute + Comfy Ballet Flats

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Cute + Comfy Ballet Flats

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Our brides have spoken, these pretty lil’ party gowns are the most popular bridesmaids dresses ever. From conveniently convertible to classically chic, we’ve rounded up a few of the most desired gowns that are perfect for every bridal party. See which designers made the list below, and find even more Bridesmaid inspiration here!

The Most Popular Bridesmaid's Dresses

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The Most Popular Bridesmaid's Dresses

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More Bridesmaid Inspiration Below!

Pastel Bridesmaid Gowns | How to Pick your Bridesmaids | Secrets From a Paid Bridesmaid

Easy – write your own vows. Because honestly, nothing is sweeter (and more tear-inducing) than hearing two people you care about proclaim their love and affection in their own handwritten words. From funny anecdotes, to sweet promises of forever, we guarantee that these words from the heart will be the ultimate payoff in terms of brining every single one of your witnesses to happy tears.

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Need a little help on how to get started? Click below!

Tips on Writing Your Vows

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Tips on Writing Your Vows

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Write your vows in a card | Advice for all newlyweds | A Pen Pal Love Story

Unsurprising fact: intimate weddings are my absolute favorite. Take these California cuties as example, for their backyard celebration is as sweet as they come. Complete with a small guest list, elegant outdoor ceremony, and one stylish couple, Christine Choi Photography captured it all to share in The Vault!

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From Christine Choi Photography… This simple cozy wedding was perfect for these two. The venue was at a friend’s beautiful backyard, with only close family members were present to celebrate with them. The bride wore a strapless, white lace midi dress with a sweetheart neckline and a pair of cute little white heeled sandals that she found at a mall near her home. They were just enough to make her a blushing bride but not over the top for her special day. Her hair was swept over one side with gorgeous curls that made her look elegant and stylish. He wore a suit that fit him like a pair of gloves with deep dark brown shoes. His blue and white strip tie went well with his “dandy” look. This intimate wedding was the perfect start to their celebration that continued to their honeymoon to Bora Bora!
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Photography: Christine Choi Photography | Floral Design: Family Friend | Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal| Ceremony Venue: Friend’s Irvine Home | Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden | Hair + Makeup: Bride | Groom’s Attire: Armani | Groom’s Shoes: To Boot NY

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