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

The 2-Step Trick for Taking a Perfect Bae Selfie! Miranda Kerr Nails It.

In a world where selfies make an appearance at every event, I think we can all be a bit overzealous in perfecting our look for those photo ops. And often times way too critical of ourselves too. But really, it’s all in the angle. So next time you take a selfie with your bae (or bff) try this trick below, that Miranda Kerr does so beautifully.

A photo posted by Miranda (@mirandakerr) on May 14, 2016 at 3:35am PDT

Tilt your head to the side at about a 45 degree angle to highlight your cheekbones and the shape of your face. Also flattering for your nose!

Pull your shoulders back, elongate your spine and point your chin downward a touch. This will help highlight your collar bone and let your eyes shine front and center. Happy selfie-ing!

[dotted]

We're Stealing These 8 Blogger Looks for Our Weekend Uniform

View Slideshow

We're Stealing These 8 Blogger Looks for Our Weekend Uniform

View Slideshow

[dotted]

More fashion + beauty inspiration this way!

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

Champagne, Crepes, and Lavender! All things French Live in this Provencal Wedding Inspiration

If I could, I would move right into this pretty lil’ gallery. Because when something includes every single one of your favorite things, it’s hard to resist residency. A day complete with Buttercream Bakery cookies and Alicia Lacey Photography behind the lens, we’ve got it all waiting in The Vault!

From Alicia Lacey Photography… This romantic Provencal wedding shoot took place in the stunning hedged gardens of Oatlands Plantation with each element designed to inspire the couple who takes pleasure in all things French: fine wine, sharp cheese, and delicious pastries. Commonly a more secluded region of this beautiful country, we wanted the setup to include subtle neutral tones with varying hues of purple as a nod to the lavender fields that fill the area. In true European fashion, the bride’s soft hair and makeup were complemented by her understated gown that featured hints of lace and a dreamy low back. The couple shared a few intimate moments alone with one another before indulging the day that lie ahead.

Red, White + Booze Cocktails To Complete Your Memorial Day

A day spent sipping and sailing like that crafted by Kari Rider Events + Karena Dixon sounds just about right for Memorial Day. Remembering those lost, embracing those you love and enjoying the warm weather. Hopefully you are doing all of the above. And even if you’re no where near a boat, we’ve taken the sip out of sip & sail and have a lineup of cocktails perfect for celebrating the unofficial start to summer.

Just in time for the unofficial start to summer, we gathered a few friends, stocked a cooler with our favorite seasonal cocktails, boarded a gorgeous 29-foot Hinckley and set out for a scenic “Sip & Sail” on some of the Chesapeake Bay’s most scenic waters. The breeze was light, the laughs were hearty, the familiar warmth of summer finally in our grasp again.

A 2005 Hinckley 29R was the setting of this classic coastal happy hour on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. We kept the decor simple, using pattern play in the accent pillows, coasters, place mats and rugs to create a water-oriented palette that ran the blue spectrum. Nothing beat the scenic shoreline views and golden hour light, though! Cheers!

[dotted]

Red, White and Booze

View Slideshow

Red, White and Booze

View Slideshow

Classic Southern Romance Done Oh-So-Right

Their love story started like something straight out of a romantic movie (seriously), so it only makes sense that these two cuties would host a wedding day that is most definitely cinema worthy. Think lush florals from Branch Design Studio, the perfect stylings of Cibi Events and a stunning lace masterpiece from Gabriella New York. Fall in love with every Southern classic moment captured beautifully by Marni Rothschild in THE VAULT.

Colors

Seasons

Spring Weddings

Settings

Outdoor Weddings Weddings in Historical Venues

Styles

Al Fresco

From Marni Rothschild… You know that story that starts with, “They both lived in New York, he saw a beautiful girl from afar walking down the street, and he knew he had to meet her. He finds out that they both work in the same office (gasp) and now he has his chance…they end up falling in love, getting married and now they are starting their happily ever after.” This is that story!

Kathryn and Brian live and met in New York, they both work in finance and were office mates long before they started dating. Of course Kathryn remembered notable “firsts” like their first kiss but it wasn’t until their wedding ceremony when she learned that Brian remembered the first time he set eyes on her. He spotted her walking on the street in Midtown in the middle of the morning rush crowd, a tall blonde in a black dress, and much to his relief she wound up walking right into the same office as he did. Eight years later with the help of Cibi Events, they tied the knot at Lowndes Grove under a clear blue sky that made their bright color palette pop even more. All those deep pinks (even her nails!!) and the blue bridesmaids’ gowns from Amsale would leave anyone spellbound with delight. There was the sweetest first dance with Brian and his mom, a flower girl that almost stole the show, a naked cake with luscious cascading peonies and the bride playing an epic air guitar on her leg in 4 inch Jimmy Choo’s. TWICE. Quiana Parler and her band have that effect on people. Finish with a sparkler sendoff in a Bentley = wedding perfection.

Kathryn and Brian chose Charleston for their wedding for two reasons: the magnificent early spring weather and the majestic live oaks.

The design of the wedding was based on the contrast of Black Tie sophistication with the rustic style of the Lowcountry. This made Lowndes Grove the perfect venue for their ceremony and reception.

An illustration of an Oak tree was used as the monogram for their invitation suit. While it is a fairly iconic symbol of the South, Kathryn and Brian also felt that the strength and durability of the Mighty Oak tree was the perfect representation of the profound gratitude they have for their families blended with the hope they have for solidity and fortitude of their future. The Oak’s unwavering stability is reflective of the family values instilled in both Kathryn and Brian and proven by their parents, who act as not only strong supporters of the couple, but also as models for their marriage.

The Oak tree symbol was carried throughout the design elements, including a custom made corn hole toss and hand-stamped mini burlap bags filled with “grits of gratitude” that the guests were given as a takeaway.

Quite fittingly, the ceremony was held under a 300 year old, live oak tree at the river’s edge, and the ceremony was officiated by a dear friend and pastor who sprinkled the service with personal anecdotes as well as words of wisdom. The ceremony was followed by cocktails on the oyster tabby. Guests enjoyed a live jazz trio as they played corn hole on those very same boards that were customized by the bride’s brother and girlfriend. As the sun began its descent, dinner commenced on the tented terrace as Kathryn and Brian kicked off the reception with their first dance to Ray LaMontagne’s “You are the Best Thing”, as sung by one of Charleston’s most definitive Divas- Quiana Parler.

Bright pink floral arrangements with pops of greens filled the tables. Lush Peonies, Ranunculus, Roses, Dahlias and Tulips combined with accents of Anemones, Astilbe, Angels Ferns, and Ivy spilled over the silver footed compotes and candelabras. The bright, colorful flowers were a welcome and uplifting change from the long, gray New York and Boston winter that most of the guests had just left behind. These striking arrangements were off-set by white farm tables, rough-hewn wooden chairs, and a subtle mix-match of petal leaf china and exquisite crystal stemware. Hand calligraphed menus incorporated watercolor art from the Save-the-Date cards, and doubled as a design element and place cards. Tiny, pink Tea Rose posies were placed at each setting at the head table, as crystal chandeliers sparkled above.

For an added touch of romance, we couldn’t resist a Charleston hanging bed- complete with a crystal chandelier, of course! As night swept over the venue, café string lights (the groom’s favorite and a gift from his beloved grandmother “Gummy”) twinkled above the open air bar and illuminated the lounge area as guests relaxed on vintage settees and armchairs. The taffeta-lined tent glowed from the soft amber uplighting and hundreds of glimmering candle-filled mercury votives and glass hurricanes.

The wedding cake was a stunning 4-tiered “naked cake” with an astounding amount of cascading peonies in a myriad of vibrant hues of pink.

When the time came to bid the couple farewell, Kathryn and Brian were given a sparkling Bon Voyage as they were swept off into the moonlight in a white vintage Bentley.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Bridesmaid Dresses

Amsale

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

Amsale Bridesmaids Spring 2014

Additional Styles by Amsale

Amsale Bridal Fall 2014

Amsale Bridal Spring 2015

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Amsale Bridal Blue Label

Amsale Bridal Spring 2016

Amsale Bridal Fall 2016

Amsale Bridal Spring 2018

Amsale Bridal Fall 2018

Amsale Bridesmaids

View All Collections

Set Sail For An Engagement At Sea

Today marks the unofficial kickoff of summer (!!!) and thanks to Best Photography we’ve got an engagement session that’s the perfect of inspiration for all your warm-weather adventures. Set on the most darling of sailboats, this couple planned a picnic for two and you can see how it all played out inside The Vault.

From Best Photography… Nothing beats photographing a couple in love, on a sailboat, cruising the coast of Madeira Beach Florida. Talk about an amazing shoot! The weather was absolutely perfect and getting to photograph these two on this gorgeous sailboat was an incredible experience. Not to mention the fancy cheese, wine, and a cool crisp breeze to keep us all cozy for the evening. Captured on film, Alyssa and MJ’s love shines, and this engagement inspiration will have you longing for a trip to the ocean.

Photography: Best Photography | Film Lab: The Find Lab

[dotted]

Love the Bride’s Look? Shop Our Fave Litle White Dresses.

Chic Little White Dresses

View Slideshow

Chic Little White Dresses

View Slideshow

What Happens When You’ve Been Planning Your Wedding Since Childhood

Not all Brides have been planning their dream day since childhood, but when a Bride has had that much time to envision her perfect wedding, you can bet it’s going to be lovely — just like this beautiful Bride’s dreamy lavender day from Katydid Signature Floral & Event Design. And thanks to Love And Light Photographs and Michael Simons Wedding Films, you can pore over all the pretty in The Vault!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/148029355 600 338]

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Ballroom Weddings Religious Institution

Styles

Classic Weddings

From The Bride…Starting at a very young age, I knew exactly what my wedding would be like, simple yet elegant, classic and timeless. The church, venue, hair stylist, the shoes, rings, the month and even the one year engagement were already planned, the only thing truly missing was the groom. Years later, when I finally met my husband, he had a few thoughts of his own…he popped the question a half year earlier than he was “supposed” to according to my plan. I was afraid that with more time meant I would be more indecisive on the decisions that I did not already have planned, creating unnecessary stress! Looking back on our engagement I realize now how right he was to have a longer engagement. My mom and I had the time to deal with one thing at a time. And, with the help of my wedding planner, Ann Hawley, once we made a decision, we moved on to the next. Having more time meant that we did not have to rush around trying to get a few things booked at once. The time allowed us to research our vendors and book the ones we loved because we were far enough out.

Finding the right vendors was extremely important to me. I knew when my Big Day came, they would be the ones I would be interacting with and I wanted passionate, caring, creative and driven people surrounding me. I wanted their fun-loving attitudes to add to such a memorable occasion! With choosing vendors, that meant that this control freak bride had to give up some of that control, but with my vendors it was super easy to let them take the reigns. I simply told myself “they are experts in their respected field, which is why you hired them! Trust them!” Almost every vendor put my trust to the test at least once. Jessa would have Chris and I pose in some silly positions, Kate wanted ribbons to flow from the center pieces, Kevin planned to have the guests dancing, sitting, dancing, sitting, and Mike insisted that we wait to write our cards to one another until the day of, in front of the camera. Ironically, these times became some of my favorite parts about our wedding. Those silly poses lead to beautiful photographs, the lilac ribbons added a touch of elegance, the order of the night kept the guests on the dance floor longer, and writing our cards to one another on film is a priceless memory we will always treasure. Each and every one of my vendors took a little girl’s dream and made it into a real life fairytale.

Towards the middle of the reception, Jessa and Mike pulled Chris and I away to capture some footage on the docks while the sun was setting. At first I was hesitant to leave the party but I wanted those pictures! After a few short moments we were headed back to the reception. As Chris and I re-entered the reception from the back staircase we were completely overwhelmed with the scene in front of us. Our closest family and friends, who traveled from near and far, were all dancing and singing along with the band with an excessive amount of pure joy and happiness. As we stood there briefly, Chris and I realized how blessed we were to have such wonderful people in our lives. It was their contagious love and happiness for the two of us that took our breath away.

At the end of the day, every person involved in our wedding from our families, the bridal party, guests and vendors made our day magical and unforgettable.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Amsale

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

Amsale Bridesmaids Spring 2014

Additional Styles by Amsale

Amsale Bridal Fall 2014

Amsale Bridal Spring 2015

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Amsale Bridal Blue Label

Amsale Bridal Spring 2016

Amsale Bridal Fall 2016

Amsale Bridal Spring 2018

Amsale Bridal Fall 2018

Amsale Bridesmaids

View All Collections

Pronovias

ATELIER PRONOVIAS

PRONOVIAS

Dancing Lights, Cruise Collection

View All Collections

Sneak a Peek at Our Blogger Bride’s Wedding Plans!

Hey friends! Thanks for following along on our wedding planning journey so far. I’m SO excited to show you our wedding venue today. My mom and I went to see Holman Ranch before we were even engaged, because we happened to be in the area and had heard amazing things.

After exhaustive research, we decided to land on Holman Ranch for our September 2016 wedding. For many reasons, this was the perfect place to say “I do”! First, it is obviously gorgeous and has the most amazing view of the Carmel Valley. Second, it makes it possible to have your entire wedding ceremony and reception all in one place. No traveling for guests was very important to us. Third, it fit our wedding style (eclectic, rustic and romantic) and has endless photo options. Fourth, it has guest rooms on the property if guests want to stay there. Lastly, we knew we were going to have our wedding in California (even though we live in Michigan) so we wanted to choose a location that was a beautiful vacation spot for those guests coming in from out of town. It checked all of our boxes!

With the most stunning ceremony spot with sweeping views of the Carmel Valley, gorgeous buildings, the perfect quaint patio for dinner and an updated barn for dancing, we couldn’t be more excited!After we made our venue decision, I wanted to compile a team of vendors who were more than just a vendor– I wanted to have a team of artists and people I genuinely loved, not just admired their work. Since I’m immersed in the wedding industry a bit, I had a good idea of some people I wanted to have as a part of our day! Since this is often one of the most daunting aspects of pulling together your wedding day, I’ve come up with a few tips to help you compile your wedding day vendor team.

One of my sweetest friends in the wedding industry is Danielle of Danielle Poff Photography. It was a no brainer that she would shoot our wedding! I love her personality, her style and that she shoots with film. So dreamy! Next up, we decided on the ever-talented Michelle Lywood for our flowers. With a joyful spirit and genuine love for people and whimsical, natural flowers, I knew this was the perfect match. Beautiful flowers are what dreams are made of! Then we nailed down our caterers. As I mentioned, we wanted a cohesive team of people for our wedding, so when both Holman Ranch and our coordinators suggested Paradise Catering, there were no questions asked! Going with a company who comes highly recommended is so comforting. Shortly after this, we decided on our DJ who came highly recommended as well, John Belmont Entertainment. I totally trust our wedding will flow perfectly because of everyone on our team.

[dotted]

5 tips on assembling your vendor dream team

Determine your budget. This dictates everything you plan for your wedding, including which vendors you can work with! sometimes vendors will list their minimums or starting prices on their website. If not, email them to inquire!

Nail down your style & feel for the day and make a list of vendors who fall in line with your style.
Go through their websites, look at their work on other websites, etc. You want to familiarize yourself with the styles of each potential vendor!

Determine your top 3-5 most important venders / aspects of your wedding. Personally, I think the venue, photographer, catering, and coordinator / wedding planner are the most important aspects. I say this because the venue dictates the overall feel of the day, the coordinator determines how successful the flow of the day is, the photographer is the only vendor that preserves your wedding for a lifetime, and the catering is what keeps your guests happy :) Of course I see my entire as equally important in the greater scheme of things, but these were the first few we hired.

Ask around, research and meet with your vendors. Before hiring and signing on the dotted line, make sure you ask friends who they worked with, what they liked and didn’t like about their vendors, ask your wedding planner who he/she prefers to work with, read online reviews, and of course, be sure to meet with said vendors before hiring them! You really want to make sure you’re on the same page with the style, the cost, and ensure your personalities are a good match.

As I mentioned, I not only wanted to hire talented vendors, but I also wanted to hire people who’s heart and passion I could easily see. This is a big day for us, so anyone I could hire that would be equally as excited as us was my goal!

Hire one or two key vendors first and then get their suggestions for the rest of the team.

[dotted]

Even though I plan events as my job, I knew I needed someone amazing to help coordinate our wedding. Enter Allison and Audrey of Engaged & Inspired. Not only do they create beautiful events, but they also work at Holman Ranch often, so I was incredibly confident in their ability to coordinate for us. I’ve also followed Allison on Instagram for years and know she is kind and talented. I know my family and I can rest easy, knowing we are in great hands!

[dotted]

Follow Michaela’s Journey down the aisle!

Meet the Bride | Home Tour | Inspo Tips | Gift Box

Michaela Warner

Blogger Bride

Michaela Noelle Designs

20 Trendy Beach Towels that will have You Sitting Pretty this Summer

Ever since turkish towels came into my life I have fully abandoned traditional beach towels. Gone are the days of that faded, insanely colored hodge podge collection that we all have sitting in our linen closets. Now it’s all about a well styled sand blanket. Think round, tasseled, printed and patterned. The kind of beauties that take you from beach to picnic and look so good doing it. Sift through our short list of summer faves to add to your growing collection.

Beach Towel Chic

View Slideshow

Beach Towel Chic

View Slideshow

[dotted]

More Summer Style Ideas to Check Out

Pull Together any Summer Look| CliffsNotes for a Killer Party | Hammocks for Summer Lounging

[dotted]

5 Completely Different Wedding Day Hair + Makeup Looks in Just 88 Seconds

You’ve got a lot of options when it comes to your wedding day hair and makeup — do you go beachy with loose waves and bronze makeup? Classic with a pretty updo and rosy pink cheeks? Boho chic with a romantic braid and natural glow? Vintage with pinned curls and a berry lip? Or maybe high fashion with a trendy top knot dramatic eye? Take a peek at this video from Elysium Creative Media and Design Visage Beauty to see all five and decide which look makes you feel your most beautiful!

MustWatch_swash-01

[dotted]

More Hair + Makeup Inspiration

Beauty Inspiration to Steal from Bridal Week

View Slideshow

Beauty Inspiration to Steal from Bridal Week

View Slideshow

[dotted]

Cinematography: Elysium Creative Media | Hair + Makeup: Design Visage Beauty

Wedding Registry Items You Can’t Find In The Stores

While we’re not usually ones to say no to shopping, when it comes to unique registry ideas, thinking beyond the shops can lead to some pretty fun and exciting experiences. From honeymoon activities to expanding your horizons or raising funds for causes near and dear to your heart, we’re on board. We may dream of that espresso machine but we don’t doubt the satisfaction factor in these ideas as well!

Offbeat Registry Items

View Slideshow

Offbeat Registry Items

View Slideshow

[dotted]

More Registry 101 Goodies

ABC’s of Registries | Top 10 Registry Essentials | Registry Etiquette 101

Imagine Prince Harry, But Even Better. That’s Who This Bride Married

When this gorgeous Bride called her father with the news that she met a man in London named Harry, his reaction was “Prince Harry???” She answered, “No Dad, even better.” And when you watch Dailey and Harry’s wedding film from Hoo Films you’ll see why. This gorgeous couple’s love radiates off the screen and fills your heart with happiness and joy. Take a look below!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/140989830 600 338]

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Hotels + Resorts Weddings Religious Institution

Styles

Classic Weddings

From Hoo Films…The first thing Dailey’s dad asked her when she told him she met a man in London named Harry was “Prince Harry???” Her response? “No dad, even better.” The beautiful words continued throughout the night with some heartfelt and comical speeches. Another of my favorites from this film – “The greatest happiness of life is to love and be loved. Standing here today, I can say that I understand what it’s like to enjoy that greatest happiness.” – Words that make my heart melt from Harry to Dailey at their stunning outside reception at Hotel Bel Air. These two have a quiet, yet loud love for each other which lit up the candlelit night. People from all over, even a huge crowd from London came to celebrate Dailey and Harry on their big day. Don’t miss all the beauty in the words spoken for Dailey + Harry!

The One Pineapple Cocktail That Might Just Beat a Pina Colada

Now, being a piña colada lover, that is a bold statement title coming from me. But after seeing what the talented team at the Whaling Club delivered yesterday in our How To Be a Master Bartender feature? I don’t doubt that this summery concoction would make my tastebuds do a happy dance. After you’re done drooling over the image from Rebecca Yale, grab the recipe below!

Dunmore Buck

prep time
2 Minute/s

cook time

total time
2 Minute/s

Ingredients

2 dashes aromatic bitters
1/2 oz lime juice
3/4 oz ginger syrup
1 oz pineapple juice
2 oz blended scotch

Instructions

Combine ingredients in a shaking tin.
Shake, strain into a collins glass, and top with club soda.
Garnish with a wedge of pineapple and a straw.

[dotted]

Poolside Cocktails

View Slideshow

Poolside Cocktails

View Slideshow

[dotted]

See all of our cocktail recipes here!

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Cocktail: The Whaling Club

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

Photography

Rebecca Yale Photography

View Portfolio

A Backyard Wedding That Will Convice You to Get Married at Home

A backyard wedding is touching as it is, but add in that this couple wed in the Bride’s family home just makes it all the more unforgettable. A chic celebration centered around family, Kelsey & Andrew planned the sweetest shindig and thankfully Alison Duffy Photography captured it all to share. From the stunning ceremony to their sparkling exit, we’ve got all that and more waiting for you in The Vault!

Colors

Seasons

Fall Weddings

Settings

Backyard

Styles

Whimsical

From Alison Duffy Photography… Kelsey & Andrew have grown up with each other their whole lives as their dads have been best friends since college. As fate would have it, their love story began down the road when Andrew asked her to go to Cardinals baseball game with him and there was instant chemistry.

When it came time for their big day, it only seemed perfect to have their wedding in the yard of the bride’s family home, with a focus on family. The bride Kelsey, admittedly, said she was also all about the beautiful details and I think it paid off in a big way as everything from her shoes to the floral arrangements to the romantic brass candlesticks were incredibly elegant while also being perfect for their backyard affair. To top off the night, loved ones gathered outside the tent while Kelsey and Andrew made their grand exit through a tunnel of glimmering sparklers; a truly magical ending to their gorgeous and fun wedding celebrations!
[dotted]

[dotted]

We’ve got the perfect favors for a backyard wedding below!

#SMPWedding101 – What To Consider When Hiring Your Cinematographer

Wedding videography has evolved immensely over the years and these days, there are so many different styles, it can be a bit unnerving to find that perfect fit for you. Which one will capture your celebration the best? What are all the factors to consider? Feeling a bit overwhelmed and lost?! Stop right there because we got the gurus of Happy Together Films to share their insight so you can be prepared and ready for your time in the limelight!

FACE TO FACE

Be sure you know exactly who will be at your wedding! Ask the videographers to identify which professional will be shooting on that day during your meetings. Knowing the specific person who will be with you all day is very important – imagine if it’s someone you don’t get along with? They will be with you all day so a comfortable relationship is essential when starting the videographer search!

BIG OR SMALL

You should consider what your priorities are for your for your wedding day and apply that to your videography plans. If you really want your day to be intimate and simple, a team with one or two videographers is perfect. Usually these teams are quiet and try to mix in with guests. But if showing aerial shots, having a same day edit, etc, is important for you, a bigger team is the way to go. Sometimes teams like these can be big but you will be able to get those epic aerial shots that you desire.

PACKAGES AND BUDGETS

Don’t be shy! Ask all the questions you can think of BEFORE hiring the team you want to film your wedding. What do the packages include? When is the final results delivered, what sort of timeline? Are preview clips included? How are they delivered, and more!

ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Some videographers offer couples the option of having engagement sessions just like photographers do. Talk to them and see if that is possible and ask them how they approach it. Most couples feel much more comfortable on their wedding day, if they had already been filmed before.

AUDIO

Audio gives film another dimension. If you want your speeches to be recorded, make sure that is known and understand how it works – you may need to wear a small mic. If you have a friend singing a song or reading a poem, remember to talk about that with your wedding videographer prior to the wedding day. For recording good audio, preparation is key. The more information your wedding videographer has, the better.

SONGS

Songs aren’t just important to discuss for setting the mood and aesthetic of your wedding film, but also for copyright issues. Something additional to consider – if you choose the songs for your film, you’ll miss out on a fun, little surprise! If you love your team’s portfolio and trust them in choosing the best songs for you, the song surprise can be totally worth it!

GADGETS

We love wedding films with those wonderful epic shots. To capture many of these, you’ll need cinema gadgets like drones, sliders or cranes. Don’t forget that some of these can be noisy and quite large. Sometimes that can disturb the environment, the gorgeous natural views of your venue and also disturb some moments and guests. If your aim is to have an intimate wedding, less gadgets may be a better choice.

CONTRACT

Be sure your contract has every single aspect clarified and in print. If you have specific moments happening on your wedding and you want them to be recorded, make sure to include them in the contract!

CHANGES

Inquire if it’s possible to make any changes after your wedding film is delivered. Since video can take a long time to be ready because of the editing and post-production, some videographers don’t allow any changes. Others allow a specific number of changes and others charge for each change on the final film. Ask the team how they approach this topic.

ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…

Framebridge
Nambe
Animoto
ModCloth’s Memorial Day Sale
HoneyBook

We’re excited to share that Shine invitations is currently offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $500 (US orders only) as well as a free sample kit featuring the invitation of your choice, color charts, paper samples, and an example Save the Date! Don’t miss out!

THIS WEEK’S DISCOUNTS…

For our California Brides… Discounts from The Ranch at Laguna Beach and Weddings by Susan Dunne

For our Tri-state Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design and giveaway from The Duchess!

For our Destination Brides… Discount from Hitch’d Weddings & Events

Cinematography Advice: Happy Together Films

See What You Missed on SMP This Week

This upcoming weekend is our gateway to summer; it’s not until right now that we can actually let out that sigh of relief and really believe that the sun is here to stay. And oh you better believe we will do just that! Picture this: long weekend, pouring chilled bottles of rosé and popping open our iPads to dive into all the beauty below and more. Because our LBBers have been on a roll and we just can’t get enough!

Must-See LBB Moments

View Slideshow

Must-See LBB Moments

View Slideshow

[dotted]

Start planning your wedding with the Little Black Book!

[dotted]

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

Laurie Arons Special Events

View Portfolio

The Bride Wore an Open-Back Dress That Stole the Show

You know we go a little weak at the knees for a beautiful wedding dress, so when Carmen Santorelli shared photos of this bride rocking an open back Watters Wtoo gown, we dropped everything and simply drooled. It’s the kind of gown that perfectly sets the tone for an elegant, outdoor affair, and once you take a look through the gallery, don’t miss the clip from Tim Kang Films.

Colors

Seasons

Spring Weddings

Settings

Outdoor Weddings Rustic Weddings

Styles

Al Fresco Rustic

From The Bride…Eric and I attended the same church, but it was at our church softball practice that we first met, in March 2013. It was the first season our church would have a women’s team, and, ironically, my oldest and over protective brother had encouraged me to join. Lucky for Eric, he was asked (he calls it “forced”) to coach the girls team, and I joined the team by the 3rd or 4th practice. By then, Eric had gotten a black eye from pitching for the girls… but something about his black eye and his deep monotone voice was mysteriously attractive. That’s where our love story emerged, and we have been best friends ever since.

The main inspiration for our wedding was a bohemian, laid back style. We immediately fell in love with Hummingbird Nest Ranch and its Villa ceremony + reception sites. Once we decided on the venue, the other details came together. I loved how peaceful and close to nature this outdoor venue was. Every section, every angle, and every detail was absolutely beautiful and unique.

The Spanish style villa and fuchsia colored flowers around the Hummingbird Nest Ranch inspired the burgundy colored bridesmaid dresses and bouquet florals. To go along with the boho-elegant look, I wore my hair in a low loose bun with a braid on each side tucked in. My bridesmaids wore their hair down in any style, and then had incorporated a braid to each bridesmaid’s hair as well.

When it came to choosing the dress, I wanted a slender and elegant, yet somewhat bohemian or non-traditional. It was actually one of my bridesmaids who encouraged me to try on the dress that I thought would not be flattering. But after trying it on, we all unanimously agreed it was THE dress.

We held a Korean traditional ceremony “Pae baek” during our cocktail hour. The main purpose is to bow in honoring the groom’s family and receive their words of advice/wisdom.

We did a sparkler send off during our reception. Though this required 3 friends to help make 200+ DIY sparklers with me 3 nights before the wedding, it was a pretty simple and sweet way to include all wedding guests…and of course an opportunity for great photos.

Aside from the incredible BEAUTY all around us that day, my favorite part was having all of our loved ones from all over the world with us that day. It was a celebration that happens once in a lifetime, and we feel so blessed.

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

This Couple’s Meeting Was More Than a Coincidence, It Was Fate

It seems that Caroline + Justin were fated to meet. Because their story? Unreal. And their wedding day? Rife with sentiment. From the stunning venue, to the coincidental date, it seems that almost every single detail is filled with meaning. Thankfully the ever-so-talented Sylvie Gil Photography was on hand to capture every moment of elegance and we’ve got it all waiting for you in The Vault!

Colors

Seasons

Fall Weddings

Settings

Ballroom Weddings

Styles

Classic Weddings

From The Bride…Justin and I have quite a bit of history between our families, as our fathers met in college, were tennis doubles partners thereafter and have been close friends ever since. Despite this lengthy history and both of us living in San Francisco, Justin and I never crossed paths until four years ago. Our relationship was immediately strengthened and accelerated by the special bond of our families and in many ways, we both felt as though there was an element of fate and destiny.

Palo Alto always felt like home to us; I attended Stanford and Justin has fond memories of visiting his grandmother when she lived there. As we considered wedding venues, the Menlo Circus Club struck us as an obvious choice for many reasons: it’s where my parents met, where my mom and Justin’s dad won a mixed doubles tournament and it was a place where we loved to spend time early on in our relationship. We chose September 19th as our wedding date, which coincided with my parent’s 35th wedding anniversary.

When dreaming of our perfect wedding, we quickly decided on our priorities: having all of our closest family and friends, an amazing band, plenty of food and overflowing drinks. Beyond these obvious choices, we were somewhat lost in terms of aesthetic and décor. We are incredibly grateful for Isabella Sikaffy and Claire Gilhuly of Florabella who did a brilliant job guiding us through the planning process (and also had amazing patience in dealing with our constant fluctuations in decisions). We cannot imagine a more professional, organized, thoughtful and present team than Isabella and Claire. They walked us through the year of planning with the perfect amount of structure and direction, while still welcoming us to explore and experiment. Even during a near panic attack after learning the club underwent renovations which affected our ceremony layout, they remained calm and gently directed us towards other options that we ultimately loved even more. As our wedding was winding down, I told Isabella and Claire (through a stream of tears) that I couldn’t bear the thought of not seeing them anymore and I’m so thankful we’ve been able to keep in touch. Sylvie Gil was another obvious choice. We instantly fell in love with her energy, passion and impeccable work during our first few meetings. When looking at our photos, one can feel the love radiating from the images and instantly understand the story behind them. Sylvie and her team were fun to work with and we appreciated how well she got to know us and our families through the process. These photos have quickly become our most valuable possession and we can’t wait to forever relive our wedding through them.

What we love most about our wedding is that it represented more than just the union of us two– it was about our families coming together and becoming one. Our team did an incredible job of capturing the magical celebration of our day. Everything from the gorgeous details, seamless flow and delicious food and wine was perfect. However, it’s the precious moments like sharing a quiet moment alone on the polo field as husband and wife during the sunset, playing flip cup at the Dutch Goose with our best friends and diving into the hotel pool in our wedding attire at the end of the night that we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives.

Find the Perfect Reception Dress with Blogger Bride LivvyLand

Hello fellow Brides-to-be! In my numerous months of wedding planning leading up to our Big Day, one of the items on my checklist I’ve had the most fun with is picking out a reception dress. I should also mention that we’re having an outdoor ceremony in Texas which means it will be very hot, so slipping into something breezier will provide quite a relief to me towards the end of the night!

I love the combination of nude and ivory, so this plunging neckline lace dress was a no brainer to add to this list! Not to mention the lace overlay against the nude slip is a beautiful combination worthy of a double-take (…which I assure you’ll receive plenty in this dress!). This particular dress comes in a few other combinations, so if you’re looking for white on white for your big day, that’s available, too.

This high neck lace number is pure magic! The combination of it being a form fitting dress with a high neckline and modest hem make the dress sexy yet classy – it’s a timeless pick and absolutely beautiful in photos. Though there are a ton of little white lace dresses to choose from, this one shines above the rest with the numerous details (did you catch the high-low lace back?) and overall knockout fit. Trust me, you’ll feel absolutely amazing in this dress – and it won’t break the bank!

For the fashion forward bride, I am in LOVE with the idea of wearing a gorgeous jumpsuit in place of a reception dress. Depending on how formal your wedding is, it would even be fun to wear a fabulous white or ivory silk romper and show some leg – definitely a good idea for a summer wedding! Keep you wedding shoes and jewelry as is, and swap your gown for something that allows you to command the dance floor (…can you tell we’ll be a dancing pair at our wedding? Ha!). A jumpsuit is classy, chic and elegant – and this one by Trina Turk gives off that old Hollywood glamour vibe that I adore so much.

If you’ve always envisioned yourself running to the car in your wedding gown, then by all means make that your wedding day reality! That’s the beauty of a wedding – you can make your vision come to life, whether than involves a quick outfit change or not. Given the amount of times we’ll wear white throughout the wedding planning process (think showers, rehearsal dinner, bridesmaid luncheons), you can do no wrong investing in a timeless little white dress!

[dotted]

Shop a few of my favorite reception dresses and jumpsuits below!

Reception Dress Picks

View Slideshow

Reception Dress Picks

View Slideshow

[dotted]

Follow Olivia’s Journey:

[dotted]

Olivia Watson

Blogger Bride

Livvy Land

Not Sure How To Decorate Your Hallway? Try These 20 Design Solutions

Hallways. Oh, hallways. Everybody has them but few know the nuances to pulling off a a cool, well styled space. It doesn’t have to be all barren white walls and long empty corridors and these 20 homes will show you the tricks to a well designed corridor. Who knows, it might just become your new favorite hangout. Say bye bye to blank, white-walled runways and hello to dreamy hallway space.

Hallway Design Solutions

View Slideshow

Hallway Design Solutions

View Slideshow

[dotted]

More Design Inspo for You to Check Out

Curate a Stunning Gallery Wall
Colorful Rug Runners
15 Wallpapers that Shine

How To Be a Master Bartender at Your Next Shindig (Bottoms Up!)

There are a handful of things every good hostess should know how to do: set a table, open a bottle of bubbly, make a tasty appetizer and whip up a killer cocktail… just for starters (see Abby’s full list here!). But today, we’re focusing on the latter—how to be a master bartender, with must-know tips from cocktail caterers at the Whaling Club and captures by Rebecca Yale. Bottoms up!

CREATE A SIGNATURE MENU

Sticking to one or two featured cocktails will free you up to spend more time hosting and less time working behind the bar. Consider your attendees and create a menu that generally fits the palate of your guests and the vibe of your event. We tend to favor seasonal takes on classic drinks like basil gimlets and cherry daiquiris.

KNOW YOUR CLASSICS

No one will expect that you’ll know every cocktail penned before prohibition, but we recommend having some of the basics to make a handful of well known “classics” by request. You may have a guest or two who is looking for something spirits forward like a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned. If you can fulfill their request, you’ll make their night.

SOURCE LOCAL INGREDIENTS

All of our syrups, juices, and various other in-house ingredients are all made fresh just before event event. We source from local markets when possible for inspiration and to truly gauge what’s “in season.” We also have the benefit of being able to taste everything and the opportunity to chat with the farmers is priceless.

USE BLOCK ICE

Have your freezer stocked with some quality block ice. You can use this ice for everything from shaking to serving. Your drinks will not only look better, but will stay colder with less unwanted dilution. We hand cut our ice from 300lb clear ice blocks, but a few quality 2″ rubber molds should do the trick.

MEASURE EVERYTHING

We like to compare bartending to baking. Following a precise recipe, often times down to the quarter ounce, ensures balanced and consistent cocktails. The best way to guarantee accuracy is a jigger. While they come in countless different sizes and shapes, one graduated jigger will have just about every measurement you’ll need. You can score one at Cocktail Kingdom.