When the wedding vision is based around the Bride’s beautiful blush pink Lazaro ballgown wedding dress, you know you’re in for a treat. From the blush peonies and peach garden roses in the Bride’s beautiful bouquet to the art deco design details carried throughout the reception, this Tulsa wedding, captured by Amanda Watson Photography, is so perfect, not even a tornado warning could spoil it. See all the pretty in The Vault!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Emerson Events & Design…Natalie and I met in November 2014, after her photographer, Amanda Watson sent her my way to discuss planning and floral design. When that first meeting ended and she gave me a big hug, I knew her and I would have lots of fun planning!

Most of the creative vision was based around Natalie’s amazing Lazaro gown, and the beautiful art deco elements of the reception venue. Though they live in Oklahoma City, where Brandon works for Oklahoma City Thunder, Natalie and Brandon chose to get married in Tulsa, where she
is from.

They chose the beautiful historic Harwelden Mansion to have the ceremony. To create a laid back vibe, we had a pre-ceremony happy hour. The guests sipped on champagne, snacked on spring rolls from the couple’s favorite Thai restaurant in Tulsa, and viewed the gorgeous venue. The couple exchanged vows in front of the Harwelden Mansion’s doors under a chuppah adorned with flowers. As a nod to Natalie’s father, who had passed, she walked down the aisle to ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by the Beatles, one of his favorite songs. Natalie’s bouquet featured peonies, garden roses and ranunculus to accent her gown. A brooch that belonged to her grandmother was also pinned to the wrap.

After the ceremony, the guests hopped on shuttle buses to 624 Kitchen where they enjoyed Moscow Mules, while they waited on the newlyweds to arrive. The reception decor was kept sleek and simple, to not take away from the amazing original deco elements it has. The flower arrangements were a mix of tall black vases with hydrangeas, pale pink roses and some cascading foliage. The other half of the tables had a low lush compote arrangement with anemones, pale pink blooms and foliage. Brandon and Natalie made their entrance and danced to the classic Etta James, At Last. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful tapas style dinner, drinks and music handpicked by the couple.

Near the end of the reception, I got word that we were under a severe storm watch, and it was heading right towards Tulsa. Just about the time the couple were supposed to make their grand exit, the tornado sirens began to go off and the remaining guests, vendors and staff were all escorted to the basement stairwell until it passed. Thankfully, no tornadoes came through! We did have a torrential downpour of rain that caused some flooding, but Natalie and Brandon were still the happiest they could have ever been! It’s not an eventful wedding in Oklahoma unless you have severe weather. Nonetheless, Mother Nature was on our side that day and the Barnett’s had their beautiful outdoor ceremony and a fun reception with all of their family and friends in attendance.

Photography: Amanda Watson Photography | Floral + Event Design: Emerson Events | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Anne Keller Cakes | Invitations: Good Measure Creative | Ceremony Venue: Harwelden Mansion | Reception Venue: 624 Kitchen | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Makeup: Stunning By Starla | Transportation: Galaxy Limo | Bridal Boutique: Stardust Celebrations | Photo Booth: Botbooth | Rentals: Party Pro Rentals

Work at SMP long enough and you’ll start to believe in fairy tales.  Those true love stories that start with chance meetings and end with luxurious fétes set against a stunning barn backdrop.  This, loves, is just that story.  Think romantic florals from Garnish Event Design, the breathtaking stylings of JPC Event Group and brilliant images from Joey Kennedy.  See them all right here in THE VAULT.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From JPC Event Group… Vintage decor and lush florals ruled this rustic luxe wedding. Rich hues of navy and marsala provided an enchanting palette set against various locations on Rustic Acres Farm in Volant, Pennsylvania. An unexpected weather event was the surprise of a lifetime for this South Florida couple – an early October snowfall! When the early autumn snow fell it created a magical backdrop that turned Rustic Acres Farm into a winter wonderland. The snow ended up being the perfect backdrop for Garnish Event Design’s mixed florals with hints of burgundy and cream, the warm wood and sparkling lights of the Farm creating a snow globe effect straight out of a woodland fairy tale.

Casey & Alex were such a sweet couple. They really wanted to make sure the entire event was cohesive and captured their own personalities from the ceremony and reception décor and details to the food! Their love for each other was encapsulating and so contagious, that not a person in attendance could deny that they are soulmates.

From the Bride… Alex and I met the first morning of orientation for medical school at the University of Florida. As chance would have it, Alex was sitting directly behind me during one of our morning sessions. I overhead him talking to a classmate about being a brother of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and turned around to see if I recognized him. We started to talk about Greek life and later figured out that we both grew up in South Florida. The two of us continued to hang out during orientation, and spent most of the social events that week getting to know each other. Fast forward a few weeks later when Alex took me out on our first date, since that time we have remained inseparable. During our final year of school, after spending many months away from each other for interviews, Alex proposed on New Year’s morning. The only thing that could top a perfect proposal was the surprise brunch celebration that Alex planned later that morning, with our closest friends and family in attendance. 
 
When considering our wedding style, Alex and I knew that we wanted to have an intimate and romantic celebration. The two of us ended up moving to Pittsburgh to complete our medical residencies, and found the perfect venue just outside of the city to have our wedding at. We fell in love with Rustic Acres Farm’s rustic barn; with its hanging chandeliers, complete with a wrap around deck with views of rolling fields. We decided on a more neutral color scheme, as to not overpower the natural beauty and fall foliage present on the farm. Garnish Event Design by JPC Event Group executed our vision perfectly with floral arrangements consisting of ivory and pale pink flowers, and a touch of burgundy. Gold candelabras and table numbers added to the romance of the lush florals. The beautiful willow tree provided a magical setting to hold our ceremony, and we were married standing underneath a chuppah that was built by Alex’s father.
 
Our venue provided the caterer, Savor Fresh Catering by JPC Event Group, and they whipped up a feast that we continue to dream about. Our guests still rave about the most delicious doughnuts and pies at the dessert table. Having a live band was extremely important to the both of us. The Bachelor Boy Band kept our guests dancing the entire night, even during a brief power outage. Our amazing photographer (Joey Kennedy) and videographer (ShoFilms), captured the wedding perfectly and treated us like family.
 
Alex and my favorite parts of the wedding day were the Havdalah service and Ketubah signing, which took place prior to our wedding ceremony. Surrounded by our immediate family in a candle lit room, we were able to sign our marriage contract in an intimate and special way.
 
Cool Anecdote: An unexpected cold front passed through Pittsburgh the week of our wedding, leading to snowfall right before our outside ceremony began. Although it was freezing cold, the snow added a magical touch to our special day. Many of our guests had traveled north from Florida, and were good sports regarding the unexpected weather. My advice to other brides is you cannot prepare for everything to go perfectly on your wedding day! Even though our weather was not ideal, it did lead to some breathtaking photographs in the snow. Who would have guessed that it would snow mid- October?!

Photography: Joey Kennedy Photography | Cinematography: ShoFilms | Floral Design: Garnish Event Design | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake: Bella Christie & LiL’ Z’s Sweet Boutique | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: JLM Couture, Inc | Catering: Savor Fresh Catering | Hair: Beauty Justified | Band: Bachelor Boys Band | Groom's Attire: Vera Wang | Officiant: Rodef Shalom Congregation | Venue: Rustic Acres Farm | Bridal Boutique: Anne Gregory For The Bride | Coordination + Event Planning: JPC Event Group | Groom's Shoes: Toms

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

Bachelor Boys Band

View Portfolio

And just like that, Kibogo Photography has ignited wanderlust in each and every single one of us, because this gallery sitting pretty in The Vault? Well, it’s honeymoon perfection. Imagine – waking up next to your beloved in out-of-this-world-stunning Santorini, sounds pretty dreamy right? Until we find ourselves there we’ll be living vicariously through through these honeymooners via The Vault!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Kibogo Photography….Santorini, endless views for sunset and sunrise and white houses everywhere. A dream Island for photographer.I stayed in Kamari, a little and beautiful village next to the black beach. Kamari is the place where people come for a lazy day at the beach. There you have plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy traditional greek food but also sea food and other standard meals or just a Frappé (greek iced coffee drink). And this is where I met this super gorgeous couple after chatting a whole night via Instagram with Rachel. We never met before just found her through a hashtag #Santorini After a super fun afternoon at the beach they took me to Oia where they stayed and arranged everything for the couple shoot for the next day.

Oía and Imerovig is a must see! Oía is the city with many white houses/churches and blue roofs. Imerovigli has a beautiful view of the Caldera and both towns have magic sunset views. If you are in Oía you should definitely eat some crepes with nutella! They are the best! You have plenty cafés with a view.

From the Newlyweds… Santorini was one of the most magical, breathtaking places we’ve ever visited. We spent most of our time in our airbnb, but when we weren’t there we were exploring oia, watching the sunset, and drinking frappe on the beach (Kamari). We also shopped and ate in Thira one day, which was nice (Just a tad touristy). If you’re going there to honeymoon, I would definitely suggest checking out the airbnbs in Oia. They are a more affordable, yet just as beautiful way to experience the gorgeous caldera view. We also rented a car for a couple days, which was the BEST decision. We were able to travel across the entire island and experience all of the different types of landscape.

Photography: Kibogo Photography | Apartment: White Cave House In Oia | Couple: Rachel Iliadis

Getting married in horse stables doesn’t sound terribly romantic, but when you see Kenzie and Ward’s Georgia wedding, you’ll see just how romantic and beautiful it can be. Simply Charming Socials created a botanical-inspired wedding wonderland in shades of purple, peach and blush. Head to The Vault for all the beautiful details—from lush flowers to sweet horses—thanks to beautiful photos from Kathryn McCrary!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Simply Charming Socials…The day could not have been more beautiful for this lovely Spring wedding in Georgia. Kenzie and Ward, as they are known affectionately, celebrated among friends and family at the beautiful Foxhall Resort and Sporting Club, a whitewashed stables amongst fields and blooms. Kenzie and mom Wesley enlisted wedding planner and designer Kristine Cooke of Simply Charming Socials to create a botanical-inspired wedding, color washed in an array of pastels. Kathryn McCrary photographed each moment of the affair.

As each side of the bridal party dressed for the day, it was apparent this couple is so loved by friends and family as laughter and smiles are aplenty. Kenzie dressed with her maids, mom, and three sisters. All of the girls donned in flowy floor length dress, the bridesmaids from Joanna August, and the three sisters in floral numbers by Reformation. Kenzie sat to get her hair and makeup perfected by Jennifer Nieman, complete with flowers in her hair, before dressing in a form-fitting Nicole Miller gown found at The Sentimentalist in Atlanta. On the other side of the property, Ward and his groomsmen joshed around and sampled the bourbon bar before dressing in their grey suits and white silk yarmulkes. Father of the bride and friends of the family gathered with the rabbi to sign the ketubah, the final duty before the ceremony began.

The guests were shuttled to Douglasville, GA where they arrived to a courtyard ceremony, a display of white chairs nestled between horse paddocks. Southern sweet tea and lemonade greeted friends pre-ceremony as they listened to Athens-based bluegrass duo, Cicada Rhythm. No outdoor Jewish ceremony would be complete without a chuppah, constructed of birch branches and swathed in hand-dyed ombre peach linens. The Flower Post adorned the traditional marriage structure with a garland of lush greenery and pinky blooms. Under the cloth sat a table with ceremonial items for the vows Kenzie and Ward exchanged and the sealing of their union.

After the ceremony, guests were treated to a cocktail hour on the back lawn as they indulged in delectable appetizers from caterer Sun in my Belly and lounged in beautiful vintage furniture. Blue Eyed Yonder’s pink sofa, lovely settee, and bespoke bar cart made for comfortable conversation pieces. Before the reception began, Kenzie and Ward headed down to the field to take some portraits with the resident horses. Kenzie is an avid horse lover and equestrian so a botanical wreath for her equine friends was a must.

As guests were welcomed to the reception, they were seated in a room filled with lush linens, cascading white drapery, and place settings fit for a farm-to-table feast. From hand-dyed runners to watercolored hand-lettered place cards by Lairsey Paper Co. to vintage votives, no detail was left unnoticed. Toasts and bubbly were flowing as friends and family enjoyed a sensational meal. After dinner, it was on to the other side of the stables for a peachy cake, petite desserts, and dancing for one and all. The Drive Time Band was lively and played a mix of dance hits, throwback tunes, and, of course, the horah. The evening ended with a bubble farewell and tons of hugs and kisses as Kenzie and Ward exited into the night.

Photography: Kathryn Mccrary | Event Planning + Design: Simply Charming Socials | Floral Design: The Flower Post | Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller | Cake: Metrotainment Bakery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Reformation | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Sun In My Belly | Hair + Makeup: Jennifer C Nieman | Calligraphy: Lairsey Paper Co. | Band: Drive Time Band | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Ceremony Music: Cicada Rhythm | Transportation: Atlantic Limo | Venue: Foxhall Resort And Sporting Club | Bridal Boutique: The Sentimentalist | Linen Rentals + Decor: Simply Charming Socials | Rentals: Blue Eyed Yonder

Give me a platter of pastels and I’m a happy lady. But add a dash of red to the mix and now we’re talkin’. It seems A Vintage Affair Events & Rentals got my memo, because the seaside scene they created is pretty much my perfection, from the beautiful Karen Willis Holmes gown to the overflowing florals. Connie Whitlock captured it all so we can happily hang out in the Vault and dream away – join me right here!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From A Vintage Affair Events & Rentals… A Vintage Affair Events and Connie Whitlock Photo, recently traveled to Australia together, looking for creative refreshment and inspiration after a busy summer. Being from the United States, we were so impressed with the collaborative environment, hospitality, and beautiful scenery we found in Australia.

The inspiration for this shoot originated from the pastel sunsets we saw every night. We fell in love with the beautiful colors of pastel purples and pinks, and the lovely turquoise blues of the Australian waters. We brought our inspiration into our color palette with the muted colors and textures created in the tablescape, while the bold colors, chosen by Sassybird Flowers for the bouquet and centerpiece, popped against the pastel skies and jagged, earth toned rocks. We incorporated found elements from the beach into the shoot to tie everything together. Our table was a wooden palette that had been left on the beach, and over time it gathered barnacles and was faded by the sun and ocean air. Driftwood flanked the tablescape and defined the space in the sand. We wanted our dining to feel casual and to be an al fresco experience, so we chose a low table and used pillows for seating. The lovely two piece dress from Australian designer Karen Willis Holmes was a perfect choice for a beachside inspired wedding. The watercolor and hand scripted invitations from Betlem Calligraphy mimicked the waves crashing on the shore and the hand torn edges complemented our laid-back feel. The mostly down hairstyle with a loose tied back braid by Tyla Miller was perfect for the wind and ocean mist by the water. We also brought in pieces of rose quartz to mimic the colors of the sunset and to highlight our tablescape.
[dotted]

Peruse more Australian inspiration here!

Photography: Connie Whitlock | Event Planning + Design: A Vintage Affair Events & Rentals | Floral Design: Sassybird Flowers | Wedding Dress: Karen Willis Holmes | Stationery: Betlem Calligraphy | Hair + Makeup: Tyla Miller | Model: Dallas Jays

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

Fair warning, your Pinterest boards are about to get a lot prettier and it’s all thanks to Lauren Kinsey and this stunner of a Rosemary Beach wedding. Because when you’ve married the talented vision of Shelby Peaden Events with the flourishes of Plume Calligraphy you’re guaranteed magic, but even more? The Bride (who is a singer/songwriter in Nashville) surprised her husband with a ballad she’d recorded for him as their first dance – how sweet is that!? See that all and more below and in The Vault!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… Ever since I was little I’ve wanted to get married on the beach. Inlet Beach, Florida has always been dear to my heart. My great grandfather and grandfather built one of the very first little cottages in the area, and we’ve been vacationing there since I was born. My grandfather even proposed to my grandmother there. After looking into several more glamorous venues in the area, we just didn’t feel right about any of them. We wanted a lot of creative freedom, and like any engaged couple, we wanted our wedding to feel unique and reflect who we are as a couple. I knew I wanted a simple beach ceremony, followed by a reception on a pretty green lawn by the ocean. After chatting it through with my mom and fiancé, we realized we already had that…right outside our little family cottage! We just needed help making our dream a reality. So we enlisted Shelby Peaden with Shelby Peaden Events. We knew we couldn’t plan this thing on our own, especially from Nashville, Tennessee.

The challenge initially for us was style. Jess and I are pretty modern in taste, but I also wanted an organic, rustic element that felt true to our environment. I loved the idea of using greenery that was native to Inlet Beach, so we brought in Milk and Honey Flowers. Rosemary grows wild in the area, and I loved how they incorporated that into our place settings. My mother bravely tackled the DIY project of making concrete candle holders for our community table, and it was a success! We used Big Day Rentals for our ceremony and reception. They helped us mix modern and rustic by providing ghost chairs to go with their grey wooden community table at the reception, and we loved the idea of using white benches on the beach instead of folding chairs. Jess and I like to keep things fairly minimal and classic, so white, ivory, and grey mixed with lots of greenery were our colors of choice. My dress was Monique Lhuillier, and my bridesmaids wore long ivory dresses in different styles made by Dessy. The groom and groomsmen all wore custom grey suits made by our friend Jonny at J&HP in Nashville.

We could not have asked for better weather that day. The ocean was like a lake, and the sunset even turned from pink to a fiery red towards the end of our ceremony. We brought in a friend to DJ our ceremony from Nashville, and we danced the night away under stringed lights on the lawn. I’m a songwriter in Nashville by profession, so I surprised my husband with a song I had written and recorded for him for our first dance. He was incredibly surprised, and there wasn’t a dry eye around. Our wedding was truly perfect, and it was so special to share it with friends and family at Inlet Beach…a place so rich in family history and so dear to our hearts.

Photography: Lauren Kinsey | Event Planning: Shelby Peaden Events | Event Planning: Merren Events | Floral Design: Flowers By Milk & Honey | Cake: Bake My Day | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Dessy Collection By Vivian Diamond | Catering: Paradise Catering | Invitations + Calligraphy: Plume Calligraphy | DJ: Jesse Gregg | Venue: Private Home, Rosemary Beach, FL | Bridal Gown: Monique Lhuillier | First Dance: Mark & Kelly Wonderlin | First Dance Song: Producer And Co-writer, Matthew Bronleewe | Hair Artist: Deana Kale | Rentals: The Big Day Event Rentals

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

Shelby Peaden Events

View Portfolio

Say hello to ‘The Monday’ smoothie, my new best friend. I’ve been stepping up my smoothie game lately since I started incorporating my Raw Complexions, and this one is my newest fave creation. It took a few tries to perfect it but it’s pretty on point. I have my go-to green smoothies as well, but I think Monday calls for something prettier (yet still tasty and healthy), don’t you? Cheers to kicking Monday booty!

Melissa Baran'The Monday' Smoothie

prep time 1 Minute/s

cook time 2 Minute/s

total time 3 Minute/s

Serves 1Ingredients

• 1¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/3 cup fresh squeezed grapefruit juice (I get mine pre-squeezed at Whole Foods)
• 1/4 cup (1 scoop) vanilla protein powder
• 1 tbsp Skintox Beauty Food No. 1
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/4 cup frozen strawberries
• Small handful fresh blueberries

Instructions

1. Toss all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Photography, Recipe + Styling: Bisou Style

A stunning affair planned around the gorgeous colors and textures of The Metropolitan Building, this lovely collection of images from Clement And West is just a dream. With a beyond gorgeous BHLDN gown and dreamy florals from Red Rose And Lavender every moment of this rustic, winter day is shear perfection. See even more in the VAULT.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From The Bride…So many of our wedding decisions — my dress, the bridesmaids’ dresses, the flowers, the centerpieces — centered around the gem that is the Metropolitan Building. The space was so unique and full of beautiful, antique books, couches, old chairs, chandeliers, props, etc. that we really tried to make the building’s offerings our main decor. It was the first place we visited, and I fell in love immediately and pulled the trigger before the day had ended!

I chose my stunning BHLDN dress after we booked our venue and based my decision around that. The dress had delicate details, a romantic vibe and an element of vintage. The florals created by Red Rose and Lavender were classic, with a neutral palette and a dramatic pop of deep purples. We used lanterns for centerpieces to keep the ambiance on key. Low lit for the romantic feel throughout the whole night.

Our tight-knit community of friends has really been our support and affirmation throughout our relationship, so we wanted to ensure that they had good food, good drinks and a good time on the dance floor. We’re happy to report that we succeeded in hitting all three! Based on the feedback we’ve received thus far though, their favorite part of the wedding was the ceremony, which had a fairytale vibe thanks to the chandelier and string lights courtesy of the building and the candles which were all tirelessly lit by the amazing staff. We can’t thank our vendors enough for helping us pull off a perfect day, and we just wish that we could relive the entire wedding over again!

Photography: Clement And West | Cinematography: SPARK Film Works | Floral Design: Red Rose And Lavender | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Hair + Makeup: Jina Yoon | Venue: Metropolitan Building

Did you know that March 20th is National Proposal Day? I mean, talk about Best. Day. Ever. Which is why we’re calling ALL grooms to let us in on your big proposal plans. We want to be there to help document your most special moment, so if your March 20th plans involve getting down on bended knee send us an e-mail at info@stylemepretty.com with subject line “National Proposal Day” and share your story. We can’t wait to hear from you!

[dotted]

THE PERFECT RING STYLE FOR YOU

TIPS FOR PLANNING THE PROPOSAL

MUST-READ PROPOSALS STORIES

It recently celebrated my one year anniversary (!!) and we went the traditional route with paper gifts… but the special occasion got me thinking about other fabulous finds – those of the stationery variety and more – to give in honor of your one year, whether a wedding anniversary or a dating milestone, and so we rounded up sweet somethings guaranteed to give us butterflies one year in and beyond.

1st Anniversary Gift Ideas

View Slideshow

1st Anniversary Gift Ideas

View Slideshow

We have done our fair share of kitchen roundups. From grey to colorful and right on through to black but the all white numbers are at the top of our favorites list. An all white kitchen is as timeless and gorgeous as they come and this little roundup puts the D in dreamy. Psst… if you’re looking for the best tips on keeping that kitchen sparkling white, check out these genius tricks.

All-White Kitchen Dreaming

View Slideshow

All-White Kitchen Dreaming

View Slideshow

[dotted]

More Kitchen Goodies this way…

Gadgets to step up your cooking game | A show stopping Island | Clean Your Kitchen in 10 Minutes

[dotted]

Amanda and Jerry wanted their Southern California wedding to be “the most extravagant wedding” their guests had been to. And with Artisan Events Floral Decor behind every gorgeous and glamorous detail, it’s safe to say they definitely achieved their goal. From the Bride’s beautiful all-white bouquet to the gilded reception, every part of this day is a total stunner. See it all from Stefani Ciotti in The Vault!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From The Bride…Inspiration was a classic romantic wedding with colors of white, cream, champagne and accents of gold.

Jerry and I  met seven years ago at a mutual friend’s wedding. Jerry was a groomsman and I was a bridesmaid. We walked down the aisle together cracking jokes under our breath the whole time (not appropriate but very entertaining and flirtatious). We spent the reception talking and dancing only with each other and exchanged phone numbers at the end of the night and the rest was history…

We chose to have our wedding in the California desert because we have a house in PGA West, La Quinta, and also wanted to make sure there was sunny skies on our special day. It is also a place Jerry and I are most relaxed and get away to when we can when not running our business. We wanted a small but very elegant affair that would be the most extravagant wedding our guests have been to. It had the best food, entertainment, and a luxurious setting. We wanted our guests to feel comfortable so we invited everyone to the rehearsal dinner and a light breakfast the morning after.

My favorite part of the wedding day was the first look and the moments we had alone after the ceremony. We had such a great moment together seeing each other for the first time and reveling in the ceremony afterwards.

My advice to future brides is to hire an event planner if you can. I showed him my Pinterest, answered his questions, and I just showed up the day of and it was everything I wanted! No need to review mood boards, samples, etc. He is a true professional and visionary.

Photography: Stefani Ciotti Photography | Wedding Dress: Mark Zunino | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Jewelry: Swarovski | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Charlotte's Weddings Portland | DJ: Music Media Entertainment | Venue: Bougainvillea Estate | Bride's Ring + Engagement Ring: Shane Co. | Event Planning, Design + Floral Design: ARTISAN Event . Floral . Decor | Groom's Ring: Gucci

At the top of my list of chores that make me want to throw a temper tantrum? Cleaning grout. Oh, the grout. And we have a LOT of it in our home. Don’t get me wrong, I love our subway tile in the shower and our hexagon Carrara marble floor tile, but I pout a bit when it comes time to shine it up. You with me? Well, it won’t clean itself, so arm yourself with one of these methods to make your life a little easier!

Bleach Foam Spray

Give yourself a head start before you bust out the elbow grease. Spray down the really icky areas with a good spray foam cleaner with bleach and let it do it’s magic for about 15 minutes before you tackle scrubbing.

Baking Soda + Vinegar + Ammonia

Looking for something more natural? Create a mixture of one half baking soda, one quarter vinegar and one quarter ammonia. Pour mixture into a cleaning spray bottle and spray on your grout. Grab your favorite scrubbing tool and get to work!

Baking Soda + Hydrogen Peroxide

Create a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part hydrogen peroxide. Spread your paste on the grout lines and get in there with a toothbrush, or even better—an old electric toothbrush!

Power it Out

If you’re after speed, consider investing in a drill brush to get the job done quick and easy. Choose your cleaning mixture, let it sit and soak in and then tackle it with your power tools!

Don’t Have Time?

We get it, life takes hold. And the last thing you want to do on the weekends is scrub grout. There’s no shame in calling up your local cleaning crew to tackle the big deep cleaning projects.

[dotted]

More Ways To Make Your Home Shine

Cleaning Hacks | Spring Cleaning Checklist | Clean Your Kitchen in 10 Minutes

According to the NCAA, March Madness officially begins this week, but here at Style Me Pretty, March Madness is well underway. Well, Real Weddings March Madness. It hasn’t been easy, but thanks to your votes, we’ve narrowed down 32 of the prettiest weddings ever and we’re down to the Elite Eight. Now, it’s time to cast your vote to make sure your favorites make it to the Final Four next Sunday!

CLICK TO CAST YOUR VOTE!

[dotted]

The Bracket Contestants

Classic Weddings: 1. At Home Wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains | 2.  Intimate Castle Wedding in Northern Ireland

[dotted]

Rustic Weddings: 1. Riverside Farm Vermont Wedding | 2. Rustic Outdoor Georgia Wedding

[dotted]

Modern Weddings: 1. Botanical-Inspired Chicago Wedding | 2. Modern Brooklyn Wedding at 501 Union

[dotted]

Wildcard Weddings: 1. Glam Oregon Forest Wedding | 2. Whimsical Pink + Peach Colorado Wedding

[dotted]

OFFICIAL RULES

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

CLICK TO CAST YOUR VOTE!

[dotted]

Julia Rohde Designs has delivered a can’t sleep kind of love, because quite frankly we can’t stop staring about this pretty lil’ posy. I’m talking about a citrus hued bouquet filled with blush peonies, blooming branches, and endless inspiration. It’s the type of pretty that deserves a pin and we’ve got it all below!

[dotted]

Citrus-Inspired Southern Wedding Shoot

• Coral Charm Peony – 1 stem
• Helios Orange Garden Rose – 3 stems
• Blush Peony – 5 stems
• Juliet Garden Roses – 3 stems
• Mock Orange/Orange Blossom – 5 stems
• White Bougainvillea – 4 small blooming branches
• White Lilac – 4 stems
• Kumquats – 4 small fruiting branches
• Snow on the Mountain – 5 stems
• Poppies – 3 stems
• Fresh Mint – 7 stems
• White Spirea – 2 branches/stems
• White Nerines – 3 stems
• White Ranunculus – 3 stems

From Julia Rohde Designs… Our inspiration for this bouquet was centered around a fun, citrus Florida groves theme using locally sourced kumquats, fresh mint and white bougainvillea from Miami nurseries. We were lucky to be working at an incredible family-owned Avocado farm in the Redlands, Florida, Estancia Culinaria, with an amazing team of vendors, including Unearthed Vintage and Michelle March Photography, who beautifully photographed this bouquet. It was fun to create a bouquet that resembles much of what Florida has to offer in the way of locally grown herbs and fruit. To add to the citrus theme we tied in mock orange blossom which gives off an amazing citrus scent. The floral choices were brought in with bright coral, blush, sherbert orange, soft peach and white and we chose to feature the Coral Charm Peony in the bouquet by only including one as the show flower. When creating our bouquets we love to form lush, organic bouquets with movement so that they represent a naturally composed arrangement and a playfulness in the types of elements we use, including fruit and fresh herbs. Our Philosophy on composition is arranging them to be gently wild, giving room for the florals to breath and not forcing the stems to take shape but allowing them to take their own place naturally. Romantic bouquets can be so many different themes and styles and when adding texture, unexpected elements and fullness, they’re sure to never disappoint!

[dotted]
Floral Design: Julia Rohde Designs | Photography: Michelle March

[dotted]

Press Play For More Floral Inspiration!

We all know your wedding registry is for starting a home together with your new hubby but let’s get real. Those cheese trays and chic champagne coups are probably gonna get a whole lot more use with your ladies than with your man. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite must-haves for those girl’s nights in – and with The Bachelor finale this upcoming Monday, it’s perfect timing. So let’s pour some pinot to #TeamLaurenB or #TeamJojo and shop all these stylish finds.

Girls Night Essentials

View Slideshow

Girls Night Essentials

View Slideshow

[dotted]

More Registry Goodies

Unique Registry Ideas | Top 10 Registry Essentials | Registry Etiquette 101

Truth be told, I will never tire of a fresh and feminine white space with subtle hints of pink. I’m the same Style Me Pretty girl I was long before my title officially became editor, and a space like this (à la Monika Hibbs!) is timeless beyond measure. I love that a clean, versatile canvas makes it easy to layer in new pieces as your style evolves. Find a few of our suggestions on how to get this home look below!

White Bowl | Gold-Rim Dinnerware | Gold Flatware | Cake Stand | Pink Napkins | Marble Tray

[dotted]

Nespresso | Coffee Cup + Saucer Set | Candle | Striped Towels | Pedestal Stand | White Stools

[dotted]

White Pillow | Lucite Chair | White Lamp | Side Table | Art and Gold Frame | Vase

[dotted]

See more of this space below!

[dotted]

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Home: Monika Hibbs

With the blend of romantic and natural elements set against the modern Solage Calistoga, this Napa Valley wedding is definitely pretty, thanks to incredible vendors such as Bella Figura, Plum Pretty Sugar and Bella Bridal. But this gorgeous day is also full of sentimental details like the grandmother’s butterfly pin adorning the Bride’s bouquet and the piece of her mother’s dress and grandfather’s shirt sewn into her wedding dress. See every detail, captured by Honey Honey Photography, in The Vault!

JORDAN & ETHAN’S WEDDING AT SOLAGE, CALISTOGA from Weddings on Film on Vimeo.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From The Bride…“…for nearly a decade.” This became a running theme through the speeches at our wedding, but to me, it’s perfect. Ethan and I met during my freshman year at the University of Richmond and after years of long distance dating, we made a move to Atlanta for graduate school. As we fell hard for southern cooking, we fell more in love with each other.

But after three years down south, a career change for Ethan guided us west to sunny California. The prospective move was initially hard on both of us and “in true Jordan fashion” I had to throw one last party. Little did I know that the farewell picnic we had planned was a proposal in disguise! Ethan had spent months meticulously coordinating schedules to fly our families to Atlanta, surreptitiously emailing friends from a secret account and picking up the ring, mere blocks from my office! What began as a shock when Ethan got down on one knee, quickly brought me to tears as I realized our friends and family were waiting to celebrate the special moment with us!

We knew we wanted our wedding day to be true to us. We envisioned a blend of romantic and natural elements set amidst a more modern venue, unique, flavorful dishes featuring seasonal ingredients and an all-star band! Sarah Drake with Cole Drake Events and Kristen Seaholm with Solage Calistoga, truly brought our romantic, Napa Valley wedding to life. We knew we wanted to have an outdoor ceremony and we fell in love with the Solage lawn with a breathtaking view of the Palisades Mountains. We wanted a soft palette, a mix of antique whites, soft sage greens, and blush juxtaposed with a glamorous gold to portray an elegant and timeless feeling. Natural elements came to life through a farm wood chuppah, wood tables and bistro chairs.

From the beginning, I knew I wanted there to be meaning and family reflected in every element of the day. My bouquet, comprised of seasonal cafe au lait dahlias, hydrangeas, garden roses, succulents and dusty miller, was adorned with my great-grandmother’s butterfly pin.

For my dress, an absolutely stunning Romona Keveza gown with an illusion neckline. We sewed a piece of my mom’s wedding dress with a sentimental message and a patch of my grandfather’s shirt (my something blue!) to the underside. My jewelry for the day came from family, including my mother-in-law’s diamond tennis bracelet and the same necklace my mom wore on her wedding day! Ethan wore my dad’s yarlmuke, a gift we brought back following a trip to Israel.

It was extremely special to have these family heirlooms woven throughout the space and serve as the thread that connected our families and the generations before us.

While our ceremony was painted in a soft palette, our reception was bold, from the peacock blue linens to the “LOVE” gold lettered balloons to our rockstar band. We ended the night with nonstop dancing and truly created a celebration that will be forever remembered in the minds of our guests.

I never dreamed there would be a day filled with so much love. There were so many magical moments, but my favorite memories are of exchanging personal vows with Ethan in front of all our loved ones and a special first look with my dad.

The day would not have been captured in all its glory if it weren’t for the talented Emma McGowan with Honey Honey Photography. Ethan and I quickly became attracted to her charisma, passion and fun-loving nature and knew we not only wanted her to be our best friend, but to help bring out wedding story to life.

My advice to brides would be to compromise; as many dreams as I had, I realized the day was not only about me but the union of two families. In the same vein, be true to yourselves. There will be many opinions, but your wedding day should represent you as a couple – your interests, hobbies and values. And remember, that through the ups and downs of planning, the day will be one of the happiest of your lives, so take a few moments to look around, cherish the moments and say “I love you.”

Photography: Ether & Smith | Cinematography: Weddings on Film | Coordination: Cole Drake Events | Floral Design: Aimee Lomeli Design | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Cake: Branching Out Cakes | Invitations: Bella Figura | Bride's Shoes: LK Bennett | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Hair + Makeup: Bella Bridal Hair & Makeup | Band: Wine Country Entertainment | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Solage Calistoga | Cocktail Sign: The Paper Walrus | Custom Logo: Union Street Papery | Ketubah: Jennifer Raichman Ketubah | Rentals: Encore Event Rentals | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Table Sign + Escort Card Calligraphy: Scripts By Sara

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

When Jen Huang and Ginny Au join forces, magic enviably happens. The kind of magic that sits with you for days, and leaves your heart in a happier place. And this stunning, light-filled engagement session at a dreamy french chateau is the perfect example of that kind of beauty coming to life on screen. So make sure to take some time to spend some time in this gallery of images, every moment will be worth it.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Jen Huang…For this engagement shoot outside beautiful Paris, the bride paired a loose, burnt orange tee-shirt dress with the groom’s clean, navy suit. Even a simple dress like this exuded elegance and romance, especially with a tailored suit. The dilapidated greenhouse, which was already on site at the Chateau was the perfect place to climb and explore.

Photography: Jen Huang Photography | Styling: Ginny Au | Hair + Makeup: Chiali Meng | Venue: Chateau Bouthonvilliers

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

Photography

Jen Huang Photography

View Portfolio

Fresh homemade bread stuffed with nutella… surely that qualifies as heaven. The second I spotted this Braided Nutella Bread from Lark & Linen I could think of nothing else. It’s the yummiest stuff all coming together in a simple 6 ingredient recipe. One that I have at the top of my to-do list for this Sunday. Now my only question is, can this yummy nutella goodness be made into french toast? Too much? Never!

From Jacquelyn… Did you know that you’re just 6 ingredients away from your own braided nutella bread? I know. And I’m sorry. But I’m also totally not. Because becoming keenly aware of this little tidbit of information has been so good, and terribly bad. It means that I can indulge in a slice of this magic at any given moment. And that, my friends, is a ridiculously dangerous, but equally amazing thing.

Erin LepperdBraided Nutella Bread

prep time 2 Hour/s

cook time 30 Minute/s

total time 2 Hour/s 30 Minute/s

Serves 15Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup lukewarm water
• 2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast
• 2 tsp. granulated sugar
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 6 Tbsp. nutella

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix together water, yeast and sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes until mixture starts to bubble.
2. In the bowl of your stand mixer (or a separate bowl), fitted with the dough hook, mix together the flour and salt. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture and mix until combined.
3. Knead the dough on medium speed for 5 minutes, or by hand for 8-10 minutes.
4. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover with a tea towel and let it rise for 1 hour (it should double in size)
5. On a gently floured surface, roll out the dough until its 10" x 20" and spread nutella evenly, all over
6. Roll into a cylinder, cut in half and twist both halves together.
7. Place in a parchment lined baking sheet and let sit and rise in a warm place for 45 minutes
8. Preheat oven to 350 degrees C and bake for 30 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and crispy on the outside
9. Let cool on a wire rack, slice and enjoy.

Photography: Lark & Linen | Recipe And Styling: Lark & Linen