What do you get when you have a Bride with a vision and a team of incredible vendors like Brett Heidebrecht, Elysium Productions, Love This Day Events and Wildflower Linens? Wedding day magic. True to the Bride’s vision, Devil’s Thumb Ranch was transformed into lush, elegant, blush and romantic wonderland. Head to The Vault to see all the gorgeous details, including a stunning invitation suite, beautiful florals and some killer cowboy boots!

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From The Bride…Tom and I met in 2011 in Winter Park, Colorado at Ullrs Tavern. My best friend had a little too much to drink and got sick in the hallway. As I was frantically trying to clean it up and close our tabs so we could get out of there I look over and see a guy (Tom) talking to my friend. I quickly went over and told him he needed to leave her alone because she was intoxicated and he ask me if he could give her a ride home. I said absolutely not because I thought it was a bad idea to ride home with a stranger. He assured me that his friends wife was sober and they could get her home safely. After securing a reference (his Mom) and his social security number I let my friend get a ride home with these seemingly nice, complete strangers. Moments after they drove away I panicked and couldn’t believe I had let my friend leave with complete strangers (I stayed behind because I had paid a $30.00 cover to see Trampled by Turtles and I wasn’t going to leave 10 minutes into the show) so I ran home to make sure she was safe. Upon arrival I found my friend tucked under a blanket on the couch with a cup of water and the trash can beside her and a note from Tom. I thought…wow. What a truly amazing guy and I was very intrigued to see more of this guy and hook him up with my friend….Well that was a failed attempt but in the following weeks Tom and I started to meet up at the mountain to ski. I quickly fell for Tom because he was such a gentlemen which was a rare find in a mountain town. Following that winter Tom and I started spending a lot of time together, going on hikes, bike rides and other mountain adventures and we really just became best friends! That is what our relationship started out as, just two great friends having fun and enjoying the mountains together. After about 2 years of this madness I went home with Tom to Kentucky. At this time I was head over heels for him but had no idea where we stood. I quickly found out that Tom had told his family and friends that I was his girlfriend so after years of stalking and hard work I finally had a BOYFRIEND! I continue to fall more in love with Tom every day. We complement each other in every way and we are so blessed that God put us in each other’s lives, we can’t wait to continue on this beautiful adventure together!

So I had been begging Tom to go on my favorite hike all summer and every time I brought it up he came up with something else he wanted to do that day. The hike is to Columbine Lake and it was the first hike I did when I moved to Colorado and I made it a point to do the hike again every year after that, so I understood that we had other things to cross off the bucket list since we had already done that hike 5 times but I still had to get it done! So…suddenly Tom wants to go on the hike. The weather was not looking good and our dog had just had emergency surgery 3 days earlier but he insisted that this was the day and that the dogs had to come with us. So….annoyed with him…we set out on our adventure. He was acting weird all morning and when we reached the summit he was so worried about getting the camera set up just right so that we could get a perfect picture. With a storm rolling in I was just ready to get down and knew that our dog that had just had surgery was struggling. As I was looking out over the lake and taking in the beauty I hear some rustling behind me and turn around to find Tom on one knee holding the most beautiful ring I had ever seen in my life! He was so nervous he couldn’t even get a word out! I said, “you have to say something!!” He replied “Katie, will you marry me?” and I obviously said yes followed by lots of tears and “Is this real life?!?” It was the happiest most beautiful moment of my life and he couldn’t have planned the occasion more perfectly! (Oh and we have perfect pictures too!)

I have known since my first visit to Devil’s Thumb Ranch that I wanted to get married there and so when searching out Pinterest ideas I found Kara Delay and Love This Day Events. I called her the day after Tom proposed and she started creating my dream wedding! Immediately after talking to Kara I knew that Devil’s Thumb was the place and Kara was the gal to make it happen. It was a fairly simple process for me.

My favorite part of the day was after the ceremony and all of the pictures when Tom and I got to have a few moments just by ourselves and reflect on all the craziness that just happened. Kara (our wedding planner) took us into the reception area and it was like a fairytale. The room was so perfect and beautiful and it was just Tom and I in there. We got to enjoy each other in this beautiful space and just be in love and happy and married. It was such an amazing moment that we got to share. I will never forget those first few minutes as Mrs. Strohmeier when I just got to be with my husband and celebrate all that we had shared together and dream of all that the future would hold following the commitment we made to each other that day. It was truly amazing and reminded me why we worked so hard and planned such a perfect day to celebrate our love!

Something that was really important to me was romantic lighting so that was where my vision started. Also, I really didn’t want to take away from the rustic beauty of Devils Thumb and after we were engaged in a field of wildflowers I wanted to carry that over into our wedding day. When meeting with Kara and Rachel I told them these few tidbits and that I wanted to stick with a neutral/blush/gold theme they took it away and created the perfect vision for what I had in my mind. Lush, elegant, blush and romantic!

My biggest piece of advice for brides is just have fun! Really I had so much fun with Tom, my Mom, Kara and Rachel planning the wedding. I think so many brides get all worked up in every little detail and forget the purpose of planning the perfect day! Remember that in the end no matter what flowers, centerpieces or linens you pick the day is all about you, your spouse and the commitment that you are making with each other and God. Don’t forget to just love your spouse while you are planning and take in every silly moment because in a blink all that planning will just be a bunch of amazing memories. I think with Pinterest and social media we are all so wrapped up in the details when really the most important detail is the love shared between the two people getting married that day! So remember just to love your Husband and if you keep your eye on the reason for the big event everything else will fall in place perfectly!! Oh and… hire an amazing wedding planner. That will help too! :)

Photography: Brett Heidebrecht Photography | Cinematography: Elysium Productions | Event Planning: Love This Day Events | Floral Design: March Floral Designs | Invitations: The Paper Guppy | Hair + Makeup: Christina Trostel | Band: RockSlide (via Partysingers) | Venue: Devil's Thumb Ranch | Linen Rentals: Linen Hero | Linen Rentals: Wildflower Linen

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Elysium Productions

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Classic affairs make my heart happy.  And a classic affair dripping in luxurious pink details and captured in insanely gorgeous images by Ashley Ludaescher?  Even better.  From the crazy cool dessert table from Sweet Diva (hello, cake pops) to the bride’s stunning Pronovias gown to every.last.detail planned to perfection by Doreen Winking.  Head to THE VAULT for every traditional moment, then press play on the sweet film by Vision On Fire below.

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From Ashley Ludaescher… This wedding, planned and styled by Doreen Winking, was such a fun wedding to photograph. The weekend started with a Bavarian style barbecue at Lake Starnberg, where all the guests wore traditional Bavarian Tracht outfits. The relaxed evening was the perfect way to start the weekend and the adorable pretzels in the shape of the couple’s initials were such a cute touch! The wedding itself was held in two of Munich’s most beautiful venues, the St. Georg Church and the Prinzregententheater in the heart of the city. Both perfectly reflected the sophisticated chic and romantic style of our sweet couple.

After the ceremony, the couple and their guests rode rickshaws from the church across town to the reception venue, which was a fun laughter-filled ride. Doreen used a white and pastel color palette and brought in special touches from the groom’s home country of Ecuador, with Ecuadorian chocolate served after dinner, embroidered napkins with the couple’s initials from Ecuador and Ecuadorian roses in the arrangements.

Photography: Ashley Ludaescher Photography | Cinematography: Vision On Fire | Event Planning: Doreen Winking | Floral Design: Julia Hörl | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Stationery: Sonja Bührke | Reception Venue: Prinzregententheater Munchen | Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Tory Burch | Hair + Makeup: Zuzanna Grabias | Groom's Attire: Xuits Munich | Desserts: Sweet Diva | Groom's Shoes: Bally | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Buchscharner Seewirt

You know what is magic about this wedding? Well, besides the amazing blooms by Tre Bella, the gorgeous boho chic design by Erin McLean Events and the lovely Bride, the delicious (in every sense of the word) cake from Ashley Cakes and the breathtaking images from Nancy Ray Photography? It took place during a hurricane. Yes, a hurricane. But even with last minute ceremony venue change, this gallery paints the picture of a day that truly captures the love this couple shares, and that’s really the best. See more in the VAULT. 

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From Erin McLean Events…Danielle + Alex’s design was created around a gorgeous boho chic vest from Anthropologie that she loved. We wanted to bring a garden feel into the rustic feel of the Cotton Room. We brought in pops of sparkle in the champagne sequin linens, gold rimmed chargers, and gold table numbers, to add a sophisticated edge to the boho feel of the space. Danielle and Alex brought in creative pieces of themselves by offering a local coffee brand as favors for the guests and even bringing in a espresso bar during their reception. She also chose to integrate farm tables to give the reception a cozy and intimate family gathering feel. We incorporated beautiful wooden custom signage as an element that Danielle and Alex could have as a keepsake in their home.

Despite having to change ceremony venues at the last moment to accommodate the impending hurricane, their day was magical. The Chuppah transformed the space in the garden feel that Danielle so wanted. The rain even subsided long enough for the couple to capture a few photos on Duke University’s campus, where they first met and fell in love, and Alex proposed.

Photography: Nancy Ray Photography | Event Planning + Design: Erin McLean Events | Floral Design: Tre Bella Florist | Wedding Dress: Watters Wtoo | Cake: Ashley Cakes | Hair + Makeup: The Makeup Culture | Band: EastCoast Entertainment | Transportation: Carolina Livery | Venue: The Cotton Room | Rentals: CE Rentals | Signage: AB Chalk Designs

Christina and Tony planned the perfect museum wedding. Reason being? Their love was the ultimate work of art on display. I mean, how sweet is that!? An elegant celebration complete with A&P Designs and sentimental meaning, Sunglow Photography captured it all to share and thankfully we can relive each and every moment in The Vault!

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From the Bride… Tony and I were married on May 1, 2015, under the shade of a beautiful banyan tree at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida. Since our wedding was in the spring, we wanted it to feel very fresh, natural, and romantic. We used lots of different shades of green along with ivory, champagne, gold, and pops of peach.

We kept our wedding intimate and had fun adding many meaningful, personal touches to the day. I carried the same purse used by my mom on her wedding day. It was lovingly made by my maternal grandmother, who was a wedding dress designer. A picture of my late maternal grandparents proudly hung from my purse along with a “lucky” jade charm from Tony’s grandmother and a gold cross from his aunt.

Instead of having a traditional cake topper, we used a teacup and saucer from an heirloom china set gifted to us by Tony’s parents. Our wedding favors included mini boxes of warm Krispy Kremes, because anyone who knows Tony, knows how much he loves his donuts! And of course, we wrote and exchanged our own wedding vows; we wouldn’t have had it any other way!

What we will treasure most about our wedding day was the overwhelming sense of excitement, love, and support we felt from our friends and family. Everyone was smiling ear-to-ear all day, and it was just so cool to see how happy they were to celebrate our marriage!

Photography: Sunglow Photography | Event Planner: Lisa Mohyla Of Exquisite Events | Floral Design: Creations by Mylez Edward | Invitations: A&P Designs | Catering: Olympia Catering | Hair + Makeup: Michele Renee The Studio | DJ: The Party Doctors Productions | Wedding Venue: St Petersburg Museum Of Fine Arts

After saying “YES” on holiday in Thailand, these Brisbane-based cuties decided to continue their love affair with the special spot and say “I do” there as well. Ana Lui captured every paradise-perfect moment that was infused with a modern, minimalist design and her pics are our saving grace this Tuesday morning. See more in our Vault right this way!

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From Ana Lui Photography… Bec and Ben are both based in Brisbane, the capital city of QLD, Australia. Bec works for an International Publisher in a Content Management and Global Operations role, and Ben is working in a Business Development role for a new start-up. They had met back in 2011 through mutual friends – it was a chance meeting, with both of them deciding to tag along with their friends for a quick drink at the Limes Hotel. They got engaged in April 2014 while holidaying in Phuket, Thailand. While enjoying a two week holiday at The Pullman Arcadia, Ben proposed about half way through the trip. He had arranged for champagne to be delivered to the Sunset Deck and the new happy couple watched the sunset and enjoyed some bubbles. Right then and there they knew they wanted a destination wedding.

“We wanted to spend quality time with our guests, while everyone was in holiday mode. We had been the year before, and had fallen in love with Thailand. We toyed around with Europe and America, but decided to stick with Asia due to its proximity to Australia,” says Bec.

They turned to Danielle of White + White for help, an incredible wedding planner and expert based in Brisbane, in conjunction with Isla and Smith based in the UK.

“After reading a few wedding blogs, everyone recommended using a wedding planner for destination weddings, and with hectic jobs, I didn’t need any further convincing! It was the best decision we’ve ever made – for us, it made the entire process a dream and we could have never have achieved what the ladies pulled together. I had to continually pinch myself on the night, it was breath-taking. Danielle and Lisa were brilliant to work with, and are the masters of the industry,” says Bec.

I always dreamed of shooting a wedding in Thailand so when Lisa from Isla and Smith emailed me asking if I want to shoot Bec’s and Ben’s elopement I jumped up with excitement and after a brief chat with the bride to be we booked the flights and packed our camera bags. I am based in Ibiza but up for traveling any day! I am so happy to have been there with Bec and Ben, and also to work alongside super talented and crazy organized Danielle and Lisa!

When I was shooting Bec getting ready I couldn’t wait for her to put her stunning dress on! Her dress was designed by Gwendolynne Burkin of Gwendolynne based in Melbourne.

Bec says she has been looking for a perfect wedding gown and simply fell in love with Gwendolynne designs. “She was amazing to work with, so much passion and so much care. The team were so professional and scheduled around work travel to make my life easier. It was such a beautiful and detailed dress, took months of stitching and hand beading, but it was easy to wear and looked spectacular,” Bec recalls.

The wedding venue was dressed with native Thai flowers such as orchids and lush greenery, and Danielle and Lisa (the Event Planners) used them in abundance in the ceremony and reception. They focused on clean, minimalist colour palette to compliment the venue. Traditionally, the style of flowers in Thailand are tightly arranged with lots of ribbon, but Bec decided to strip everything back to have a much more relaxed, effortless vision, with hand tied orchid stems and hanging orchids in watercolour shades. The result was breathtaking! The girls also created a bespoke tablescape design, by incorporating clear glass wine bottles with tapered candles, lush greenery and stylish letterpress menus with silver foiling to announce the abundance of (incredible) food that was coming.

Danielle sourced Ben Jay, an English-born DJ based in Phuket, and booked local fire dancers who did the show just before midnight.

“We had planned a week of events for our guests, so built a website to keep everyone in the loop as details were finalized. We used the website to house accommodation and flight options, as well as information about Thailand and what to expect. We gave everyone as year’s notice (via a ‘save the date’) to give people plenty of time to save and prepare; and to keep people’s interest, we sent everyone a series of postcards to invite them to the different activities,” says Bec.

Everything was simply perfect. Venue, food, decorations, dress and the vibe with all the guests were super relaxed and having fun! It was an incredible experience to photograph their wedding day as well as the boat trip around the bay of Phuket. I shot hybrid – both digital and film – and I’m very happy with the results.

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Photography: Ana Lui Photography | Event Planning: Isla And Smith Wedding Design | Event Planning: White+white Weddings And Events | Wedding Dress: Gwendolynne | Hair + Makeup: Twidale | Venue: Sala Phuket | Film Processing: Carmencita Film Lab

Guys, I don’t need to tell you just how much we love photography… I think that goes without saying. But what I DO need to share with all of you is our absolute obsession with the seriously talented OLLI STUDIO; a team of modern photographers and cinematographers that are all about capturing your Big Day with a contemporary approach that is timeless, elegant and fresh. We sooo heart them.

Based in NYC and offering the most recent advances in the photography field, OLLI STUDIO’s photojournalistic approach to your wedding day will leave you, well… very, very happy. That’s because OLLI STUDIO prides themselves on staying up to date on the latest in trends and bride preferences, which means that they are 100% committed to capturing your every moment in the most joyous and unobtrusive way possible. From that ear to ear smile you’ll be flashing as you slip into your gown to your breathtaking ceremony under a canopy of trees to the fun-filled sparkler exit at the end of the night, OLLI STUDIO will be there… and you (and your guests) won’t even notice.

With OLLI STUDIO, gone are the days of cookie cutter anything. Say goodbye to assembly line coverage, poses and staged photography and say hello to a talented team of NYC photographers and NYC wedding cinematographers that will highlight your distinct personality through each and every image… from the tears to the laughter to everything in between. Contact OLLI STUDIO now to begin your journey towards a day that is captured with grace, distinction and style. And make sure to check out their new studios in California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Texas. It’s the best decision you’ll make, lovelies.

Imagine a day on the Northern California coast with ocean views like you wouldn’t believe. Now imagine that as the setting for a rustic autumn wedding designed by Mallory Joyce. It’s a recipe for pretty with Lucy Cuneo behind the camera, and if you want EVEN more reason to love this couple check out their engagement session on the Little Black Book blog!

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From Lucy Cuneo…Nina and Lawrence chose the dramatic scenery of Elk, CA for their Fall wedding. They were rewarded with stunning weather and a breathtaking backdrop for their fun and beautiful wedding. A truly adventurous couple, they welcomed friends from their worldwide travels for their intimate celebration.

Mallory Joyce expertly provided a cozy atmosphere that perfectly complemented the working barn on the Roth Family Ranch. Candles and drapes set the stage for a party that ran long into the night.

Photography: Lucy Cuneo Photography | Event Planning & Design: Mallory Joyce | Floral Design: Mallory Joyce | Wedding Dress: Rue De Seine | Catering: Assagiare Mendocino | Makeup: Kellie Rose Collins | Invitations + Calligraphy: Poppy And Scooter | Groom's Attire: Hudson Custom Suits | Venue: Cuffey's Cove Ranch | Desserts: Franny's Cup And Saucer | Rentals, Lighting + Draping: Matt Rowland Events

When Victor and Analiz decided to get married, the beautiful Bride decided she wanted to marry in an old, abandoned chapel where she could make their dreams come true. With the help of STEM Events, this couple transformed the forgotten chapel by the sea into their own “sacred piece of land.” See the transformation and the rest of this beautiful day, thanks to E.P. Anderson Photography, in The Vault!

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From STEM Events…“We want to get married at the Vieques Ecumenical Chapel, that is a meaningful place for us.” This was among the first things the groom, Víctor, told me when we first met. I immediately knew this was going to be a special wedding. I knew very little about this forgotten Chapel and they were very sure they wanted to get married there. Almost all brides and grooms that choose Vieques for their weddings want to hold their ceremony by the beach, but not these couple, they chose a historic Chapel; a chapel that has been a symbol of peace for Vieques island.

For a destination weddings event designer at the Caribbean like myself, my biggest stress the day of a wedding is that it might rain. When I opened my eyes that morning I immediately went outside and look to the most blue and beautiful sky I could ever asked for. It was a perfect Caribbean day to celebrate a wedding, I was happy.

If you have a stunning venue, such as the Vieques Ecumenical Chapel, you don’t need much in terms of décor, you just have to take advantage of what nature offers you. A Eucalyptus garland was the main décor item used at the altar. We hung white fabrics from the sides of the Chapel that were blowing and moving all day long because of the wonderful seaside breeze of the area. Some wild horses got closer to the Chapel as if they were guests to the wedding adding a touch of wilderness and nature to the surroundings.

Analiz wanted and selected very simple botanicals. She didn’t want anything too overdone or elaborated. She chose Peonies in coral and pink tones, Lisianthus and Hydrangeas in bottles, mason jars and simple crystal vases.

They enjoyed a wonderful ceremony and a great party at the W Retreat and Spa and an after party in one of Martineau’s private villas. Today they are as happy as the first day I met them for planning.

From The Bride…When Víctor and I decided to get married, I told him that I was going to find my own chapel, a magical place where I could make my dreams come true. I did a little bit of research and we ended up visiting Vieques to see with my own eyes the abandoned Chapel that looked so beautiful and interesting on the internet. The forgotten old Chapel was sitting by the crystal blue ocean in a beautiful field invaded by wild horses, our eyes could not believe it.  It automatically became our sacred piece of land. We asked the mayor of the island to donate the repair of the Chapel if the state would let us marry in it, and he approved our proposal.  The Capilla Ecuménica has an incredible history. This chapel was used as a safe ground to protest the band of the Navy from Vieques Island, it is a signature of Peace and Love. My now husband is an event producer and I do all hospitality for his events, so coordinating a wedding did not seem like a challenge to us. However, without having Stem Events on our corner, it would not have looked so stunning. The effort, passion and love we put into fixing it reflected into the awaited date. It was a perfect windy afternoon for friends and family. The sun filtered through the missing walls and over 50 wild horses showed up to witness our beloved union. Everyone in our ceremony felt special, they all understood that true love had prevailed, and for a split second I felt that my fairy tale became a reality. 

Photography: E.P. Anderson | Floral + Event Design: STEM Events | Wedding Dress: Ecliptica | Ceremony Venue: Vieques Ecumenical Chapel | Reception Venue: The W Resort and Spa | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Nativa | Hair + Makeup: José Quiñones & Janice Cuadrado | DJ: DJ Gulembo And DJ Dennis López | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein | Event Management: Vanessa Valedón | Flower Girls Dresses: Pretty Flower Girl | Invitations + Table Numbers: Lisa Semidey

ANY day spent with Wedding Paper Divas is reason enough to grab the bubbly and throw a virtual party, but today is a little extra special.  Think 10-Year Anniversary, 30% off special with the place that knows everything about setting the (very sparkly) tone for an event worth celebrating. From fab Save the Dates to gorgeous invites to everything in between.  Here’s to you, Wedding Paper Divas… happy anniversary.

Wowing your nearest and dearest with stunning stationery has never been easier with Wedding Paper Divas’ never-ending collection of paper goods that are as sparkly as your engagement ring.  From their breathtaking lineup of foil-stamped pretties to their awe-inspiring shimmer collection that will most definitely leave all of your guests talking.  And don’t forget that with Wedding Paper Divas, you can customize everything from fonts to colors… which means you + yours will shine through every piece of gorgeousness.  Awesome, no?

From their high-quality + cost-effective invites and thank you notes to their ah-mazing lineup of Save the Dates and menus, Wedding Paper Divas has you totally covered when it comes to adding some shimmer and shine to your Big Day.  Head there now to peruse the options and take advantage of their sitewide anniversary sale.  You’ll receive 30% off of EVERYTHING, plus 10 FREE thank you cards as a special gift through March 8th.  It’s celebrating in style with Wedding Paper Divas and we are sooo excited.

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Wedding Photography: Jose Villa | Wedding Paper Divas’ Paper Goods: 1. Shimmering Strings Wedding Invitations 2. Shining Heart Save the Dates 3. Stunning Union Save the Dates 4. Effervescent Sparkle Wedding Invitations 5. Spectacular Splatter Response Cards 6. Forever Laced Save The Dates 7. Diamond Sky Thank You Cards 8. Fanciful Sprinkle Save The Dates 9. Diamond Sky Response Cards 10. Gilded Romance Menu Cards

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Photography

Jose Villa Photography

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Whoever invented washi tape changed the meaning of DIY forever. From the gilded to the patterned variety (hello, adorable flamingos!), it’s the perfect way to pretty up any project. Like say, this fab flower wall we debuted earlier today as a part of our Bachelor Viewing Party. Peruse some cuties to add to your collection below!

15 Chic Washi Tapes for the DIY-Obsessed

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15 Chic Washi Tapes for the DIY-Obsessed

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Washi Tape in DIY Action

Favor Envelope Bags | DIY Fresh Flower Wall | How To Reconnect

After 3 moves, 2 puppies, 1 house, and graduate school, Bradley asked Mary to be his Bride, and the results? Absolute wedding day perfection. An evening complete with a Spanish guitar serenading, delicate flower crowns, and an open aired utility acting as the getaway car, their day was filled with whimsy and romance. As evident through the captures from Sarah Kate Photo, you can witness it all in The Vault!

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From the Bride… Brad and I met in April of 2008. He was working at the Capital Grille in the Crescent Court and I was working at Stanley Korshak. We bonded over our time living and traveling abroad throughout Southeast Asia. After our first date, we were inseparable. 3 moves, a new house, 2 puppies and graduate school later, he proposed. We were visiting Santa Fe in the fall and went to a Japanese style hot springs that was situated overlooking the side of the mountain. He surprised me with a beautiful ring and we spent the rest of the trip celebrating and thinking about how we wanted the wedding to come to life! We wanted the wedding to have an air of whimsy and romance, and we tried to incorporate this with the florals, the beautiful outdoor setting under and oak tree, the Spanish acoustic guitar music, and definitely the dress. I wore a beautiful long sleeved romantic gown from Berta Bridal along with a delicate flower crown. All of the bridesmaids wore long gowns of different styles in a romantic blush tone, along with beautiful flower crowns. Brad combined a bit of polish with his Vera Wang tux with a bit of punk with his patent leather tennis shoes. In the spirit of rustic chic, we drove away in a Mule (open aired utility vehicle) with flower petals in the bed that flew away as we drove off.

Photography: Sarah Kate, Photographer | Event Planning: DFW Events | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Wedding Dress: Berta | Wedding Cake: Panini Bakery | Invitations: Wild Almond Blue | Reception Venue: White Oaks Ranch | Hair + Makeup : Maitee Miles | Lighting: Beyond Lighting | Linens/r + Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals | Photo Booth: The Photobus DFW

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Florals

Bows and Arrows

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I say this almost every time but I honestly mean it. This just might be the easiest DIY we’ve ever done. And the fruits of your labor are tenfold. A fresh flower wall perfect for snapping pictures, as a focal point for your very own Bachelor Viewing Party, or behind the sweets table… we could go on and on. Grab flowers, washi tape and scissors…. and this pretty, pretty goodness will all be yours.

Flowers – we used ranunculus, garden roses, spray roses and carnations
Washi Tape
Scissors

 Keep flowers in water until right before you begin to keep from wilting. Trim flower stems to roughly 3 inches and precut washi tape.

Using washi tape, secure flowers to wall starting with the top row and working left to right to find spacing. We decided on roughly 6″ between each column.

Once the top row is set, begin building your vertical columns working top to bottom, using the top row as a guide until you have 9 columns. Try spreading out the different colors of the flowers as you go.

For a fuller, less structured look sporadically fill the empty spaces between the columns with more florals once your 9 columns are complete.

Voila! Step 4 involves enjoying your fresh flower wall as a photobooth backdrop, for dessert display or just to stare at in awe because it’s that good.

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Photography: Gabrielle for Style Me Pretty | D.I.Y. Flower Wall : Style Me Pretty | Floral Crowns: Winston Flowers | Wall Flowers: Winston Flowers | Washi Tape: Paper Source

There is always something I automatically gravitate to when first opening a gallery of images. But you know what pulled me in immediately with these gorgeous images by Matt Lien Photography? The way he looks at her. And the way she looks at him. So when you add in the stunning florals from Munster Rose and too many fabulous details to count, you can guarantee by the end I’ve turned into complete wedding mush. See even more in the VAULT.

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From The Bride…Stephen and I wanted our wedding to be a representation of our love, who we are, and who we will be as husband and wife. We absolutely loved the planning process! We enjoyed going to Starbucks on a nightly basis to discuss anything ranging from our vows to what kind of charger plates to use. We only went to look at one venue, and knew right away that the Calhoun Beach Club was where we wanted to get married. The classic, elegant, and sophisticated look of the venue was both modern and traditional. This was exactly what we were looking for.

This classic, romantic, and timeless feeling was the overall theme for our special day. Our color scheme included shades of blush, ivory, green, and gold. For our ceremony, I walked down the fairytale staircase at Calhoun Beach Club where my soon to be husband was waiting for me under our beautiful floral trellis. Our 200 guests enjoyed the string quartet that played during our ceremony and outside on the terrace for cocktail hour.

During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeuvres outside on the terrace while overlooking Lake Calhoun. We offered signature His and Her drinks. His was Stella and Hers was a Cosmopolitan. Guests also enjoyed our Bubbly Bar, which included an assortment of champagnes chilled with floral ice cubes created by Munster Rose.

We placed an assortment of vintage mirrors throughout our venue that were used for our bar menu, guestbook sign, and our hash tag sign. Rosann Konieczny did the calligraphy on the vintage mirrors, which brought a stylish and classic look. Stephen and I had fun going to various antique shops and boutiques throughout Minnesota to find the perfect mirrors!

During the reception, we had a photo booth provided by Matt Lien Photography with a stunning floral backdrop designed by Munster Rose. Our favors were bags of coffee beans from Dogwood Coffee. On the packaging was the story of us and how we first met.

Our day was so special and was such a perfect representation of our love. Everything came together so perfectly thanks to our family, friends, and amazing vendors!

Photography: Matt Lien Photography | Cinematography: Capture Studios | Floral Design: Munster Rose | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Stationery: Paperista | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Calhoun Beach Club | Hair + Makeup: emily j. hair + makeup | Calligraphy: Rosann Konieczny Calligrapher | Lighting: Phos Events | DJ: Instant Request | Groom's Attire: Dolce & Gabbana | String Quartet: Alpine String Quartet | Venue: Calhoun Beach Club | Groom's Shoes: Prada | Linen Rentals: Linen Effects

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Jenny Yoo

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Meghan and Zach are a couple after my own heart. Why? Partway through planning a traditional wedding, the Bride and Groom looked at each other and decided to start again from scratch—this time planning a wedding that would be the ultimate reflection of them and their love. The result is a day so pretty, not even a little rain could ruin it. See it all thanks to Whitney Krutzfeldt in The Vault!

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From Sweetheart Events…My favourite aspect of this wedding was that they followed no rules and threw tradition out the window to ensure the day was a reflection of them. This wedding had a ceremony at sunset, cocktails with live jazz and baby grand piano on the terrace and an afterparty at the couple’s favourite hangout until the early hours the next morning.

Meghan and Zach fell into the traditional wedding style when they began planning their big day- the ceremony, the cocktail hour followed by dinner buffet reception with head table and round tables scattered throughout. At one point in the planning process, Meghan and Zach looked at each other and asked themselves if this wedding was truly them and what they wanted. They decided to change their overall vision and begin again from scratch; this time it would be the ultimate reflection of them and their love story together. Another reason why I love this couple so much! The style was a mix of romance and vintage with many personal elements and a few jewish traditions. On the day, despite the Vancouver rain, the couple arrived at Hycroft Manor to finish getting ready and prepare for their first look on the terrace (such a great moment!). After the couple shared a few moments alone together they were joined by their wedding party for photo time before an intimate lunch on the terrace with immediate family. We styled the long table with greenery garlands, delicate florals and beautiful calligraphy heart cut place cards and two vintage chairs for the bride and groom. After lunch, the couple continued photos (when the sun peeked out for a bit) while the SHE team transformed the terrace to prepare for the sunset ceremony. Meghan and Zach were married in front of one hundred friends and family as the sun was setting behind the Vancouver mountains with a custom ceremony that was a beautiful reflection of them as a couple and their love story. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed passed canapes, signature cocktails and live music played on a white baby grand piano with many fun filled speeches and toasts. At 10pm (due to noise restrictions) the party wasn’t ready to end so guests were welcomed onto red trolleys with live jazz musicians taking them to Mahony & Sons Coal Harbour for the afterparty for late night snacks, live music and the Hora! This wedding will be one I will never forget.

Photography: Whitney Krutzfeldt Photography | Floral Design: Celsia Florist | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Bride's Shoes: Aldo | Jewelry: The Borrowed Collection | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Etsy FashionStreet | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Etsy Petorhouse | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Vera Wang | Catering: Hycroft Manor | Hair + Makeup: Makeup By Denise | Band: Max Zipursky | Groom's Attire: Moule | Officiant: Darian Kovacs | Transportation: Vancouver Trolley Company | Venue: Hycroft Manor | Bride's Belt: Olivia | Coordination + Styling: Sweetheart Events | Decor Rentals: The Borrowed Chic | Late Night Reception: Mahony And Sons

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Scott and Catherine’s Washington D.C. wedding is full of all kinds of pretty—the Bride’s lovely lace wedding dress, the graphic gold and white illustrated invitations the gorgeous florals and so much more in The Vault, thanks to photos from Elizabeth Fogarty. But my favorite part? The DIY “Party Animal” escort cards that set the tone for a fun-filled reception!

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From Elizabeth Fogarty…This classic wedding at the Hotel Monaco was just the perfect summer day. Scott and Catherine were just giggles the whole day. They had the quintessential Washington DC wedding. My favorite detail were the gold donkeys and elephants. This was a total DIY project by the bride and groom. They were the ones who spray painted them gold! Da Vinci florist just brought so much life to the wedding with their flowers. They ended the day is the biggest dance party ever!

Photography: Elizabeth Fogarty | Event Planning: Kathleen At Elegant Momentz | Floral Design: Davinci Florists | Wedding Dress: Katherine's Bridal Boutique | Invitations: DH Fitzgerald | Hair + Makeup: Amazing Occasions Hair & Makeup | Officiant: Marriage Dc | Venue: Hotel Monaco DC

Today we’re giving MAJOR props to this darling duo. For not only did they elope in THE most beautiful part of the world, but they also managed to plan the entire celebration via e-mail. I mean, that right there is proof that they had the utmost trust their vendors, and the payoff? AH-MAZING. It’s the perfect intimate ceremony complete with endless love and thanks to the ever-so-talented Jasmine Star we’ve got it all waiting in The Vault!

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From the Bride… The most difficult part about planning an elopement in another county would be the communication, specifically the language barrier. Several of the important details from my perspective (hair, makeup, flowers, ceremony plans, etc.) were all discussed, negotiated, and confirmed/secured via email. That can of course be a little nerve-racking, especially when contracts and an exchange of monetary value is involved. However, as we’ve socially evolved as a culture over the past decade there are so many secure sites that make doing business internationally much more accommodating! Oh, and the time difference. Carl and I found ourselves up at 4am here in Florida calling the event coordinator at La Foce or our priest to discuss details, details, details.

The advice I would give to other brides wanting to plan an elopement internationally would be to start “planning” or at least securing your “must have” vendors (photographer, ceremony site, etc.) at least a year in advance. Engage with your “core vendors” for recommendations on other “must haves”. For example, when scouting a designer for a unique veil ask ask your photographer, “What’s the most beautiful veil you’ve ever photographed..and who designed it?”

Lean on your inner-circle of friends, colleagues, co-workers, family, etc. as a resource for different aspects of the inital planning. This could be as simple as posting on social media a question about “Anyone been to Italy? What was your favorite region? Any breathtaking venues I MUST know about when planning a special getaway?”

Build relationships with everyone you communicate (especially those who are located at your chosen destination). Yes, build relationships with folks you initially email simply inquiring about a venue, pricing on something, etc. How do you do this? Be diligent with your email follow through. Google their name and establishment to find something unique about them and mention it in your correspondence. Read reviews online and highlight something special someone said about their experience with said person and/or venue. If the person is extra helpful, write them a hand-written card thanking them. This “relationship building” in turns helps you find your “local liaison”…which brings be to my next point….

Find a local “liaison” of sorts to help you navigate the (even small) barriers of planning (language, time difference, etc.) This person isn’t necessary your “coordinator” (for instance Carl and I didn’t have a local coordinator/planner), but instead someone who you’ve emailed and/or spoken with on the phone enough times that you can perhaps Cc them in an email with someone they have referred you to to help explain something when you’re having difficultly understanding or “connecting a dot”. For instance, this person for us was the rental manager at the estate we stayed at and had our wedding ceremony. She was so helpful when we initially reached out to inquire about the property that I felt comfortable Ccing and including her on the email exchanges we had with our priest about ceremony details when we were each having a hard time articulating certain things. She was happy to chime in and help both ends fill in the blanks. We kept the theme of “relationship building” going with her by bringing her and her assistant a gift from Paris upon our arrival.

The real unexpected perk was getting to experience the special Sposi Novelli treatment at the Papal Audience where Pope Franicis welcomed people from all over the world to celebrate the anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and did a special blessing for those approved to sit up front (newlyweds!!!!). Newly married couples traveled from all over the world to experience this so for us having already scheduled a wedding and honeymoon in Italy and THEN finding out about this opportunity was definitely an UNEXPECTED perk. Needless to say we revolved our honeymoon schedule around getting a special blessing from The Pope. Apparently the tradition of “blessing newlyweds” has evolved over history (depending on who is Pope).

Photography: Jasmine Star | Floral Design: Stiatti Fiori | Reception Venue: Chiarentana | Makeup: Sams Parrucchieri | Wedding Venue: Chiesa Di S. Bernardino

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Lana Ponomarenko Photography has officially ignited wanderlust in us all. For with each and every captured from Greg and Kelly’s engagement session, we’re dreaming of warm Florida sunshine. It’s the ultimate escape that you can partake in, and we’ve got it all waiting in The Vault!

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Photography: Lana Ponomarenko Photography