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Family-Infused Milwaukee Wedding at Villa Filomena

This wedding is lovely in the way that we normally talk about weddings. With gorgeous blooms by Wood Violet, stunning styling by Tailored Engagements and perfect images from Heather Cook Elliott Photography, it truly has it all. But what makes it absolutely gorgeous is the love this brand new family obviously shares for each other, and that love shows in each and every image in this gorgeous gallery.

From Heather Cook Elliott PhotographyTo us, the best part of weddings is the fact that we get to witness and honor through our photographs the making of a family. Brides and grooms choose one another and they join their extended families to one another, but really, in saying their vows they create a legal, spiritual, cultural unit that is oh-so-worthy of adoration. On Blanca and Joe’s wedding day these truths were incredibly palpable and made plain for all in attendance to see and feel and be a part of honoring, too. Joe said vows not just to Blanca, but also to her two daughters, brought into the world in a time before he became such an integral part of Blanca’s life. Lucy and Lydia embraced Joe and their newest sibling Henry throughout the day, too, all smiles, all joy from morning hair appointments to dance floor boogies. They embraced their mom as well, and it really is so easy to see in these photographs that for this new family every heart was full near to bursting. We captured their love and happiness in the small details and in the big moments, as the girls serenaded and danced with their mom and helped her dress for the big day; we captured the fun and frivolity as cousins and friends played oversized board games at the reception and a host of toasts were offered to Blanca and Joe; ultimately we captured this family made official and new and whole. Grab a tissue and take a breath – these images to be savored.

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Photography: Heather Cook Elliott Photography | Styling: Tailored Engagements | Floral Design: Wood Violet | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Sweet Perfections | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Catering: Lee John's | Makeup: Tayla LaMacchia | Groom's Attire: Squire | Venue: Villa Filomena | Ice Cream Bar: Purple Door Ice Cream

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Classic + Elegant Naval Academy Summer Wedding

You know we’re a sucker for a Groom in uniform and this classic Navy affair is certainly no exception. A military chic celebration that we’re falling madly in love with and thanks to Katie Parra Photography we can enjoy it for years to come. See it all unfold in The Vault!

From the Bride… I remember so many special moments from our wedding day…waking up early and taking a walk with my parents, reading a letter from my dear (at that point) fiance, laughing with all my bridesmaids while we prepped, the butterflies in my stomach before walking down the aisle, the disbelief that we had actually pulled this off, seeing every person I care about in this world there to support Jon and I on that day, and, above all, overwhelming feelings of love and humility that all these people would gather to be there with Jon and I. What a celebration of family, of friends, of our shared history at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, and of God’s faithfulness for having brought us to this point. The day was everything I had thought it would be – a showcase of our love and experiences set against the backdrop of all of the individuals who had supported us throughout our lives. A true testament of grace, faith, and joy!

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Photography: Katie Parra Photography | Floral Design: Flower Follies | Wedding Dress: Ola From Modeca Collection 2013 | Cake: The Main Ingredient | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Ceremony: Naval Academy Chapel | Reception Venue: Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Philip Merrill Environmental Center | Engagement Ring: Borsheims | Catering: The Main Ingredient | Makeup: Nichole Jordan | Hair: Mindy Whalen | DJ: Absolute Entertainment | Earrings: Banana Republic | Paper Products: Wedding Paper Divas | Photography - Assistance: Sharmila Photography | Rentals: The Main Ingredient | Veil: Big Rock Bridal | Wedding Dress Boutique: Spring Sweet | Wedding Rings: Zacharys Jewelers

Whimsical French Countryside Chateau Wedding in Burgundy

Zoe and Fredrik are officially living out my wedding daydreams. I mean, their French countryside celebration? Unreal. Just look at these captures from Ian Holmes Photography and you’ll see just what I mean. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the perfection that is the Chateau Varennes, because honestly I don’t think I could stop singing their praises. See it all in The Vault!


From Ian Holmes Photography… Zoe originally from England & Fredrik from Norway now live in New York city. However with the help of Sonja at Chateau Varennes they planned the perfect French countryside wedding. Sonia helped in ensuring every detail was taken care of. The stunning Chateau in the Southern Burgundy region of France was the venue for the entire day. From the ceremony on the lawn to the couples unforgettable first dance and cake cutting around the swimming pool beneath the stars. No detail was missed. A beautiful soft colour palette ran throughout the day, from the bridesmaids dresses to the decor for the extravagant reception.

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Photography: Ian Holmes Photography | Cinematography: Something Wedding | Event Planning: Chateau de Varennes | Floral Design: Viviane Styling & Decor | Wedding Dress: Anna Campbell | Stationery : Minted | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jarlo | Catering: Kookin | Makeup: Annette Thornton | Hair: Bulles D'Hair | DJ: Prestige Animation | Location: Chateau de Varennes | Pastry Chef: Muriel Arcos | Photo Booth: Prestige Animation

Industrial Chic Warehouse Inspiration Session

Industrial chic is the new rustic elegance. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a good rustic wedding, but there’s something about industrial-inspired weddings (and photo shoots like this one) that feels so fresh, modern and cool. With vendors like Kim Lyn PhotographyCristen & CoForklift Catering and Ali Lomazzo Beauty, every curated detail came together beautifully. I dare you not to fall in love with it all in The Vault!

From Cristen & Co.… When I first walked into Warehouse XI, I could not stop dreaming up all the industrial city chic weddings I could plan and design in this space, with their all white brick walls, a huge window with lots of natural light pouring in and the gray cement floors; I knew this venue was a catch!

Warehouse XI is not only a new unique space right outside Boston but it is also the perfect setting for a smaller, more intimate romantic wedding. We teamed up with some more than fabulous friends on this editorial shoot to create a Spring Refined Industrial City Wedding. With an all white color palette, pops of pewter and metallic antique gold we brought spring into the space with tons of greenery and a few white blooms hung on the gold diamond geo shapes above the wooden farm table.

Every detail was carefully curated from the light bulb calligraphy place cards, custom invitation suite with splatters of gold ink, sweet pea spring daiquiri, mini textured cakes adorned with fresh flowers and a hand torn chiffon ribbon ceremony backdrop.

We incorporated some modern elements to create a clean look like the Zen place settings with matte black silverware, gunmetal chairs and a cake that featured a pentagon layer to match the metal nut attached to the light bulb place cards. Forklift Catering created some show stopping colorful dishes from hors d’oeuvres to entrees; they didn’t miss a flavor or detail.

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Photography: Kim Lyn Photography | Event Planning + Design: Cristen & Co. | Floral Design: Sweet Annie Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Astrid And Mercedes | Cake: Sweet Indulgence | Invitations: The Paper Perfectionist | Bride's Shoes: Bella Belle | Catering: Forklift Catering | Hair + Makeup: Ali Lomazzo Beauty | Calligraphy: Extras By Alaina | Groom's Attire: Xedo | Venue: Warehouse XI | Bartending: WanderLush | Capalet: Minaree Finery | Rentals: Peterson Party Center

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Chic 501 Union Late Summer Wedding

You could say this pretty pair of Louboutins got the whole planning process rolling; true, the proposal probably set it off a bit more, but it was these sparklers that amped up the style status immediately! With these babies as inspiration, this wedding became one chic celebration – and Koman Photography was there to capture it all. Head to the Vault for more fabulous fashion and style inspo right this way!

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From the Bride… A week after Pablo and I got engaged, we went on an amazing trip around the world, or what we call our “engagementmoon,” visiting eight countries in three weeks. Once we arrived in Paris, it only felt natural for us to check the first thing off our wedding to-do list and buy matching wedding shoes with those iconic red Louboutin heels. Looking back on it now, I realize that matching one element to another in our wedding became a consistent theme of planning. Doing so made wedding planning that much more fun and effortless, much like finding connecting pieces to a puzzle.

Pablo and I both knew we wanted to keep our wedding close to our home, friends, and family in New York City. After some brief web surfing, I came across 501 Union in Brooklyn, and immediately upon viewing pictures, I knew in my heart that this was the perfect place for us. A week later, we signed for the venue at first sight. Having a background in art, in my eyes, the modern feel of the venue, the black and white walls, and the chic art deco wallpapers provided the ultimate canvas to host any type of wedding.

We set our date for late September, and while fall in New York is beautiful, our summers seemingly feel shorter every year. Trying to extend summer a little longer, we decided on a romantic theme with pink and metallic colors, dreamy tulle, and plenty of pink flowers to lighten up and contrast the venue. The weather on our wedding day ended up amazing, so it actually felt like a perfect summer day.

My family owns a bakery called the Runcible Spoon Bakery, and after receiving a degree in art, I decided to take my artistic talents and apply them to the family business. Over the years, while learning to manage the business and to bake, I also taught myself how to decorate cakes. It quickly became obvious that I would make my own wedding cake. Eventually, I also decided to cater all of the desserts for our wedding by creating an entire dessert bar. I must admit, baking hundreds of macarons, cake pops, and hand decorated cookies, on top of making a wedding cake and planning a wedding, was truly a labor of love.

Our entire day was magical – everything went exactly the way we had envisioned and hoped for the year leading up to it. The saddest part of the day was when it was all over. All of the planning, stressing, and, in my case, baking was so worth it in the end. After the day just flew by and our guests were leaving, I remember turning to Pablo and saying, “Aw – let’s do that again.” It was a good thing we planned an after party!

When it came to picking vendors, we were blessed to have found a team with a creative vision that we could place all our trust in to capture our day. Pablo and I still constantly find ourselves looking through our wedding photos or re-watching our video, because even though the day has gone, those pictures and video still live on and remind us of the best day of our lives – the end of our beginning.

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More fab 501 Union weddings here!

Photography: Koman Photography | Cinematography: Atomic Tangerine Film Co. | Floral Design: Edelweiss Floral Atelier | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Alfred Angelo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Watters | Catering: Creative Foods Caterings | Makeup: Renee Lee | Hair: VickyC5 | DJ: DJ Charles Young | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Groomsmen's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Officiant: One Heart Personalized Ceremonies | Venue: 501 Union | Bridesmaids' Earrings: Chanel | Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Cake + Desserts: Runcible Spoon Bakery | Flower Girl Dress: Etsy | Flower Girl Shoes: PurseSueYourDream | Groom's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Invitations + Stationery: Minted | Photo Booth: Lumi8

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Tour a Cool, Mid-Century Modern Nursery

When it comes to a well designed space, whether it be a nursery or the adultiest of rooms, it’s really all about the basics: a cozy chair, a plethora of reading material and a sweet spot to rest your weary head. The details of this mid-century mod room are what really give it that nursery magic; especially that alphabet card installation. Tour this cool little spot designed by Rehabitat and captured by Carolina Rodriguez for sweet baby Owen with even more in the VAULT.

A cozy apartment residing on the tree lined streets of Logan Square, Chicago is now home to little baby Owen. Lauren and Alex, parents to Owen and creative with every touch, added quite a bit of personal touch to their new nursery with the help of Rehabitat, who is also family – a proud auntie and grandma to the new babe.

Alphabet cards were strung and signed by family and friends with notes of love on the backs, a giraffe and baby blanket were crocheted by grandma, hand-drawn pictures of home were hung above the crib, and a carefully designed and DIY’d mobile were all pieces that came together to make Owen’s nursery his very own.

Shelves were made to fit perfectly into what was once an awkward nook, now display Owen’s styled books and toys while also serving as additional storage. The overall goal was to create a fresh, budget-friendly space with a hint of whimsy. Owen’s modern, gender-neutral yet colorful nursery is now a peaceful haven for the lovely new family.

Photography: Carolina Mariana Rodriguez | Design: Diane + Emily | Rehabitat | Alphabet Cards: Etsy- Holli | Art: Minted | Chair: Wayfair | Crib: Ikea | Gold Frames: West Elm | Lamp: West Elm | Rug: Loloi Rugs | Side Table: Billy Ella | Vintage Pillow: Diane + Emily | Rehabitat

Al Fresco Scottsdale Wedding + Stunning Two-Piece Dress

Last fall, we gushed for our love of the rising two-piece dress trend. And since, we’ve added lots of lovelies to The Vault, which makes me all sort of happy (I would totally rock a two-piecer if I could do it all over). So, this beauty right here in her Rue De Seine dress and Sarah Seven combo gets all the fashion-wows from me. Captured by Paige Jones Photography, you can see the entire day right here!

From Paige Jones PhotographyCaitlin and Paul had the sweetest winter wedding in Scottsdale Arizona. It was a family affair, her sister Paige photographed and filmed the day and her brother Tanner was the officiant. Caitlin was breathtaking in her Sarah Seven skirt and Rue De Seine top, and later changed into a sparkly Seven Cropped top! When her first wedding dress unexpectedly was nothing like the gown she tried on, Caitlin rushed to find a replacement weeks before her wedding. Luckily it all worked out and she looked breathtaking. The bridesmaids wore blush and nude tones while the groomsmen wore navy suits. Posies florals worked magic and found the most beautiful blooms, in December! There were many unique touches such as the decorative table runners and gold brushed accents and the loveliest floral wristlets for the bridesmaids. Also, the bride had the sweetest personalized drawings made of each bridesmaid to give as a gift. 

From the Bride… What did you envision your wedding being prior to planning? Honestly I didn’t really have a vision of what I wanted it to look like. I did know a few things. I wanted it to be my closest friends and family. We were able to keep it to around 80 people! I always knew I wanted my brother to officiate. He was hilarious, heartfelt, and knows us so well. I definitely lucked out having the most amazing photographer as a sister. It was a relaxed family affair and that’s exactly what I was hoping for.

What was your color palette and your style vision? I am gold obsessed! So there were small touches of gold everywhere. I had a glam theme for my bridesmaid so there were hints of gold, blush, and even some florals mixed in.

What unique elements or DIY details did you include? I wanted to get my girls something different. I must have scoured Etsy for months. I ended up coming across an artist (Reani) who does custom portraits. After going back and forth about the details she NAILED it. I framed each portrait and had it waiting for the girls when they arrived at the house. I thought they turned out so cute and captured everyone’s personality perfectly.

What was your favorite moment? Your favorite crafted detail? Well, we ended up having about a 30 minute rain delay before the outdoor ceremony. Yes outdoor. Everyone kept walking into my room with these worried faces. We decided to wait out the rain. It actually was a blessing in disguise because we all cheered when the rain stop and when we started our vows the sky parted and the sun came out. We ended up having even better photos because of the rain!

Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors, your cake etc.? We could not have picked a better florist. I know absolutely nothing about flowers so I put all of my faith in Jami at Posies Florals. She killed it! I couldn’t tell you the name of one flower, but from my bouquet to my dog’s collar it was gorgeous!

My gown was a bit of a debacle to say the least. The dress I ordered originally, showed up in a different material! I had around 3 weeks to find something new. I ended up ordering a gorgeous Sarah Seven skirt that I paired with a lace Rue De Seine top. The blush colored piece I wore underneath I purchased from Free People the day before the wedding! As crazy as that sounds I am so happy my original did not work out because I loved the look and I even ordered a glam Sarah Seven top to change into for the reception.

What is one piece of advice that you could give brides to be? You know we are WOMEN! We tend to worry about the tiniest of details. My friend gave me the best advice going into the planning process. She said worry every day if you have to about details, about weather, about anything. But when your rehearsal day starts, you are not allowed to worry about one single thing. If something goes wrong it doesn’t matter, just enjoy and live in the memories of that day. I took her advice and am so glad that I did.

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Photography: Paige Jones | Cinematography: Paige Jones | Event Planning: Sitting In A Tree Events | Floral Design: Posies Floral | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Wedding Dress: Rue De Seine | Invitations: Studio BDR | Catering: Mustache Pretzels | Calligraphy: Miss Multee | DJ: Austin Hendrix Productions | Venue: Palm Lake Oasis | Desserts: Ruze Cake House | Table Runner: Studio BDR

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Elegant Multicultural New Jersey Wedding

The combining of cultures often leads to greats romances and beyond beautiful results – and this wedding is no exception. Asya Photography captured it all, from the beautiful Bride and her maids to the grand ceremony and sweet pics with her new Husband. Get captivated in our Vault right this way!

From the Bride… We knew since the beginning our wedding was going to be a large party. Ash has a big family and a lot of friends, plus he is an only child so we knew it meant a lot for his parents to share the day with everybody. With that being said there were only a handful of venues in NJ that could hold the amount of people we had in mind (300 was our original number). We went to several venues and there was one I really loved but while waiting for a call back from that venue I decided to make an appointment at The Florentine Gardens. We fell in love as soon as we walked in the door. After that day we disregarded the other venue. I had a vision in my head for our wedding and I wanted the overall feel to be romantic and full of flowers. Florentine Gardens has floor to ceiling windows that face their beautiful gardens, grand chandeliers and an overall elegant, old school look. Also, after talking to one of the wedding coordinators it felt like they actually cared about making our day the most special one and not like a business transaction.

While dress shopping I had a very clear picture in my head of how I wanted to look on my wedding day. I knew I wanted an all-lace dress and that’s exactly what I got, simple, romantic and elegant. My dress is Dennis Basso which was purchased at Kleinfelds. My veil is a cathedral veil with a border of the same lace of my dress.

I didn’t work with a certain theme, but I knew I wanted flowers, romance, elegance and classic. The overall color scheme was blush, ivory and gold. After meeting our florist I decided to add a touch of green from the eucalyptus leaves from our flowers. I wanted the gold to be the focal point for everything. This was carried throughout the whole wedding. Our flower girls had gold shoes and baskets, our centerpieces were gold candelabras, frames displayed throughout our venue were gold and ornate. Ash’s church is full of gold so that was a perfect fit.

We got married through Ash’s church. He was raised in the Coptic Orthodox Church. It is very similar to the Catholic Church except they still have a lot of older traditions and they sing a lot of hymns throughout the ceremony. The ceremony starts with the priests and deacons singing hymns as they walk in. They also sing while the bridal party and bride walk in. Typically in the orthodox tradition the bride and groom walk in together but it was super important for me to walk in with my dad. Ash and his family have been part of St. Mary for a long time and the Father Mark has been a friend of the family for many years. He was able to obtain a special permit in order for us to have a mixed ceremony. My parents do not speak English, so I really wanted for them to understand and be part of the ceremony. I was able to get in touch with the priest that married my sister 10 years ago, also a good friend of ours and he officiated part of the ceremony as well in Spanish. It was really special.

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Photography: Asya Photography | Floral Design: Pink Dahlia | Wedding Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal | Ceremony Venue: St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church | Reception Venue: The Estate At Florentine Gardens | DJ: The Estate At Florentine Gardens | Bridal Boutique: Kleinfeld Bridal

Rustic Chic + Elegant Vineyard Wedding

What to know a little secret? We here at SMP headquarters love ourselves a good pun, and the recently trending cheesecake? Well, it’s kind of amazing. As is this undeniably beauty of a celebration that has us begging Katie Grant for more! Because not only are we now daydreaming of punny cheesecakes, but thanks to this elegant vineyard affair we’ll spending the rest of the evening perusing The Vault!

From Katie GrantNina and Chris planned a very elegant and timeless celebration that would transport their guests from the warm coasts of Western Australia to the heart of Tuscany. Keeping the palette simple with classic whites and olive greens, this wedding screams elegance and grandeur.

Marrying in a beautiful ceremony on a heritage site down south that Chris’s family is tied to (his great, great, great grandmother was the original owner of Ellensbrook house), the two tied the knot in front of friends and family. A gorgeous vintage car transported them to the lush vineyards of local Vasse Felix, a highly revered vineyard in Margaret River. It’s famous tree lined drive was the perfect entrance for the guests and bride & groom alike.

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More Wedding Day Looks Right Here! 

Photography: Katie Grant Photography | Floral Design: Chic Rustique | Wedding Dress: Moira Hughes | Ceremony Venue: Willunga Courthouse Museum | Reception Venue: Vasse Felix | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Zimmermann

Elegant Blush + Gold Al Fresco Wedding

It’s a proven fact that Brett Heidebrecht weddings are always on another level of pretty, but add in 36th Street Events creativity, Marquee Event Group rentals, and you my darling have got yourself a wedding daydream. Capturing the essence of Valeria and Jeffrey’s love and every element of the day at Contemporary Austin was the creative mastermind behind the lens and we’ve got it all in The Vault!

From Brett Heidebrecht… From the moment I first spoke with Valeria & JJ I knew that their wedding would be an intimate and beautiful celebration. Set at the stately Laguna Gloria, it was the perfect venue for their family and closest friends to gather. Valeria worked closely with Ren of 36th Street events to create a layout for their reception that was not only beautiful but conducive to conversation and enjoyment by their guests. The long tables stacked next to each other almost made it feel as though all the guests were sitting at one long communal table. As the food came out and the wine flowed it was wonderful spending time with and capturing all the evenings interactions. The toasts are always one of my favorite parts of a wedding. It’s fun to listen to the funny and emotional stories about both the individuals and the couple and hearing about the journey that brought them together. 

One of my favorite aspects of Valeria & JJ’s wedding was definitely the music. They seemed to select the perfect tunes to fit the mood. They started with the strings of the Live Oak Trio during cocktail hour. Then Taylor & The Wild Now came and played an acoustic set over the multi-course dinner. After dinner, Silvie Rider Young brought some beautiful jazz tunes that was perfect for dancing or lounging. 

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More Wedding Day Looks Right Here! 

Old Hollywood Gowns | Lace Gowns | Beaded Gowns | Classic Gowns

Photography: Brett Heidebrecht Photography | Event Planning + Design: 36th Street Events | Floral Design: Bouquets of Austin | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Word Of Mouth Bakery | Stationery: Paper Place | Ceremony Venue: Smith Chapel, Riverbend Church | Reception Venue: The Contemporary Austin | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Kurant Events | Makeup: Laura Martinez | Lighting: Ilios | Ceremony Music: Live Oak Trio | Transportation: Transportation Consultants | Dinner Music: Taylor & The Wild Now | Evening Entertainment: Silvie Rider-Young | Event Production: 36th Street Events | Getaway Vehicle: Four Leaf Limo | Tent & Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals

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Steal These Hollywood Home Looks for a Fraction of the Cost

If you love our Get the Look features, you’re going to be all heart eyes over this Hollywood-style edition. From Carrie’s Sex and the City bedroom to a high-drama Empire bar to the traditional cozy living room in Something’s Gotta Give, Abby walks us through each look (alongside Meredith Vieira no less!) and how you can make it yours.

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Get the Look from these Hollywood Sets!
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Get the Look from these Hollywood Sets!
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Take a peek inside this collection of Get the Look items from each of these gorgeous Hollywood spaces! And a special thanks to Rent the Runway for Abby’s Meredith Vieira Show look and to the following brands for their involvement in this feature!

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Empire

Minted: Gallery Wall Art | Target: Cocktail Shaker + Ice Bucket | Wayfair: Bar Tray + Picture Light | Pier1 Imports: Console Table | West Elm: Geo Bottle Stoppers | World Market: Sunburst Mirror

Sex and the City

Minted: Gallery Wall Art | Benjamin Moore: Electric Blue Paint | Pier1 Imports: Mirrored Console | West Elm: Frames

Something’s Gotta Give

Dash & Albert: Striped Rug | Overstock: Chairs + Side Table

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Maggie Sottero’s Most Romantic Wedding Gowns

When it comes to wedding gowns, you know we are all about the romance.  Think breathtaking details, luxurious fabrics and every.single.design from Maggie Sottero’s Aracella collection, a lineup of dresses that is sure to add a little amour to your Big Day day look.  So today we’re sharing some of our favorites. From flowy a-lines to dreamy ballgowns made for a princess.  Scroll below for a (very pretty) look.

Aracella by Maggie Sottero
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Aracella by Maggie Sottero
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Designed for all of you lovers of classic romance (think Jane Austen meets Cinderella), Maggie Sottero’s Aracella collection is overflowing with some of the prettiest details you will ever lay your eyes upon; from flattering silhouettes to sparkling Swarovski crystals to stunning illusion backs.  Which means that whether you are a bride with a love for all things modern or a traditional lady who dreams of a fairy tale “I do”, there is something for everyone.  We are so on board with that.

Visit Maggie Sottero today to get your Aracella collection on.  Trust us… you will love every last one.     

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A Rustic Wedding in Highlands, North Carolina

Next up on our day of Brett Heidebrecht, we’re headed to the North Carolina mountains for the ultimate autumn “I do”. With a backdrop of golden leaves and pinch-me views, this couple tied the knot amongst so much natural beauty it nearly stole the show. Fall brides, The Vault is officially your inspiration goldmine.

From the photographer, Brett… The North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains provide one of the most breathtaking views for a ceremony I’ve ever had the privilege of photographing. What started out as a rainy morning turned into a sunny, blue skied day out on the beautiful High Hampton Inn lawn with the face of Rock Mountain and Hampton Lake in the background.

It’s one of those views that seems too good to be true. All eyes on the majestic mountain, that is until Shepard made her way down the aisle in her showstopper of a gown by Monique Lhuillier.  

From the lawn we moved to a beautiful tent out on the golf course. The Retreat out of Atlanta serenaded as Brendon & Shepard shared their first dance on the black and white checkerboard dance floor. After dinner the band played one of the liveliest dance parties I’ve seen and even included an impromptu cameo by one of the guests on saxophone. We closed the night with sparklers, the bride and groom charged through as their friends and family wished them a cheery goodbye.

Photography: Brett Heidebrecht Photography | Wedding Coordinator: Caroline Grogan | Floral Design: Floressence Flowers | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Bunny Bites Carrot Cakes | Catering: High Hampton Inn & Country Club | Band: The Adrian Duke Project | Ceremony & Reception Venue: High Hampton Inn & Country Club | Hair & Makeup Artist: High Hampton Inn Spa | Invitation Suite: Reaves Engraving

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
15 Shoes Every Woman Should Have in Her Closet

Always feel like you have too many shoes, but never the right pair for your outfit? I was there once—a total impulse shoe buyer. So before you buy those unnecessary gold boat shoes or hot red heels that go with one thing in your closet, take a peek at this starter list. If you can build this little shoe arsenal up, you’ll have the perfect pair for every outing.

15 Shoes Every Woman Should Have in Her Closet
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15 Shoes Every Woman Should Have in Her Closet
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More fashion + beauty this way

Margo & Me’s Spring Wish List | Beauty Splurges | Ultimate Wardrobe List

Classic San Juan Islands Wedding

This is what happens when classic meets seaside chic in the San Juan Islands: absolute perfection.  From the crazy cool invites designed by the bride to the sophisticated maids rockin’ Alfred Angelo to the gorgeous reception dotted with Jen’s Blossoms.  Blue Rose Photography was on hand to capture every moment beautifully and it’s all just waiting to be devoured in THE VAULT.

From Blue Rose Photography… Sarah & Jonathan got married on a gorgeous August day in the San Juan Islands. They said I do at the Roche Harbor Resort near Friday Harbor. Jonathan is an Air Traffic Controller and Sarah is a graphic designer. Sarah designed her own invitations and even had a custom font made for their wedding. The font was used in a wood slat they used for their guest book and will be used on their album as well. Since they are both from different places originally, Florida and Minnesota, they blended sand from both states during their ceremony to unite them as one. After the ceremony guests tossed lavender to congratulate the couple. Sarah had the cutest hand painted champagne glasses for her bridesmaids that she got off Etsy. Their Kukuruza popcorn favors were a huge hit as well. One of my personal favorite moments form the wedding was taking their portraits on a giant yacht at sunset!

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Photography: Blue Rose Photography | Floral Design: Jen's Blossoms | Wedding Dress: La Belle Elaine's | Cake: Cakes By Felicitations | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Alfred Angelo | Catering: Roche Harbor Resort | DJ: Otto-Mattic Mobile Music | Favors: Kukuruza Popcorn | Groom's Attire: Joseph Abboud | Venue: Roche Harbor Resort

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Kate Spade-Inspired Fall Wedding in St. Louis

Now this, my dears, is a classic wedding infused with just the right amount of fun and whimsy. From the classic black and white color palette and bouquets finished with monogrammed ribbons to the fun Mr. and Mrs. balloons and the traditional country club setting, this day is total perfection. And thanks to Untamed Heart Photography, you can soak up all the pretty in The Vault!

From the Bride…Nick and I met in college, but we did not begin dating until after he had graduated. After 7 years of dating, we made our annual 4th of July trip to our family cabin in Northern Minnesota. I had always hoped that Nick would propose there, since it is so special to me, but as the week went on and our friends arrived, I began to think it wasn’t time. Well Nick proved me wrong and surprised me one morning on the beach. We were then able to spend the remainder of the weekend celebrating with friends and family!

We knew we wanted a classic and timeless wedding; but our main goal was to make sure our guests, who were traveling from all over, would have an amazing time. I grew up in Richmond, VA and wanted to take some southern accepts and merge them with my new home of St. Louis! We had monogrammed ribbons on the bouquets and magnolia leaves through out the reception, and St. Louis staples in the welcome bags with the famous arch on the welcome note. We kept with a color scheme of black and white, with pops of gold and white flowers with lots of greenery. With the help of amazing vendors, everything just seemed to fall into place, creating the wedding of our dreams. I do have to add that I really lucked out with the most amazing partner because he helped plan almost everything for our big day! It would not have been possible without him.

Throughout the day I was able to spend special moments with my parents, sister, new family, bridesmaids and attendants. All moments I will cherish and all people who have played a huge part in my life. But my first look with Nick was one of my favorites of the day. We were able to take that time to really let it sink in that we were getting married. I will never forget his face when he turned around and the laughs we shared in the moments to follow (Nick always knows how to make me laugh and we are so lucky we found Michelle to capture it all!)

It’s hard planning a wedding, but it really is all worth the stress and tears. I received some advice that I really took to heart in the final month leading into the wedding. “Keep your eye on the prize; marrying your best friend.” This reminded me that it was all going to work out, and it did! From the cake and flowers, to heart warming speeches, to spending the night dancing away with all of our favorite people. It really was the best day ever.

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Photography: Untamed Heart Photography | Floral Design: Flowers To The People | Wedding Dress: Mikaella Bridal | Cake: Honest To Goodness Bakery | Invitations: RSVP | Stationery: Honey Mint Papery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Band: Millennium Productions | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew | Venue: Algonquin Golf Club | Balloons: Kate Spade | Bridal Boutique: Altar Bridal | Hair +Makeup: Salon De Christie

Colorful + Romantic Havana Anniversary Session

When the amazing Rebecca Yale is your sister, you are one lucky lady. First, that means Rebecca Yale, one of the sweetest people ever, is your sister. Second, it means that Rebecca Yale, the incredibly talented photographer, can shoot the most romantic anniversary session in Havana. Three years after he got down on one knee and ten years after they first met, this gorgeous couple posed for some equally gorgeous photos (that I totally want to frame). See all the pretty and escape to paradise in The Vault!

From Rebecca Yale PhotographyMy family loves to travel and I have had the pleasure of shooting my sister and her husband all over the world so when we decided to all go to Cuba for New Years I knew we had to do a very special anniversary session. It was the three year anniversary of when her husband proposed (on New Years day in Antarctica) and just a couple months short of the 10 year anniversary of when they met (at a bar in New York). I found the most perfect red hat at a little hat shop in Key West a few days before we left for Cuba and we let the color red inspire us for a bold editorial inspired anniversary shoot on the streets of old Havana. We wandered the streets at sunrise, taking in the beautiful old buildings and wall after wall of chipping paint. The streets were were already buzzing with locals, waking up early to sit on their stoop and chat with their neighbors. We made our way to the city center where we grabbed a vintage taxi- a bright red Chevrolet of course- and took a few more photographs with the beautiful vintage car.

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Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Dress: Diane Von Furstenberg | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Venue: Havana Cuba | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Hat: Lippy's Hot Hats Of Key West | Tour Company: Insight Cuba

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Classic + Elegant Museum Wedding in Tampa, Florida

This Tampa celebration is a work of art. Because not only did this darling pair plan the perfect party, but the also held their reception in an art museum. I mean, how cool is that?! History buffs take note, this celebration is for you. A gallery that has garnered praise, thanks to K&K Photography we’ve got it all curated and collected for you to view. See it all displayed in The Vault!

From the Bride… The most important aspect of our day was knowing that God was honored in the middle of it all. From the ceremony to the reception, Aaron and I desired for love to be the centerpiece. And it was! Our ceremony was a beautiful celebration of becoming one in front of all of our closest family and friends.

Arriving at the museum, we were greeted by delicate touches of beauty and love, from the linens, to the centerpieces, to the food, to the music – it was all exactly as we had envisioned. The Fall November air was crisp and light, and the love that surrounded us was warm and comforting.

One unique touch there was, was a hot donut stand. There was a line of people waiting to create their own hot donut the entire night. It was a hit!

We can’t thank our vendors enough for providing such excellent service and talent. It was truly, the perfect day.

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Photography: K and K Photography, LLC | Event Coordinator: Bay Bouquet | Event Planning & Design: Ideal Design Events | Floral Design: Bay Bouquet | Cake: Cakes by Nomeda | Reception Venue: Tampa Museum Of Art | Hair + Makeup: Jess Waldrop | String Quartet: Alafia String Quartet | Transportation: Ambassador Limo | Wedding Venue: Hyde Park Presbyterian Church | Donuts: Hot Donut Co. | Wedding Band: The Buzzcatz

Classic + Elegant Fall Dallas Wedding

classic Dallas bash complete with my favorite color palette makes me one happy wedding blogger. Rich jewel tones (those Jenny Yoo bridesmaid dresses!) and lush bouquets make this elegant affair a stylish one to boot and Stephanie Brazzle captured every perfect detail. More in our Vault this way!

From the Bride… Taylor and I met while in graduate school in his final year Texas Tech. We were introduced by longtime mutual friends who would later become married, and eventually a bridesmaid and groomsman in our own wedding! After dating for five years Taylor finally proposed in his hometown of Austin, at the scenic 360 Bridge overlook. He had a photographer and champagne ready. Afterwards, Taylor had planned a romantic dinner at Olive and June. We spent the first 30 minutes calling friends and family spreading the exciting news. Finally we had to turn off our phones and just enjoyed the evening and each other.

After a meticulous search for venues the vintage wood floors and panoramic views at Room On Main swept us off our feet. This historic and vintage feel are what I loved most. The architect in Taylor appreciated the story of the building, the clean lines and openness. Our inspiration pulled from the retro elegance of the 1920’s and art deco time period. Gold, and jeweled reds and blues were our color scheme. I wanted to include little bits of both of us and our families in the ceremony and reception. From Taylor’s grandmother’s silver cake knife we cut cake with to the family pearls I wore with my dress, we had little bits and pieces everywhere that meant so much to us.

The entire day of our wedding I kept reminding myself to slow down and taken it all in, and thought I was doing a good job, but looking back some things are still a blur! The things that stand out are my wonderful bridesmaids helping set out our personal touches in between make up sessions at The Room On Main. Teasing the gold dinosaurs into all standing up, a quirky throwback to Taylor’s childhood obsession. Laying out the chalkboards my cousin and I had lovingly penned. I remember walking down the aisle with my great grandmother’s hand embroidered handkerchief in my bouquet and not being able to take my eyes off Taylor. I’ll never forget spinning through our first dance to Unforgettable, by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole or our polaroid photo booth we kept going back too! I’ll always remember when we dipped Taylor’s favorite pastries in coffee and traded perfect bites instead of having a groom’s cake. We capped off the evening by running through a sea of dried lavender supplied by our eager guests on our way to our getaway car.

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Photography: Stephanie Brazzle Photography | Floral Design: Junior Villanueva | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Crème De La Crème | Stationery: Minted | Ceremony Venue: University Park United Methodist | Reception Venue: The Room On Main | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Cn Catering | Makeup: Beauty By Crissy | Lighting: Le Force Entertainment | DJ: Simply Music Events | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Calligraphy + Photobooth Back Drop: The Feather Edge Etsy

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Colorful Spring Garden Wedding in Sonoma Valley

You might assume today is just another Thursday, but you’d be sorely mistaken. Because today is a parade of pretty like never before, all thanks to Brett Heidebrecht. He’s sharing not one, not two, but three incredible weddings from his portfolio and each one has a style all it’s own. First up, a peony-filled garden soiree with florals by Poppy Lane Design. Go find your happy place right here in The Vault.

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From the Bride… Kellen and I met in Spanish class in 7th grade and after 2 years of coy smiles, blushing cheeks and a wonderful friendship, we finally started dating freshman year of high school. Fast forward through high school, 5 years of long distance, and a big move to Oklahoma, and we finally make it to our long awaited engagement. During an afternoon stroll in my parent’s beautiful, tree-lined neighborhood in California he popped the question, and of course I said yes!

I worked in San Francisco for a wedding planner right out of college so I’d been dreaming and prepping for my wedding day for years. When I moved to Oklahoma City, after a few years working in a flower shop, I got back to wedding planning just in time to plan my own. Thankfully I had known about Annadel Estate Winery from my time in San Francisco and after one site visit with Kellen and my parents it was obvious this was the place for us. From a ceremony in the ruins, to cocktail hour under oak trees and a reception on the lawn surrounded by views of mountains and vineyards…it was the perfect setting for our day.

Kellen and I we wanted a wedding that would represent us–fun-loving foodies who enjoy the company of our loved ones and dancing the night away! Our vision for our wedding day was a cozy farm-to-table dinner party dining al fresco under bistro lights with our closest friends and family. We wanted our wedding to be bright, colorful and full of life…just like us! It really brought an element of warmth & joy to the entire day. We decided to bring the color in through the flowers. Working in a flower shop for two years made me a bit of a flower snob (I have to admit) so naturally I had to have them all! I decided on a mix of bright, citrus colored flowers to pop off the subtle white, blush pink and navy undertones.

What made our wedding special to us and our guests were the personal details. From day one we knew my big brother Matthew would be the perfect person to officiate our wedding. He is compassionate, loving, feels so deeply, and has an amazing sense of humor. It was important to to have someone marry us who knew us separately and together, and someone who grew up with us, watching our relationship grow. Boy was I right! Choosing Matthew as our officiant was the best decision we made and one that we will treasure forever.

Another important personal detail for us was including my gramma. She passed away 8 years ago and I wish more than anything she could have been there on the day of our wedding. My gramma had a love for hummingbirds and since the day she passed hummingbirds have come to represent and remind us of her. To include her I decided to add a little gold hummingbird to several elements in the wedding including our invitation, menu, and customized stir sticks. It was the perfect way to have her there with us – for the guests who knew her, when they looked down at their menus that hummingbird had a little extra meaning, and for those who didn’t know her.. well, who doesn’t love a hummingbird?

My advice for future brides would be to trust the team you hire. Do the leg work to find the perfect vendors for you, but once you hire them, let them do their thing :) With creative freedom comes unexpected and wonderful creations.

Photography: Brett Heidebrecht Photography | Cinematography: Lovespun Films | Videography: Lovespun Films | Floral Design: Poppy Lane Design | Wedding Dress: Enzoani | Cake: Patisserie Angelica | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: The Girl & The Fig | Calligraphy: Blue Eye Brown Eye | Lighting: Creative Lighting Design | Band: Jay Siegan Presents | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Groomsmen Attire: Zara | Accessories: BHLDN | Ceremony & Cocktail Music: Jeff Campbell Music | Ceremony & Reception: Annadel Estate Winery | Design Consultant: A Stylish Soiree | Design, Styling & Coordination: Gibson Events | Espresso Bar: Sweet Springs Rental | Getaway Car: Napa Valley Tours & Transportation | Hair & Makeup Artist: The Glamourist | Invitations, Menus & Programs: Chirps & Cheers | Laser Cut Names: Sofia Invitations | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Lounge Furniture: One True Love Vintage Rentals | Rentals: Blueprint Studios | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Shuttles: California Wine Tours | Tabletop Rentals: Frances Lane