There are brides who totally rock the DIY, and then there is this bride.  A seriously stunning graduate of the French Culinary Institute who not only had one epic vision for her big day (think rustic romance meets ranch glam), but took it upon herself to also bake.the.cake.  Yep… she’s as awesome as you think. And her wedding day captured by The Edges Wedding Photography and planned to perfection by Vibrant Events is, well… all sorts of amazing.  See it in THE VAULT right this way.

And a sweet film from Forward Motion that will totally make your day…

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/153997049 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… When my fiancé and I started planning our wedding, we’d just recently moved to San Francisco from the East Coast, where nearly all our friends and family reside. We decided that if our guests flew all the way across the country for our wedding, we wanted them to have a real wine country experience and show off everything Northern California has to offer. Sonoma was an easy choice because of its proximity to San Francisco, and its unpretentious, laid back, authentic vibe. When we first visited Beltane Ranch at the suggestion of our wedding planner Corina, we immediately fell in love with it and knew it would be our spot. Beltane just has the most gorgeous, magical light that makes everything feel super special. We loved the history of the property, and how authentic everything felt there. The old trees draped in moss, the beautiful historical yellow home, and the stunning vineyard views sealed the deal, and we put our names down for the last available wedding date on our first visit.

In planning our wedding, Corina our wedding planner guided us through the multitude of choices, and was instrumental in creating our Sonoma wedding weekend. She has a knack for knowing what you want before you can even articulate it, and balanced all our families’ opinions and needs seamlessly. She was a real bright spot in our year of wedding planning, always ready with a solution and her contagious laugh that always lightened the mood. She helped us create a wedding weekend filled with amazing local food, fun live music, fantastic California wines, and all the small, thoughtful, bespoke details we’d hoped for.

My husband and I chose to do a first look on our wedding day, which I’d definitely suggest to anyone planning their own wedding. My nerves before that moment were though the roof, but once we saw each other, nerves gave way to excitement and the rest of the day was just pure joy.

As a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, I’d always dreamed of baking my own wedding cake. I loved the personalized element it would add to our wedding, and the wonderful story I knew it would become for my husband and I. When I told people of my DIY wedding cake plans, nearly everyone told me I was crazy! A lot of research, lots of thoughtful planning, and only a few moments of self doubt where I did indeed feel crazy, led up to my homemade wedding cake that was entirely worth it. It definitely wasn’t perfect, but it was beautiful and delicious, and very meaningful.

Our wedding day was filled with dozens of special small moments, but seeing our friends and family, who’d traveled across the country, and some from half way around the world just for our wedding, really made the whole day feel extra special. The love packed into that day was almost overwhelming, and my husband and I reveled in it for weeks after. We decided to go with a family style menu for our dinner, and that was a real highlight for us and for our guests. Sage catering put together an incredible local, seasonal menu for us, and everyone raved about the gorgeous dishes. The family style meal really helped set the tone for the night, and felt very “California” to our East Coast guests. As the sun set across the vineyard and light filtered through the mossy trees, everyone just pinched themselves because it all looked so stunning.

The best advice I received as a bride came from a close family friend who’d recently gotten married. She told me to look out at our guests during the ceremony, and just soak up that rare, special moment with all our favorite people. I looked out several times throughout our ceremony, and it really helped me revel in that moment, and see the love that surrounded us.

For other couples planning a wedding, we’d definitely advise working with a planner, at least for the day of your wedding. Everything goes by in a split second, and having a professional there ensuring everything runs smoothly truly is invaluable. And make sure you love your planner, because you’ll spend more time with them than almost anyone else! We’d also suggest picking your battles. Pick five main things for your wedding that are the most important to you, and fight for those five things. Everything else is background, and stressing about each minute detail will drive you crazy, and take the fun out of this special time.

Photography: The Edges Wedding Photography | Cinematography: Forward Motion Production | Event Planning + Design: Vibrant Events | Floral Design: La Fleuriste | Wedding Dress: Liancarlo | Cake: The Bride | Stationery: DiSanto Designs | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Rings: Union Street Goldsmith | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Weddington Way | Catering: Sage Catering | Hair + Makeup: Wallett | DJ: Dave Tutton | Groom's Attire: Kenneth Cole Reaction | Officiant: Rev. Dr. Joe Indano | String Quartet: San Francisco Conservatory Of Music | Venue: Beltane Ranch | Bridal Boutique: Marina Morrison | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Photo Booth: Say Ya Photobooth

Can someone please pinch me, because I’m pretty much convinced that this gallery a la Jessica Gold Photography has got to be a dream (it’s just that good!). From the soft pairing of dreamy whites with elegant details, this inspiration is sure to be the ultimate browse. A romantic yet understated vision that is perfectly translated, we invite you to witness every darling detail in THE VAULT!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Jessica Gold Photography…After discovering our mutual love for the White Sparrow, it didn’t take long for us to become absolutely inspired. When we dreamed of this project, we wanted to incorporate the subtle beauty of the barn into the overall vision. We wanted to embrace the barn’s romance, and simplistic appeal. We drew inspiration from the venue’s dreamy whites and adorned the table with a subtle color palette, romantic, lush florals, and simple yet personal place settings. We love the personalized name plates created by Wondrous Whimsy, and their unique touch. Our vision was to create a scene that was romantic yet understated, focusing on beauty of the venue and it’s beautiful outdoor space as well. We chose details that played well with the location, such as the gorgeous greenery arc created by Oh Deery Floral which provided a lovely frame for our tablescape and couple. As for our bride, we love her flowing blush gown, and the color contrast it creates between our lady and the white background of the venue. Along with her hair adornment from BHLDN, her elegant beauty resembles the overall vision.

[dotted]

See even more head-turning trends here!

Photography: Jessica Gold Photography | Floral Design: Oh Deery Floral | Invitations: Wondrous Whimsy | Hair + Makeup: Beauty And The Blush | Venue: The White Sparrow | Event Planning + Styling: The Daily Romantics | Rentals: Propmaker Event Rentals | Table Settings: Anthropologie

I’m convinced this Bride had a fairy godmother because her Naeem Khan wedding dress is way too beautiful to be real. And, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a little magic sprinkled everywhere at this fête. From the dress and Manolo Blahnik heels to the chapel ceremony and garden reception, every inch of this wedding from Bianco Photography deserves to be pinned. See it all in THE VAULT!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Bianco Photography…There are places in which I feel immediately enraptured by the atmosphere, the taste for details and all the history that those houses treasure. That’s why I was immediately enthusiastic when Lynn and Joe asked me to take pictures at their wedding at Sibton Park, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever had the chance to work in. More, Lynn was wearing a stunning gown by Naeem Khan, one of my favorite bridal fashion designers ever and the most loved Manolo Blahnik (you might remember them in blue from Sex & The City’s wedding? I know you do). What on earth could I desire more than this? A special thanks to Sarah of Softley Events as well, for the beautiful planning!

Photography: Bianco Photography | Event Planning: Softley Events | Event Planning: Merren Events | Floral Design: Jamjar Flowers | Wedding Dress: Naeem Khan | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Venue: Sibton Park

I love all you brides out there, but those that lean on the traditional side are ladies after my own heart. And this one here, striving for a style that would look wonderful 100 years from now, is pure beauty. Overflowing with blush and ivory florals, I’d say she succeeded and Melissa Arlena’s beautiful pics are all the proof you need to agree – see them in our VAULT right this way!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Melissa Arlena Photography… When planning her wedding, Samantha was inspired by tradition. She wanted “the simple elegance of weddings from years ago, something that in 100 years would still be looked at as classy.”

Keeping with tradition, Samantha’s sisters stood by her side as her Maid of Honor and bridesmaids, she gave them a color to work with and let them pick their own dresses. The styles were beautiful and fit each of their personalities.

Stevenson Ridge was the perfect mix of historical and modern, with the ceremony taking place in the reclaimed 19th century chapel with it’s exposed post and beam frame and 25′ cathedral ceilings. Samantha made her entrance on the arm of her dad through 10′ antique doors once owned by Ulysses S. Grant. Her florist Amanda Veronee (also the bride’s sister and Maid of Honor) created a gorgeous floral backdrop to say their vows against and filled the room with hundreds of candles for a warm and soft romantic glow.

Samantha’s advice for future brides is to spend money on flowers – “My floral budget is what made my wedding beautiful…and it also saved me from having to come up with crafty ideas for the ceremony and reception – the florist was so detailed that I didn’t need to decorate anything but my entry table, which also meant less stress for me leading up to wedding day.”

[dotted]

Find more romantic floral inspiration here!

Photography: Melissa Arlena Photography | Floral Design: Amanda Veronee | Wedding Dress: Ava Laurenne Bride | Cake: Cakes In Art | Bride's Shoes: Vince Camuto | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Catering: Stevenson Ridge | Hair + Makeup: GoGoGorgeous | DJ: Taylor Haycox | Venue: Stevenson Ridge | Bridal Boutique: Eden Bridals

Hold your horses darling readers, because this Kentucky equestrian farm wedding is sure to have you running a bit wild. It’s the type of pretty that is bound to carry us all away and it could only be captured by the ever so talented Whitney Neal Photography, and the results? Well, let’s just say perfection would be a massive understatement. See it all in THE VAULT!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/132652063 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Jaclyn Journey…Skye & Trey’s Hermitage Farm nuptials were chic, effortless, stylish, and comfortable. Both the bride and groom are Kentucky natives but live in NYC and wanted their out of town guests to experience the beauty of Kentucky’s rolling hills at the state’s oldest working horse farm.

The bride and groom hosted a weekend at Churchill Downs and Kentucky distilleries for their guests.
Skye walked down the aisle to Pretty Woman played by a bluegrass band on the porch of the historic 1800’s farm house. Her dad welded the flower covered arch they were married under.Skye chose punches of red (the signature color of Hermitage Farm) coral, peach, and pops of ivory for her color palate. She was married at the height of peony season so we were able to create lush arrangements with bold blooms.

We created a custom stamp illustration (High Fancy Paper) of their dog Louie for their wedding invitations
Skye surprised her groom with a boxwood wall for photos during cocktail hour and dinner. I surprised Skye with a wooden cut out of their custom monogram smack dab in the middle of the wall that could be removed and taken home as a little piece of their wedding.The groom created a custom bourbon bar for his out of town guests to partake in Kentucky tradition.Their late night chicken snack was driven in all the way from their hometown of Henderson Kentucky as a surprise to all their guests.

[dotted]

See even more head-turning trends here!

Photography: Whitney Neal Photography | Coordination: Brady & Co. | Floral + Event Design: Jaclyn Journey | Wedding Dress: Houghton Bride | Invitations: High Fancy Paper | Catering: Wiltshire Pantry | Venue: Hermitage Farm | Furniture Rentals: Canvas Event Furniture | Rentals: Reliable Rentals

I’m pretty sure that dreamy is a word that lives in every Bride’s personal dictionary. No matter the style, it applies to all of the above. And this bridal session from Katie Nicolle Photography fulfills every inch of what dreamy means to us. Starting with those painstakingly beautiful blooms from Ooh La La Designs. Come gaze at it all in THE VAULT.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Katie Nicolle Photography…I adore the Scarborough Bluffs and I have wanted to shoot there for quite some time. It looks like a beach on a stormy North American coast line or a warm and sunny beach tucked away on a tiny island in the Caribbean. My inspiration for this shoot was to create something modern and perfectly elegant. The less props, the less models involved, the better. I wanted to focus mostly on the model with a quiet and romantic feel. Kelly from Ooh la la Designs designed a loose and foraged style bouquet and flower crown with touches of blush and ivory for a perfect breezy look. We added a delicate and romantic cake by Sweet Celebrations and a wispy hair piece by Frilly Bits. The sun was at the perfect place for the golden hour romantic touch.

Photography: Katie Nicolle | Floral Design: Ooh La La Designs {floral & style studio} | Cake: Sweet Celebrations Wedding Cakes | Calligraphy: Post Calligraphy | Venue: Scarborough Bluffs Park | Boutique: Second Dance Bridal | Hair Accessories: Frilly Bits Custom Jewellery | Model: Nicole Mary | Photography - Assistance: Stephanie Young

To (very loosely) paraphrase my favorite author, Jane Austen, “You only get one chance to make a first impression.” That’s as true in relationships as it is with your home, so why not make your entryway a wow moment? And, with these tips from interior designer Max Humphrey of Burnham Design, you’ll be well on your way to a gorgeous foyer and amazing first impression.

[dotted]

Tips for Making Your Entry a Wow Moment

[dotted]

Go Big or Go Home.

Entryways are a great opportunity to use a crazy wallpaper or bright paint color to set the tone for your whole house. Since they’re generally smaller spaces, it’s fun to experiment and be bold so your guests freak out right when they get in the door. We’ve done everything from painting a checkerboard pattern on the floor to painting all the walls navy blue.

Don’t forget the greenery.

House plants or cut branches and leaves are an easy way to get something organic mixed in to your entryway styling, and they last longer and are way less fussy than cut flowers. Some clients have a magnolia tree in their yard and we cut branches and put them in a tall vase on their entry table and they look super dramatic. Even Home Depot has house plants — it’s all about putting them in a cool vessel.

Art. Art. Art.

Your entry is a perfect place to show off a favorite piece of art—you’ll see it every time you walk in or out, and your guests will be able to enjoy it, too.  Go for a gallery wall if you have a space for it and don’t want to commit to a color or paper on the walls. Entryways can be more than just a spot to drop your keys when you get home from work — show off!

Calligraphy: Lauren | Interior Design: Burnham Design | Tips: Burnham Design

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

I’ll ride the New Years high for as long as I can and that means soaking up every single bit of fresh, chic style that I can get my hands on – and lucky for me, we have this modern Manhattan bash by Daughter of Design to dive into. With a Bride that rocks her Romona Keveza gown (courtesy of Gabriella New York) and Lindsay Madden’s pics to pin all over our Pinterest boards, I’m feeling inspired already. Oh and McKenzie Miller Film’s clip? The icing on the cake. Head to the VAULT for it all.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/141700689 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Lindsay Madden… Mia and Jake were married on a gorgeous summer day at Studio 450 in Manhattan. Mia and Jake envisioned their wedding day to be modern yet romantic and most importantly, centered around their family and friends. They teamed up with Annie Lee of Daughter of Design and Bess Wyrick of Celadon & Celery in order to bring their vision to life. Studio 450 was the perfect blank canvas for their blush and gold color palette. Mia’s bridesmaids selected their own dresses and their whole look was tied together by lush bouquets provided by Celadon & Celery. Mia looked radiant in her blush Ramona Keveza wedding dress from Gabriella Bridal while Jake looked very “downtown black tie” in his Michael Andrews Bespoke tuxedo.

Bess Wyrick created an organic yet modern chuppah for the couple’s rooftop Modern Orthodox ceremony. The location for the ceremony was both intimate and incredibly romantic. The reception decor complemented Studio 450’s clean space and since it’s always the details that make any event stand out, Annie Lee of Daughter of Design worked her magic with a gold on clear on pink tablescape. Another design element that really caught everyone’s attention was the wisteria and vine ceiling installation created by Bess Wyrick and her team for the dance floor. Mia and Jake’s cake was designed by Cake Alchemy and all of their guests danced the night away courtesy of the Michael Hart Band.

[dotted]

Peruse more modern bashes here!

Photography: Lindsay Madden Photography | Videography: McKenzie Miller Films | Event Planning: Merren Events | Event Planning: Daughter of Design | Floral Design: Celadon And Celery | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Cake: Cake Alchemy | Invitations: Minted | Wedding Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Simply Divine | Makeup: Amy Chin | Hair: Joyce Cohen | Lighting: Robert Stark Lighting | Band: Hank Lane Music | Groom's Attire: Michael Andrews Bespoke | Venue: Studio 450 | Bridal Boutique: Gabriella New York Bridal Salon

Every element of this summer celebration shines on its own but put it all together, and well, pop on those sunglasses on my friends because this bash is bright! Eddie Winter from Readyluck captured all the brilliance True Event created, all the beauty by Hana Floral Design and Jennie Fresa’s hair and makeup magic, and all the tasty treats from Gourmet Galley – see these and more in our VAULT right this way!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… Eric and I had the perfect summer Connecticut wedding. We were engaged for over two years, so had plenty of time to plan. Saltwater Farm Vineyard was the only venue we toured and we immediately knew it was the perfect casual but elegant setting for our special day. Living in California, my amazing mother and our wedding planner Sarah True from True Event handled many of the smaller details.

Our ceremony was performed between the vines by my middle school headmaster, Doug Lyons. My Maid of Honor sang “When you wish upon a star” before Eric and I recited our own vows to one another. The personal details of the ceremony were truly special. Cocktail hour on the patio was followed by dinner and dancing in the restored airplane hanger. We had spectacular New England summer weather and it was the day after the blue moon. Our wedding day could not have been any more perfect!

[dotted]

Find more New England nuptials here!

Photography: Readyluck | Floral Design: Hana Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Allegria Bridal | Catering: Gourmet Galley Catering | Makeup: Jennie Fresa Brow & Beauty Bar | Lighting: Power Posse Productions | Band: Murray Hill Talent | Venue: Saltwater Farms Vineyard | Event Design + Coordination: TRUE Event | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Save The Dates: Minted

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

Hana Floral Design

View Portfolio

‘Tis the season for saying “YES!” to the one you love… and for all of you newly-betrothed ladies + gents out there in SMP land, Sweet Monday Photography has you totally covered.  Think an ah-mazing Style Me Pretty Collection, plus a fabulous giveaway from a team of photogs that knows everything there is to know about capturing your Big Day.  Sooo awesome?  Yes. They. Are.

From that beautiful First Look between you and yours to those special moments you’ll share with everyone you love, Sweet Monday Photography (aka, April and Lindsey) has a way of capturing every spectacular second in the most breathtaking way possible.  That’s because these two picture taking geniuses are not only best friends (since age 12!), they’re former brides, as well.  Which means they completely and totally understand what it takes to preserve those joyful moments of your Big Day, so that you can cherish them always… whether it’s those butterfly moments right before you put on your dress or your epic reception, sweet dance moves included.

Natural, vibrant, fresh and totally stunning, Sweet Monday Photography is THE best decision you’ll make while planning your wedding.  Contact them TODAY to begin your journey towards the most perfect collection of images you will ever lay your eyes upon… and be sure to follow Sweet Monday Photography on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for even more inspiration!

Sweet Monday Photography is offering SMP readers a special Style Me Pretty Collection if you book your wedding by March 31, 2016!

STYLE ME PRETTY COLLECTION – $3750 + MO Sales Tax
8 Hours of Wedding Coverage by Sweet Monday Photography
10×8 Custom Wedding Album
Engagement Session
High Resolution Digital Files of Engagement and Wedding Images

This is over $1000 off Sweet Monday Photography’s regular pricing!

What: Sweet Monday Photography is giving away a Fine Art portrait session (including High Resolution Files) to one SMP couple to be used for a bridal session or an engagement session in the St. Louis area! (Value $500)

How: Simply leave a comment below telling us what moment of your Big Day you are looking forward to the most!

Who: One lucky SMP reader, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, February 5, 2016!  For terms and conditions, click here.  Good luck, lovelies! xo

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

Let’s face it — most brides-to-be embark on some kind of diet and exercise regime in the months before their big day. I know I wasn’t alone, right!? Admittedly, I didn’t have a ton of weight to lose but I did want to feel my very best, so I teamed up with Carlene of Healthfully Ever After for a clean (and delicious!) eating plan that’ll keep us all right on track.

Clean Eating Tips

View Slideshow

Clean Eating Tips

View Slideshow

[dotted]

More newly engaged ideas and inspiration here!

[dotted]

Photography: Abby Jiu Photography | Florals: Intrigue Designs | Jewelry: Loren Hope | Caitlin’s Bracelets: Loren Hope | Caitlin’s Necklace: BaubleBar | Caitlin’s Sweater: Joe Fresh | Illustrations & Graphics: Katie Wong Of Striped Cat Studio | Recipes: Carlene Thomas, R.D , L.D. | Shoot Location: FA Design Build

Tuscany has won over our wedding-loving hearts time and again. Easy. It’s old world charm blended with organic details pairs so elegantly with love-filled soirees. And today, we’re getting a little behind the scenes peek at one of those deets from a countryside affair: the invites, my favorite. The design team at Anticipate Invitations is walking us through every bit below!

From Anticipate Invitations…Deborah and Rafael’s destination wedding in the Tuscan countryside swept guests away to a secluded weekend of picturesque romance. With fairytale views amidst a backdrop of historical architecture, the couple wanted to reflect the rich culture ready to greet their guests.

Their invitation featured metallic gold foil printing and a hand-painted watercolor monogram made of olive leaves. Watercolor olive branches also accentuated the response and welcome dinner cards, while the pastoral map featured a full watercolor scene of the Tuscan wedding weekend.

The back of the map card included directions to the wedding locales and was printed in both English and Italian. The invitation envelopes were lined with gold paper and addressed in a coordinating style.

A large program booklet included a traditional ceremony progression and was translated into three languages. To further highlight the region, olive oil favors with custom labels were given to guests at the reception.

More Invitation Inspiration this way!

Photography: Anticipate Invitations | Invitations: Anticipate Invitations | Ceremony Venue: La Cattedrale Dell'Assunta Di Pienza | Reception Venue: Borgo Di Castelvecchio

You know that couple who’s so effortlessly chic that basically everything they touch turns to gold? I think that’s this couple who pulled off a East Meets West Coast Black Tie Garden Party. It’s every bit as cool as it sounds, complete with wild foliage, flower crowns and farm-to-table fare. Thanks to Sally Pinera for adding these gems to our inspiration hub, The Vault.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Sally Pinera… This wedding is a Black Tie Garden Party where East Coast meets West Coast. With Bobby growing up in classic New England and Molly growing up in hipster Portland, Oregon, they were determined that their wedding showcase both old world glamour and new world bohemian aesthetics. The ceremony took place in the great oval room inside the Newport Country Club (a historic private golf club that hosted the first U.S. Open in 1895). Wine barrels overflowing with wild foliage lined the front of the aisle while a string trio played some of their favorite songs by Coldplay, Lana del Rey, and Kishi Bashi.

The tent was transformed into a secret garden with foliage and glass orbs hanging from above and large floral table runners cascading over the edges of each table. Hundreds of votives lighted each long farm table while vintage gold frames featuring hand painted rose watercolor table numbers with love quotes from classics such as Pride & Prejudice, Maya Angelou, Henry David Thoreau, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Rose colored quartz pieces held each guest’s calligraphy name card in place.

Guests feasted on “farm to table fare,” such as beef tenderloin, swordfish, and roasted corn & caprese salad with bundles of haricot verts. Dessert consisted of a chocolate cake with vanilla bean frosting and fresh raspberries with rose watercolor streaks and gold foil cascading down the layers. A dessert bar featured dozens of macaroons in the bride’s favorite flavors: earl grey with honey, lavender with blackberry and rose with raspberry, while miniature limoncello cones were passed around on painter’s palettes.

Guests danced the night away while a 10-piece band played everything from Frank Sinatra to Pharrell. At the end of the night, vintage trolleys took guests to their accommodations.

Photography: Sally Pinera | Coordination: Exquisite Events | Floral Design: Stoneblossom | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Makeup: Joanna Petit Frere | Hair: Lawrence Hamilton | Invitations + Calligraphy: Cast Calligraphy | Venue: Newport Country Club | Earrings: BHLDN | Hair Accessories: Mignonne Handmade | Veil: Saks Jandel

Any day devoted to the lovely Registry at Bloomingdale’s is always fabulous, but when that day also happens to include a Monique Lhuillier Wedding Day Sweepstakes valued at $20,000, it’s an entirely new level of awesome.  Think a beautiful gown, veil, china, crystal AND flatware from one of your favorite designers ever.  The prize package to end all prize packages?  We couldn’t be more excited.

With The Registry at Bloomingdale’s, turning that house into a home is the easiest part of planning your wedding.  I’m talking amazing perks and beyond outstanding customer service, all wrapped up in a never-ending list of insanely gorgeous products that will make your heart happy.  From exclusive savings to bonus gifts to honeymoon packages to a spectacular Completion Offer, The Registry at Bloomingdale’s has your newlywed abode totally covered.  You’ll even get to work with your very own Personal Registry Consultant who will guide you every step of the way with handy + easy-to-use tools, like a Wedding Checklist, Thank You Manager and crazy cool Big Brown App.  Oh, and that Monique Lhuillier Wedding Day Sweepstakes we mentioned? It’s sooo fabulous.

What: Open a qualifying registry* at Bloomingdale’s in January (1.1 – 1.31) and receive one (1) entry into the sweepstakes to win a Deluxe Monique Lhuillier Wedding Day Prize Package valued at $20,000. *Qualifying Registry contains products valued at $6,500.00 or more.  Product can be added through February 7th, 2016. 

Who: One grand prize winner will receive a Monique Lhuillier bridal gown and veil, Monique Lhuillier Waterford fine china, crystal and flatware, a trip to New York or California for a dress fitting at the Monique Lhuillier boutique… and much more!

Terms & Conditions: Can be found right here. Good luck, loves!

[dotted]

1. Monique Lhuillier Waterford Etoile Platinum Dinnerware 2. Nest Fragrances Birchwood Pine Classic Candle 3. Monique Lhuillier Waterford Stardust 5-Piece Place Setting 4. Cuisinart Triple Rivet 15-piece White Handle Cutlery Block Set 5. Keurig 2.0 K250 Coffee Maker 6. Monique Lhuillier Waterford Stardus Goblet 7. Villeroy Boch New Wave Eye Catcher Chip & Dip Server 8. All Clad Stainless Steel 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven with Lid 9. Monique Lhuillier Waterford Atelier Ring Holder 10. Bric’s Bellagio 30″ Spinner Trunk 11. Ralph Lauren Palmer Bath Sheet

Grand Prize Giveaway Image: Rebecca Yale Photography

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

Photography

Rebecca Yale Photography

View Portfolio

Ok, ok, so we know a round up of the most gorgeous birthday cakes to grace our screens the week many people are starting their New Years resolutions could be seen as a tad bit mean. But these are all so pretty they are basically art – and art doesn’t have calories! So let’s raise a glass to all these pretties as we officially induct them into our Birthday Cake Hall of Fame, because they are all more than worthy.

Birthday Cake Hall of Fame

View Slideshow

Birthday Cake Hall of Fame

View Slideshow

What could be better than cookies and pie? The two of them. Together. Yes, you read that right: berry pie cookies. These scrumptious treats are the best of both worlds with the crunch of a cookie and the ooey gooey goodness of a pie. And as if that wasn’t enough to convince you to get baking ASAP, they make the perfect hostess gift or favor for any holiday party. Get the recipe and DIY favor box below!

• berries
• pastry brush
• cookie cutter
• knife
• fork
• pie dough
• sugar
• raw egg
• hole punch
• tape
• box
• parchment paper
• scissors
• string
• tag
• tissue paper
• color paper
• tissue paper
• pen

Make your berry filling, stir until sugar has dissolved. Use a scalloped edge cookie cutter to cut circles into your pie dough. You’ll need dough for both your tip and your bottom so cut 2x the amount of cookies you want. Pull away 1/2 of your circles from the dough and place on a parchment covered cookie sheet. Fill each base cookie with a small tablespoon of filling.

Top each berry-filled cookie with a second layer of dough. Place the second cut cookie shape over the berry filled base and press your edges down gently to seal. Using a knife cut three small slits in the top of your dough. Press the edges down with the back side of your fork to ensure berries stay inside while baking. Brush the tops with a bit of egg wash (1 egg + splash of milk).

Fold the edges of your square favor box. Tuck a piece of tissue paper inside, allowing longer edges to fall outside the box. Place a piece of parchment paper inside the bottom of the box on top of the tissue paper. Add your first cookie. Top cookie with another piece of parchment paper and layer until your box is full. Fold over the tissue paper then close the lid to your box. Use washi tape to secure the box closed with a piece of scrapbook paper. Add a sweet handwritten message to you box for a personal touch!

[dotted]

See even more SMP DIY’s in THE VAULT! 

Photography: leila brewster

I now have major birthday party goals. Major might not actually be a strong enough word to describe this celebration crafted by Toast Santa Barbara. Insane, beyond words beautiful, best party of the century gets us a little closer. It’s a roaring 20’s inspired birthday to celebrate thirty years of fab and let me just say, the chandeliers hanging from the trees are pure magic. And so is the cake. And so too are all the pretty images from Elizabeth Messina. And the film from Lola Video. So without further ado, meet the end all be all of 30th’s...

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/149353975 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

The team of vendors that were quickly assembled were some of the best in the industry which made for an epic experience. The weekend-long celebration culminated in the party of all parties. The birthday girl sparkled in a sequin Monique Lhuillier gown and Coady Culha jewelry. Guests in period-attire gathered in front of 1920’s cars for photos by Elizabeth Messina during cocktails and then were invited to Villa Sevillano’s lower lawn for dinner.

Large-scale vintage chandeliers were hung in trees on the property, over the vintage bars from Barn Relic and of course, over the dining table on which was served an incredible dinner from Heirloom LA. Candles and flowers from Flowerwild graced all surfaces, a custom covered dance floor brought in from Bella Vista Designs echoed the time period and welcomed guests to dance to the sounds of West Coast Music’s custom created band. For those not dancing, lounge furniture from Found, was the perfect escape.

Champagne and cocktails flowed late into the evening thanks to the skilled bar tenders at Simply Cocktails SB and guests, exploring the paths around the Villa, found themselves in a speakeasy that kept the party going until the early hours of the morning. Overall, quite a success and I’m sure the guests are still talking about this one! Make sure you take a peek at the film from Lola Video! It will make you wish you had had an invite! Happy Birthday Montana! Cheers!

Photography: Elizabeth Messina | Catering: Heirloom LA | Lighting : Bella Vista Designs, Inc | DJ: DJ Amara | Band: West Coast Music | Bartending: Simply Cocktails | Birthday Girl's Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Chandeliers: Omega Cinema Props | Cigarette Girls: Tribute Productions | Design, Production, Coordination: TOAST Santa Barbara | Estate: Villa Sevillano | Floral: Kate Holt Creative | Guests' Hair And Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Photo Booth: Pop Rock Photo Booth | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Table Top Rentals: Kate Holt Creative | Table Top Rentals: Casa de Perrin | Valet: Blue Star Parking | Video : lolavideo.net | Vintage Rentals: Found Rental Co. | Vintage Rentals: Barn Relic

Tomorrow marks 100 days until my fiancé Tom and I officially tie knot – it’s happening!! When I was in elementary school, our class used to celebrate this type of monumental countdown with 100 pennies or 100 gum balls, however these days, all I can think about is how I should probably be scrambling to do 100 sit ups instead…

As a bride-to-be, there is a constant pressure to lose weight or #ShedToWed for the big day. Articles that read ‘Wedding Day Ready Arms’ or ‘Booty Busting Workouts’ are all over my Pinterest board and Facebook newsfeed. Now don’t get me wrong, I love having resources like this and this at my disposal, but sometimes it’s hard to not fall trap to the pressures of losing weight. The scale used to be something I tucked away behind my sink, but now, it’s out in the open, constantly taunting me and yelling at me to get to the gym!

Recently, Women’s Health editor-in-chief, Amy Keller Laird declared that the fitness and health magazine would no longer include the phrases ‘Bikini Body’ or ‘Drop Two Dress Sizes’ on their covers (for good). It got me thinking about my own journey down the aisle and the role fitness and healthy living has played. Sure, it would be amazing to lose weight, but I care more about how I feel walking down the aisle than any number on a scale. At the end of the day, no number in the world will make me happier than seeing Tom for the first time as my husband.

Yes, the next few months will inevitably be a tug-of-war between feeling like I should go to the gym and just being happy with myself. And of course, you don’t have to be getting married to understand that struggle, but the declaration from Women’s Health has taught me that perception of the ‘perfect body,’ or in my case ‘wedding day body,’ is changing, and feeling my best is all that matters on April 16th when I become Mrs. Sjoberg.

My New Year’s resolution? Through the rest of this planning process and come wedding day, I’m living by the mantra “If you feel good, you look good.”

It’s the most amazing day of your life. You just married your best friend, enjoyed the gorgeous reception you’ve been planning for ages and danced the night away surrounded by loved ones. Now all that’s left to do is to say goodnight! (Okay, and maybe enjoy a little after-party fun..) Wrap up your wedding day in true rock star fashion with a dazzling sparkler exit! Trust us, your guests will remember it forever.

50 of the Most Magical Sparkler Moments

View Slideshow

50 of the Most Magical Sparkler Moments

View Slideshow

More Tips + Tricks for a Magical Exit

Tips For Snapping The Perfect Sparkler Photo | The Dreamiest Getaway Cars

This wedding had me at hello.  Well, actually, it had me at classic meets modern affair held at a chocolate factory, but you get me… it’s completely awesome.  From the neutral + completely elegant color palette to the fabulous florals from Bloomin’ Buckets to the never-ending lineup of breathtaking images from Laura Ann Miller.  Indulge your sweet tooth right this way in THE VAULT.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Laura Ann Miller Photography… This St. Louis wedding was such a charmer! Kristen and Michael’s day was elegant, timeless, and fun! Kristen’s lace dress was just to die for, and Michael looked smashing in his classic black tux. They blended a mix of green, gold and white into the day, which worked perfectly. The maids wore pistachio dresses, the groomsmen tuxes and the reception decor was filled with greenery!

The cherry on top… their reception was held in a chocolate factory! The Caramel Room at Bissinger’s was sweet, just as the name implies. Guests sipped on signature chocolate martinis, mingled on the rooftop, and danced the night away inside!

From the Bride… My vision for our wedding was classic and modern. My main goal was to have a day that would be timeless and would not look aged in pictures a decade from now. Our color palate consisted of neutral colors: grayed jade and gold with hints of black. I wanted it to be simple, yet elegant. My favorite DIY detail was by far our invitations. Originally I was planning on letter pressing the entire invitation. After multiple attempts it was obvious why everyone does not do this. However, I was determined to use our letterpress machine. Even though I sent the actual invitations off to be letter pressed, I embossed any other detail I could with our monogram. This included the bellyband, the dinner menu, and the ceremony programs.

My favorite moment of the entire day was finally standing up at the altar with my soon-to-be husband. All of the hard work and coordination all seemed to finally come together and finally there was nothing left to plan. The only thing left to do was actually say our vows! This was the most relieving and enjoyable moment of my life. I finally got to marry my best friend.

Every detail to me was just simple and elegant. The flowers were a mixture of greens and whites, which blended with the bridesmaids pistachio dresses. The usherettes were in matching black dresses and the groomsmen in classic black tuxedos. My gown was Jasmine in ivory with lace details and a keyhole back.

After attending many weddings without ever noticing the cake, my goal was to have a simple cake. Sarah’s Cake Shop made me fall in love with cakes. I loved the detail in the second tier and finally understood why everyone put so much effort into how their cakes looked.

Since our reception was held in a chocolate factory we wanted to send everyone home with something to remember the day. We sent a bag full of dark, milk, and white chocolate home with our guests. We topped the bag off with a light green ribbon and, of course, an embossed monogram tag.

My piece of advice to all brides is to try to stop and enjoy every minute of the planning. It can get time consuming and tiresome, but in the end it will all come together and you will get to marry your best friend.

[dotted]

See more Classic Weddings in THE VAULT!

Photography: Laura Ann Miller Photography | Floral Design: Bloomin' Buckets | Wedding Dress: Jasmine Collection | Cake: Sarah's Cake Shop | Ceremony Venue: St. Michael The Archangel Catholic Church | Reception Venue: The Caramel Room | Bride's Shoes: Michael Kors | Makeup: American Image Salon and Spa | Hair: Designs By Janet Suzanne