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 MomentsView Slideshow
50 of the Most Magical Sparkler MomentsView Slideshow
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.
This gorgeous bride looks like a classic Hollywood starlet straight out of the golden age of glam. Then again, so does every detail of this elegant English wedding planned by the Groom! From the stately manor to the rich autumn color palette to the couple’s adorable sons, this wedding is as lovely as they come. See all the beauty captured by Weddings By Nicola And Glen in THE VAULT!
From Weddings By Nicola And Glen…Joanna and Richard’s Cotswold wedding embraced the romance of the autumn season. Their November nuptials took place in the gorgeous English countryside setting of Lower Slaughter Manor. Our Groom had the most amazing vision for their wedding day and basically planned the whole event which made a lovely change! Above all Richard wanted his wife to be, two sons and all their family and friends to have an amazing day in fabulous surroundings that captured the magic of the setting and time of year.
The Manor house with its old stone fireplaces and comfortable lounges was simply perfect for a relaxed yet luxurious ambience. The equestrian details dotted throughout the venue subtly paid homage to how our couple met and fell and love through their shared interest in horses. The main surprise for all the guests would be when they entered the reception space for dinner. Hundreds of twinkling candles wrapped in bark and berries and softly dimmed chandeliers illuminated the room to create a magical atmosphere. Tall clear vases fill with dried harvest fruits held orbs of fiery coloured florals, berries and foliage creating elegant centre pieces for each table.
Richard and the two boys dressed to impress with the children in blue three piece suits to match their father’s Alexander McQueen attire. Joanna undoubtedly stole the show in a stunning British designed Alan Hannah off the shoulder dress. Her classic chignon and paired back details highlighted our gorgeous Bride’s natural grace. The most beautiful aspect of the entire day (and my goodness there were many!) was how the Joanna and Richard and their two boys celebrated our couple’s marriage as a family…
All the weddings we feature here on SMP are beautiful (Pretty is in our name, after all), but every so often, I stumble upon a wedding that’s extra special. This is one of those weddings. One of the reasons why? The Fiddler on the Roof flashmob planned by the Bride’s mom and sister to kick off the reception. But there are so many more—see them all captured by Rachel Red Photography in THE VAULT!
From the Bride…Anthony and I met as seniors at Union College. After a month months of casually seeing each other, he officially asked me to be his girlfriend on March 6, 2011. Once we graduated, Anthony moved from his hometown of Wickliffe, OH, to be with me in Boston. Three years later on July 25, 2014, he proposed at my family’s beach house in Gloucester, MA!
Our wedding ceremony took place on September 12, 2015 in the same spot where we became engaged. With a huge lawn overlooking the ocean, we couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in Gloucester and that’s where we spend the majority of our summer weekends now. It has always held a special place in my heart, and has become one of Anthony’s favorite places as well.
We wanted to personalize our ceremony as much as possible. We walked out of my neighbor’s house during the ceremony, which is the same house where my great-grandparents met and became engaged, and our wedding date was my grandparents’ anniversary. To remember those we have lost, Anthony wore a tie clip that belonged to his grandfather, and I wore my great-grandmother’s engagement diamond in a necklace. Anthony and I decided to tie a fisherman’s knot instead of lighting a unity candle, as an ode to the culture of Gloucester. We opted to have Beatles themed music throughout the day, because the song Oh, Darling was our song in college. I walked down the aisle to In My Life, and we shared our first dance to Two of Us.
Our reception was held at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem. When we first walked into the museum, we immediately knew that’s where we wanted to have the wedding. It was the perfect mix between classic and modern, a blend of both our styles, and was more unique than anything else we had seen.
Anthony’s family is Italian, and my family is part Chinese, so we tried to fuse the two cultures together. We did family style Italian food, played Dean Martin throughout dinner, and danced the traditional Tarantella. For the Chinese side, we used a traditional Chinese wedding basket to hold cards, and our cake topper was the Chinese symbol for ‘double happiness,’ which is a sign of goodness and marital joy. Our favors were the traditional Italian almonds, with a double happiness charm enclosed.
One of my favorite details was the surprise flash mob that my mother and sister had planned. We had asked our minister to give a blessing before dinner, but he instead sang Sabbath Prayer from Fiddler on the Roof. After he was finished, wedding guests started jumping from their seats singing the song To Life, from the same show. I had been in a production of Fiddler on the Roof when I was younger, along with several family members and friends. Sabbath Prayer was also sung at my mother and step-father’s wedding years ago. It was a total surprise for Anthony and I, and a great way to kick off the party!
We’re pretty much convinced that Jiayan and Nick are the coolest couple in the whole wide word. Why? Well, because their wedding day from start to finish proves to be chic, chic, chic. A celebration that exudes major style, we’re here to give thanks the crazy talented vendors who made it happen. From Amie Decker Beauty, to handwritten pretties provided by Meant To Be Calligraphy, to the coolest rentals a la Paisley And Jade, Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography captured it all to share in THE VAULT!
From the Bride… We like to think of our wedding as a lovely culmination of a series of unexpected events. For anyone who is a fan of college football, our relationship is heresy – Nick is a graduate of Ohio State University and a lifelong Buckeye fan from the state of Ohio, and Jiayan is graduate of the University of Michigan and a devout Wolverine hailing from the Mitten. Eight annual rivalry games, two law degrees, a dog, and a move to Washington, D.C. later, we decided to celebrate our unlikely union with our family and friends in a laid-back ceremony in the nation’s capital.
Having been together for so long and attended so many wonderful weddings in the past, we had a good sense of what we wanted for our celebration. The focus was not so much on us as it was on getting together our friends and family members (including some of Jiayan’s relatives who traveled from as far asChina and Australia!) and making sure that everyone ate well, drank well, and – most importantly – danced and had fun. We always knew we wanted to do something other than a traditional sit-down dinner reception, but were nervous about whether we could execute it in a way that ensured our guests were still comfortable. Fortunately, Long View Gallery provided a perfect blank slate for a lounge style reception, and our wedding planner, Pam Barefoot, knew exactly how to arrange the spaceand the order of events in a way that made the night seamless and enjoyable. We created a few seating vignettes of vintage couches and armchairs and methodically placed them, a huge fabulous bar, two long family style tables, and various low and high tables around the gallery for guests to mingle, stand, sit, eat, and drink at their leisure.
We made an effort to have the wedding reflect our personalities and background. Nick’s brother officiated the ceremony, and weweren’t afraid to inject some levity in the form of Game of Thrones references in our wedding program (which was a huge hit). A set of bright red lanterns, brought by Jiayan’s parents from China, hung in the walkway separating the two main rooms in Long View Gallery, and Nick’s father reclaimed wood to hand make the end tables we used in the main seating vignette. A longtime friend of Jiayan’s family, who is a skilled Chinese calligrapher, sketched the “double happiness” and “love” Chinese characters that Sarah Drake Design used to create stamps for the gold wax seals for the invitation suite. The night was also not complete without a champagne bar with all the fixings (Jiayan’s favorite), bourbon bar (in line with Nick’s Kentucky roots), and cake truffles from Momofuku (from which we order regularly thanks to our sweet tooth).
This may just be me, but as a 20-something living in New York City, I think the true sign of an “adult” home is a well-stocked and super chic bar cart. And, I’m not just talking about the booze (though obviously, that’s important, too). The glasses you serve your delicious cocktails can make all the difference—you wouldn’t serve a bubbly Champagne cocktail in a plastic red cup, would you? So, do your drinks justice with these gorgeous barware picks!
We know you’ve been dreaming of your wedding gown since before you were even engaged, so now that it’s time to find “the one,” settling for less than perfect is NOT an option. Enter Ieie’s Bridal Dress Boutique, a sweet little shop with a never-ending supply of vintage-inspired, beautifully modest gowns that are all sorts of pretty. Perfect dress in one, two, three? Absolutely.
From sophisticated lace fabrics to intricately crafted details to stunning silhouettes that are beyond flattering, Ieie’s Bridal Dress Boutique knows everything there is to know about creating a dress that will make your heart happy. Think glamorous fit and flares, princess-style ballgowns and amazing a-line pretties… just to name a few. Not to mention that Ieie’s Bridal Dress Boutique specializes in making customized wedding dresses for brides all over the world, which means that whether you are saying “I do” in London, New York or San Francisco, the knowledgeable staff at Ieie’s Bridal Dress Boutique will handle your every need. We love that.
High-quality, truly affordable and beyond anything you’ve ever imagined… contact Ieie’s Bridal Dress Boutique to begin your journey towards that modest dress of your dreams. And make sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for even more gorgeous inspiration.
When two Instagram celebrities tie the knot, you know we wouldn’t miss it for the world. Especially when said celebrities are beloved furry friends Toast and Finn and their wedding just so happens to be for a good cause. It’s the ultimate celebration and we’re inviting you to join us alongside this power couple on Wednesday, January 13, as they vow their forever in New York City.
Wilmington is made for marrying, there’s no doubt about that. So when a group of seriously fabulous, hand-picked creatives team up for a walking tour meets mock wedding extravaganza known as Courtyards & Cobblestones, it’s what we call a can’t-miss event. Think a beyond brilliant evening of yummy food, drinks and never-ending inspiration. This is going to be sooo much fun, my friends.
Taking a beautiful stroll through downtown Wilmington is always amazing, but add in the most innovative wedding professionals that Southeastern North Carolina has to offer and it’s an entirely new level of awesome. I’m talking SEVEN fully styled venues from a team of industry geniuses that know everything there is to know about throwing a fabulous wedding. It’s an experience like none other, complete with live music, table settings, florals, lighting, cake tastings (yum), cuisine samplings, beverages, photo booths AND fabulous giveaways. That’s a lot of awesome for one event.
We love spotting brides in the wild, especially when they happen to be one of our darling Blogger Brides! And when we spy a ring selfie on Instagram, you can bet your newly engaged booty that we’re doing happy dances behind our desks. Take a peek below to see how our Blogger Brides style their ring shots and don’t forget to use #SMPringselfie when you share yours!
From the Bride… Our wedding day was better than I could have imagined! I was beyond excited and overjoyed to celebrate such an important day in our lives with family and friends. For Franklin and I it was important to bring homemade, personal touches because we wanted our wedding to feel intimate and for guests to see a reflection of us. We decided on handmade paper flowers and other pieces that we could tie with coordinating colors and design. We wanted whimsical and fun, and I think we accomplished that. It was such a wonderful night celebrating with the people we hold dear to our hearts and I’m so happy with how it all turned out.
Oh my goodness—and I mean GOODness. This inspiration shoot from the geniuses at Sweet Events Photography, De Coeur A Coeur and Weddings By Paris is making me giddy. Let’s start with those insanely beautiful Rue De Seine wedding dresses (especially the beaded one!). And then there’s the gorgeous flowers, the bright white loft, the sweet cake, and the minimal yet organic decor. But that’s not all. Head to THE VAULT for all the beauty!
From Weddings by Paris…A white palette is something a bride should never be afraid of. It will add class and elegance to any wedding. Fresh and crisp whites with a touch of glass and silver to add some texture… timeless. This palette complimented the venue well with its exposed brick walls and light filled windows.
The bride is in stunning Rue De Seine gowns. The Jasmine gown adorned in beautiful heavy metal hand embroidered details and the Mackenzie an understated gown with a stunning french lace bodice. Both gowns different to each other but both suiting the diversity of the venue. Their hair simple yet organic with a touch of sparkle in their eyes. Holding bouquets of Milano ruscus, grape vine tendrils, large ivy leave, ladder fern and white garden roses tied with plant dyed ribbons.
A simple table setting with handmade ceramics, white gloss cutlery, beautifully detailed glass goblets, white taper candles with a touch of ivy. All set on a soft grey satin with beautiful white french bistro chairs. Understated yet classic with its minimal organic features. The ceremony space fit for a princess. White french bistro chairs with pillar candles lining the aisle following through to a beautiful broken arch made out of ivy. Against an exposed brick wall. All details being natural and uncomplicated.
A stationery suite so simple and clean with beautiful soft grey calligraphy, an embossed silver wax seal and transparent paper to wrap the invite. The two tier cake adding texture and depth, bottom tier covered in coconut flakes adding texture and the top tier covered in silver dribble. Just as yummy as it looks.
Each detail of the shoot was thought out to follow through from one another. A cohesive shoot to showcase each element individually as well as together.
2015 has come and gone, but these chart-topping tunes are going nowhere. From poppy dance anthems to heartfelt melodies, these are the songs we guarantee you’ll be hearing at weddings for years to come! Dancing shoes not included.
“Thinking Out Loud,” by Ed Sheeran
We’re just going to go ahead and say it—this song takes the cake for the best first dance song of the decade. With Ed Sheeran’s smooth-as-velvet voice and lyrics that hit you straight in the heart, we have a feeling we’ll be hearing this song at weddings “till we’re 70” ;)
Favorite Lyrics: Take me into your loving arms/Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars/Place your head on my beating heart/I’m thinking out loud/Maybe we found love right where we are
Originally gracing our ears on the “Fifty Shades of Grey” soundtrack, this poppy power ballad has been stuck in our heads (with good reason) ever since. Sultry, sweet and totally enchanting, this song is guaranteed to have guests singing along.
Favorite Lyrics: Fading in, fading out/On the edge of paradise/Every inch of your skin is a holy grail I’ve got to find/Only you can set my heart on fire, on fire
Reminiscent of oldies like The Temptations and Marvin Gaye, Leon Bridges’ crooning in “Coming Home” is the perfect first dance choice for those lovebirds looking to slow things down a little bit.
Favorite Lyrics: Baby, baby, baby/I’m coming home/To your tender sweet loving/You’re my one and only woman
We’re trying not to swoon too hard here, but “Die A Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett might just be our new favorite song. With lyrics that could more or less double as the most romantic vows ever, this guitar-accompanied melody is perfect for a sweet and slow first dance.
Favorite Lyrics: And I know that I can’t ever tell you enough/That all I need in this life is your crazy love/If I never get to see the Northern lights/Or if I never get to see the Eiffel Tower at night/Oh if all I got is your hand in my hand/Baby I could die a happy man yeah
“Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” by Meghan Trainor ft. John Legend
Other than the fact that Meghan Trainor and John Legend’s voices are basically a match made in heaven, this sweet and soulful tune will urge you to hold your honey a little closer (and maybe even sneak a few extra kisses) during the big moment! Win, win if you ask us.
Favorite Lyrics: So I’ll kiss you longer baby/Any chance that I get/I’ll make the most of the minutes/And love with no regrets
Country fans, rejoice! Caanan Smith’s sweet-as-honey lyrics will have you thinking of summer nights and the very first kiss you shared with your sweetie. And what better way to kick off the first dance of the rest of your life?
Favorite Lyrics: Deeper than a sunset sky/Sweeter than muscadine wine/All night ’til the sun comes back/I wanna love, wanna love, wanna love you like that
With fun-filled lyrics you can’t help but belt out and a beat to match, this song will have everyone from the littlest flower girl to grandma up and dancing.
Favorite Lyrics: Oh don’t you dare look back/Just keep your eyes on me/I said you’re holding back/She said shut up and dance with me/This woman is my destiny
Grab your honey’s hand and practice your best spin moves, because this poppy dance anthem is the perfect entrance song.
Favorite Lyrics: Darling, hold my hand/Oh, won’t you hold my hand?/Cause I don’t wanna walk on my own anymore/Won’t you understand? Cause I don’t wanna walk alone/I’m ready for this, there’s no denying/I’m ready for this, you stop me falling
Get ready to dance the night away with this Michael Jackson-esque hit. Plus, watching guests’ reactions to the best man trying hit those high notes? Well, that’s just priceless.
Favorite Lyrics: I can’t feel my face when I’m with you/But I love it, but I love it
With lyrics that never get old and a beat that doesn’t quit, “Uptown Funk” is practically a no-brainer for your wedding day. Just don’t be surprised when every guest (including gram and gramps) breaks out his or her very best moves.
Favorite Lyrics: Come on, dance, jump on it/If you sexy then flaunt it/If you freaky then own it/Don’t brag about it, come show me
If it were possible to crawl through the screen and live right inside this wedding, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I’d throw on my fanciest dress, sip a good cocktail, and gawk over the incredible design moments by Joy Proctor and florals from Kelly Kaufman. Oh, and I’d be darn sure to give Kurt Boomer the biggest hug, because these photos? They’re everything. Go see even more in The Vault!
From Joy Proctor Design… Alexandra and Chris fell in love with the historic charm of the Four Seasons Biltmore. They chose to have their ceremony in the gardens surrounded my family and closest friends, and exchanged vows under a beautiful floral arch created by Kelly Kaufman design.
After the ceremony guests made their way to cocktail hour, which was held on a patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean. They lounged on sun bleached rattan furniture, and sipped champagne and old fashions as the sun set. Making their way to dinner, guests found their seating assignments on a beautiful gold framed board.
Inside the ballroom, round tables draped in dupioni silk like linens twinkled with candle light spread between lush florals arrangements. After entering to the couple’s first dance, guests were welcomed with a three course meal and upbeat dance songs which played late into the night.
Photography is more accessible than ever these days thanks to Instagram and your smartphone’s powerful camera. And that means, photography is having a major moment in interior design. From small prints in a gallery wall to an oversized statement piece taking center stage over the sofa, photography works in any space. See some of our favorite photography art moments below!
There are destination weddings, and then there are destination weddings at Secrets Resorts & Spas, a little slice of wedding heaven with venues in some of the world’s most amazing tropical locales. Think luxe accommodations, fab amenities and non-stop pampering, all set against some of the most beautiful backdrops you will ever lay your eyes upon. Wedding of your dreams? Yes, indeed.
With Secrets Resorts & Spas, saying “I do” in paradise will be the most wonderful (+ fun-filled) experience of your life. From their awe-inspiring locales scattered throughout the world (hello, Jamaica and the Riviera Maya) to their acres of golden, sandy beaches to their spectacular team of on-site coordinators who know everything there is to know about throwing a totally stunning soiree. Which means that breathtaking wedding? It’s right at your fingertips… complete with Secrets Resorts & Spas’ Adults-only Unlimited-Luxury® and a fabulous beach concierge to take care of your every need.
From their gourmet cuisine to their fabulous day and nighttime entertainment to their unlimited premium drinks, Secrets Resorts & Spas has your vaca + wedding day totally covered. I’m talking a totally customizable (+ totally complimentary) affair that is the opposite of cookie cutter with dream-worthy seaside ceremonies, dancing the night away under the stars and after parties with bonfires on the beach. Not to mention the world-class spas and FREE anniversary nights. With Secrets Resorts & Spas, there’s no end in sight to the awesomeness you will experience. We love that.
Contact Secrets Resorts & Spas today to start planning. We CAN’T WAIT to see your wedding.
Here in New England, it’s rare that we get our first snow after Christmas. But this year, Old Man Winter decided to make his debut a bit later than usual and is still withholding the fluffy white stuff that makes you want to make a snowman. So, until then, I’ll be living here, in THE VAULT with BrittRene Photo, Buzzworthy Events SF and team, dreaming of Moscow mules and cozy ranch sleigh rides.
From Buzzworthy Events SF…I have been dying to get my hands on a rustic lodge to style! Lone Mountain Ranch presented that opportunity and we could not be more pleased with the results! Some of us jumped in the car while others flew, and spent 48 hours engulfed in the full Lone Mountain Ranch experience. Montana is a very special place. It is clean and wild and feels somewhat untouched. The people are genuine and the atmosphere is fresh and rejuvenating. The activities, parks, and experiences are endless. We all thoroughly enjoyed our time there.
Lone Mountain Ranch is a historic ranch that has been around for decades. They recently made some enhancements to the property and it is a hidden gem! We had a blast touring the property and creating a “wedding” for them. We got to get the full feel of the property and soaked in every moment there. Lone Mountain Ranch has a horse ranch right on site. There is a sleigh ride to the top of the mountain where a chef prepares dinner nightly. The rustic barn and gorgeous horses make for an incredible backdrop. A snow covered mountain, the open fields, and streams running through the property make you feel a bit tucked away from the rest of Big Sky. The dining set up was a rich blend of rustic, sophistication, and simplicity to match the property. I really wanted to stay cheery and bright to match the snow and mood of the property. The bar and dinning room is a rustic, inviting, and cozy. The bar has a giant fireplace and copper bar top, where they host live music nightly, and is super cozy. We created moonshine mules with local Montana Moonshine. The bar hosts plenty of delightful cocktails as well. I really had a blast creating a hot chocolate bar with different local chocolate and adult options. The marshmallows were handmade by A Spoonful of Sugar in San Francisco. We created coffee sleeves with the couple’s logo for take away hot chocolate. We spiked them with peppermint schnapps. Perfect on a snowy night. Katie is wildly creative and continuously popping up with ideas. Katie sourced and for local branches and flowers. We brought the anemones from home and mixed them to create the bouquet, tabletops, and adorned the horse. Anemones are my favorite flower. Brittany climbed mountains of fresh snow, climbed over horses, and froze her butt off to get all these gorgeous shots! She is a trooper and will go the extra mile(s) to create amazing images. Brittany’s mother knit the blanket you see photographed (which she is starting to sell! shop opens soon, keep your eyes open) The dress is ugghhh-mazing. Stone Cold Fox makes stunning gowns and are my new favorite dress designer.
Ryan and Johnny’s wedding was filled with SO much love that it’s actually making me a little teary eyed. For when these two sweet souls said “I do” their big day proved to be something truly something special. The type of special that deserves to be celebrated, and here at SMP we’re beyond honored to share in the merriment. A commitment complete with Sugarland Bakery treats and endless romance, this beautiful celebration from Graham Terhune proves that love is in the details. See it all in THE VAULT!
From the Newlyweds… Johnny and I have been together for 7 years. We committed ourselves to each other long ago, but wanted to wait to get married until we could do it legally in our home state of North Carolina. Finally, in 2014, we could. We set plans in motion a few months later for our fall wedding the following year.
From the beginning we knew we wanted a simple wedding surrounded by our closest friends and family. We live in downtown Raleigh and chose to stay nearby for our venue – the City of Raleigh’s Historic Mordecai Park. The park has it all, 100 year old oak trees and even older historic buildings. With such natural beauty, we didn’t have to add much. We let the historic beauty shine through. The color palette was simple and masculine. We wore shades of blue and kept everything else in natural browns and tans. An assortment of all white flowers brought in just a hint of traditional wedding.
For the day of, we got ready at our house alongside our dog Vino. He knew something was up and didn’t leave our side. On our way to the venue, we stopped at some of our favorite picture spots around downtown: Dorthea Dix Park, The State Capital, Fayetteville Street, and (to round out the night) the Boylan Bridge. We spent some time before the ceremony with our immediate family, taking photos, before heading a few steps away to the chapel, where our moms escorted us down the aisle. 20 minutes later, we were finally married, and then it was time to celebrate. The reception was in the park’s visitor’s center, a mix of old and new architecture, where we celebrated with a DJ, barbecue, and cupcakes. It was a blast!
From the Bride-to-be… Our best friends worked together and thought Daniel and I would be great for each other and turns out they were right! Thanks to them, an outing in uptown and a few wonderful years of dating we are now getting married!
Before we say our “I do’s,” Daniel made it very easy for me to say “Yes” when he popped the question during a beautiful surprise gondola ride. The gondolier sang while we sipped on champagne and ate chocolates. The weather was amazing and Daniel gave me a lovely message in a bottle shortly before asking me to marry him.
We had well over one year before the wedding but no time was wasted to start the planning. We instantly fell in love with the same venues, set a date and when it came to our photographer I knew I had to have Allen Tsai Photography capture our memories. It took only one meeting for Daniel to agree and thanks to Allen we already have amazing engagement pictures and could not be more excited for our big day.
We chose to have our engagement photos taken at the Mitas Hill Vineyard because of its romantic setting, unique and gorgeous landscaping, and the food and wine there is simply amazing! We also felt that vineyard engagement photos would complement our wedding photos very well. We’re so lucky that we don’t have to travel far now to set foot on a beautiful vineyard in North Texas! Keestone Events provided the lovely bouquet with bright colors to complement all the greenery at the vineyard. We also loved the asymmetry and organic feel it had with a touch of modern to it.
Our first date was at an amazing Italian restaurant, we cook by the rule “you can never have too much garlic,” our proposal story was in a gondola so it makes sense that we are continuing the Italian tradition by getting married in an Italian villa and then honeymooning in Italy. Every love story is beautiful but ours is definitely my favorite.
Looking for the perfect Italian celebration to inspire your own nuptials? Well, look no further because Duepunti Fine Art Wedding Photography has delivered just that. The ultimate vineyard affair filled with sentimental surprises, this is one gallery you won’t want to miss. See it all unfold firsthand in THE VAULT!
From The Bride…Kirill has never believed in destiny, neither have I. So much of our relationship is about coincidence and luck, that the story of how and why two people come together reminds us of a well orchestrated screenplay. By the moment we exchanged our first messages in Facebook, we realized that our accidental chat would change everything. It was the decision to stay instead of moving to another city to our shared love of traveling and hunger for new impressions, that finally led us to Italy. That became homeland for our hearts and creative minds.
Living between two countries helped us to bring up both ourselves and our relationships. Sometimes life is not only about discovering what you are passioned about and simply becoming the best, however this way might work. But the more interesting, thrilling and unpredictable choice is to take what you are good at and combine it with strongest point of the other person. Synergy of two people creates something greater than the their sum as separate parts. Thus after almost six years together, opening a studio and being tired of the routine we faced, we put our stuff in bags, figured a possible route, took the tent and left everything that seemed to be impossible to leave. Forty days on the way to freedom, forty days of traveling, forty days to define ourselves, ended up with a proposal among the hills of the wild medieval village Vetulonia. I was amazed how fast the destiny reacted on our sudden desire to escape from mediocracy.
We loved the spontaneity of our decisions and agreed not to dive into wedding fever for as long as we can. We really wanted to keep the feeling of lightness and ease through out the planning and the day itself.
The venue was chosen accidentally during the next weeks of traveling. Again the matter of luck. We were having aperitivo with our italian coffee partner at Relais Russiz Superior vineyard, when we both felt the same: “That’s it!” Hospitality and cozy spirit of the house reminded us about the time when we used to gather all together at one long table, chatting about nonsense until the sunrise. We decided to revive this atmosphere and build the whole day around the idea of enjoying time with our loved ones, accompanied by particular food of the region and refreshing Pinot Bianco.
For decoration we chose natural tones and materials: beige linen tablecloths and grey silk ripped ribbons, sewed by me and my mother, were seasoned by branches of eucalyptus, rosemary and brunia berries. Our ideas were implemented by very talented Marta Petrioli Flowers Living, who shared our vision right away and made all floral decoration looks organic and consistent. The fragrance of roses and eucalyptus filled the air and intoxicated our hearts with dreams about wild nature and adventures.
When it came to wedding dress, I knew from beginning that it should be something unique. I was looking for simple shapes, clean outlines, weightless materials and sense of purity. A Long skirt from natural silk and a lace crop top, that were created together with Alexandra Grebneva, became my manifesto of freedom and piece of delight for Kirill.
We optioned not to see each other before the ceremony. The moment my dad was walking me down the alley, the moment of seeing Kirill coming towards me; swirl of emotions, reinforced by his hugs; the way he was holding my hand all way long through the ceremony; his pray with every single word turned into my tear of happiness. Blurred faces of guests all like in a fog. A Moment that we will never forget.
A few minutes after we were driving our Alfa Romeo Spider Cabrio to the seaside in order to do what we love most of all: escape from mediocracy among the waves, listening how monochrome ripples whispered the mystery of love. Desaturated sky bestowed some calmness and left some time for our thoughts. Having young and old generation together, mixture of cultures and traditions, fueled the day with endless vibes of honesty, home warmth and ease. The day ended up with wedding cake, despite it was impossible to cut the first piece because of waxwork edges, everyone bursted out laughing and it was remarkable end of the day.
