What do you get when you take one very sweet couple, a picturesque farm setting (complete with beautiful horses and a quintessential red barn), and Keepsake Memories Photography behind the camera? E-sesh magic with the power to convince city girls like me that rustic farm engagement sessions are truly stunning. See all the pretty in THE VAULT!

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From The Bride To Be… Our story is kind of interesting—Bryant and I grew up right down the road from one another (about five minutes apart) but never actually meet until college where he and I both attended East Carolina University. Bryant was actually my older brother’s college roommate and good friend! Even during that time I never actually met him. In 2011, I was 19 years old and Bryant had just celebrated his 22nd birthday were we meet through mutual friends out and about one night. That night we immediately connected and have been together ever since. That very night one of my best friends even spoke about how she could not wait to give a speech at our wedding about the night we met!
 
It was April 5th 2015 and Easter Sunday. We had planned on going to church and then back to Bryant’s sister’s house to eat lunch and watch his nephew do his first “Easter Egg Hunt.” After church we headed to Lindsey’s house. Once everyone arrived we immediately began the hunt because John-Bryant was getting fussy. Bryant and myself walked around with John-Bryant picking up eggs and getting wonderful pictures. Most of the eggs where your traditional plastic Easter eggs… However, after a while I notice a big and beautiful egg perfectly perched in the corner just waiting. Eventually JB noticed this egg too and immediately walked over to grab the egg. As he did this I notice Bryant getting down with him and eventually propping up on his knee. When I realized what was happening I began to back away and overcome with joy. I always thought to myself I wouldn’t ever be that girl that cried but I was wrong… very wrong. I was so overwhelmed and surprised and I couldn’t have been happier. My brother Holt and his now wife Kate were getting married that very Saturday (April 11th) so during my brothers wedding planning I wasn’t even thinking this would happen anytime soon. Needless to say it was the perfect day.
 
We have now been together four years and have enjoyed every second being with him. He is my best friend. We are getting married Oct. 1st, 2016 in Goldsboro North Carolina. Our engagement pictures are very special to me because they were taken at my aunt and uncles home who are two very special people to me. I am a school counselor at Tommy’s Road Elementary in Goldsboro and Bryant is a salesman for R.A Jeffery’s in Goldsboro. 

Photography: Keepsake Memories Photography | Venue: Goldsboro NC | Black Flats: Tory Burch | Black Skinny Jeans: Calvin Klein | Cowboy Boots: Ariat | Cream Sweater: Arte Latica | Flannel Shirt: Buffalo Jackson | Jeans: Levi's | Navy Dress: Target | White Button Up: Ralph Lauren

There’s no better backdrop than fresh fallen snow. And while a cold-weather engagement session may not be on your radar, these photos will make you wholeheartedly reconsider. Ice skating in the park, cuddling in cozy layers, hot cocoa for two…need I say more?

winter engagement

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winter engagement

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P.S. How to Style An Engagement Session

Every new year brings new resolutions, and whether you’ve got a wedding to work towards or you’re far past the “I do” days, we’re all about getting strong and healthy. Take a peek at our favorite gear to put your fitness goals into action, and you’ll be working up a sweat in total style.

Workout Gear

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Workout Gear

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Let’s Get Started!

Get Your Abs and Booty Honeymoon Ready
Get Wedding Day Ready Arms
The Total Body Workout You’ve Been Waiting For
A Workout for Fitting into Your Fit and Flare Dress

Cold weather means hot beverages and with that, these fuzzy little cup cozies will surely come in handy. It’s a simple DIY that will take your morning latte or afternoon tea to the next level. And just throwing it out there, how cute would these cozies be for Valentine’s Day gifts? Soooo cute! Grab the instructions below.

Felt sheet
Starbucks cup cardboard wrap
Sharpie marker
Gold glitter iron on paper
Scissors
Fabric glue

Open up the cardboard cup wrap and trace the shape onto the felt with the sharpie marker. Cut out the wrap shape.

Cut out fun shapes like hearts or dots from the glitter iron on paper- you can draw on the top side with a sharpie first (it’s a clear backing that will come off later). You can also trace some simple letter stencils to make words.

Arrange your glitter shapes or letters onto the felt wrap. Turn the steam off on your iron then iron the glitter shapes onto the felt by pressing down for 30 seconds on each shape.

Let cool for a few seconds then remove the clear backing from each shape.

Wrap the felt wrap around your cup, then fabric glue the ends together. Let dry 30 minutes and voila!

Tip: Some craft stores have nice thick felt sheets in their felting section (like Dimensions felt sheets), which are perfect, but if they don’t, just layer together 2-3 regular felt sheets from the craft section with fabric glue for a similar effect!

Hi Brides-to-be and newly engaged ladies, Blogger Bride Angela of Saffron Avenue here today to share with you my process of how I branded my wedding! From the color palette, logo design, paper products, all the way to our wedding website. By focusing on branding and the design details your guests will be able to see it all unfold from beginning to end, making it that much more memorable and exciting!

The color inspiration board and color palette

As you browse through pinterest, wedding blogs, and magazines try to find images that reflect your overall style. For me I used a couple defining words prior to starting: Neutral/Natural, Mid-Century Modern, Clean, and Classic. I knew that going forward I really wanted simplicity when it came to the design and style, something that could stand the test of time…and of course my fair share of white, modern accents. For help getting started with that process, feel free to check out my past blogger bride post on How to Narrow Down Your Wedding Style.

The Logo and Brand Board

Once I finalized my style and color palette I moved on to create a few logo options. I love calligraphy and lettering so I knew that I would just have to pick a style I love and go from there. I finally decided to go with a more relaxed brush script, which added a bit more playfulness to the clean and modern style. After I finally narrowing down the logo I built my brand board. The brand board is a very important part of the process, as I used these elements throughout the rest of our wedding(LINK). I created a watercolor palm leaf pattern, as well as a modern sub mark that can be used throughout the branded stationery pieces which you will see throughout our wedding images.

Wedding Website

With my business I was able to design and develop our own wedding website. I wanted it to pull from my inspiration board by using wood texture, modern elements, my palm pattern, and of course the brush script. On the homepage I created a styled flat lay that my guests could click and navigate to specific pages, which also included an online RSVP and gift registry. Then on the interior pages I used my sub mark, palm leaf pattern, and clean lines, which focused more on imagery and content.

Wedding Invitation Suite

This was my favorite part, as I was able to use my neutral colors, patterns, custom brush script, and various shapes and sizes to build the suite. Each invitation set was carefully assembled and tied together with bakers twine and a small card with our sub mark. I wanted my guests to feel like they were open a gift, as well as get them excited for our coastal wedding by introducing my palm pattern on the pieces.

Reception Stationery

To pull it all together I chose to design various pieces for the entire wedding weekend, in which my guests would be able to see it all come together. Each guest had a customized canvas tote, inside it had a Do Not Disturb sign with our Day-Of timeline, custom water bottles, packaged up snacks, and a custom drawn map with things to do in the area.

At the reception I made custom printed menus, mason jar banana bread with our sub mark sticker on top and a designed tag with the recipe, as well as a hand-written thank you note with a fun customized crossword puzzle on the back. Each piece designed around the original brand board I created.

The best part was getting to hear and see my guests reaction! From the beginning of the process they got to see it all unfold, from the save the date, all the way to their little Do Not Disturb signs. By having such a small wedding I was able to focus on the smallest of details to make them feel welcomed. Even the smallest of details were noticed and memorable. For example since we didn’t have kids at our wedding and because it was a destination wedding I knew it wasn’t easy for all of my friends to travel and spend time away from their kids. I bought small white picture frames and printed out black and white photos of their kids. I wrapped each of them up in tissue paper with a striped ribbon and popped it into their individual totes. They loved them, and well worth the time to create!

Photography: Booth Photographics | Stationery: Saffron Avenue | Brand Design: Saffron Avenue

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Follow Angela’s Journey:

Meet Angela | Engagement Session | Registry Items | Bridal Shower | Dress Shopping | DIY Envelopes | Bridesmaids Dresses | Signature Cocktail Printables | Groomsman Boxes | Your Wedding Style | Wedding

Looking for the chic, modern place to be? Head over to Brooklyn where bashes go all night and Brides like this shine bright. Lindsay Hite of Readyluck got the invite to capture every moment of this warehouse wedding and lucky for us, her pics are in our VAULT, from the NYC views to Bella Grafia’s pretty calligraphy topped off with one amazing sparkler; your Pinterest boards will thank us later!

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From the Bride… I was definitely not the girl who had my entire wedding dreamed up by age 15, so I was pretty lax on the planning, which drove my poor Mother crazy! Luckily, I managed to choose some of the most amazing vendors who made sure our day was as special and memorable as possible. From Jeffrey Torem at Liberty Warehouse, who is incredibly professional and patient, to Lindsay Hite of READYLUCK who took the most gorgeous photographs and has the absolute best laid-back vibe, to Lidia at Mark Ingram who helped me find the most insanely gorgeous Marchesa gown that I typically would never have dreamed of wearing, to the guys of The Bailsmen who helped make part of my wedding night feel as though we were in a Woody Allen film, to the absolute best DJ ever, DJ Neza, who had everyone (including the Bride and Groom) dancing all night….

We never knew that we could have so much fun at our own wedding! Seriously. We were warned by others, “You don’t have as much fun at your own wedding as you do when you’re a guest.” Don’t listen to these people! We had one of the best nights of our lives.

The day started off brilliantly. We woke up and the summer sun was shining so bright and beautifully. We chose The Liberty Warehouse as our venue because it has this incredibly cool industrial feel that we loved. It also has this incredible terrace right on the water that looks out onto the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan. I was convinced that there was no way I was going to get married outside though, because open waters = lots of wind! But after waking up and walking outside to literally perfect weather, I knew we had no other choice.

We got married to each other against an absolutely beautiful setting sun. The ceremony was purposefully personal and filled with our own words to each other. We laughed a lot and cried a lot. Kissed. And said “we do.” It was amazing.

The reception wasn’t too bad either. The food was delicious, music was perfection, and lucky for us we got married on “National Tequila Day,” so everyone literally had the best time ever. I danced my makeup off and my hair down. If it were up to me I wouldn’t have cut the cake at my own wedding because I was too busy on the dance floor! Good thing there are professionals around who make sure to drag you off for all the important photo-ops!

My advice to brides-to-be is hire good professionals, and make sure to have fun.

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Peruse more warehouse weddings here!

Photography: Readyluck | Event Planning: Merren Events | Wedding Dress: Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier | Cake: Empire Cake | Bride's Shoes: Miu Miu | Catering: The Liberty Warehouse | Makeup: Saks Fifth Avenue | Hair: Lisa Caccavale | Calligraphy: Slinging Ink™ Calligraphy | Lighting: Pegasus Productions | DJ: DJ Neza | Band: The Bailsmen | Officiant: Monsignor Jim Lisante + Rabbi Allen Block | Venue: The Liberty Warehouse | Bridal Boutique: Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier | Photography - Assistance: Readyluck

Congratulations, all you newly engaged Brides-to-be! You’ve got the man, you’ve got the ring, and now the fun part begins: wedding planning! But before you go try on gorgeous gowns and pick out the perfect venue, you and your Groom need to decide what style wedding is right for you. And this handy guide full of beautiful inspiration will make finding your wedding style as easy as saying “I Do.”

What's Your Wedding Style?

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What's Your Wedding Style?

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More Wedding Planning Ideas + Inspiration

Wedding Planning Secrets | Get Your Groom Involved | Destination Wedding Tips

I can’t think of a better way to welcome baby home than to a calming blue oasis like this darling nursery! As sweet as it is stylish, Homepolish designer Courtney Lake kept this nursery modern with a few bold, graphic prints and a sleek navy crib. The piece de la resistance? A pelican patterned ceiling that’s a win for babies and design aficionados alike.

From Homepolish… Originally a TV room, our designer Courtney completely transformed this space from gray-walled cube to magical blue nursery. Highlighting the amazing moulding and adding items that can easily transition as baby Atlas gets older, the revamp is practical (if you love blue) and looks amazing.

“I love the artwork”, says Courtney. “It’s all cartoons of iconic SF locations. I gave Tamara some direction and she found them all online. The glider from Pottery Barn is also amazing. It looks so cool and it can easily transition to regular rotation in another room at a later date.”

The navy crib is the perfect grounding piece in the airy, light blue room (the blue, by the way, is Kelly Moore’s Windy City).

We haven’t seen a ceiling this amazing in awhile! The chandelier is from Pottery Barn and the wallpaper is from Osborne & Little.

Photography: Homepolish | Chandelier: Pottery Barn Kids | Glider: Pottery Barn Kids | Interior Design: Homepolish | Navy Crib: Pottery Barn Kids | Paint Color: Kelly Moore's Windy City | Wallpaper: Osborne Little

There is nothing that makes you truly feel like a fresh start as much as the clean, blank pages of a crisp new calendar. It’s like watching your plans to “turn a new leaf” come to life! If you haven’t gotten around to grabbing one for yourself yet, make it the first thing on your to-do list. These pretties are sure to inspire all your big dreams for 2016!

Fresh New Calendars for 2016

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Fresh New Calendars for 2016

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These cuties, who can barely contain their laughter and love, have a passion for the outdoors, so what better place to capture their newly engaged glow than at Sacramento’s Jensen Botanical Gardens. Samantha Kirk took advantage of the gorgeous sunset and the finished results are sure to make these two smile for years to come – see them all in our VAULT right this way!

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From the Bride-to-be… John proposed exactly one year from the night we met. He stole me away for the weekend and we drove up Hwy 1 to sleepy Gualala. The weather was not cooperating with us, but we made the most of our stormy weekend getaway. John proposed with a great view of the beach in front of a cozy fire.

Anyone who knows us will tell you we work too much! When we aren’t traveling or spending time with family, we love to be outdoors; hiking, fishing, on the water, you name it! Our favorite Friday nights are spent making homemade pizza and relaxing with our pup, Jack.

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More engagement inspiration here!

Photography: Samantha Kirk Photography | Dress: Banana Republic | Shoes: Nine West | Jewelry: Kate Spade | Film Processing: Photo Impact Imaging | Location: Jensen Botanical Gardens | Location: World Peace Rose Garden | Men's Pants: 7 For All Mankind | Men's Shirt: Banana Republic | Skirt + Top: Lily Pulitzer

If pretty weddings excite you, then you might want to take a seat because this elegant estate wedding is what we like to call heart palpitating pretty. For this stunningly sentimental celebration is the type of day that proves love is in the details (like the Bride’s bouquet that honored her late mother), and thanks to Marcie Meredith Photography we get to witness each heart achingly beautiful moment in THE VAULT!

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From Marcie Meredith Photography…I am honored to have been a part of Ashley and Josh’s wedding. It was a magical day full of so much love. And talk about a couple that absolutely adores each other! I can’t say enough about the way they would stare into each other’s eyes and their sweet embraces. It was sheer bliss! Emotions were high as Ashley honored her mother who had passed with a picture on her bouquet, a seat at the ceremony, and a candle lighting later in the evening.

Graylyn Estate was an amazing setting for this fairy tale wedding. The style was very much about soft elegance. Pinks and ivory were sprinkled everywhere, from the flowers to the attire and other décor. The grounds of Graylyn are already so incredible that everything was icing on the cake! My favorite design element had to be the beautifully painted ivory welcome sign. It embodies everything about this wedding!

From The Bride…To any upcoming brides out there, I certainly recommend a first look! It’s not tradition but it was nice to have a minute to talk to each other about everything we were feeling and to just have a minute alone together before the night took off. Not to mention my nerves…Just needed a kiss to put them all away!

See even more head-turning trends here!

Photography: Marcie Meredith Photography | Cinematography: Twenty One Films | Floral Design: Green Bee Floral Designs | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Regi Originals | Bride's Shoes: Aldo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Hair: Kelsey Malloy | DJ: K2 Productions | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: The Graylyn Estate | Bridal Boutique: Gown Boutique of Charleston | Coordination And Catering: The Graylyn Estate

When I hear the name Sofia Ferreira of Brancoprata, I know a wildly beautiful bouquet is in my near future. Especially when it is captured so gracefully by André Teixeira. And this one? Well, it’s explosion of soft peach, blush and ivory that instantly washed a smile over my face. See the wedding it made it’s debut at here and get the pretty recipe below!

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Blush + Peach Portugal Wedding

• “Duchess de Nemours” Peony
• “Cafe au Lait” Dahlia
• “Vuvuzela” Rose
• “Tiffany” Peach Rose
• “Europe” Astilbe
• Eucalyptus Populus Foliage
• Olive Foliage
• Italian Ruscus
• Vintage lace ribbon

From Sofia Ferreira, Brancoprata… We strongly believe that each bouquet has to be unique, and a true reflection of the bride’s personality! No two women are alike, so why should we design two similar bouquets? That’s why it’s so important for us to built a relationship with our brides before they tie the knot! To get to know what they love, what makes their heart beat faster, what are their expectations for the wedding day! It’s such a fun way to connect with them, get to know them, so when we design their wedding, we actually know the person, not just the client!

Our process is quite simple, we always ask our brides to chose some inspirational words and images, we then start to focus on the color palette and the importance of different textures and sizes! We don’t like to do small bouquets, it’s like when we are making them, they have a life of their own, they are in total control, that’s why we love to do them so much! At the same time we feel our brides trust us and our own vision, 100%… 200% actually, and until this day, all of our bouquets were a complete success!

To work with Jennifer (this particular bride) and to design the bouquet was a great experience, she has exquisite taste, and she was very specific about her inspiration for her wedding day! The fact that she designed all the stationery and paper details, help us in a early stage, to get to a color scheme and even a mood board for the entire wedding inspiration. According to the bride, one of the must haves was olive foliage, that we forage in a nearby field, and since it was a hot Summer day, before their portrait session, we changed the Cafe au Lait Dahlias that were already wilted. This way the entire bouquet looked fresh and ready to be photographed, after one of the most hottest days of the year! This is without a doubt, one of our favorite bouquets from 2015.

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Find more Bouquet Breakdowns here!

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Floral Design: Sofia Ferreira, Brancoprata | Photography: André Teixeira, Brancoprata

New Year means new resolutions, one of which might be eating a little healthier. If you’re on the no french toast for at least a month bandwagon, try whipping up this  yummy frittata from Lauren Kelp. It’s the perfect way to refuel and celebrate a brand spanking New Year. And while it may error on the side of healthy, it doesn’t lack even an ounce of scrumptiousness.

From Constance… I’m currently in the middle of some serious cleaning and purging of everything in our household, and this yearly event always makes me crave the  simple, classic, go-to’s in life. Like the tailored little black dress, the perfectly curated linen closet, the newly arranged and edited book shelf, and the classic and perfected recipes that never grow old. Back to basics is my theme, and this frittata is an essential component of our little regimen.

Erin LepperdSun Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Frittata

prep time 10 Minute/s

cook time 23 Minute/s

total time 33 Minute/s

Serves 6Ingredients

• 3 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 ounces goat cheese crumbles
• 2 ounces sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 large handfuls of arugula
• Fresh cracked pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. In an 8″ cast iron skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil over medium-low heat.
3. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
4. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
5. Add egg mixture to skillet and increase heat to medium. Cook until bottom begins to set, about 5-6 minutes.
6. Transfer skillet to oven and continue to cook until edges are slightly brown, about 8-10 minutes.
7. While frittata is baking, whisk together 1 teaspoon of olive oil, the juice from one lemon, and fresh cracked pepper. Toss with arugula.
8. Remove frittata from oven, let cool slightly, and top with arugula. Serve and enjoy!

For more delicious recipe ideas, check out Lauren Kelp!

Photography: Lauren Kelp | Recipe And Styling: Lauren Kelp

As we look back on another wonderful year past and celebrate a beautiful year of weddings ahead, today, we are raising our glasses to the Little Black Book Members who make so much of that happen. Whether it’s a blooming masterpiece, a space decorated so pretty you can’t stop staring or a special moment between a father and his daughter, it’s these friends of ours who make it possible. Cheers to these stunning moments!

Must-See LBB Moments

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Must-See LBB Moments

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Start planning your wedding with The Little Black Book!

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Featured Members: JL Designs | Natalie Watson Photography | Amorology | Modern Vintage Events | Found Rentals | Honey Honey Photography | Thecablookfotolab | Lonesome Valley | I Do Events

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

Event Planning

Amorology

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Ever since Pantone announced their 2016 color predictions we’ve anxiously waited to see what vendors would dream up, and this pretty lil’ inspo from Tenth & Grace is exactly what we had in mind. The perfect pairing of rose quartz harmoniously married with pretty pink Seniman Calligraphy details, this is one gallery deemed for daydreams. Get started on a few new favorites in THE VAULT!

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From Tenth & Grace… Pantone is the authority on forecasting color trends, so when they recently named rose quartz (Pantone #13-1520) as one of the top shades for Spring 2016, I knew we would be seeing much more of this color in weddings next year. Together with stylist Lindsey Zamora and Leslie of Everly Alaine Florals, we created a bridal shoot using Pantone’s rose quartz as the inspiration for everything from makeup to decor and calligraphy. The result is a dreamy take on this popular color, which I hope will inspire brides who are in the midst of planning their 2016 weddings!

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See even more head-turning trends here!

Photography: Tanya Menoni | Styling: Lindsey Zamora | Floral Design: Everly Alaine Florals | Wedding Dress: Olia Zavozina | Wedding Dress: Flora + Lane | Invitations: Seniman Calligraphy | Jewelry: Shapiro Diamonds | Hair + Makeup: Tracy Melton Artistry | Calligraphy: Seniman Calligraphy | Wedding Venue: The White Sparrow | Bridal Accessories: Three Sunbeams | Model: The Campbell Agency | Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Watercolor Art: Artsy Canvas Girl | Wedding Boutique: Patsy's Bridal

Just when we thought this Carmel, California wedding couldn’t possibly get any prettier this pink hued perfection gallery goes and proves us wrong. That’s right, it’s basically the ultimate girly-girl wedding straight from the lens of Wai Reyes that we’re beyond excited to share. So join us as we revel in Meghan + Henry’s pink paradise because it’s all waiting for you in THE VAULT!

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From the Bride… My wedding planning process was wonderful, tedious, fun, and beyond any strenuous occurrence I have ever been through in my life! As the over planner and perfectionist that I have always been, planning my wedding completely alone was quite the overwhelming process, but I do believe it personally served me well as I was able to create the wedding vision I always dreamed of! Best of all, I was able to marry my incredible husband!

I grew up in Santa Cruz, CA with the beaches and harbor as my “backyard” and have always dreamed of having a barefoot beach wedding since I was a little girl! Being the born and raised beach lover that I am, I knew the sand and sea would absolutely need to be a part of our ‘Big Day’. Marrying the musician (& Beatles fan!) that I did, I also knew a Beatles music theme would be a wonderful and unique blend to our wedding!

The happiest moment of our ‘Big Day’ was undoubtable the moment I saw my groom at the end of the aisle, sweetly tearing up as I walked towards him. I knew my life would never be the same again, and I could not wait to become my husband’s wife!

All of my vendors were absolutely wonderful! I truly was so fortunate to have found every single one of them considering I had decided to cause myself quite a bit of extra stress by choosing all “outside” venue vendors.

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See even more head-turning trends here!

Photography: Wai Reyes | Floral Design: Gavita Flora | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Cake: Chefany | Wedding Invitations: Empire Invites | Ceremony Venue: Monastery Beach, Carmel | Reception Venue: Wedgewood Carmel | Bride's Shoes : Vera Wang | Rings: Appelblom Jewlery Co | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Catering: Wedgewood Carmel | Makeup And Hair: Karen Miller | DJ: DC Event & Design- Dominic Camany | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Bridal Robe: ETSY | Bridesmaids’ Flats: Designer Shoe Warehouse | Cinemetography: Ocean Blue Video | Custom Totes: ETSY | Flower Girls' Gowns: ETSY | Starfish Bracelets: ETSY | Wedding Day Timeline Printout: ETSY | Wedding Prep Venue: Carmel Mission Ranch | Wooden Arch: Gavita Flora | Wooden Signs/Basket: ETSY | “All You Need Is Love” Sign:: ETSY

As an avid reader, I can fully appreciate the beauty of hosting your special day at the place where all true love stories lay – the lovely library. Blush & Whim created a fairy tale for this adorable couple filled with books and beautiful blooms by Studio Fleurette, captured oh so perfectly by Amanda Nippoldt – see it all, from start to happily ever after in our VAULT right this way!

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From Blush & Whim… Stunning river views, vintage details, and a venue that houses all the great love stories… Liz and Bryant’s September wedding couldn’t have been more romantic. The entire day was styled to perfection and brought a light, airy vineyard vibe to the Stillwater Public Library Rooftop. Liz stayed true to love and literature with place cards styled as bookmarks and old books styled into the design. The romantic theme was brought to life at the reception with lovely flowing lace and brass candelabras draped in lush greens. The entire event was held under a transparent tent thin enough to see the blush sunset and starry night sky. Bouquets from Studio Fleurette truly stole the show, with their loose, wild blooms and flowing silk ribbon accented against the pretty pale pink maids. Lemon leaf escort cards, naked cakes, and driftwood table numbers added an organic feel that completed the design beautifully.

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More magical Midwest weddings here!

Photography: Amanda Nippoldt Photography | Event Planning: Blush & Whim | Floral Design: Studio Fleurette | Wedding Dress: Luxe Bridal | Cake: Angel Food | Ceremony Venue: Ascension Church | Reception Venue: Stillwater Public Library | Catering: Las Tortillas | Hair + Makeup: Creative Beaute Agency | DJ: Instant Request | Draping: Avant Decor | Rentals: Apres Party And Tent Rental | Tent Rentals: Briggs Tent & Party Rental

To simply call this Italian celebration chic would be putting it lightly. For starters, any day that has the mastermind that is Matthew Oliver The Wedding Planner behind the planning is sure to be a winner in our wedding book. Add in the ever so talented Ben Yew Photography + Film behind the lens and you’ve got yourself one Pinterest worthy gallery. See it all in THE VAULT!

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From Ben Yew Photography + Film…Ravello, Italy..What can I say. The view is simple stunning. I got to pinch myself when I saw the location. Justin & Cara even hired musicians for their ceremony and reception. Limoncello, the stunning Palazzo Avino hotel, Matthew Oliver as the amazing wedding planner from UK, and just about everything was perfect.

From Matthew Oliver The Wedding Planner…This wedding was one of my highlights of the year, not only did I get to plan a wedding in Italy (every wedding planners dream), I found my favorite spot in the world – Ravello. As an international wedding planner I’ve been to a few destinations in the last 8 years all incredibly beautiful and special to me, but Ravello did something to me I think it changed my perception on how lucky I am in doing what I do – also it’s the most romantic place I’ve ever been, shame my partner did not have a passport to join me though!

It was always going to be a small wedding as they just wanted to celebrate with their immediate families, so their were 10 guests in total. Small intimate weddings are beautiful as their personal and more emotional.

They found Ben Yew ages ago because they looked at his work whilst starting the plan. Ben Yew is from Australia, so they didn’t think he would be able to come all the way over to Italy. However they gave it ago as what do you have to loose and luckily he accepted the job. Ben Yew is a genius, everything he does with a camera is pure perfection and each photo tells a wonderful love story. Not only did the couple fall in love with the photos, I fell in love with him and would work with him time and time again.

How funny that everyone was from a different location? But I think that is why it all worked and the result was magical – yet slightly different from your general Italian wedding. The design was a simple yet natural style – we wanted to work with the style of the Palazzo, but also to the natural beauty of Italy and go for a classic/rustic theme. As the Palazzo is so clean we brought in natural elements to create a rustic design, so natural wooden chairs was a must, and creating the right floral arrangements had to be perfect. We worked with the famous Armando from Malafronte who did actually what we wished – we wanted to incorporate lemons as lemons are famous in the Ravello region, actually the biggest and most juiciest lemons I’ve ever had. So we had a floral runner run down the centre of the table mixed with lemons and candle sticks. It was simple yet extremely effective.

Each place setting had a beautiful hand written name card, local limoncello with a personalized label, and a fresh herb/flower which we attached to each menu. It all worked and with the view of the Amalfi Coast you couldn’t ask for a better setting.

As Cara works in re-branding and website design, she had a great eye for detail and personalized most of the finer things. She created all the stationery, labels for the limoncello, blackboard signs and other items.

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Photography: Ben Yew Photography + Film | Event Planning: Merren Events | Wedding Planning: Matthew Oliver Weddings | Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone | Bride's Shoes: Tory Burch | Rings: Tiffany & Co. | Band: Neapolitan Duo | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Venue: Palazzo Avino | Floral Design & Decor: Armando Malafronte | Groom's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Interpreter: Angela Imperato

I have no doubt that I’ll always be a fan of classic ballroom weddings and Washington D.C. does them like it’s their job. This elegant affair right here hits all the right notes and even adds in a romantic stroll through Georgetown for some fun. Michael and Carina Photography was there for it all, helping to make our VAULT shine even brighter – see all the pics right this way!

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From Michael and Carina Photography… Washington D.C. is the place for elegant ballroom weddings! Ashley and Chas celebrated their wedding day in the U.S. capital in style! They chose a coral and cream color palette and lavishly decorated the ballroom for their ceremony with florals.

Ashley’s form fitting dress from BHLDN showed off a gorgeous lace back and her full bouquet featured succulents and coral blooms. The bridal party and the couple went for a stroll through scenic Georgetown moments before the ceremony; the dainty houses and soft colors of Georgetown matched their style so well!

From the Bride… After Chas and I were engaged we had difficulty thinking of a venue for our wedding. In doing research we stumbled upon a site with a picture of a familiar venue to us. The place in which we had met three years prior, Clarendon Ballroom. We had never pictured being married at the place we had met but after seeing the pictures and reading the reviews we couldn’t imagine it any other way.

After our first visit and tour of the venue with coordinator, Sandra, we never even looked at another location. Once we made our selection for the venue, the rest of our wedding vision started to take place. We wanted our wedding day to reflect our love for each other and the thankful hearts we had for our family and closest friends. Most important to us was that our guests had a good time and felt like they were partaking in a fun celebration! Great venue, good food, family and friends, and lots of dancing!

We were so excited to have the talented Michael and Carina capture all the moments from our big day as we prepared in one of our favorite DC neighborhoods, Georgetown, and made our way to say “I do” at Clarendon Ballroom. They also worked great with our amazing wedding planners, Pamela Meiser and Sarah Keane from Post Scripted, our wedding coordinator Sandra Hoehne from Clarendon Ballroom, and our videographer Eduardo Gomez of True Vine Films. We are also forever grateful to our wonderful family, friends, and the rest of our amazing vendors for helping us make our wedding day so special.

Our wedding day was everything we could have ever wished for and it is truly difficult for us to describe in words the lasting memories from the day and our story leading up to that point. What better what to tell our story than through the photos that Michael and Carina captured.

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Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Cinematography: True Vine Films | Event Planning: Postscripted | Floral Design: Ultimate Floral Design | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Happy Tart Bakery | Bride's Shoes: Designer Shoe Warehouse | Jewelry: Nadri | Bridesmaids' Dresses: White Swan Bridal | Catering: Clarendon Ballroom | Makeup: Ariel Lewis | Hair: Dj Hush Dan Haddad | Lighting: Atmosphere Lighting | DJ: Mixing Maryland | Favors: Cocoa Vienna | Groom's Attire: Combatant Gentlemen | Venue: Clarendon Ballroom | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Paper Goods: Minted

When your love knows a thing or two about flowers (he’s a landscape artist after all) and proposes at the US Botanic Gardens by a Hellebore, it’s only fitting to incorporate that pretty little thing into all sorts of wedding details. Kim Lyn captured all the beautiful blooms by Busy Bee Florist and more at this summer celebration and like the flower itself, this fete was as sweet as can be. More in our VAULT right this way!

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From Kim Lyn… They were highschool sweethearts. He loves the passion he sees in her eyes when she looks at him, the determination and confidence she exhibits is what inspires him to do his best. Simone and Bryan were married at the Dunes Club in Narragansett, RI on August 30th, 2015. It was the perfect summer’s day with a light breeze over the ocean. Their wedding was one that I will never forget, the love their family shared, the laughter, it will stick with me forever.

Simone and Bryan had the sweetest first look which allowed them to spend time alone before the hustle and bustle of the big day. They were also able to spend time with their immediate family during formals before the ceremony. The sweet looks they kept giving each other literally made me swoon. Bryan had the most adorable reaction to seeing Simone for the first time. He was full of smiles and kisses and of course those tender touches. I swear they are the cutest couple EVER.

They planned their perfect Rhode Island beach wedding from Washington, DC with the help of family. There were so many special touches at the wedding, the beautiful florals, her dad’s old porsche, Bryan’s family even sang a song during the ceremony. Each intricate piece of their wedding day flowed flawlessly into one another.

Simone was absolutely glowing from the moment I walked in. She told me how much love she has for her new husband and is taken away by how much he takes care of her. She is smitten by him because he is helpful, supportive, dynamic, ambitious, intelligent, and fun. He keeps her laughing and she knows she can count on him 100% forever and ever. I know they will live happily ever after.

From the Bride… Bryan and I grew up in Rhode Island, so it only seemed natural to get married back home. Although we met in high school, we spent many ensuing years in a long‐distance relationship. Silly things like higher education kept us trekking between New Brunswick, Nashville, and Amherst before we were finally able to settle together in Washington, D.C.

A true landscape architect, Bryan proposed at the U.S. Botanic Gardens. He had stealthily planted a sign under a drooping Hellebore – a flower that would later be depicted on our wedding stationery and featured in our floral arrangements. Between the fickle New England weather and my rather inflexible medical school schedule, we were looking at a mere five month engagement. We would have been lost without the support of our families and our amazing vendors, but the condensed timeline kept us honest about our wedding priorities. It was important to us that our wedding reflected who we were as a couple, incorporating elements from our home state, our family, and our proposal. We wanted the event to be tasteful, simple, and approachable.

We knew we wanted a water view, and the Dunes Club provided a beautiful venue and excellent accommodations. Planning from afar, we loved that we could arrange our ceremony, reception, catering, cake, and wedding coordination all through a single source. Foodies at heart, it was the tasting that really sold us. Who can resist an oyster bar and mini clam cakes and chowder for cocktail hour?!

One of our most difficult searches was for a florist that fit our budget and Bryan’s standards. Clueless, I fell in love with any flower that bloomed in April. Giti, from Busy Bee Florist, did a fantastic job deciphering my hodge‐podge Pinterest boards. She created the most stunning floral arrangements – elegant, unassuming, natural, and undeniably gorgeous. Our color palette was inspired by my bouquet, and featured navy, dusty greens, and pops of blush.

For stationery, we enlisted the help of my stepfather, a graphic designer. We wanted something modern and fresh; sophisticated, not stuffy. My stepmother proved jack‐of‐all‐trades: providing beautiful calligraphy, spray‐painting lanterns, and assembling signs for our photo booth, seating chart, and card box. It was so fun seeing our ideas realized, and knowing they had a personal touch.

The ceremony was no less personal. We asked my grandfather, who had previously attended divinity school, to officiate. We were fortunate enough to have his son and daughter‐in‐law as professional musicians in our family, and couldn’t believe how lovely they sounded as a string duo. Bryan’s mother and sisters also sang in the ceremony, while my sisters performed the readings. To round out the wedding party, we had nieces, nephews and cousins serve as our four flower girls and two ring bearers!

Lastly, we needed someone to capture the moments. As you can see for yourself, Kim Lyn Photography did a phenomenal job. It was so important working with someone we trusted, and Kim went out of her way to make our day seamless and special. We will cherish these pictures for years to come.

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Photography: Kim Lyn Photography | Floral Design: Busy Bee | Wedding Dress: Cicada Bridal | Hair: Serai Beauty | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein | Venue: The Dunes Club | Bridal Boutique: Andria Bird Bride