Here at SMP, we’re all about the love story, and this celebration of gorgeousness? Well, it’s a total blueprint for what a true love looks like. Mariel Hannah was behind the lens and shared snaps highlighting the laughter and love radiating throughout. From the Bride’s Maggie Sottero gown, to the gorg Camarillo Ranch backdrop, we can’t get enough of this darling day. More here!

From the beautiful Bride… I couldn’t believe how fast the planning of our wedding went, after 16 months it was here! I was about to marry my best friend and love of my life and I had my girls by my side. It was the perfect morning and the perfect day. We had spend 4.5 years together and now we were going to vow to spend the rest of our lives together, to love each other unconditionally forever. It was the perfect day, every little detail in place. Without a cloud in the sky the gorgeous weather was just waiting to be enjoyed by all who chose to share this special day with us. As all my girls and I are getting ready, all I could think about was seeing my prince at the end of that aisle waiting for me. Then it was time, I walked out and I saw him. Waiting there, smiling and he even had those sweet little tears in his eyes. It was the best day and I wouldn’t change a thing.

A BIG thank you to our families, your love and support is truly inspiring. I want to thank everyone who helped us with our wedding. A special thanks to Delightful by Rochelle Wall. Her vision of all the small details (down to our amazing flowers and my beautiful bouquet) was everything I envisioned and more. We couldn’t have done it without her help planning, she was truly amazing.

Photography: Mariel Hannah | Coordination: Delightful! By Rochelle Leigh Wall | Floral Design: Delightful! By Rochelle Leigh Wall | Wedding Gown: Maggie Sottero | Cake: Laurie Steinfeld Cake Designs | Jewelry: D.W Henderson Jewelers | Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Angelo | Catering: DJ's Catering | Suit: J. Ferrar | Wedding Venue: Camarillo Ranch | Dessert: Bake U Happy | Rentals: DJ's Catering

I’ve been living in Oregon for just a little over a week now, and if this wedding is any indication, I am going to really, really like it here.  The perfect mix of romantic stylings and a fabulous urban setting, it’s the kind of laid-back meets sophisticated affair that makes my heart sing.  Think lush blooms from Sammy’s meets an all-out dance party.  See it all captured by Aaron Courter in the full gallery.

From Aaron Courter… A beautiful and stylish wedding at the Leftbank Annex with urban Portland portraits in The Pearl and Rose Garden. Kait & Peter made their wedding their own, surrounded by a large bridal party, integrated with their friends from Barre3, and the evening ended with a surprise flash mob by their friends.

From The Bride… When Peter and I got engaged, I decided that I would be a chill bride. I would not fuss about the flowers, the seating chart, or having the perfect hair. Instead, I would focus on finding the joy in the process. This attitude served me well. Even though the day flew by, I was present and soaked in every moment.

My friends and family and I kicked off my wedding day at 10am with a barre3 class from my close friend and co-worker, Candace Ofcacek. She also happens to be a bit of a fitness celebrity. That class was pure magic. It both calmed my nerves and gave me a major energy boost.

Our friend David married us. He and his wife Christina wrote the ceremony, and neither of us previewed what they were going to say beforehand. Peter and I laughed and cried through the whole thing.

Dinner was delicious. Our menu was Northwest inspired and made up of locally sourced ingredients. I didn’t have many strong opinions about our wedding, but I did insist on having pudding cups from a local Portland company called Pixie RetrEAT Raw’r instead of the traditional cake. These “L’il Puddin”cups are incredibly decadent and satisfying. They’re also shockingly healthy!

The dance party that followed dinner and the toasts was next level. The highlight of the night occurred when all of my friends from barre3 rushed the dance floor and surprised me with a flash mob dance. I had no idea it was coming, and it was such a sweet surprise.

I’m so grateful to our photographer Aaron Courter for capturing our big day. He’s incredibly talented and a real dream to work with!

Photography: Aaron Courter | Coordination: Ella Events | Floral Design: Sammy's Flowers | Cake: Pixie RetrEAT Raw’r | Catering: Devil's Food Catering | Hair & Makeup: Gold And Arrow Salon | Wedding Venue: Leftbank Annex

Tucked away along the coastline of Maine lies a wedding where contemporary coastal glamour reigned supreme. Beginning with the lobster rehearsal dinner, this French’s Point affair is filled with hundreds of gold sequins, oyster shells, rain drops and a whole lot of love. Flora Fauna worked their blossoming magic, and I think you’ll agree Rebecca Arthurs captured every sweet moment beautifully.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/101137923?color=246aa3&title=0&byline=0&portrait=0 600 338]

From Rebecca Arthurs… Julie & Bryan’s wedding was a magical day filled with hundreds of gold sequins, oyster shells, rain drops and a whole lot of love. Maine has always held a special place in both Julie & Bryan’s hearts. Who wouldn’t love the beauty, serenity, and close proximity to fresh, delicious lobster! As a long-time oyster lover and blogger, Julie designed the wedding day to be evocative of “Manhattan meets Maine.” Where contemporary, big city glamour meshes with charming, pastoral coastal living. When you see the photos I think you’ll agree Julie pulled it off perfectly with the help of Meagan from Maine Seasons Events & Rentals! Judy of Flora Fauna crafted amazing florals and Chavelii from Key and Quoin rocked out the cute signs you’ll see.

Even though the rain wasn’t part of the wedding plan, Julie & Bryan handled the surprises thrown at them with grace and enjoyed every moment of their amazing day. French’s Point, the wedding venue is on the tip of Maine’s beautiful coast, tucked away from the local hustle and bustle. The day before the wedding Julie & Bryan invited all their wedding guests to a lobster rehearsal dinner in a classic lobster pound.

Photography: Rebecca Arthurs | Videography: Zach Boyce | Event Design & Planning: Maine Seasons Events | Floral Design: Flora Fauna | Wedding Dress: Rivini | Cake: Sweet Sensations | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Makeup: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Hair: Kim Doll | Calligraphy: Chavelli | DJ: Remixologists | Location: French's Point | Oyster Growers & Shuckers: Frank & Tonyia Peasley - Little Island Oyster Co. | Vendor: In A Half Shell

Take a sophisticated setting like The Drake Hotel and add in a stunning gown designed by Project Runway contestant Kate Pankoke and a whole host of amazing details coordinated by Lola Productions and the results are this: a drop-dead gorgeous set of nuptials that take classic to an entirely new level.  See it all captured by MaiCamera right here and the beautiful Smiling Toad Productions’ film below. 

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/107504550 600 338]

From the Bride… George and I had a lot of aspirations for our wedding (not necessarily the same!) but at the end of the day it came down to three main things: work with people you love, respect your heritage, and throw a great party.

George is from Russia where weddings (and all parties for that matter) are not beholden to the 12:00 cut off of most American venues. We knew we wanted a place that would entertain our late curfew and allow us to go crazy on the food, drinks, and whatever else might come up. Thankfully we were able to work with my favorite hotel in Chicago (The Drake) to create the wedding of our dreams. As a nod to my Jewish heritage, we had our first look at the Ketubah signing ceremony. It was a wrestle of schedules to accomplish, but in the end it was perfect. With just our families around us, both my mom and mother in law remarked to me later that it was like having a private wedding ceremony. The pictures from that moment capture the build up and excitement of the day perfectly.

For the reception, we wanted to create an atmosphere where people felt relaxed but taken care of. That meant a family style dinner of beef stroganoff, lamb, potatoes, and kugel that kept our guests happy even through a marathon 10 speeches (including one fully in Russian). But the real highlight of the night was the ice luge which – together with our Russian DJ – kept everyone dancing way past 1 AM. (The photo booth later in the night captures the progression pretty accurately.)

The day was a huge success but it couldn’t have been accomplished without the help of our vendors. Our florist, Cornelia McNamara, helped us achieve our vision of relaxed, natural floral arrangements that complemented, but didn’t fight against, the fantastic decor of the room. Our invitation and stationery designer satisfied George’s desire for “lots of things with wreaths on them,” and my darling dress designer Kate Pankoke not only granted my wish for a ridiculous amount of tulle, but made the dress shopping experience so special that to this day we remain good friends. Our photographer, Mai Duong, captured the day perfectly and had such a great time she stayed through the after party to capture the groomsmen jumping in lake Michigan at sunrise. It was just one of the many unexpected moments that made the day truly memorable.

Not all of the unexpected moments were positive of course – the groomsmen all forgot how to tie bow ties, one flower girl insisted on being photographed eating cheese (who could blame her), and I fell out of the chair during the Hora. But the day was perfect despite its imperfections. With your friends and family around you, and the love of your life by your side, it can’t help but be.

Photography: MaiCamera | Coordinator: LOLA Event Productions | Florist: Cornelia McNamara Flowers | Wedding Dress: Elaya Vaughn Bridal | Cake: Amy Beck Cake Design | Invitations: Chena Design | Ceremony: The Drake | Reception: The Drake | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Etsy | Make Up: Hush Salon | Hair: Sonia Roselli | Groom's Attire: Ralph Lauren | Bride's Jewelry, Bride And Groom Gifts: Tiffany & Co. | Bridesmaids' Robes: Etsy | Family Gifts: Kate Spade | Ice Luge: Art Below Zero | Maid Of Honor Dress: Badgley Mischka | Music And Photobooth: Mary Monica Music | Video: Smiling Toad

Today just so happens to be National Wear Red day, and we decided to celebrate in the most stylish of fashions. I’m talking a red, Vera Wang bridal gown gracing your computer screen thanks to these stunning images from Lindsay Madden. Oh, and the wedding planned by Chic Weddings In Italy is equally as amazing. It’s wonderfully whimsical, set in the glorious Venice, and complete with masquerade masks. – and it’s all just as amazing as it sounds.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/117172303 600 338]

From Lindsay Madden Photography…I’m so excited to share with you a beautiful & unique destination wedding held in Venice, Italy this past September. The couple {Jacquetta & Elliot} are from California and hosted 25 of their nearest and dearest in Venice. It was lavish, different and most importantly, filled with so much love. A lot of people worked hard at making their wedding vision a success so seeing this on SMP’s main page would be incredible.

From Eva of Chic Weddings in Italy…When I first talked with Jacquetta and Elliot about their wedding, they told me that they wanted to get married in Venice but that they had never actually been. I loved that they selected a location filled with so much history, romance and beauty and I was eager to show them why Venice is one of the best places to hold a wedding. And after our first meeting together in Venice, Jacquetta and Elliot knew that they made the right decision!

From the very beginning of Jacquetta’s planning she had a firm vision as to how she wanted her day to unfold. She knew she wouldn’t be wearing a traditional white wedding gown and that her color pallet wouldn’t be pastel. Instead she opted for a color pallet made up of marsala, black, grey and gold. It was important to Jacquetta to incorporate the richness of Venice into her wedding day and style. She opted to wear a gorgeous burgundy Vera Wang wedding dress and paired her dress with feathered Manolo Blahnik heels.

The ceremony took place at the famous Hotel Cipriani and guests were greeted by two masquerade ushers who distributed wedding programs. Jacquetta & Elliot’s friend officiated the ceremony and the two of them exchanged their own heartfelt vows. After the ceremony, guests were given custom made Venetian masks. They were very detailed and each mask fit the personality of the person wearing it. Guests mingled and enjoyed champagne with the newlyweds and awaited their transport to the Hotel Metropole to continue their evening. When everyone arrived in St. Mark’s Square, Lindsay Madden was able to whisk the couple away for some breathtaking portraits, while I escorted everyone to the cocktail hour.

The Hotel Metropole overlooks the lagoon. It is eccentric & warm. It was the perfect spot to continue this amazing affair. The reception room was made up of one long table and filled with lots and lots of candles. The black candles on the table complimented the rich, red flowers. Guests enjoyed a 10 course dinner and an amazing selection of desserts. After dinner, guests continued dancing well into the evening.

It was an honor to work with Jacquetta and Elliot as well as all the other vendors who helped make their day a success. Venice weddings are truly special and I love how Jacquetta and Elliot made their day their own.

Photography: Lindsay Madden Photography | Event Planning & Design: Chic Weddings in Italy | Flowers: Tea Rose Milano | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Ceremony Venue: Belmond Hotel Cipriani Venice | Reception Venue: Hotel Metropole | Wedding Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Hair And Make Up: Giulia Cresci | Groom's Attire: John Varvatos | Venetian Masks: Ca' Del Sol | Video: Reel Love Films

I will forever adore nautical nuptials. With childhood summers on the coast, soirees of this sort are what I dreamed of as a little girl. And this beauty right here is that reality. From the bride arriving by boat, to the vows on the dock, this waterfront wedding hits a homerun. With Liz and Ryan behind the lens and Simple Flare filming every second, I’ll be reliving those childhood dreams all weekend long.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/96454521 600 338]

From Liz And Ryan… Lesley and Clayton are two incredibly beautiful people on the inside and out! They met each other while in med school at the University of Maryland and quickly fell in love. They share a mutual love of the water. In fact, you could say it is in their blood. Lesley’s dad sailed across the Atlantic from England many years ago arriving in Annapolis, the place he would fall in love and welcome his sweet daughter, Lesley, into his life. He was an adventurer. And although he passed away a few years ago, he is still very much present in so many ways.

His love of the water shines through in Lesley. She is comfortable and at home on the water, most especially on Flying Angel, her family’s boat that her dad dreamed of. Her compass has never wavered, but in Clayton she has found a new North Star to adventure through this life with!

It only seems appropriate that Flying Angel escorted Lesley to the Yacht Club on their wedding day. It was her dad’s way of proudly walking her down the aisle. And we have no doubt, he is one incredibly proud dad and incredibly happy to welcome Clayton to the family!

Lesley and Clayton’s wedding was nothing short of AMAZING! Their love is so visible and present. In fact, as Lesley’s uncle shared in a beautiful poem he wrote for them, their love is, in fact, a present.

“…And so to the present both a time to be glad
And a loving present to her loving dad
Gift wrapped with their wedding vow
Their gift of love for ever now
To Lesley and Clayton man and wife
A present and a future happy life.

Friends and family share in their happiness
Wish them a life of love and all that’s best
A home that is warm and full of song
A life that is rich their love so strong
Lesley and Clayton two families now united.
Sutherlands and Alexanders, happy and delighted.”
– Owen Sutherland

Lesley and Clayton’s wedding day was so simple and so elegant. The florals were absolutely stunning and fit the decor in the most perfect way! Anne from Charleston Stems wowed us and Lesley too! (Lesley had no idea what the florals were going to look like. She gave her friend and trusted wedding professional permission to do anything that she wanted with the florals!) They were absolutely stunning and stand out to us as the most perfectly fitting wedding florals we have ever photographed!

Lesley and Clayton’s wedding day ended with a proper send off for Lesley and Clayton on the Flying Angel! It was the perfect way for them to set sail to the beginning of their lives together as husband and wife… and now Dr. and Dr.! 

Photography: Liz And Ryan | Videography: Simple Flare | Wedding Planner: Wedding Savvy Inc | Florals: Charleston Stems | Bakery: Palate Pleasers | Stationery: Paper in the Park | Bridesmaids Dresses: Lula Kate | Hair & Makeup: Behind The Veil | Band: Doug Segree Band | Groom's Attire: Brooks Brothers | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Ceremony Music: Chesapeake Strings | Venue: Annapolis Yacht Club | Bridal Gown: Elizabeth Johns | Rentals: 2Hands Studios Events | Rentals: XOXO Vintage

In the world of gorgeous inspiration, this stunning preppy shoot reigns supreme.  It’s colorful, designed to perfection by True Event and features one of the most amazing hand-painted gowns ever from Kate McDonald Bridal.  Add in lush florals from Hana Floral Design, pretty paper goods from Tie That Binds, makeup by Jennie Fresa and the styling expertise of Beth Chapman and this, loves, is the best thing you’ll see all week.  See it all captured by Kat Harris in the full gallery.    

From Kat Harris… Fall on the East Coast is something absolutely spectacular.

What I love about an East Coast bride is her commitment to timeless elegance. She falls in love with classic silhouettes, and isn’t afraid to go bold with her accessories. Kate McDonald, of Lula Kate, hand painted our brides floral gown specifically for this shoot.

The wonderful thing about staying classy with silhouettes is it is easy to layer. We have classic A-line Lula Kate bridesmaids dresses, and it’s easy to throw on a cardigan or pashmina when it gets chilly.

Brides on the East Coast are fun, carefree, and offer that effortless chic that ladies all over hope for when designing + getting ready for their big day!

Photography: Kat Harris Photography | Design: TRUE Event | Wedding Gown: Kate McDonald Bridal | Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids: Lula Kate | Makeup: Jennie Fresa Brow & Beauty Bar | Hair: Emily Reale | Venue: Inn At Stonington | Bracelet + Necklaces: Aquinnah Jewelry | Cardigans: J.Crew | Clutch: Madame Mathilde | Earrings: Haute Bride | Florists: Hana Floral Design | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper: Tie That Binds | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited | Stylist: The White Dress by the shore | Welcome Bags: Sea Bags

After staring at grey skies for what seems like eternity here in the northeast, this wedding is a breath of fresh air. Bright and cheerful, with some of the prettiest pink florals by Bloomin Bouquets that I’ve ever seen, this summer celebration is giving me the hope I need on these dreary days. Our Labor Of Love worked their magic once again and their photos won’t be leaving my desktop anytime soon.

From The Bride… Bryan and I met while working on Capitol Hill in DC in 2010 and were engaged on the rooftop of the Kennedy Center before seeing The Book of Mormon (I remember nothing). As southerners, we could not resist an opportunity to host our guests in either my beautiful hometown of Live Oak, Florida or my college town of Dahlonega, Georgia. When neither or these options worked out due to lack of accommodations for our guests, we panicked and immediately hired a wedding planner to help us with the process. Melissa helped us narrow down nearly every venue in the state of Georgia before we settled on the Georgian Terrace and we couldn’t have been happier. I was finishing graduate school and Bryan was in the throes of law school during our planning process, so Melissa became like a member of our family that we frequently spoke to over the phone. And thank goodness because everything was beyond what we had dreamed.

Early on in the planning process, we agreed that one of the most important parts of our wedding would be including our large families. Bryan included his brothers, my brother, and his best friends as groomsmen, and my sister, sister-in-law, and friends were in my bridal party. My Dad and Step-Dad walked me down the aisle, and my cousin, Trey, who is two months younger than I, read a Bible verse during the ceremony. We also insisted that all of our younger cousins be in attendance, and they were all the life of the party.

At the recommendation of the Georgian Terrace, we skipped the cocktail hour for a private dinner together, and it was one of the best decisions we made. We had private time to celebrate, and we went in to the reception ready to mingle with each table instead of sitting for dinner.

I would say that our introductions to double dutch and Jump Around really set the tone for the night, but the speeches at the reception really made the night. My Dad gave a beautiful prayer and my brother followed with the most moving and heartfelt welcome I’ve ever heard. My sister read a quote from my grandmother who couldn’t attend, and Bryan’s brothers and co-best men delivered a tag-team toast that had us rolling on the ground.

When we look back on the reception, we of course remember those special times, but also how beautiful everything was. Melissa, our wedding planner, spent endless hours hand-making our beautiful table numbers, letters for the cake table, and the cigar table signs. One of the most beautiful elements of the reception was the handmade magnolia garland down the center of the estate table as the focal point of the room. Sarah, our florist, alternated centerpiece designs for the other tables, using mirrors to reflect the light of the gold and silver votives. Our guests loved having cigars out on the terrace, and the reception hall never felt overcrowded to us.

Our photos from the wedding are a great representation of how the day played out – our getting ready processes in our suites were fun and laughter-filled, the ceremony and reception were really emotional and lighthearted, and we had the time of our lives. Amber and Lucas were great to work with and faded into the background of the reception to capture real moments instead of hours of posing. Some of my favorite images are of us getting ready for the day. Amber did a really great job of capturing happy moments behind the scenes.

Looking back on the day, it was one of the most beautiful days of our lives, made even better by our vendors and friends and family who went above and beyond to make it special.

Photography: Our Labor of Love | Wedding Planner: Melissa Bloomfield Of Pretty Swell Parties | Floral Design: Bloomin’ Bouquets: Unique Floral and Event Design | Cake: Frosted Pumpkin Gourmet, Inc. | Ceremony Venue: Second Ponce De Leon Baptist Church | Reception Venue: Georgian Terrace | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Georgian Terrace | Hair And Makeup: Jennifer C Nieman | DJ: Josh Whitlock | Ties: Charles Tyrwhitt | Suits: Jos. A. Bank | Reception Escort Cards: Jenkins Rose Modern Paper

I think I use xoxo on a daily basis. It’s my go to signature for all emails and a must for any Valentine’s communication. So, of course, these stamps are next on the crafting list. A simple xo stamp to adorn your love day gifts. Or just because gifts. We like them for those too! It’s as simple as foam, stickers and muslin bags with pretty sequins for a little added sparkle.

Foam cylinders
Foam letter stickers
Foam heart stickers
Muslin bags
Pink and red ink pads
Sequin trim
Scissors

Peel the adhesive back off the heart sticker and press onto a foam cylinder. Do the same with “X” and “O” letters. Repeat until you have made enough for each bag and an extra set for stamping.

Stamp “XOXO” and a heart onto the front of each muslin bag.

Fill each bag with an “X”, “O”, and heart stamp and an ink pad. Tie the bag with a length of sequin trim and hand out to your valentines!

[dotted]

Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Design & Styling: SMP Living

One word synonymous with Maine? Lobster, and lots of it. Celebrating along the beautiful rugged coast, Maine Seasons Events coordinated this crustacean affair while Rebecca Arthurs snapped up a series of images that are quintessentially Vacationland. Guests dined on surf a la Youngs Lobster Pound while laughter and anticipation filled the air, because we’ve got their wedding coming up NEXT!

From Rebecca Arthurs… Bryan & Julie’s rehearsal dinner at Young’s Lobster Pound in Belfast Maine was a fun filled night of laughs and anticipation. We couldn’t be happier to share these fun photos of their lobster rehearsal dinner. Julie & Bryan celebrated with their family and friends along the beautiful rugged coast of Maine, the day before their wedding at French’s Point.

Photography: Rebecca Arthurs | Coordination: Maine Seasons Events | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Youngs Lobster Pound | Wedding Ideas And Planning: In A Half Shell

I can’t get over how gorgeous these florals look against Brooklyn’s urban backdrop.Their juxtaposition has me hooked and add in the food trucks that this couple had on site and I’m wishing I had received one of these invites. Jessica Schmitt did and captured every bit of elegant urban flair, held at the chic 501 Union. While I might have missed out on the actual day, I’m soaking up every smile and kiss right here.

From Jessica Schmitt Photography… Cathy and Adrian were married on a gorgeous summer day in Brooklyn. They began the day at the Andaz Hotel getting ready with friends and family. Brooklyn’s 501 Union, their reception venue, features art deco lamps, retro palms wallpaper and a skylight over the dance floor.

From the Bride… When Adrian and I started the wedding planning process, we knew we didn’t want a formal, seated dinner. We wanted our reception to be a big party, so we decided to go with a cocktail-style reception, with lots of random seating scattered throughout the venue. We visited tons of wedding venues in Brooklyn and Manhattan, but none of them felt right to us. Then we heard about a new venue opening in our neighborhood – 501 Union. We went to a wedding fair at 501, and fell in love with the venue. It’s such a unique and interesting space, and we knew it would really lend itself to a cocktail-style reception. Plus, we loved the fact that it was in our neighborhood, allowing us to share that part of our lives with our guests.

One of the best things about 501 Union is that food trucks can drive right into the front garden area, so we knew we wanted to have a food truck at some point in our reception. We were already working with a great caterer (Marcey Brownstein), so we decided to use the pizza truck as a fun late-night snack for our guests. There are tons of great food truck options in New York, but pizza is my favorite food so it was a pretty easy choice for me!

Photography: Jessica Schmitt Photography | Florist: Seaport Flowers | Cake: One Girl Cookies | Church: St Agnes | Reception Venue: 501 Union | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Rings: Michael F and Co. Jewelers | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Catering: Marcey Brownstein Catering & Events | Makeup: Laura Nadeau | Hair: Dennis Trotta Of Pierre Michel Salon | Band: JTT | Bride's Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake Topper: Licoricewits | Groom’s Tuxedo Designer And Bow Tie: Hugo Boss | Invitation: Bella Figura | Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co. | Signage: Sharp Shooter Signs

This collab of gorgeous from Mireia Cordomí and A todo Confetti had me at ‘Mediterranean’. Aptly so seeing as Spain’s Mediterranean coast has long sat near the top of my wanderlist. But it hasn’t been crossed off yet, so I’m living vicariously through this organic goodness. You can almost feel the warm breeze lifting the linens and the glowing sunshine filtering through. See it all here.

From A todo Confetti…We are so delighted to share with you this Mediterranean styled shoot full of stunning details and a magic atmosphere specially captured on film by Mireia Cordomí in the depths of the Spain countryside.

Held outdoors in the ancient setting of La Torre del Visco, an exclusive stately 15th country house member of Relais&Châteaux transformed into a unique and romantic hotel surrounded by hectares of olives trees, terraces and patios with fountains located in the beautiful setting of the Tastavins river valley.

A gorgeous wooden warm table with white, silver and plenty of green details complete along with an impressive natural runner of olive branches and seeded eucalyptus, pretty stationery, antique crystal glassware with beautiful blooms, metallic gold detailed plates with cream linen napkins and some aromatic homemade bread besides small olive branches all lit by tall candelabras and set under a romantic arch.

The bride’s style is exquisite and simple consisting of a bulky skirt and a wonderful lace top crop made by Catalan haute couture designer Santos Costura. Heavenly shoes and natural and soft makeup, a low bun with a crown braid across the front, an exquisite headpiece and a wild wedding bouquet. To complement the scene, the sunset beauty light reflects and silver props with lush colorful figs, grapes and pomegranates.

Absolutely, a majestic story behind the images where every single detail is truly amazing and we hope you enjoy and can smell the scent of this Mediterranean dream.

Photography: MIREIA CORDOMÍ | Floral Design: Magnolia and Co | Wedding Dress: Santos Costura | Hair and Make-up: Rebeca Torres Makeup | Location: La Torre Del Visco | Model : Sandra González | Shoes and Headpieces: Mr Right | Styling and Coordination: Alba Jordana For AtodoConfett

I have this theory. When wedding pros become brides we get some of the most talked about, swooned over, crazily pinned weddings to grace the webpages of SMP. It’s brides like this Swedish wedding photographer who knew exactly what she wanted when it came time to plan her own special day. Think country charm meets organic minimalism with nods of Middle Eastern influence woven in along the way. Sit back and see it all unfold from the lens of 2 Brides Photography

From The Bride…I had the best time planning our wedding. As a wedding photographer myself, I was eager to get all the details right, but still wanting to keep a very relaxed atmosphere… So I started off the wedding planning by deciding on a color palette and searched for inspirational images. I knew that I wanted to have a country feel themed wedding, combined with Middle Eastern inspired pieces such as the fabric used in the decor, Arabic food (cheese filled dates), as well as the use of Arabic scent. We even had a Mexican band playing after the ceremony (our family is half Mexican). It was important for me that even though I wanted to keep our wedding simple and rustic-chic, I wanted to make sure that it still incorporated the essence of who we are.

A good friend of mine (Moirai Style) designed the bridesmaid’s dresses, the groom’s suit, as well as the bow ties for the groomsmen. I gave her fairly free reign – and she went above and beyond with the outfits, really exceeding my expectations. I especially loved the design she chose for the bow ties which tied in well with my original vision for the wedding and color palette.

My wedding dress was designed by Ida Sjöstedt, an amazing Swedish designer – I absolutely adored my dress! It was simple and delicate, and fitted me perfectly.

I designed the stationary (save the date/invitations etc.), using light green and beige colors with a simple font, as I wanted it to be a simple affair. I found a local printing shop in a town next to Stockholm that seemed to have a good understanding of the artistic side as well (which is very important), and she was able to print the desired requirements within the limitations of my budget.

We got married in a small town just out of Stockholm, at a beautiful little venue called Facienda. I absolutely loved the charm of this industrial location and the ladies (who together with their husbands are co-owners of the venue) helped so much with the decoration as well as assisting in catering options. They even cut branches off their own pear and apple trees from their backyards to add to the decor! They really put as much of their heart and soul into the wedding as I did, which is worth gold when you don’t have a planner.

I also had 50 pillow covers made in traditional Middle Eastern fabric as I felt like I wanted to scour the place in pillows and hay bales. I think it worked out quite well in the end to say the least – even my dad was very impressed. We even went to buy a second hand bike a few days before the wedding to add to the rustic decor; and it was the one thing we kept from the wedding, our wedding bike will stay with us forever – it was even our mode of transport back to the hotel after the wedding!

For the flowers, my mum, sisters and I went to purchase them in bulk and used them for the venue. My flower crown (made from baby’s breath), the flower bouquets, and boutonnieres were all made by a local florist who understood exactly what I wanted and delivered right on time.

Together with an extremely helpful and creative mum and sisters (who also involved their own partners – and my dad), we were able to put on a magnificent wedding. I could never have done it without them as my husband-to-be had to stay behind for work until just a few days before the wedding. The wedding was a combination of love and hard work from those closest to me – and I own huge amounts of love and gratitude to them for the success that it was.

All-in-all, the day was unforgettable, it was everything I imagined it to be and more.

Photography: 2 Brides Photography | Floral Design: Burges Blommor | Wedding Dress: Ida Sjöstedt | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Morai Style | Catering: Facienda | Groom's Attire: Morai Style | Wedding Venue: Facienda | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Music: Fiesta Mariachi | Print: Papper

I’ve been a big fan of the ladies of Simply Bloom for some time now, and I’m always excited to see when they send work our way.  So when Vania sent over her sweet son’s second birthday party, I nearly squealed with delight. Stylish and sentimental, these images with melt your heart (and give you a few ideas for your next fête). See even more here.

Ezra’s party was a labor of love. So much thought and planning were poured into it, not only because I love to decorate and celebrate, but because, as any mom would, I wished for his birthday to be extravagantly fun! Ezra was overwhelmed by all the amazing (vegan!) treats grandma made just for him and loved the Balloon sculptor we hired to entertain the kiddos. It was such a memorable day overflowing with love and joyous things, I still remember it so fondly.

Photography: Simply Bloom Photography | Balloon Entertainment: Fred The Balloon Master | Miffy Plush Toy: Little Fox Quilt Shop On Etsy | Styling, Invites, Banners & Decor: Simply Bloom Photography

Settle in SMPers, because you are about to experience an explosion of prettiness. This fabulous fête planned by Pearl Events is a wonderful combination of stylish and chic, and it’s layered with stunning florals from Posey Events – meaning, we’ve entered a whole new level of gorgeous. The images sitting below from Cory Ryan Photography will surely blow your mind in the best possible way, and you can see just what I’m talking about right here.

From Cory Ryan Photography…Candace and Ben’s Umlauf Sculpture Gardens wedding was blessed with the perfect Austin spring weather! Candace’s megawatt smile just lights up a room, and brings such joy to everyone around her. Since the couple hails from San Francisco, we enjoyed a little extra time for a mini-bridal session with Candace at the W Hotel Austin. Candace has some serious mojo, and onlookers even asked “Is this a model shoot?”. No, that’s just one beautiful bride! The groom Ben got ready with the guys at the Four Seasons Hotel, and saw each other for the very first time as Candace walked down the aisle on her father’s arm. The ceremony area was decorated with peach, gold & white ribbon, which looked especially gorgeous blowing in the breeze behind them. Their intimate ceremony caused many happy tears (and not-so-happy tears from one flower girl who was not enthused about her tulle dress – ha!), and a few laughs of delight as the ring bearers and flower girls ran full-speed down the aisle. ROYAL FIG then whipped out a delicious family style menu on colorfully flowered tabletops by Posey Events, all enjoyed at dusk under string lights by  ILD . The perfectly planned affair ended with sweet toasts and dancing under the stars to the awesome DJ skills of Greenbelt DJ. Big thanks to Pearl Events for planning such a wonderful affair, and big congratulations to Candace and Ben, who now get to celebrate with their friends and family in San Francisco this weekend!

Photography: Cory Ryan Photography | Florals: Posey Floral and Event Design | Cakes: Sugar Mama's Bakeshop | Catering: Royal Fig Catering | Make-up: maris malone calderón | makeup artist | Hair: Blo Blow Dry Bar | Lighting: Intelligent Lighting Design | DJ: Greenbelt DJ | Ceremony Music: Penny & Sparrow | Ceremony And Reception: UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum | Event Planners: Pearl Events Austin | Guest Accomodations: W Hotel Austin

We’re literally counting down ’til winter gives way to spring, but until that day comes we’ll be happily feasting our eyes on Donna Morgan dresses in every shade of the pastel rainbow.  They’re dresses that’ll make your bridesmaids look (and feel!) their absolute best, and in an array of soft, enchanting colors they’re so simple to mix-and-match to your heart’s content. Click below and see for yourself!

While spring and pastels go together like PB & J, they’re timelessly chic ANY time of year. We’re breaking down how to work Donna Morgan pastels through every season, in mix-and-match shades to suit any style.

[dotted]

PASTEL PALETTES FOR EVERY SEASON

[dotted]

WINTER | Dove Grey + Grey Ridge + Sterling muted pastels paired with metallics and white bouquets.

SPRING | Lemon + Peach Fuzz + Iris + Hint of Mint + Petal fresh hues with a nod to the new season.

SUMMER |  Blush + Peach Fuzz + Chantilly paired with details like fresh summer peaches. 

FALL | Chantilly + White Lily alongside rich, burgundy florals.

 Ready to get started? Head to Donna Morgan and let the dress shopping extravaganza begin. xoxo

 

This Bride & Groom are killing me with their cuteness. First off, and totally unrelated but a must-mention is that their pup (who celebrated from afar) is named David Bowie! I can’t handle. And he sure did miss a great party, because this barn wedding? It’s as sweet as they come. With Carly McCray Photography in attendance to document it all, you can find every bit over here in the full gallery.

From Carly McCray Photography..Sarah & Nick reside in Chicago with their adorable dog David Bowie, but chose to marry in their sentimental vacation desination for years–Door County, Wisconsin, also known as a little slice of Cape Cod snuggled next to Lake Michigan!

Sarah and Nick first met in August of 1988. The meeting took place just to the left of the building blocks and right in front of the finger-painting easel in Mrs. Moorehead’s preschool class at St. Marys School. Despite their shared affinity for popsicles and nap time, the two didn’t become close friends until they were reunited ten years later during their freshman year at Lake Forest High School.

However, fate wouldn’t bring them together as a couple until 2012, when Nick ran into a mutual friend, discovered Sarah was single, and began pursuing her in earnest. After missed calls and embarrassing Facebook messages, Sarah and Nick finally went on their first date on February 26. The rest, as they say, is history.”

Working with the ever-awesome Door County Event Planners to keep their wedding day charming and elegant yet rustic, Sarah and Nick selected a new Door County venue for their reception, About Thyme Farm. Live chickens included, About Thyme Farm set the tone for a perfect DC getaway for their guests! Door County cherry pie in lieu of cake, chicken-wire escort card holders, chalkboard & wooden signs throughout the farm, abundant florals, farm tables accented with wooden signs and sprigs of rosemary…the setting was the perfect environment for guests to get lost in and enjoy the celebration!

Photography: Carly McCray Photography | Floral Design: Flora | Ceremony: Stella Maris | Reception: About Thyme Farm | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Caterer: Alexander's | Hair & Makeup: Kari Pudlo | Bride's Dress: Jenny Yoo | Bride's Veil: BHLDN | Cocktail Hour Music: Eric Lewis & Rory Hoffman | Door County Cherry Pies: Koepsel's | Linen Rental: BBJ La Tavola | Reception Band: North Coast Orchestra | Tables/Chairs/Hay Bale Rentals: Celebrations | Wedding Planners: Door County Event Planners

Elizabeth and I love styling boho looks because it’s such a laid back style and there are really no strict rules to follow. Everything from fringe to bold florals to bell sleeves are fair game when you’re creating a boho look. We’ve been huge fans of the trend for years, but this season it’s really coming back in a big way. xoxo Fashion Column Twins

LAYERING AND FLOWY SILHOUETTES come to mind when we think boho, which as you will see is a similar theme throughout both of our looks.

[dotted]

FUN AND FLIRTY BOHO

[dotted]

structured wool hat
flowy bold floral dress
chunky wool jacket
ankle boots

I started with a flowy floral dress and layered a chunky wool jacket. I wanted my whole outfit to have a relaxed look so a less structured jacket or cardigan is a great option.

Thanks to these blustery temperatures we’ve been enduring, I threw on some leggings and ankle boots to keep warm while still maintaining the bohemian vibe. A STRUCTURED WOOL HAT is essential to pulling off the boho look. These hats scream boho and it doesn’t hurt that they are totally on trend right now.

[dotted]

EMILY’s OUTFIT DETAILS | 1. Hat: Target | 2. Leggings: H & M | 3. Floral Dress: Pac Sun. Similar here | 4. Jacket: Vintage. Similar here | 5. Ankle Boots: Forever 21

[dotted]

COZY CASUAL BOHO

[dotted]

skinny jeans
ankle boots
tribal print poncho
gold statement necklace
wool hat

If you’re more of a denim girl, go for Elizabeth’s casual boho look with skinny jeans and ankle boots. Her cardigan has FRINGE TRIM AND TRIBAL PRINT, which is a perfect nod to the boho trend.

She warmed up her look with a long sleeved black t-shirt, but a tank top would totally look cute under this cardigan as we transition into spring. She accessorized with a beautiful gold statement necklace and a wool hat to tie all the pieces together.

[dotted]

ELIZABETH’S OUTFIT DETAILS | 1. T-Shirt: Target | 2. Poncho: H & M | 3. Jeans: American Eagle | 4. Ankle Boots: Lucky Brand from Saks off 5th | 5. Necklace: Forever 21 | 6. Hat: Forever 21 | 7. Bag: Forever 21

Invitations: Target | Jewelry: Forever 21 | Jewelry: Saks Fifth Avenue | Photography And Styling: Fashion Column Twins | Vendor: Billabong

Bursting with Bows And Arrows blooms, this desert inspo is a welcomed winter escape. Marfa is highly ranked on my Bucket List and NBarrett Photography has only increased my wanderlust. A culture of talented artists (with a penchant for the mystic) adds to the the dynamic flair, and that Cakewalk Bake Shop confection is designed so deliciously that I’ll be coming back for more here!

[iframe http://www.youtube.com/embed/E7VLiYKsedA 600 338]

From Emily Allen of Cakewalk Bake Shop… The current artisan trend that is championing ceramics, weaving, leather craft and woodworking speaks to the very undercurrent that makes Marfa so fascinating and dynamic – the strong culture of talented makers and artists with a flair for the mystic. We used this as our direct inspiration, with a focus on intimacy, artisanal craft, and the raw, earthy materials employed beautifully throughout town structures – quartz fencing, handmade leather furniture, adobe homes. We married the marbling motif, used in the floral vessels, the calligraphy suite, and the cake, with a terra-cotta palette to create an interesting juxtaposition that’s at the core clean and artful, but also warm and earthy. The focus on raw materials honor the breathtaking landscape that is the truly what draws us all to Marfa and by designing with neutrals, it makes the breathtaking skies and rugged landscape that much more vibrant, allowing for gorgeous, iconic images of a couple in love in the middle of a mystical desert.

Photography: N Barrett Photography | Styling: Cake Walk Bake Shop | Styling: Bows and Arrows | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Cake: Cake Walk Bake Shop | Invitations: Blue Eye Brown Eye | Ceremony Venue: Marfa Ballroom | Ceremony Venue: Corte Del Norte | Jewelry: The Gypsy Wagon | Hair & Makeup: Salon Americana | Ceremony/reception: The Capri | Guest Favor: Marfa Brands | Rentals: Garza Marfa | Rocks: Moonlight Gemstones | Video: Kelly Christine Films | Wedding Dress Shop: The Dress Theory

Today calls for a dose of modern glamour, and this The Ritz-Carlton Toronto and Malaparte affair most certainly fits the bill. Heart Visuals never ceases to amaze, and this Rebecca Chan Weddings & Events affair is the latest beauty from their lens. It’s the ultimate pink and gold filled day brought to life, and you can see every gilded detail here!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/111068118 600 338]

From Rebecca Chan Weddings & Events… I love weddings where the bride and groom take the time to care about the details. Connie and Carlo were no exception, and prepared lovely details from start to finish making for an amazing guest experience. The couple got married on a beautiful summer day in the heart of downtown Toronto, at the stylish Malaparte. Their ceremony was held outdoors on the tented terrace, followed by a reception indoors. The venue lent itself to breathtaking cityscape views with floor to ceiling windows, while Malaparte’s Italian inspired rooftop terrace and outdoor amphitheatre nodded to the groom’s roots.

Guests were greeted by a beautiful floral accented lantern, alongside a seating chart and traditional Italian treats from the groom’s family. At each place setting was a gold name card handwritten by the bride adorned by a single spray rose with a leaf. Matching gold cutlery accompanied the place setting, along with delicious macaron favours.

The decor was soft and romantic with hits of peach, pink and blush. Lisa from Sweet Woodruff did a great job in marrying the lush floral with the modern and chic space. The floral centerpieces were garden inspired and consisted of spray roses, ranunculus, Japanese anemones and fragrant garden roses (the bride’s favourite). The head table was an elegant mix of vintage candles and bouquets set in between loose greens. The real showstopper was the sweets table from Connie Cupcake. Guests delighted in a luscious cake with sugar blooms, gold dusted tiered cookies, jeweled jelly donuts, sweet cannolis, mini cheesecakes drizzled in chocolate accented with a sugar flourish and mini tiered cookies with gold detailing and edible diamonds. Yum! After a very beautiful ceremony and intimate dinner, their closest family and friends danced the night away.

From The Bride…Of the many memorable moments, one that comes to mind and makes us laugh when we look back, is when we surprised our guests with an unexpected choreographed dance to a mix of 3 very different songs – Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You (Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons), Best I Ever Had (Drake), All of Me (John Legend), all which served as our “first dance”. We aren’t dancers but wanted to amuse our family and friends, as this was something they would never expect from us. Keeping it a secret between just Carlo and I, and not ever being able to rehearse in our wedding attire made it all the more fun!

Photography: Heart Visuals | Film: Heart Visuals | Wedding Planner: Rebecca Chan Weddings & Events | Flowers: Sweet Woodruff | Invitations: Minted | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Rings: Dana McLaven Fine Jewelery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Makeup And Hair: Jennifer Schulz | DJ: DJ Famous Tim | Officiant: Jeremy Citron | Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Toronto | Balloons: Balloon Queen | Bride's Clutch And Earrings: BHLDN | Bride's Dress: KENNETH POOL | Bride's Necklace: Swarovski | Cake And Sweets: Connie Cupcake | Ceremony And Reception Venue: Malaparte | Groom's Bow Tie: Dion | Groom's Bracelet: David Yurman | Groom's Shoes: Hugo Boss | Groom's Tuxedo: Ike Behar | Groom's Tuxedo Shirt: Z by Zegna | Guestbook Illustration: Matthew Chow Of Page One Management | Macaron Favours: Delysees | Photobooth: FunPix | Pianist: Alisa Gayle | Rentals (Cutlery And Plate): Chairman Mills