With the big game just days away, we’re standing at the sidelines ready to kickoff the Superbowl festivities. And in true SMP fashion, we decided to roundup some of our favorite NFL weddings EVER. No matter who you’re rooting for this weekend, I think it’s fair to say these weddings are all hall-of-fame worthy. See who made the cut below!
Curating your registry is, hands-down, one of the most exiting parts about planning your Big Day. You’ve found the one, now it’s time to build a life together and the perfect place to start is your wedding registry. While there are literally thousands of amazing items to choose from, Chie of Inspired Bride has rounded up the most popular 10 registry items below.
As a full-blown paper lover and stationery aficionado, getting to share the newest offerings from Minted makes me the happiest girl on earth. From foil-pressed save the dates with matching envelope designs to rose gold foil options to free guest name printing, Minted is starting off 2015 on a seriously pretty note.
As always, our friends at Minted have blown us away with a new line-up of paper awesomeness. We’re loving their rose gold foil-pressed save the dates with matching Minted Envelopes! These gorgeous + exclusive envelope designs with FREE guest addressing to match your save the date will have your guests seriously wowed. And we’re all about the convenience of it all. You simply upload your addresses and then they’re ready to be used on everything from invitations to thank you cards — all created by Minted’s fab community of independent designers!
From postcards and magnets to mini books and day of thank you notes, you can be sure your paper needs are taken care of beautifully at Minted. And with the help of a personal Design Specialist who will work with you to create exactly what you’re looking for, you can be sure the final product is customized and hand-tailored so it’s perfect for you and your honey. Now are we ready for a bit of giveaway excitement? Take a peek below!
Enter to win $500 to use at Minted toward your wedding stationery! You have until February 3rd at 11:59pm PT to enter. Click here to register. Good luck!
From sleeping in and sweet treats, to dreaming of dresses and bright blooms on these dreary days, it’s time to indulge. Whether you’re prepping for the big game or just hunkering down for the commercials and Katy, this weekend is about treating yourself. And with our Pinterest and Instagram favorites of the week, you’re guaranteed a touchdown. Grab a spot on the sofa and let’s dive into all the goodies below.
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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS…
Williams Sonoma
Style My Bridal
Allure Bridals
Doie Lounge and Sweet & Spark
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This week’s DISCOUNTS…
Joanna August + BHLDN
Bonobos Groomshop
Zola
Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Wedding Paper Divas
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For our California Brides… Discount from Gretchen Gause Photography, Surf and Sand Resort, and Greg Finck Photography, giveaways from Luxury Estate Weddings and Events and The Knot Crashers
For our Tri-State Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design and don’t miss the Anna Maier Trunk Show at Gabriella New York Bridal Salon
For our Northwest Brides… Discount from Meant2Be Events and Countryside Floral and don’t miss out on the Julie Vino Trunk Show!
For our Destination Brides… Discount from Greg Finck Photography
For our New England Brides… Discount from Hyatt Regency Cambridge
For our Mid-Atlantic Brides… Don’t miss out on the Mervis Diamond Imports Roses and Rings Event!
And Our Winners…
Congratulations to our Kate Johnson Artistry winner Rena!
It’s a coming, that big ol’ football bash. Whether you’re a die hard sports enthusiast or just there for the munchies and the commercials, these details are a must for pulling off one heck of a football themed party. We’ve got games, we’ve got food, decorative themes and cocktails too. Get ready for game day with these 25 steal-worthy ideas.
When I read that these two met at a cooking class in Paris, I just knew I was in for a treat. One look at these photos by James Rubio and my hunch was confirmed. From the gorgeous gown to the perfectly executed design by The Chapter of Love, this rustic-meets-elegance-meets-island vibe celebration came together beautifully. It’s been a long week so sit back and indulge in all the eye candy right this way.
From The Chapter of Love.. Mai and George’s wedding was a marriage of cultures: Hawaiian, Japanese and French! George is from the Big Island of Hawaii and Mai is from Japan but they met in Paris while both taking a Ritz cooking course abroad. They fell in love wandering the streets of Paris together! But before tying the knot at the beautiful Puakea Ranch, they were in a long distance relationship for nearly two years while they went back to their homes in Japan and Hawaii.
Mai’s taste was exquisite – simple, romantic elegance and this worked perfectly in this unique Hawaii ranch setting. She chose playful florals that nodded to the rustic yet sweet setting. Mai made her own cake and desserts as a tribute to how they met and all were perfectly executed!
Because they love going to the movies together and remember many fun dates sharing popcorn, we decided to incorporate a mini-popcorn bar into the cocktail hour.
From the Bride… I always dreamed about my favorite movie ‘Notting Hill.’ I love some of the music in the movie, and especially I always loved the song ‘SHE’ scene. I thought it would be nice to make our wedding a little like that garden wedding atmosphere for ceremony and cocktail hour!
Photography: James Rubio Photography | Florals: Bliss In Bloom | Catering: Aloha Mondays | Venue: Puakea Ranch | Tent: Big Island Tents | Bed and Breakfast: Puakea Ranch | DJ and Lighting: Eclipse Effect Entertainment | Equipment: Waimea Party Rentals | Wedding Coordinating and Event Design: The Chapter of Love
One of my oldest + best friends is starting to plan her very own destination wedding. And my biggest piece of advice to her? Book the Round Hill Hotel and Villas. Located in breathtaking Montego Bay, Jamaica, this hidden gem offers an intimate and elegant venue with an incredibly laid-back vibe.
Easily accessible from most major international cities, Montego Bay, Jamaica has everything you and your guests would want in a destination — golden sand beaches, breathtaking views of the Caribbean sea and lots and lots of sunshine! The venue has an assortment of venues on site such as the Spa Lawn and Hanover Terrace that can accommodate intimate celebrations for two or weddings of up to 150. Round Hill even assures exclusivity, promising you that your wedding or event is the only one for the weekend. Featuring Ralph Lauren inspired oceanfront hotel rooms, luxe 2-6 bedroom private villas with pools + dedicated staff as well as an award winning culinary team and on-site wedding planners, what’s not to love about Round Hill Hotel and Villas?
There is something so romantic and special about this venue, I’m just dying to visit! To top it all off, Round Hill offers couples on-site wedding planners and a concierge to make sure planning is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Head over here for more information and to get started with booking your big day!
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Photo Credit for last Image: Jeremy Harwell
Hillary and CJ infused their classically elegant wedding day with an incredible sense of family love—a love that runs deep and trumps a pretty detail any day. But lucky us, we don’t have to choose one or the other, because these captures from Jacqui Cole Photography are graced with both. From Dad officiating their ceremony to those sweet and sparkly ‘maids, this gallery is cause for a happy, happy dance.
From Jacqui Cole Photography…Hillary and CJ were such a joy to photograph and I feel beyond blessed to have captured these memories for them. Every single aspect of Hillary and CJ’s day was perfectly planned. From the beautiful getting ready details in the bridesmaids’ Pretty Plum Sugar pj’s to the gorgeous florals by Carrollwood Florals. My favorite moment of their day was the moment the new Mr + Mrs turned around from their first kiss to walk up the aisle as husband and wife. The sheer elation and joy in their face as they looked at each other was so memorable!
From the Bride… CJ and I met at the University of Florida during our junior year (Go Gators!). We were both from Tampa, but our paths never crossed until college. We dated our entire senior year and after graduation CJ had to move cross-country to Phoenix, AZ for a new job. I was finishing up nursing school in Gainesville while we dated long-distance. We saw each other every six weeks, either in Tampa or in Phoenix. A week before our two-year anniversary, on his latest trip to Tampa, he proposed at the end of Davis Island overlooking beautiful Tampa Bay. His 16-year-old sister, and budding photographer, hid in the grass, catching the proposal while the sailboats passed behind us. We spent the rest of the day celebrating with our families. The next day, we drove up to Gainesville where all of our friends threw an engagement party for us. It was the most amazing weekend of celebrating with the people we love.
I finished nursing school in August, so we knew it would be perfect to have the wedding in the fall. We had three dates to match up vendors with, all of them revolving around Gator football. We ended up choosing October 18th, Florida’s Homecoming game. Needless to say, all of our guests were fortunate enough to miss the debacle that was the Missouri/Florida game.
During our venue search, we wanted to find something with character and meaning in the Tampa Bay area. CJ’s dad, Steve, has been the Senior Pastor at Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church for 16 years. We were so blessed and honored to have him officiate and marry us in the church he leads each Sunday. The neighborhood I grew up in, Avila, has this gorgeous “old-world” Spanish architecture that complimented the church and the historical charm that I love. The most attractive feature of the club was the expansive atrium; perfect for all the dancing we knew would go down.
Since our venues elevated the wedding to a more formal mood, I wanted to throw in some laid-back, organic features. My theme became bohemian glamour. My dress looked fancy, but was as comfortable as a nightgown. It had two layers, a champagne silk gown with a beaded lace overlay. It fit me perfectly with flats, so all I had to do was bustle it! The bridesmaids’ dresses were nude with silver beading. They looked like champagne from far away, but were shorter for a more casual look. Everything at the reception was mercury glass, a natural shimmer in candlelight. The groomsmen matched the groom, with modern tuxedos and suspenders, for a more relaxed approach. I met with my florist, Jaclyn, who is also a friend from high school, numerous times during the six-month engagement to get the flowers just right. We came up with the word whimsical to describe the arrangements. I wanted the flowers to almost sparkle against the bridesmaids’ dresses with their light natural colors and textures.
We had the most beautiful ceremony with the music lead by the team from our church in Gainesville. My dad walked me down the aisle to “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, sung by my good friend Brittany. Both my dad and my grandpa gave me away. On my right wrist was my grandma’s tennis bracelet, alongside my great-grandma’s coral and pearl ring. The bridal party recessed to “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go”, a beautiful yet upbeat song that got us all dancing down the aisle and into the back of the church. It was such an amazing feeling to see the gospel on display in front of our family and friends and to be married at the same time. I was feeling nervous all morning, but I’ve never been so happy and affirmed at the commitment CJ and I had just made. When I hear that song today, it brings back so much joy.
The pictures of the bridal party were taken in my backyard. I loved snapping one with my groom under the bougainvillea arch where I had taken countless family and prom pictures before. It was such a special day, centered around two families coming together as one in the presence of God. At the reception, I had two goals: to eat and to have fun. It was hands down the most amazing party I’ve ever experienced. Isabel, our wedding coordinator prepared us to-go boxes of filet, chicken and the leftover cake, and we exited to our friends holding sparklers and wishing us well.
We stayed at the Le Meridian in downtown Tampa before heading to Jamaica for our 11 days of tropical paradise. Following the honeymoon, we headed straight to Arizona, my new home. We currently live in the Phoenix area, and I just accepted my first job as a Labor and Delivery nurse. We have a great group of friends and a church that we’re growing to love. I definitely miss the southeast and our friends and family, but love the opportunity to explore and enjoy the west!
Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Floral Design: Carrollwood Florist | Cake: Publix Bakery | Bridesmaid Dresses: Lord & Taylor | Hair And Makeup: Destiny And Light | DJ: Grainger Entertainment | Bridal Gown: Allure Bridal | Bridal Store: CC's Bridal | Bridesmaid PJs: Plum Pretty Sugar | Country Club: Avila Golf And Country Club
There aren’t enough words to do this embellished silver wedding gown justice, but the photos from Peter & Veronika Photography come pretty darn close. It’s an absolute work of art, and the perfect attire for a sunny outdoor affair dressed head to toe in whimsy. Fashionflowers designed every pretty arrangement, and the gallery is filled with SO much more.
From The Bride…Me and Martin started to date 6 years ago. Almost two years ago we went for a vacation to Thailand. I have to admit that for more than two weeks I expected he would propose me. There were so many beautiful places and romantic moments! But he didn’t… In the morning of our last day in Thailand he got down on his knees and asked the question. For sure I said yes! We both knew we wanted a September wedding, but we also wanted more time to prepare it, so we decided to wait a bit longer and found a date that almost fit the day of our 6th anniversary. I dreamed about a barn or field wedding, but we couldn’t find anything nearby. Until my sister showed me this amazing location near our hometown Wiegerova vila. We fell in love with this place immediately beautiful garden with apple trees, dogs and horses and amazing interior convinced us.
All my planning started on Pinterest, where I found inspiration for everything my dress, decorations, flowers and all those little details and presents. For sure I consulted everything with my (then) fiancé, sister and friend. I knew exactly how my dress should look like (except I wanted it to be white in the beginning), so I decided to buy the fabric by my own and let it done by a sewer. It ended up with this silver stunning dress and I couldn’t feel more beautiful on our big day.
I wanted to harmonize the venue (a bit rustic) and my wedding dress (maybe posh for someone) and with the help of our amazing suppliers it ended up perfectly! We loved everything about it vintage furniture, most beautiful flowers, delicious food and cakes, lovely and talented photographers and videographers, folk traditions, great party afterwards (the band was a gift from my father) and the sun shining outside (I don’t know which supplier arranged this). With all this and people we love most was our day just perfect. A day full of emotions and love from my husband that’s all I dreamed of…
Photography: Peter & Veronika | Coordination: Atelier Ello | Event Design: Ponk Rentals | Floral Design: Fashionflowers | Wedding Dress: Jarmil | Wedding Cake: Laurent | Stationery: Nenbra | Ceremony Venue: Wiegerova Vila | Reception Venue: Wiegerova Vila | Catering: Roxy Catering | Make Up: Katarina Kmecova | Bouquet: Fashionflowers | Bride' Shoes: & Other Stories | Groom Attire: Paoloni | Groom's Shoes: Massimo Dutti | Hairstyle: Renata Marova | Jewelery: Parfois | Music Band: Hex, Janko Kuric | Sweet Table: Laurent | Wedding Video: Patricia And Oliver
This inspiration proves that behind every great party is a delicious cocktail and this one has the Cardamom Rose as the leading lady. With a nod to Alice in Wonderland – think painted roses + drink me tags from Laura Hooper Calligraphy, and a beautifully styled bar cart, Strawberry Banke Studio craftedone very cute “Love Drunk” Valentine’s party. See even more photographed by Krista A. Jones right here!
From Laura of Strawberry Banke Studio… For this Valentine’s-inspired shoot, we wanted to bring out the playful, “love drunk” nature of Valentine’s Day by using a whimsical, recognizable theme to freshen up the typical Valentine’s Day decor. We chose to pull Valentine’s references from the timeless story of Alice in Wonderland (i.e. Queen of Hearts, painting the roses red, etc), and incorporate them into a modern, everyday bar cart vignette. Aiming to modernize a very romantic-heavy holiday with quirky little “Alice” touches, we executed the shoot in a black, white and fuschia color scheme, accented with bright pops of gold.
Simple, tightly packed roses (as well as some painted red!) are in keeping with both the book theme and the Valentine’s holiday without seeming overly cliche, while tiny apothecary bottles are grouped as bud vases reminiscent of Alice’s whimsical “size-altering” potions. Small gold stacked tea cups are a chic, contemporary nod to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. The Cardamon Rose signature cocktail is another play on the rose-marked holiday, with a fresher, unique flavor combination. For a less complicated Valentine’s cocktail, we substituted pretty, blush-toned sparkling Rose (for typical champagne), garnished with a simple rose petal for a special touch.
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Photographer: Krista A. Jones Photography | Design + Styling: Laura Boyd + Meg Hale Of Strawberry Banke Studio | Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Barcart: Society Social | Boutique Gift Boxes: Haven Court | Cocktail Napkins: Kate Spade | Glassware : Anthropologie | Macarons: Sweet Hearts Patisserie | Restaurant: Blackwall Hitch | Vintage Furniture: XOXO Vintage
As much as I love weddings – and believe me, I do! – it’s what happens after the vows that really fills my heart. I’m talking that let’s-grow-old-together love captured so perfectly in this anniversary party from Rebecca Yale Photography. Wedding pro Pickles And Pies and her beloved celebrated five years of marriage with their nearest and dearest, and the photos are memories they’ll cherish for years and years to come.
From Erin of Pickles and Pies….As someone that has my own business, Pickles and Pies, that does wedding coordination and event styling, I never get to do anything nice for myself when it comes to celebrations. I find that I’m a bit tapped out creatively. But as my 5 year wedding Anniversary with my husband Hunter approached, I knew I didn’t want it to go by without something a little bigger. We have such an amazing support system of friends, and we really felt like this was the year to include people we love in our celebration. We invited friends that were in attendance at our wedding, as well as friends that we have become so close with, that we wish we had known them when we WERE getting married.
It all started with the dress. I had been eying this Adrianna Papell dress for quite some time, and found myself saying things like, “If I only had the occasion to wear that dress”. I think too often we do that about clothes we love. I decided to MAKE the occasion! This entire night was built around this dress.
Hunter and I are total Brooklynites. We love our neighborhood, and it’s the only place we imagined having our party. I contacted The Bedford, and they were fabulous. We knew we wanted a feast for our friends. Something a little over the top. And the folks at The Bedford knocked it out of the park. We dined on cheese and charcuterie, oysters on the half shell, roasted bone marrow, kale ceasar, grilled octopus, whole grilled trout and grilled steak with chimichurri. After seeing the room for our party, I knew what direction I wanted to take the styling. I wanted something sexy. Deep jewel tone flowers that burst on the tables, brass bowls, and brass mismatched candlesticks with long white tapers.
We contacted photographer Rebecca Yale to shoot the event. She perfectly captured us and our day together before dinner. She accompanied us as we strolled through our neighborhood hand in hand. My amazing husband of five years also surprised me with a gorgeous art deco ring from Grace Lee Designs. The champagne and wine flowed throughout the night, and we ended with delicious Chocolate Molten Cake made with Mast Brothers Chocolate, a local favorite. It was the perfect evening that we will cherish always. From this day forward, I choose the dress first, and let it inspire me.
Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Floral Design: Pickles And Pies | Dress: Adrianna Papell | Reception Venue: The Bedford | Shoes: Tribut Ives Saint Laurent | Ring: Grace Lee Designs | Suit: Paisley And Grey | Coordination And Design: Pickles And Pies | Groom's Shoes: John Varvatos | Leather Jacket: Free People
Give me a food-centric wedding and you’ll have one happy wedding blogger on your hands. Set said wedding right in the middle of the breathtaking Provence countryside, sprinkled with the prettiest blooms from Fleurs d’Atelier and one serious stunning Bride at the center of it? And it’s all over. Beautifully captured by M&J Photography, you can peruse every bit right here.
From the beautiful Bride…I know every single person says it and it’s is cliche, but really, it’s the truth: our wedding day was the best day of my life. There, I said it. I am definitely not one of those girls who started planning my wedding from the time I was a little girl, so when the time came to start planning ours, I was a little overwhelmed with all the small details we has to wade through. We always knew our wedding would be in france and we quickly realized around 70% of our guest list would be international, with people coming from as far as New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, Ghana and Fiji.
Being an artist and a designer myself, I knew I would inevitably end up planning the wedding and creating all the paper goods and stationery. I was able to do this with the help of my friend (and generally awesome human) Joy Proctor. This was something I really enjoyed because from the save the dates to the invitations or the welcome books, I felt I had the ability to do small things that really represented us as a couple. We love adventure, we’ve traveled across the world together and we come from 2 very distinct cultures. Instead of a traditional guest book, I created postcards with drawings of women that represented the places in the world we traveled together. Our guests were able to choose a postcard they liked, or had something to do with how they met us.
Arnaud and I dislike being the center of attention, so we really shied away from anything that would make our wedding feel formal in any way. The goal was to make the day feel like a big reunion of friends and family who had either never met, or not seen each other in many years. He and I would just be hanging out in a big white dress and a tux because all our other clothes were dirty that day. When we found the Auberge La Feniere, we knew it was exactly what we had been looking for. A location that felt authentic, incredibly beautiful without feeling stuffy, surrounded by nature, michelin star chef and run by a group of people who, at the end of the day, felt more like family than vendors. We knew our family and friends would love it as much as we did and we became really excited to share this with them. A lot of our wedding was DIY and we were so grateful for all the family and friends that really helped make this happen. We had a lot of nights spent at home with cuttings boards, wine and friends helping to assemble the wedding programs, gift boxes for guests, menus, name cards and anything else we needed.
In terms of the actual day, we had a really beautiful (short) ceremony where I think he was compared to a pig, and I was compared to a truffle. It was an incredible feeling to be surrounded by so many people we love, and to recognize every single face I saw. It felt so intimate and special. We ate and danced with friends, had a really lovely dinner in the middle of the olive trees, enjoyed so much laughter and wonderful food then danced some more until the sun came up.
Photography: M & J Photography | Flowers: Laetitia C. - fleurs d'atelier | Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bridesmaid's Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Auberge La Feniere | Bridal Gown: Reem Acra | Canape's / Snacks: Rabasse | Envelope Calligraphy: Feast Calligraphy | Gifts For Bridal Party: Chanel | Guest Favors: Rabasse | Jewelery: Jacklyn Laryea | Paper Goods: Jacklyn Laryea | Planning & Design: Jacklyn Laryea | Restaurant/Hotel: Auberge La Feniere
Oh, what I would’ve given to attend this Saddlerock Ranch soiree. Combining California and carousels this outdoor music festival inspired affair (appropriately dubbed Rollypalooza) is simply incredible. With multiple live bands, food trucks, festive attire, and Seed Floral blooms – who can resist every rollicking element? Maria Lamb captured the gallery and it’s your ticket for entrance.
From the beautiful Bride… One late summer night after we got engaged, my husband and I were star gazing on a beach in LA while lamenting about all the imminent wedding planning in our near future. Neither of us were particularly looking forward to it. So we decided to scrap our traditional idea of weddings and began dreaming up creative ideas for the most fun party of our lives. We decided we didn’t want a buttoned-up formal event with four different forks and a huge cake (not that we don’t thoroughly enjoy beautiful formal weddings; it just wasn’t for us). Many hours, crazy ideas, and laughs later (we nixed the zanier ideas that ranged from 200-person Twister to a vodka fountain), we envisioned an outdoor music festival with all its attendant rollicking elements: multiple live musical bands, food trucks, festive attire – who can resist? Our best man jokingly said we should call it Rollypalooza (Robby + Molly = Rolly; -palooza as a nod to Lollapalooza). Little did he know it would stick! Our wedding date was on the summer solstice so we decided to throw our own summer solstice music festival.
My husband is a musician on the side, so we got five different musical performers we personally know and one band through a referral to sign on as our “acts” throughout the day, including an appearance by my husband’s own band. We found an incredible, hip food truck owner (Tim Abell of Flat Iron) to cater the wedding using an outdoor fire pit and a farm-to-table menu. On one of our early dates, we shared an ice cream sandwich from the dessert truck Coolhaus so we brought them on to serve their legendary ice cream sandwiches. And it wouldn’t be a music festival without colorful wristbands, which we got custom printed and handed out to all the guests at the reception. We also had a biergarten next to the bar with several picnic tables, an outdoor movie theatre for the slideshow complete with blankets and cushions, glow sticks for the dance floor (who doesn’t feel more loose dancing with ten glow necklaces piled on?), and a late night bacon-wrapped hot dog cart (in true LA fashion).
We were fortunate to find an expansive vineyard/ranch in Malibu that had zebras, peacocks, llamas, bison, and horses. The best part – they allowed outdoor music until midnight. I fell in love with the idea of having llamas at our wedding, so we decided to make the llama our “logo” which we incorporated throughout, from the invitations to the favors. For the overall look of the wedding, I didn’t want any strong colors because the venue was outdoors with so much greenery already, so we stuck with neutrals like cream, gold, blush and grey. Seed Floral did an incredible job making my vision for loose, flowy, understated flowers and garlands come to life. For the decor, we used a lot of our own antiques and furniture, but also scoured flea markets and vintage shops and even my grandparents’ garage!
The wedding was so special because we felt it really represented us and had our unique tastes and style weaved throughout all the elements. I’m obsessed with good jam and my favorite is Stonewall Kitchen’s blueberry jam, which we gave out as favors. The venue is the vineyard that makes the wine we drank when my husband proposed. Two of the most incredible singers we know, Alex and Corey Fleeman, who sang us through the ceremony and first dance, perform at the church where we first met. My father made the signs for the stage, the table numbers, and the cornhole boards. My mother drew the illustration of us for the invitations and programs. My husband did all the chalkboard art. I DIY’ed many of the knick knacks, purchasing more gold glitter than I thought possible in the process. My husband’s band sang my favorite Taylor Swift song. We both designed our attire for the day: I designed my wedding dress, he got his suit custom made in bright blue with our inside jokes stitched to the lining of his jacket. The suit turned out to be a big hit on the dance floor when he popped his collar and guests saw “Rollypallooza” stitched under his collar!
And Maria and Jordan of Anthem Photography captured all the moments with their signature ease and flair. We really couldn’t have asked for a better team than these two!
Photography: Maria Lamb | Event Planning: Kayla Vie Events | Floral Design: Seed Floral Couture | Wedding Gown: Sarah Seven | Cake: SusieCakes | Catering: Flatiron Catering | DJ: DJ Sosa | Band: Bernie Kim & The Last Call | Band: California Feetwarmers | Band: Help The Doctor | Band: Alex And Corey Fleeman | Groom's Suit: Klein Epstein & Parker | Officiant: Pastor Rankin Wilbourne | Venue: Saddlerock Ranch | Bride's Ceremony Dress: Shin Bu Bridal | Dessert: Coolhaus | Groom Tie + Clip: Bo Clothing | Hair (Bridesmaids): Drybar | MUAH: Kelly Yi | Music: Matt LaRocca | Paper Products: Hooray Creative | Rentals: AAA Rentals | Rentals: A Rental Connection | Rentals: Dish Wish | Rentals: Etablir Shop | Security: Sandman Security | Sound: All American AV | Wine: Saddlerock Ranch
I can’t help but grin when I see the way these two look at each other. Between the garland covered tables, heart shaped piñata, and the gorgeous floral chandeliers (styled by the Bride herself), lies a heartwarming celebration that’s left me beaming. Kay English was behind the lens and told their story beautifully, and you can bet the gallery is the best place to watch it unfold!
From the beautiful Bride… Mike and I met five years ago in Speculator, NY in emergency services. Mike, a paramedic, was my assigned instructor. We ended up being on the same overnight crew together and quickly bonded through sarcasm, wit, and a passion to help others in need. We were close friends for four years before dating just 5 months before the big proposal. I had originally wanted a September wedding but with a sister getting married in October, we settled on August, almost one year from the day we started dating.
I love nature and knew not only my ceremony, but also the reception, just HAD to be outdoors. No tent, no pavilion, no patio. Everything was to be located outside under the shade of trees. I knew this was a huge risk (rain plan? There was no rain plan! It was all or nothing!) but was wiling to take it. As soon as I saw Oakbourne Mansion, I knew it was the perfect location for our needs. The grounds were beautiful and the mansion was available, just in case the weather refused to cooperate.
I’m a self-proclaimed perfectionist and DIY-extraordinaire so naturally, I designed not only my own decor and flowers, but also my paper goods and wedding cakes. Initially, hiring confetti & co to help me out the day of was hard because I was so determined to accomplish everything on my own but the peace of mind they brought was so worth it!
Our wedding was the afternoon of August 9th. We wanted something low-key that bucked many wedding traditions. We had no DJ and instead, relied on some outdoor speakers, an iPhone, and several Spotify playlists. There was no dancing but there were lawn games! No bouquet toss or garter throw occurred, but we had one rocking piñata! Our caterer set up under huge tents and served sizzling Jack Daniel’s steak, scallops, and pork roast directly from a grill. It was perfect and laid back and everything we had hoped it would be. Oh and, the weather was a beautiful 83 degrees with light wind and zero humidity. We were so blessed.
My favorite part of the day was seeing my vision come together. I had a picture in my head all along but not having the ability to do a test run (told you I was a perfectionist) before the big day really stressed me out. Thankfully, confetti & co knew exactly the direction I wanted to go so while I relaxed and got ready the morning of, they arrived bright and early and set everything up. I loved how relaxed and unhurried the entire day went and I really couldn’t have done it without my amazing vendors.
I never picked a specific color scheme as I’m a neutrals girl. Take a look in my closet and you’ll find grey, white, cream, and black. Anything colorful is way outside my comfort zone so I stuck to subdued, natural hues. For my flowers, I hit up every Michael’s 50% off sale I could and purchased loads of rustic, woodsy flora. I wanted my bouquet, and my bridesmaids’ bouquets, to look like we had gone out for a nature walk that morning and picked flowers along the way. I made the ceremony garland from plastic table clothes purchased from Party City. Between the garland, piñata, and flower chandeliers, I was busy all winter and loved every second of it.
For our table centerpieces, I relied on my own collection of antiques and knick-knacks. Since tablecloths are a personal pet peeve, I splurged on beautiful farmhouse tables and purchased a gold-striped paper table runner from One Kings Lane. A quick trip to the local wholesale florist for greenery the day before and we were all set. I spent several months scouring local thrift stores to hunt down 88 pressed glass goblets for our toast. They were all so unique and beautiful and I loved how seamlessly they melded in with the rest of the decor.
The planning process passed all too quickly which was probably a good thing- something needed to rein me in! For me, the best part wasn’t just “the day,” but the culmination of days leading up to it. Creating everything by hand and meeting with the vendors who helped make the day perfect, really made the actual wedding day all the more special. It was a true labor of love by so many different parties and you feel the enormity of that love during your wedding. Mike and I will forever be grateful to everyone who helped and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Photography: Kay English Photography | Coordination: Confetti & Co | Wedding Planning: Confetti & Co | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Reception Venue: Oakbourne | Bride's Shoes: Avarcas | Engagement Ring: Greenwich Jewelers | Wedding Bands: A.M. Ross & Son | Catering: The Purple Picnic People | DJ: Spotify Playlist | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Groomsmen's Attire: J.Crew | Officiant: Bride's Uncle | Bridesmaids' Necklaces: Bestyle Etsy | Chocolate: Asher's Chocolates | Fruit Tarts: Whole Foods Market Preston | Greenery For Decor: Younger & Sons | Groom's Shoes: Vans | Groomsmen's Shoes: Vans | Hair & Make-Up: Dolcissima Salon & Spa | Hand-Painted Sign: Ryan Ritchey | Tables & Benches: Barnes Handcrafted Farmhouse Tables | Wedding Cakes: Bride
There aren’t enough adjectives to fully describe this Alexandra Knight affair, but the biggest takeaway? The absolute heart that it’s packed with. Starting with the adorable story board that acted as the backdrop to the dessert table, to ending with the Bridesmaid’s assembling their bouquet’s, every detail is heart melting. Read on for the story that brought this darling duo together, and see the whole day here.
From Alexandra Knight Photography…Catie & KJ’s gorgeous winery wedding was a perfect combination of DIY elements, a breathtaking blush and champagne color palette, and a beautiful venue to host their celebration. Styled by the bride herself, their reception featured fun chevron and sequin table runners that pulled the soft pink roses and gold candles together elegantly. Catie wore a Jenny Packham gown that was purchased used from Australia and she even wore her great-great grandmother’s gold ring as her something borrowed for the ceremony.
Catie’s bridesmaids’ wore different dresses that complemented each other well, and they were tied together by their coordinating florals, too. The bride and groom ordered bulk flowers from Costco, and the bridesmaids assembled bouquets by hand the day before the wedding. The variety of bouquets carried by the bridesmaids were a beautiful way to add some variation that tied all the colors and elements of the day together.
This couple was one of my most favorite couples I’ve ever worked with. They approached their wedding planning with a laid back style, knew that they wanted to focus on their guests having a fun time, and wanted to stay true to their personalities. So instead of a fancy plated dinner at the winery where they held their wedding, they had two different food trucks cater the event, which allowed guests to grab and go whatever food options they wanted. The bride shopped Etsy and DIY projects to help her create the vision for what she wanted with her reception space and it all came together beautifully.
Guests toasted them with some of the best speeches I’ve ever heard, and the bride’s maid of honor got to tell their guests the story of knowing KJ for years prior to him meeting Catie. She has the joy of being best friends to them both and was the best maid of honor they could have asked for. Be sure to check out the photos of the adorable story board that acted as the backdrop to the couple’s dessert table. The hand-penned black board tells their story with adorable illustrations while looping in their individual personalities and backgrounds. What a great way to personalize the reception space!
We were treated to private access to the winery’s barrel room by the owner himself, and enjoyed a mini escape from the reception for a few last minute portraits as the sun went down. We could not have been blessed with better weather and a better setting to celebrate this amazing couple and I am so honored to have been involved!
Photography: Alexandra Knight Photography | Flowers: Costco | Cake: Morfey's Cake | Cupcakes: Trophy Cupcakes | Hair & Makeup: Gene Juarez | Suits: Jos. A. Bank | Accessories: Nordstrom | Alterations: Nordstrom | Bridal Gown: Jenny Packham | Ceremony & Reception: DeLille Cellars | Chairs: AA Party Rentals | Day-of Coordinator: Lindeman Events | Food Truck: Skillet Street Food | Food Truck: Veraci Pizza
I absolutely adore all the sweet ways people display their escort cards, and thanks to Spark And Wildflower, Bloom Calligraphy and Dionel Photography we have yet another display to swoon over. It’s a totally doable DIY, and is a surefire way to impress your guests.
From Spark And Wildflower…This escort card display was originally inspired by the beautiful blue and white patterned drawer knobs I ended up using as escort tag hangers. I knew I wanted to create something centered around a classic, elegant style with just a touch of weathered and rustic charm, thus the pallet escort card display was born.
I chose a worn pallet that I painted grey, followed by a layer of dry brushed white paint to create a distressed look. My gorgeous, mismatched knobs served perfectly as hangers for the escort tags that were so beautifully penned by Linda of Bloom Calligraphy. When considering signage, I wanted something that would communicate it’s message while contributing to the variety of textures and the soft color palette that this display exudes. I selected romantic serif letters that I tied on using the loveliest powder blue velvet ribbon, to simply spell the words, “find your seat.”
This display’s soft airiness, antique, worn appearance and feminine touches make it perfect for wedding decor, and can easily be customized to fit a variety of styles and color palettes. My friend Dionel, the talent behind Dionel Photography, did an impeccable job of portraying the style and feel I was hoping to achieve through her stunning photos.
wood pallet
sander
paint
paintbrush
pencil
ruler
power drill
drawer knobs
letters
ribbon for tying on your letters
scissors
escort tags, hole punched
ribbon for your tags
Find your pallets. You’ll more than likely need multiple pallets to accommodate all of your escort tags (my pallet is 3 feet by 3.5 feet and contains 30 knobs, with about 10 inches of space between each) so consider your number of tags and the spacing you want before shopping. I went with a used pallet to achieve a worn, distressed look for my display, but you can purchase brand new pallets from any hardware store for a cleaner look. You can often acquire used pallets from flower shops, farmer’s markets, and other small businesses that are willing to give away their old ones, however some businesses hire pallet removal companies, so it’s important to ask permission before taking any pallets you see.
Sand. It won’t need a ton, but sand your pallet just enough to remove the larger wood splinters.
Paint. I chose a warm charcoal grey for the base layer, followed by white paint which I lightly dry brushed on to create a worn, antique look, allowing my dark grey to show through.
Measure + Drill. Once you know how many knobs you can fit on each panel (and have reserved a couple of panels for your letters) measure and mark a point for each knob to achieve even spacing and straight lines. Drill your holes and erase all pencil marks.
Attach your drawer knobs. Select the knobs you want for your display (all of mine were found at Hobby Lobby!) and decide how you want to arrange them. I found it useful to lay mine on the floor and map out what order I’d like them in before attaching them. This way, you can play around with the arrangement until you have it just right – I also took a picture of my ‘map’ as a reference.
Tie on your letters. The letters I selected were 4 inches tall (from Hobby Lobby) and required two panels of my pallet to fit the words, “find your seat,” comfortably. Using ribbon (I adore my powder blue ribbon, also found at Hobby Lobby) cut strands approximately 10 inches long. Tie one end to the top of your letter, wrap around the panel until it ends in the back, and tie the ribbon to itself. This will cause some letters to be crooked – an aesthetic element you may or may not prefer – so if you want all of your letters to be straight, simply loop the ribbon around the panel only once, tying the second end to the bottom of the letter.
Escort Tags. Once you have your hole punched escort tags, select a ribbon to go with them (this cream ribbon was found at, yes, Hobby Lobby) and cut into strands. String and tie to create hanging tags, which puts the finishing touch on your pallet escort card display. Voila!
Photography: Dionel Photography | Calligraphy: Bloom Calligraphy | DIY: Spark And Wildflower
This wedding right here? It’s everything. And by “everything,” I mean stunning traditional details meets drop-dead gorgeous blooms from Petal’s Edge meets a beautiful bride and a dashing gentleman in uniform. Captured in amazing images by Marta Locklear, we’re calling it classic done oh-so-right. See for yourself in the full gallery.
From Marta Locklear… Steven and Alexandra’s wedding was the epitome of a classic Virginia wedding. He wore his dashing Marine Corp dress uniform along side his groomsmen’s black tuxes. Her long-sleeved delicate lace gown competed with the notorious classic Grace Kelly. All of this was surround by delicate blush and dove gray florals and the traditional settings of one of the oldest churches in Old Town Alexandria, The Christ Church, and our very own George Washington’s estate, Mt. Vernon Inn.
Photography: Marta Locklear | Florist: Petal's Edge | Wedding Dress: Hannelore's Of Olde Town | Ceremony: Christ Church | Reception: Mt. Vernon Inn | Shoes: Kate Spade | Catering: Mt. Vernon Inn
An elegant wedding amidst the beauty of an old mansion, complete with a gorgeous lace gown; is there anything prettier? Held at Boston’s Commander’s Mansion, this celebration had some fun surprises (penguin cake topper!) and with Anne Skidmore behind the lens, we don’t miss out on any special moments. These photos are the perfect example of why that creative elegance will never go out of style.
From Anne Skidmore Photography… There were so many elements to David & Ceridwen’s day that we loved. All the sweet details, a Boston wedding, the Commanders Mansion, a ceremony with sweet readings and music, a penguin theme, friends and family from around the world, and a simply stunning bride with her handsome groom were just a few! September 7th, 2013 was a lovely fall day and it graced us with a slight overcast, which for us, as photographers, creates beautiful even light to work with. Ceridwen and her bridesmaids dressed for the big day at the Commander’s Sheraton in the heart of Cambridge. At the Commanders Mansion, Ceridwen slipped into her classic lace wedding gown in the bridal suite, while Dave and his groomsmen straightened their bow ties in the gentlemen’s parlor. Dave and Ceridwen wanted to connect before the ceremony, but they didn’t want to see each other. Thus, we found a room where they could hold hands, however, a door stood between them. They talked to each other with their hands held tight, and calmed each others nerves. With a sweet and simple goodbye it was time to head to the ceremony in the mansion’s courtyard. Ceridwen’s mother and father walked her down the aisle, and Dave struggled to fight back his tears seeing her for the first time. We even caught him wiping a few of them away. There were several readings by family and friends, and a beautiful song by one of Ceridwen’s bridesmaid. The newlyweds sealed it with a kiss and walked down the cheering aisle. We walked all around the grounds for stunning portraits, and then it was celebration time! Live music, toasts, cake cutting, dancing, delicious food, and a couple of final dusk portraits filled the night. Thank you David and Ceridwen! And before we sign off, we want to quote a reading that Ceridwen’s stepfather read during the ceremony. We were smitten by it.
An excerpt from “Your Personal Penguin” by Sandra Boyton:
I want to be Your Personal Penguin/I want to walk right by your side/I want to be Your Personal Penguin/I want to travel with you far and wide
Wherever you go, I’ll go there too/Here and there and ev’rywhere/And always with you/I want to be Your Personal Penguin/Imagine me, Your Personal Penguin/I want to be Your Personal Penguin/From now on.
Photography: Anne Skidmore Photography | Floral Design: Laura Jean Floral & Event Design | Wedding Dress: Judd Waddell | Cake: Sweet Tooth Boston | Ceremony Venue: Commander's Mansion | Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Forklift Catering | Make-Up: Makeup Artistry by Liz | Hair: Special Event Beauty | Music Selection: Winiker Music | Wedding Coordinater: Ang Jandak | Wedding Rings: Tiffany & Co.
We’ve been through the wringer when it comes to snow and chilly temps this week but my heart is warm and cozy thanks to this engagement shoot by Aga Jones. Not only is the bride-to-be gorgeous and future groom adorable, but their outlook on love is what life’s all about. Inspired by the movie “UP,” this shoot tapped into the couple’s definition of adventure and I can’t wait to see what their wedding holds.
From The Bride & Groom… What makes an adventure? The spirit of adventure isn’t always where you would expect to find it, whether it be a journey to a faraway land, or venturing off to parts unknown. Quite the contrary, true adventure can often be found in the relationships that we build with one another, especially with the one you love. It is their love that brings out the best in us, something that would have been lacking had we been on our own. We each become a bit more whole because they complete us by sharing themselves through a lifetime of love and commitment. The real adventure of life is the relationship that we have with others, and true adventure only comes when you have someone special to share it with.
Our engagement photo shoot is a tribute to the Disney Pixar animated movie “Up”, which recounts the love between two individuals, the trials they encounter throughout their marriage and their childlike approach to life’s adventures. “Up” is a movie that’s close to heart for Andre and myself. It was the summer of 2009. We had just started dating and with the newly discovered love and childlike tendencies Carl and Ellie exhibit in the movie, Andre and I couldn’t help but relate to them. We saw ourselves in Carl and Ellie: starting a life together, purchasing a home, planning a family, going on adventures together, but most importantly, enjoying the simple things in life. It’s funny how as we look back in life, it’s the trivial things that are often the most memorable. As Russell so eloquently put it in the film, “That may sound boring, but I think the boring stuff is the stuff I remember the most.” Our dream is to explore and journey life’s moments together, whether it be by traveling the world or sitting on the couch watching reruns of our favorite TV shows. Until this day, Andre and I continue to approach life with the same childlike excitement as Carl and Ellie. Because we see so much of ourselves in them, we felt it made sense to pay tribute to our favorite movie, “Up!”
Photography: Aga Jones Photography
Weddings are filled with once in a lifetime emotions, and this affair captured by Brett Heidebrecht is no exception. Kylie Swanson designed an effortlessly elegant day overflowing with natural textures, from the Bride’s Jim Hjelm gown, to the ribbon tied Birdie Blooms, this Midwestern soiree is tactile perfection. One look at this gallery and already I’m counting down the minutes until my very on “I Do”.
From the beautiful Bride… I think I would have to say that the vision I had for our wedding day was elegant but natural. I am a sucker for textures, so I really tried to tie that in with every aspect of my design. From my wedding dress, to the florals, to the bridesmaids dresses, and the tapestries. It all turned out even better than I could have imagined. With the help of the styling direction from Kylie Swanson and the amazing eye of birdie florals it all tied together and Brett captured it all elegantly with his keen eye for simplicity and lighting.
The day was filled with so much raw and once in a lifetime emotion. From the moment I read a letter from my future husband the emotions sprung out. Moments such as my Mom zipping up my wedding dress and seeing my Dad give his baby away and allowing someone else fill his shoes were some that boldly are displayed in my memory of that day. Seeing my husband Brett for the first time on our wedding day was the best of them all and it was even better when I became his wife. Moments like those are ones you want to keep forever and Brett’s photographs captured them perfectly and also will allow me to have small glimpses into those precious memories for the rest of my life.
Photography: Brett Heidebrecht Photography | Event Design: Kylie Swanson | Floral Design: Birdie Blooms | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Amy Cakes | Invitations: Katherine McKenzie | Ceremony Venue: Crossings Chapel | Reception Venue: Gaillardia Country Club | Shoes: Kate Spade | Makeup Artist: Bobbi Brown Cosmetics | Band: Box Talent | Grooms Attire: Ralph Lauren | Guitarist: Box Talent | Rentals: Marianne's Rentals for Special Events
