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A Black Tie Wedding with Latin Flair (Mariachi Band Included!)

What do you get when you blend the outdoor beauty of a garden wedding with the black-tie romance of a classic Dallas restaurant and a mariachi band that plays homage to the Bride and Groom’s latin roots? Pure perfection, a.k.a. this celebration planned by Keestone Events, along with florals by The Backyard Bouquet and the prettiest sweet ending courtesy of Sugar Bee Sweets. Follow all the gorgeous imagery captured by Stephanie Brazzle Photography with even more in the vault.

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From the Bride… I was once told “the best love story is when you fall in love with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time.” My love story began five years ago with a first date at Coal Vines in Downtown Dallas. We were set up through a mutual friend but due to bad relationship experiences in the past and being consumed with graduate school, I didn’t have very much interest or high expectations. Little did I know that that one date would change my life so much! Victor would propose three years later.

I had dreamed of purchasing my wedding dress with my mother at my side. Unfortunately, my mother had lost her battle to cancer. For months, I was holding off on buying the dress because I knew it would be an emotional day. When I did go, it was so discouraging since I had tried on several dresses and had not yet experienced that ‘aha moment”. I was down to one dress and when I put it on, tears instantly flowed. I had found my dress. I wanted to make my mother a part of my wedding day and wrapped her necklace around my bouquet. Holding it brought me a lot of peace, and made the day feel all the more meaningful. I felt her presence and I knew she was smiling and enjoying in the day with me.

We had a small wedding with our closest friends and family at Marie Gabrielle. To me, finding the venue is as important as finding the right wedding dress. I had envisioned a timeless and elegant, black tie garden wedding affair, and Marie Gabrielle was perfect with its beautiful grounds. My favorite moment of the wedding was reading our vows. In declaring our love to each other in front of all, I felt like a modern day princess marrying her prince charming.

As Victor and I are both Hispanic, we wanted to incorporate our Latin roots by having a mariachi band. Our DJ also made sure to play a blend of salsa, merengue, bachata and American dance music. We are blessed to have family and friends travel from around the world to be there for our wedding. It made an already wonderful day even more special. Thank you to all the amazing vendors for making our fairytale wedding come true!

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Photography: Stephanie Brazzle Photography | Planner: Keestone Events | Florals: The Backyard Bouquet | Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets | Stationery: Scribbles And Swirls | Hair and Makeup: Pixie Glam Studio | DJ: DJ Brandon | Ceremony + Reception: Marie Gabrielle | String Trio: European Ensemble Strings

This Dallas Fete is the Kind Winter White Wedding Dreams are Made Of

I was thissss close to doing an all white wedding (paired with champagne hues) and this Dallas affair from Mint Photography is exactly why. It’s classic. It’s timeless. And oh, is that my favorite kind of wedding my friends. Just one look at The Vault and you’ll be ooh-ing and ahh-ing too, I assure you.

From Mint PhotographyKristi and Brent had an amazingly elegant winter wedding in Dallas. Kristi chose to keep the color scheme crisp with all white florals, and gorgeous white bridesmaids dresses. The outcome was stunning! We loved so much about this wedding, but what we especially love is that despite the rainy and chilly weather we were able to still capture beautiful naturally lit images! We always hope that our clients will trust us to capture cohesive images despite obstacles and we think this wedding shined even without a sunny day! P.S. How about those adorable pups and that custom hand painted bottle of Jo Malone! Obsessed.

From the Bride… In another life my twin sister and I would have been wedding planners. Instead, we are both dentists who throw a lot of parties for our friends and family. We’ve had a love for cake, parties, and design since we were little. I’ve always been extremely particular and detail oriented. White or as I say “cream” has been my favorite color since I was a little girl so much so that my furniture, car, and puppy are all white. White long stem roses are my favorite flowers and the winter holiday season is my most favorite time of year. The idea of all white roses and a winter wedding was a very easy decision for me. I did a play on the Christmas song “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of Year” in reference to both our marriage and the holiday season. It was all the little details that I spent countless hours planning with the help of my twin sister. It was incredibly important to me to have personal touches that made the day special for not only me. but my husband and all of my family and friends.

My husband is the president of Dallas Safari Club Conservation Society and is a passionate and avid water fowl hunter. I had our party favors made by a local Dallas chocolatier which was special in itself as we both met and have a love for Dallas. Our party favors served as both a place card and favor, but most importantly as a personal touch of my husband. The party favors were gold dusted chocolate mallard ducks and turned out beautifully! Additioanally, his groomcake had our bird dog, Duckie, made of icing with a duck and our wedding videographer was actually a dear friend who films for Safari Classics, a hunting show.

We included our grandparents who celebrated with us from above by having a table at the reception in honor of each of them. A table was named for each of them and included their picture as well as a number to help with the seating chart. It was a really special way to pay tribute to them. Also, my grandparents’ wedding cake topper from 1947 was on display at the wedding. Lastly, our welcome boxes for out of town guests included gingerbread men cookies that my twin and I made from my grandmother’s cookie cutter and recipe since that was something we always did with her during the holidays.

For my bridesmaids, I treated them to a bridesmaid lunch at a quaint French restaurant. I did a play on “Cheers to Buds” and gifted them with a beautiful ornament of each of their dogs and earrings (ear buds) for the wedding since our fur babies are like our children to us.

The detail that was truly so special to me was my gift to my maid-of-honor and twin. I gifted her with a “twin ring” that I designed and my husband’s close friend who is a diamond dealer created for both of us. I had the stone taken out of old rings that we both had when we were little girls, but no longer wear, set in an intertwined diamond rose gold band to represent our lives that have been completlely intertwined. The stone happened to be a blue topaz which made our matching rings more special as topaz is the state gemstone of Texas where we are from. When I got engaged, my twin wanted a diamond ring to wear too. Now, my twin has her own diamond ring and a something blue. The rings will become heirlooms that we are able to pass on to our children for their weddings. She loves her ring and lights up telling everyone about the story behind it.

Other small details included a custom monogram that we used everywhere from stamps, wax seals, welcome boxes, menu cards, and programs. Instead of a photo booth, we created a photo back drop with Christmas tree where my photographers took family holiday pictures of our guests. We gifted our guests with these pictures for them to use for their Christmas cards if they wished. I love receiving Christmas cards so this was special for us to do since it’s not often that you have professional photographers available to snap family pictures!

One really unique thing about our wedding is that our wedding vendors are not only Dallas vendors. Our vendors are from all over Texas! Being that my twin and I have a love for cake, we fell in love with The Cake Stand, a bakery in McKinney, Texas when we stumbled across the bakery while doing a rotation in dental school. We’ve been getting all our cakes from them for years now, and I can’t tell you how many people comment on their cakes! All of my invitations were created by Emmalie Welstead from Crop Paper Scissor in Waco, Texas where my twin and I are from. She is amazing. She executes everything perfectly, and is the nicest person to work with. Our photographer is from Austin, Texas. Kelly from Mint Photography is incredible, and so easy to work with. She helped in so many ways beyond photogarphy on my wedding day. I spent a lot of time selecting my vendors and making sure that their personality and style matched my vision.

For our wedding I envisioned an all white winter wedding that was classic, elegant, and grand yet simple and not over the top. All of the special details and personal touches that Lacy and I planned truly achieved that vision and made the day filled with love for everyone.

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Photography: Mint Photography | Videographer: Cameron Kuezner | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Cake: The Cake Stand | Invitations: Crop Paper Scissor | Ceremony Venue: Highland Park Presbyterian Church | Reception: The Room On Main | Rings: Davenport Diamonds | Bridesmaids Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Cn Catering | Makeup: Elan Makeup Studio | Hair: Osgood Oneil Salon | Band: Cover Down Band | Grooms Attire: J. Hillburn | Bridal Earrings: Gift from mother from London | Bridal Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Coordinating: The Avery Grace | Film Scans: Richard Photo Lab | Floral : Something Pretty Floral | Getting Ready + Details Location: Hotel Crescent Court | Photography - Assistance: Claire Casner

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Classic American-Mexican Affair with To-Die-For Bridal Portraits

I think you’ll agree that among all of the breathtaking captures of this day by Ben Q Photography, the bridal portraits shine through the brightest. See? Eliza and Dan, you are striking—from the first look and leaving the ceremony to the first dance and the cake cutting (oh hey, Sugar Bee Sweets!), their love glows. Pin-worthy gallery? To say the least.

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From the Bride… Dan and I met in New York City in the summer of 2013, while working together in the fashion industry. He proposed in January 2015 in Monterrey, Mexico, the city where I was born and raised. We decided to have a long engagement and take our time to plan our wedding since we could not decide on a location: beach or city in Mexico, New York City? We saw several options but none of them fully convinced us. A few months later, life took us to Dallas. We fell in love with the city and decided to have our wedding in our new hometown.

Since day one we knew we wanted to embrace both of our cultures and have a wedding with the best of Mexican and American traditions, resulting in a classic yet modern wedding. The traditional Mexican ceremony took place at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and our reception was held at Arlington Hall at Lee Park. We loved these locations because of their architecture, views and that elegant, timeless vibe they both exude. Working with our wedding planners, Elizabeth and Amanda at After Yes, Dan and I were solely involved in every aspect of the planning and decision making, which made it so much fun and made our wedding day truly ours. We decided on a day wedding and chose light colors: mostly white, ivory and shades of light peach, as well as lots of greenery and marble accents for floral and decor.

We both agree that our favorite moment of the day was when I walked down the aisle. It was an indescribable moment when so many emotions met. After so many months of waiting, I was nervous to see him and had butterflies in my stomach, just like I did on our first date.

Our advice for future brides and grooms: Make it a point and remind each other to enjoy each second of your wedding day. We will forever cherish and are so grateful for the moments we got to share with our families and closest loved ones, in what will always be one of the most special days of our lives.

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Photography: Ben Q Photography | Videography: Splendor Films | Floral Design: Max Owens Design | Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets | Ceremony Venue: Holy Trinity Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Arlington Hall At Lee Park | Catering: Food Glorious Food | Transportation: Blue Diamond Limousines | Tent: Mike Sandone Productions Inc | Beauty: Beauty And The Blush | Cocktail Music: Serenata Strings | DJ/Lighting: Absolute Entertainment | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Lounge Furniture: Bella Acento | Paper Goods: Southern Fried Paper | Planning: After Yes

You’ll Want to Steal this Color Palette for Your Fall Wedding

Dusty pink, sweet peach and sunset orange… does that not sound like THE perfect fall wedding color palette? A charming combo any time of year, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that some of you lovebirds will recreate this slice of inspiration crafted by Lindsey Brunk for your 2017 weddings. Oh, and did I mention a french lace Galia Lahav number makes an appearance? Officially drooling. Charla Storey, I’ll be daydreaming over these images in The Vault for days.

From Lindsey Brunk… Inspired by the warm colors of Autumn paired with gilded accents, this creative collaboration with Charla Storey was the perfect blend of simplicity and decadence. A hidden garden in the middle of downtown Dallas, Nasher Sculpture Center, created the perfect backdrop for our vision. Pollen Events created lush and overflowing arrangements in delicate pinks and warm autumn hues.

Our bride wore an enchanting gown by Galia Lahav Haute Couture made of embroidered french lace and our bridesmaids perfectly complimented her look in dusty pink gowns from BHLDN. Staying away from tradition greys and navy, our groom was outfitted in a slim fit chocolate brown suite. Other details of the day included treats topped with edible flowers, a custom leather escort card display, and one-of-a-kind engagement ring by Susie Saltzman.

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Photography: Charla Storey Photography | Event Design: Lindsey Brunk | Floral Design: Pollen Events | Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav | Jewelry: Susie Saltzman | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Hair and Makeup: Beauty And The Blush | Art Mueseum: Nasher Sculpture Center | Models: Campbell Agency | Paper Goods: Fig & Flourish | Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals | Stylist/Design: Lindsey Brunk | Sweets: Whisk Until Sweet

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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A Classic Southern Affair Filled with Elegant Details

When it came time to plan their big day, (familiar faces) Ana and Tim had one goal in mind. That being? A glamorous winter wonderland that their guests would remember forever. And we’ve got to hand it to them because mission totally accomplished. From the candle-lit reception to the personalized slippers guests were given to dance the night away, Jacqui Cole Photography captured it all to share in The Vault!

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From Jacqui Cole PhotographyYou may remember Ana and Tim from their engagement session featured here on SMP. Ana met Tim, a professional tennis player, at the Four Seasons Resort while Tim was in town for a tennis tournament. The couple wed 2 years later at the exact spot which they had fell in love.

Ana and Tim wanted to capture a glamorous winter wonderland at the Four Seasons venue. They wanted to create an evening that all of their guests would remember. The many ‘wow’ factors certainly achieved that! From a surprise mariachi band, confetti bombs, fireworks show and a late night taco stand the couple created an incredibly fun night for their family and friends. Ana said that “it was a dream come true to see our vision of an elegant, romantic, candle-lit winter wonderland come to life with all our closest family and friends. The whole day is a memory of overwhelming love and happiness”. Guests were treated to little surprises such as personalized slippers to dance the night away and a Mexican candy bar which were a ‘sweet nod’ to Ana’s heritage.

The reception decor was extraordinary, There were no details that were overlooked. From draped columns, floral covered entryways, mirrored facades, flower halos and beautiful centerpieces. Flowers draped everywhere with the focal point being the floral chandelier which hovered over the dance floor. The guests entrance was covered in stunning white flowers. The white roses were suspended from the top of the windows to make it seem like they were floating.

Ana and Tim left hand in hand under an aisle of confetti. They jetted off to Napa to enjoy their honeymoon the very next day. We wish them all the love in the world! Congratulations Mr and Mrs Smyczek!

From the Bride… After the proposal, which you can read all about here, as we began the wedding planning, the first and most important thing for us was the location and venue for our big day. We wanted to get married somewhere that was special and meaningful for us so where better than where we very first met – The Four Seasons in Dallas, which also happens to be my home town and where we got engaged! I’ve always dreamed of having an elegant and romantic wedding with a candle-lit ambiance to create an intimate and cozy feel. The time of year we got married, a chilly November day, was the perfect way to turn my wedding dream into a timeless winter wonderland.

Looking back at our wedding day, my heart is overwhelmed with countless moments but there is one moment that will stay with me forever – my Father-Daughter dance. It started with a tearful slow song and towards the end of the song, much to my fathers surprise, we transitioned to a fun Spanish song with confetti showering the entire dance floor! The confetti was such a special moment, giving my dad and I another moment to celebrate together as we opened up the dance floor for the festivities to begin!

The best advice I can give any bride-to-be would be to enjoy and cherish every moment – from the moment you say “yes!” to the moment you say “I do”. A fun tip for the big day; as Mr. and Mrs., take a moment to look around at your reception, to embrace how the vision of your big day all came together and to see all of your loved ones together in one place celebrating you!

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Cinematography: SoulBox Productions | Event Planning: MK Event Boutique | Floral Design: Maritza Figy | Cake: Fancy Cakes By Lauren | Ceremony Venue: Saint Monica Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara | Hair + Makeup: Emily Mallory | Lighting: Ambiance Entertainment | DJ: Ambiance Entertainment | String Quartet: Serenata Strings | Fireworks + Confetti: Illumination Fireworks | Rentals: Bella Flora of Dallas

Steal a Fashion Blogger’s Modern Wedding Style

You might recognize her as the Texas fashion blogger behind Murphy’s Law, and today Lauren is stopping by to share her wedding day photographed by Lauren Peele. I’m deeming their rooftop affair “classic with a crisp, modern twist,” and it has everything to do with the lucite accents and white-on-white floral design by Branching Out. More to see right this way!

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From the bride, Lauren… Charles and I met eight years ago as Freshman in college. It wasn’t until I moved back to Dallas from Los Angeles that we began dating. We knew immediately that our connection was something special and we have been inseparable ever since! He proposed at a Dallas landmark, Reunion Tower, during dinner overlooking the city. He included my absolute favorite flowers on the proposal, pink peonies, that floated over to our table on the rotating exterior of the restaurant. It was an incredible moment and I blissfully said, “Yes!”. As if this wasn’t enough excitement for one night, he planned a surprise party after dinner with our closest family and friends.

Charles and I were both born and raised in Dallas so we knew we wanted to get married here. I had my eye on the Joule Hotel in downtown but really wanted an outdoor ceremony and reception. The Joule accommodated by letting us be the first and only wedding reception to ever be held across the street in the Eyeball Garden. We knew that getting married outside in Texas Was a risk but the weather could not have been more perfect for our rooftop ceremony and garden reception on April 30, 2016.

We’ve always loved a mix of classic and modern design which we created by using all white elements, lucite accents along with gorgeous, lush white floral. Detail is also very important to me so with the help of our exceptional planner, nothing was overlooked! Our dog, Bandit is very special to us and was actually the ring bearer in our ceremony. Additionally, we had an artist sketch his profile which was included in the reception paper goods like the coasters and bar menu. We were so happy that our guests loved the excitement of the black tie evening as much as we did and together, we all danced the night away under the stars. The juxtaposition of a white garden party in the middle of a Metropolitan city made for the most spectacular evening that we’ll never forget!

As a fashion blogger picking out my dress was a really fun but nerve-racking process. I ended up selecting a custom Mira Zwillinger blush dress with hand embroidered white flowers on the bodice, a layered tulle skirt, and the daintiest blush organza bow. When the seamstress added the bustle beneath the tulle, it was visible. I ended up forgoing the bustle in favor of having someone (a professional!) cut off the train of my dress after the ceremony and before I entered the reception. It was the best decision I could have made – I felt so free to dance the night away with all our family, friends, and now husband!

Charles wore a custom J. Hilburn Midnight Blue tuxedo stitched with our wedding date, 4.30, and his initials. The process of creating his tux together and picking out each design option made it such a fun experience for both of us. The team was amazing to work with and I couldn’t recommend them more.

As special as it was to create a vision for our wedding day and watch it come to life, marrying my soul mate was truly a gift. The amount of love and joy given to us by our family and friends is such a blessing and we couldn’t be more thankful!

Photography: Lauren Peele | Cinematography: When It Clicks | Event Planning: Katie McCann Crow | Floral Design: Branching Out | Wedding Dress: Mira Zwillinger | Invitations: Paradise Design Co | Bride's Shoes: Valentino | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Makeup: Shannon Nicole | Hair: LARC salon | Calligraphy: amy dunlap | Lighting: stage 2 lighting | Band: Professor D | Ceremony Music: Gyros Strings | Transportation: Blue Diamond Limousines | Venue: The Joule | Bridal Boutique: Arte Latica | Bride + Bridesmaid Earrings: Kendra Scott Jewelry | Bride's Cake: La Duni | Ceremony Sound: Joule AV | Decor +Rentals: Branching Out | Groom's Cake: Fancy Cakes By Lauren | Groom's Tux: J. Hilburn | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Minister: Barron Bell | Photo Booth: Mir Mir | Stage: Top Tier Staffing And Events | Tables + Chargers: Posh Couture Rentals

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Art-Deco Wedding Inspo That Brings the Outdoors In!

Whoever said you can’t have it all cleary hasn’t met the visionary that is Rebecca of The Wildflowers. Because this mastermind of creativity has managed to bring the outdoors IN and it’s got us to a point where we’re ready to bid adieu to alfreso and hello to architecture. Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography has snapped it all to share and we’ve got every bit of beauty waiting for you (like those Bows and Arrows florals) in The Vault!

From The WildflowersWhen faced with the perplexing problem of outdoor vs indoor, the answer is: “why not both?” Bringing the outdoors in is one of my favorite ways to design with intention, leaving the worry of uncontrollable weather behind. Being surrounded by such lush greenery, the smell of just-bloomed florals, and the glow of romantic candlelight creates a sweet, magical setting. This shoot shows just that. Bows and Arrows communicate the idea of a lush, overflowing garden in their table garland, growing wall installation, and cake table flawlessly. The wildness of the florals is counterpointed by the design of the table, adding a structured, polished facet. Continuing the theme of wild and polished juxtapositions is the bride and groom. The bride’s Tara la Tour gown looks fit for a princess, but with a closer look, you see the detail of polka-dotted strokes of tulle. The groom’s ASOS suit is well-fitted and proper, though there is an unexpected, vibrant blue hue. A couple of rebellious, yet conscious details that make up a very fun and beautiful scene.

Photography: Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Wedding Dress: Tara LaTour | Stationery: Arabella June Design Studio | Jewelry: Shapiro Diamonds | Hair + Makeup: Tracy Melton Artistry | Venue: Hotel Crescent Court | Cake + Desserts: Layered Bake Shop | Event Design + Event Planning + Styling: The Wildflowers | Female Model: The Dragonfly Agency | Gown Boutique: a&be bridal shop | Hair Accessories: Erica Elizabeth Design | Male Hair Styling: The Campbell Agency | Male Model: The Campbell Agency | Reception Dress: Gossamer | Reception Dress: Marchesa | Rentals: Bella Acento | Table Linens: BBJ La Tavola

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A Halloween Wedding Done Oh-Sooo-Right

These two cuties didn’t plan for a Halloween wedding, but when October 31st was the only date that worked, they embraced it whole-heartedly.  The results? Absolutely stunning. From the lush florals from TODD Events to the soft, romantic color palette, this is a day that proves Halloween celebrations don’t have to be even the least bit spooky.  Press play on the film by Marc Roberts below, then spend some time perusing the perfectly captured moments by Shaun Menary in THE VAULT.

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From The Bride…We didn’t mean for our wedding to be on Halloween night, but that was the only available day in October for all of our vendors, so we went for it. We’re so glad we did! Having our wedding on Halloween added so much fun and festivity to the whole event. Everyone changed into costumes for the reception, we had fake skeletons at the dinner tables, and we ended the night doing a waltz as Cinderella and Prince Charming, followed by a getaway where we got covered in silly string by our guests! It was definitely a night to remember.

For design, I really wanted my wedding to be organic, natural and timeless. I’ve always loved wild flowers and Todd Events did an incredible job incorporating that look into all of our florals. Gray pumpkins added a tasteful touch of fall, and soft neutrals (greens, whites, grays) with hints of blue and coral made everything classy but still fun.

Overall, we just wanted our wedding to show our personality. That’s my biggest advice to brides. Whatever your passions, quirks and gifts are as a couple, incorporate those into your special day. Don’t be afraid to be unique and think through all of the details. A few examples: my husband loves dinosaurs, so I surprised him by having our baker make bride and groom T-Rex’s for the groom’s cake topper. He loved it! We’re both very family-oriented, so instead of a Maid of Honor, I had my two brothers as Men of Honor. One of my brothers co-officiated the ceremony as well. Lastly, we’re both huge lovers of food and wine, so we created a wine pairing dinner menu for our reception. We just wanted everyone to share in our passions that night.

Photography: Shaun Menary Photography | Cinematography: Marc Roberts Videography | Floral Design: Todd Events | Wedding Dress: Nardos Design, Dallas Texas | Cake: Fancy Cakes By Lauren | Bride's Shoes: Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon | Rings: Lyles-DeGrazier | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Nordstrom | Catering: Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara | Hair + Makeup: Beauty And The Blush | Band: Party Crashers | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara | Bridal Boutique - Bridesmaids' Dresses: Nordstrom | Cotton Candy: Make Your Life Sweeter | Event Design + Coordination: Todd Events | Invitations + Stationery: Socially Write | Reception Dress: Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon | Rentals: Todd Events

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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College Sweethearts Say I Do with This Ultra Glam Clear Tented Wedding

When these two SMU grads met for the first time, little did they know that years later, after proclaiming “yes” on those same college fields, they’d be saying “I do” with this uber chic and stylish celebration. With never-ending florals by Bella Flora of Dallas and modern pieces from Bella Acento, it’s a Texas wedding taken up several glam notches. Sarah Kate captured it all for our Vault – see it this way!

From the Bride… I met Esteban at SMU in 2007. I was a Freshmen and he was a Sophomore. Esteban played for the SMU Men’s Soccer Team, and one of my very best friends that I met my Freshmen year (who was also one of my beautiful bridesmaids) played for the SMU Women’s Soccer Team. We were introduced by her in front of Dallas Hall on SMU’s campus in between classes one day – and we immediately had a special connection. He asked me out several times throughout that first year, but I continually said no. Whoops! Along came my Sophomore year, and Esteban and I were in several classes together. He made it a point to find a seat near me every single day. We didn’t end up dating or hanging out until the end of my Sophomore year at SMU (almost a year later) after I finally said YES to a library date. Little did I know seven years down the road, Esteban would be getting down on one knee to propose to me in front of Dallas Hall, the very place we first met. It was one of the most special days of my life. We always laugh because we had so many times in our lives where our paths could have crossed, ie. mutual friends, or both playing competitive soccer in Dallas…. But they never did. I guess Dallas Hall was the place where we were meant to meet and I’m so very happy we did!

Since Esteban and I were both Dallas born and raised it only seemed fitting that we get married at one of our most favorite places in Dallas, Arlington Hall. There is something so magical and classic about this venue. Our day was absolutely perfect – blue skies, not a cloud in the sky, and perfect temperature for a Dallas March wedding. Not sure how we got so lucky! But more importantly we had all of our loved ones there to celebrate with us – and lets just say all of our loved ones are a REALLY good time. Esteban and I both love the outdoors and had always envisioned getting married outside. I am also a lover for interior design and color so I wanted something that felt like you were at someone’s home. Everything from the clear dinner tent with the twinkly lights and chandelier above, to the amazing sit down dinner, to the gorgeous flowers covering the whole venue to the beautiful furniture and dining tables was out of this world. We felt like we were living in a Restoration Hardware ad/show room…. but better! Esteban and I are also big dance floor fanatics. We love getting down to awesome music. Jordan Kahn went above and beyond. It was honestly difficult to get everyone off the dance floor after the night had concluded. It was a dream come true. If I had to describe our day in one word it would be “MAGICAL”. It truly was one of the most amazing, breathtaking and beautiful days of our lives. It will be a day that we will cherish forever and always!

Photography: Sarah Kate, Photographer | Event Planning: DFW Events | Floral Design: Bella Flora of Dallas | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Makeup: My Fabulous Faces | Hair: Sonia Trevino | Wedding Venue: Arlington Hall At Lee Park | Tent: Mike Sandone Productions Inc | Bridal Boutique: Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon | Rentals: Bella Acento

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
This Wedding Incorporated SMP’s Favorite Trends of the Year

We get asked almost daily about our favorite wedding trends, and sure enough, this celebration designed by Birds Of A Feather Events incorporates two of our current faves – agate geodes and jewel tone color palettes. They’re a couple of the hottest design trends sweeping the bridal scene and we’re so excited to see how Diana and Jared pulled them off. Of course, those incredible cakes by Sugar Bee Sweets didn’t hurt one bit, either. More from Apryl Ann in The Vault!

From the couple…

What inspired the design of your wedding day?

Diana loved the idea of having a more modern design with some vintage touches, and Jared was all about “Big Plays” – he wanted lots of details that their guests had never seen before and that would be showstoppers! Diana loved another wedding we had done that was all green and white, but we ultimately decided to punch up the palette a bit by adding pops of bright pink and plum. Her bouquet was primarily green and white with a tiny bit of plum in it to add more dimension. We used several lucite pieces to not only bring in a clean and modern element, but to mimic the large and beautiful windows at the venue.

Any DIYs or handmade details?

We custom built Diana and Jared’s altar as well as a smaller version which we suspended agate escort cards from. Those were a bit of a DIY project as we had to individually glue rings to the back of them so that they could hang. They were then calligraphed with each guest’s name and their table assignment. We also had table numbers written on agate to match. Additionally we had some centerpiece stands welded custom for some of the taller centerpieces. Luckily my husband has some welding experience!

Favorite moment of the wedding day?

As a designer, my favorite part of the day is being able to show my clients through the space and watch them discover all of the details that we have been talking about for months. I love having that moment with them before all of the wonderful chaos begins! Diana and Jared had choreographed dances with each other as well as their parents, and that was really fun and special to watch!

Photography: Apryl Ann Photography | Cinematography: Splendor Films | Event Planning + Design: Birds Of A Feather Events | Floral Design: Max Owens Design | Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets | Stationery: Minted | Catering: Wolfgang Puck Catering | Hair + Makeup: Beauty And The Blush | Calligraphy: Harts And Quills | Entertainment: Emerald City Band | Harpist: Lauren McConkey | Transportation: Blue Diamond Limousines | Venue: Nasher Sculpture Center | Acrylic Table + Stands: Propmaker Event Rentals | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Photo Booth: Flock Together Fotobooth | Stage Facade: Perch Event Decor Rental

Big News from Lovely! (Hint: You’re going to love it!)

Listen up, all you brides-to-be: we’ve got big news.  Your fave bridal shop on the planet, Lovely, recently opened its doors in Dallas… with ones following in Phoenix and Houston in October. So that fab lineup of totally chic + totally unique designers? It’s right at your fingertips, plus even more pretty with the debut of Lovely’s Fall/Winter Bridesmaid + Bridal Party looks. Scroll for the details.

Whether you’re looking to step outside of the box and rock a design that will literally leave all of your guests talking on your Big Day OR simply want to look stunning at a holiday party, Lovely has you totally covered.  Their lineup of innovative designers and crazy cool customer service is truly what gown shopping is all about. Think gowns from Anna Campbell, Limor Rosen, Suzanne Harward, Rue De Seine, Odylyne The Ceremony… and so many more.  Not to mention Lovely’s very own Fall/Winter Bridesmaid and Bridal Party dresses, available at shoplovely.com AND their FIRST EVER ready to wear boutique in Houston. Say it with me, loves: awesome.

Visit one of Lovely’s amazing locales TODAY to begin your dress journey, and mark your calendars now for upcoming trunk shows in Dallas (Suzanne Harward, 9/30-9/31 + Alexandra Grecco, 10/21-10/23), Phoenix (Anna Campbell, 10/21-10/23) and Houston (Rue De Seine, 11/26-11/28 + Anna Campbell, 12/9-12/11).  It’s time to shop your hearts out.

Photography: Chaz Cruz Photographers | HMU: Miss Harlequin

A Modern Military Love Story That Requires Waterproof Mascara

Warning dear readers, you probably won’t want to read this bride’s write-up if you’re in a public place. Or if you happened to skip out on waterproof mascara this morning. Trust me on this one, because I’m living proof that being in public when you’re a crying blubbery mess is anything but mesmerizing, but this wedding? Well it totally is. Captured by Becca Lea it’s the story of Claire and Christopher and it’ll have you feeling all the feels. See it all in The Vault!

Colors
Styles
Al Fresco

From the Bride…How do you capture pure magic? Is it even possible? Are there words in the English language with the ability to tell of something so majestic and purely lovely as May 15th, 2016? Alas, I am unsure… but between my words and our talented photographer’s skillful eye, I hope the magic of that day is brought to life in your heart.

The beauty of May 15th, 2016 will never fail to take my breath away. There was a moment, as I could feel the crochet hook buttoning up my dress and the sound of film clicking when all a sudden the to-do lists filled with seating arrangements, playlists, work projects put on hold…you know…the details… simply faded. I let go of the months of preparation and joyfully slipped into the bliss of wedding day.

The forecast had been for a classic Texas thunderstorm and yet, the overcast sky held the promise of lovely May sunshine. I emerged from the little room on the side of the stately DeGolyer home to be greeted by squeals and giggles of the dearest friends in the world. Standing there in my favorite dress, everything was green and real and bright. There were my nine rocks, my best girls… who have held me, prayed with me, and shaped me into the woman I am today. They were an enchanting sight, all dressed beautifully in blush looking like they could easily slip into an Anthropologie themed Waltz of the Flowers dance. Although I love my girls, I was ready to see Christopher. You see… I can get quite nervous being the center of attention, but when he’s there… I’m ok, I’m secure, I feel safe. He helps me be brave and strong amongst a million other things… I now know the meaning of “my better half” because he is my better half. As I read his note to me, it was a mixture of depth, heart, soul, and jokes… you see, Christopher has this way of making me laugh… he always keeps me laughing.

Turning the corner and seeing him there in his uniform… oh my soul… my heart still skips a beat merely thinking about it. Our first look was one of those moments, the kind that’ll be iconic in our memories forever, that at any point in our lives, we could close our eyes and relive it because it’s that vivid and strong. I’ll never forget walking towards him, ever so delicately calling his name and nervously wondering what he’d think when he turns around. We had been anticipating this moment for months because you see… Christopher and I had been long distance for over two years, joyfully walking through seasons apart including a deployment and Ranger school. This moment was not only the first time we saw each other on our wedding day, but it was also the beginning of our lives together! No more goodbyes or goodnights… we had made it. Two years of distance done, let’s begin our lives together!

As the last guest was seated and the music began to play, my dad and I were escorted through the DeGolyer mansion and out the majestic front door to ensure no one saw me. It was the most elegant and calming walk before the whirlwind and magical night began. As two of our dear friends began to sing an acoustic version of “Multiplied” by Needtobreathe, my dad and I walked down the aisle towards my best friend, and as we were about halfway there, the clouds parted and a beautiful Texas sunshine shown down on all of our best friends and family… it was as if our best guest had just taken His seat. The beautifully crafted garlands brought a royal yet organic realness to where we stood. As we were led through our vows, all I can remember is joy, the purest form of it. Proclaiming in front of all that I will be his and he will be mine. We laughed and had mist in our eyes, but everything from the music, to the sunshine, to the tiniest detail on our communion table reflected the beauty of our marriage beginning. I remember feeling the wind blow my veil as it elegantly draped down the steps and seeing the sun hit flecks of blue and gold in his eyes. Dreamiest moment of my life.

As we turned around, I was ready to have some fun! Before the social butterfly part of the night began, Christopher and I were ushered to a private dinner in the rose garden to collect our thoughts and exclaim things to each other like “we’re married!!!” acting like two kids as we sampled the incredible food we had meticulously chosen for our beloved guests.

Looking around at the enchanting place where we were going to have the greatest party of our lives was surreal. Everything from the blush and gold accents to the romantic bistro lights made us feel like we were at a European midsummer’s medieval feast in the middle of a mystical forest – which is exactly what we had envisioned. We wanted to get married surrounded by life. What a more perfect place than a garden bursting with flowers, deep green vines, and the chirping of happy creatures? It was perfection. Our florals captured the natural, organic, effortless grace that I had desired and the large number of guests felt like a small gathering of friends under the cozy canopy of the tent and lights. I felt like a princess and as I glanced over at Christopher, I felt like Cinderella – all night long. I know that may sound cliché or may even a bit silly to some, but truly, I felt …that night… a kind of magic that I’d never experienced before.

Running into the romantic tent and being cheered on was exhilarating, making me wonder if everyone could hear my heartbeat as our first dance began. We had practiced and had laughed, but honestly, in that moment, we were just us – twirling, laughing, and soaking in the lyrics of “By Two” by Dave Barnes. The rest of the evening was filled with the hearts of others, hugging every soul that had come to celebrate us. Everything from the music, the lights, the food, the cake (best cake I’ve ever had – the dark chocolate sea salt cake captured my foodiness perfectly!), and Bailey’s milkshakes cooling us down as Uptown Funk came to a close was more than we could have ever hoped for.

Our last dance… the guests had been ushered to the entrance and there were were alone on the dance floor, my dress had turned gray on the bottom from dancing hard to favorites from Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson, my hair fallen, both of us… sweaty and messy from a night of celebration, his bowtie crooked from many hugs… and although the visual perfection of us had passed, the perfection was complete… we were married, we had celebrated with the best of people, and we were together… it had really happened… I got it all… all I’ll ever want… how did an imperfect, southern girl like me get so lucky? Perhaps it’s not luck, actually I know it’s not luck, but something infinitely greater. I’ve been given a precious gift…life with Christopher… a servant hearted, brave leader, humble explorer, thoughtful philosopher, American hero… I could go on, but as my soul sister Jane Austen would say, he is “everything a young man ought to be.” And he’s mine.

As we walked out into a sea of American flags waving, Christopher dipped me low and kissed me, making me feel more iconic than the girl dipped in New York City on V-Day. As we drove away, I began to cry in an overflow of emotion after all that had taken place. The only words I could muster to my husband, my dear Christopher was “I’m so happy… I’m just so happy.”

Photography: Becca Lea Photography | Event Planning: Lindsey Brunk | Styling: Lindsey Brunk | Floral Design: Shayda Craddick | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Cake: Layered Bake Shop | Invitations: Fig & Flourish | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Donna Morgan | Catering: Gil's Elegant Catering | Hair + Makeup: Beauty And The Blush | Calligraphy: Fig & Flourish | DJ: Le Force Entertainment | Venue: Dallas Arboretum | Bridal Boutique: Circle Park Bridal Boutique | Bride's Ceremony Shoes: Fabio Rusconi | Bride's Reception Shoes: Keds | Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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The Sweetest Monogramed Bridesmaid Brunch

Hello, brides-to-be! It’s Ali from Love You, Mean It here to share one of the most fun days i’ve had with some of my very best friends! Besides the fact that I get to marry the man of my dreams, our wedding day is something I look forward to because it’s a day we get to spend with our closest friends and family. And there is one thing for sure, I couldn’t say “i do” without a few special ladies by my side!

I love giving gifts! I often find that giving a gift is far better than receiving one, so I wanted to find a memorable way to ask my friends to be bridesmaids! For those girls living in Dallas, I thought it would be fun to host a brunch to create an experience to show how much I appreciate them, beyond just the gift they would receive.

I wanted to create an intimate setting that would make my friends feel extra special! Our wedding colors will be white, green and gold, so i wanted to incorporate this color scheme as much as possible throughout the tablescape to really set the tone for what’s to come! Each place setting had the most gorgeous pretty little plates, accompanied by green and gold accents. I wrote each girl a special note and used the calligraphy by Alli K Designs on the envelope as their place cards! And no table is complete without a beautiful centerpiece of fresh flowers. R love floral created the most stunning white and green bouquet that made the entire look come together!

For bites, I wanted to recreate some of my favorite brunch items, this time only smaller! Silver-dollar pancakes, mini pastries and petite parfaits were on the menu. And of course, no party is complete without bubbly! For the actual gift, I wanted the girls to receive something that they could not only wear during the wedding, but also have as a reminder of this special time. Inside a monogrammed jewelry box from parker thatch, they would find matching crystal earrings that would be perfect for the big day! A little something for now, and a little something for the wedding day!

I am so grateful to have such wonderful women in my life and I couldn’t have asked for a better day to celebrate them. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey ahead and luckily for me, I have some of the most kind, caring, and intelligent women by my side! To see more of our day, check out this fun video by when it clicks! Thank you so much for following along on this exciting adventure! I hope you are enjoying it just as much as I am!

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Photography: Tarin Frantz | Calligraphy: Alli K Design | Floral Design: R Love Floral | Ali’s Top: Pleione | Ali’s Skirt: Topshop | Rentals: Pretty Little Plates | Jewelry Box: Parker Thatch | Cinematography: When It Clicks | Bridesmaid’s Earrings: J.Crew Factory |

Allison Hollins

Blogger Bride
Sail Off Into the Sunset with This Nautical Inspiration Session

Inspired by the picturesque sailboats at Dallas’ White Rock Lake, this incredible team of creatives (including Anna Smith PhotographyJenny McCannCallie ManionChelsea Q. White PhotographyKate Pease, Ben Q. Photography and Allen Tsai Photography) created a nautical dream with ethereal touches throughout. From the two-piece blue wedding dress to the delicious cakes from Sugar Bee Sweets, this inspiration session is almost too good to be true. See it all in The Vault!


From Anna Smith PhotographyOur Haystack Film Gathering community in Dallas is thriving. We have such a great and talented group of photographers that love to get together and collaborate on shoots, sharing ideas, talent and camaraderie unparalleled with other cities. Currently there are about 20 of us and we are growing! For the summer gathering, Anna Smith Photography and Silver Lining Events put on an amazingly gorgeous sunset nautical inspiration shoot at the Dallas White Rock Lake. The inspiration came from the idea to use one of the sailboats at the lake and combine that with a neutral palette of elegant, light and classy hues of blues and greens. The florals used were: cream vendela roses, cream football mums, cream privett flowering, cream peonies, spray roses cream majolica, Nigella blue, Millet green, salad leaf and silver dollar eucalyptus.

The color palette Silver Lining Events used was white, cream, shades of blue and natural greens. We chose an ethereal bridal gown from A and Be Bridal that was a two-piece corset and skirt. The corset had a light blue underlining and accented our style oh-so-well. The groom’s style was impeccable in a white tuxedo from Culwell & Son in Dallas. Vella Nest Floral designed bouquets and centerpieces with bright shades of green and white.

The table designed by Silver Lining Events was decorated with help of ChrysQ Handcrafted hand-dyed linens for a natural seaside look. We scattered sand and seashells throughout. Sugar Bee Sweets provided the two delicious-looking watercolor cakes. Bunny and Bear is my absolute go-to stationery and calligraphy company. She is so talented and created stationery and all the calligraphy with blue, green and white hues to match our floral design. We hope you enjoy this gorgeous collaboration!

Photography: Ben Q Photography | Photography: Allen Tsai Photography | Photography: Haystack Film Gathering | Photography: Kate Pease | Photography: Chelsea Q White Photography | Photography: Callie Manion | Photography: Anna Smith Photography | Photography: Jenny Mccann | Styling: Silver Lining Events + Co. | Floral Design: Vella Nest | Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets | Jewelry: Shapiro Diamonds | Hair + Makeup: Q Makeup & Hair Artistry | Stationery + Calligraphy: Bunny And Bear Paper | Groom's Attire: Culwell & Son | Venue: White Rock Lake | Bridal Boutique: a&be bridal shop | Models: Ashley Sherrell & TJ Borcky | Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Sailboat: White Rock Lake Sailboat Photoshoots | Table Runner: CHRYSQ Handrafted

Playful + Glam Palm Springs Garden Party Inspiration Shoot

With a vision of “a glamorous garden party with the nostalgia of Palm Springs,” this all-star team of creatives dreamt up this tropical bridal shower editorial we want to dive right into. Palm leaves and pineapples, bright colors and signature cocktails — this shoot from Charla Storey Photography, The Southern Table, Southern Fried Paper, Bella Acento, Layered Bake Shop and Natalia Issa is a summer dream.

 

From Charla StoreyOur vision was to combine a glamorous garden party with the nostalgia of Palm Springs. Graphic elements of palm leaves, pineapples and whimsical flamingos are featured throughout the party accessories designed by Southern Fried Paper.

“Our team was thinking what we would all love for a summer bash and we kept coming back to gold pineapples and palm leaves. We wanted to make these special details that are so Pin-worthy easily available for every celebration, no matter the size. We just launched our Tropical collection on etsy, which features all of the paper and party accessories from this adorable editorial like laser cut drink stirrers, napkins and invitations. Our favorite is the laser cut palm invitation folder. It adds a unique wow factor for any tropical event!”

The Southern Table brought the vibrant colors of summer with a garden twist. “We combined tropical elements like ginger, palm leaves and citrus with our garden favorites of coral charm peonies, poppies and sweet pea.”

Natalia Issa styled Amanda in side-swept perfection with a headpiece of freesias and ferns. Her coral tone lip accented the look perfectly. Our chic bride-to-be opted for a modern blush jumpsuit perfect for a poolside party.

Charla Storey Photography captured the lightness and vibrancy of our editorial collaboration. When you have a team this talented, the only thing left to do is celebrate the beauty! And our signature cocktail is the perfect recipe for this summer soiree!

Cocktail recipe: Mango Sunrise: Champagne, grenadine and mango, layered for a festive ombre cocktail.

Photography: Charla Storey Photography | Cake: Layered Bake Shop | Hair + Makeup: Natalia Issa | Floral Design + Styling: Max Owens Design | Invitations + Design: Southern Fried Paper | Location: Jefferson Tower | Modeling Agency: Molli With Callidus Agency | Rentals: Bella Acento

The New It Color This Wedding Season: Terracotta

If you thought orange was overrated then we invite you to peruse this gallery. Because if anyone could make the tang of terracotta look totally chic it’s this dream team right here (we’re looking at you Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography, Bows and Arrows, Sugar Bee Sweets and The Wildflowers). Blooming with beautiful hues and lovely rentals a la Bella Acento, we’ve got every saturated second waiting in The Vault!

From The WildflowersThe elegant ambience of the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas’ iconic residence-turned-posh-hotel, secures its status as a beloved venue. The hotel’s blush and terra cotta hues exude joy, and the exterior walls perfectly complement a gold-toned wedding palette. This was the setting of this private floral workshop hosted by Bows and Arrows.

Imperfect cobblestone paths took the bride through twists and turns in the mansion’s secluded gardens. Her bouquet was loose and draped, creating a just-picked vibe, and included a mix of bright open blooms and smaller delicate buds. Rich purples and dark greens contrasted with happy pinks and yellows to add dimension.

The bride’s undone, looped updo echoed the cascading raw silk ribbons on her bouquet—which were featured in rust hues on invitations with barely-there swirling calligraphy. Her striking gold ring paired beautifully with the warm colors around her.
Both her veil and dress flowed effortlessly in the wind, adding movement to the gown’s feminine and fluid silhouette.

An arch framed the bride in asymmetrical vines in an organic shape, as though they had just sprouted. The arch was left with rustic wood exposed, to add balance to an otherwise bold look.

Tablescapes included light wood flatware, matte ceramics, and lush, low flowers. The cake was similarly sleek, with a smooth finish that gave the lavish floral accents the spotlight.

Photography: Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Wedding Gown: Anais Anette | Rings: Trumpet & Horn | Hair + Makeup: Tracy Melton Artistry | Venue: Rosewood Turtle Creek Mansion | Bridal Boutique: a&be bridal shop | Desserts: Sugar Bee Sweets | Floral Workshop Attendee: Wedfully Yours | Floral Workshop Attendee: Stone House Creative | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Script Merchant Calligraphy | Planning + Design: The Wildflowers | Rentals: Bella Acento | Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic

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A Moody Spring Inspiration Session Full of the Prettiest Seasonal Blooms

As Moss Floral Design says, “the first signs of springs are subtle, yet worthy of celebration — daffodils peeking out of fallen leaves, hyacinths, budding branches.” And this gorgeous inspiration session from the talents of Moss Floral DesignCallie ManionMeggie Francisco Events celebrates that magic perfectly. With a beautiful set up at La Villa Francisca including chairs from Bella Acento and a Anna Campbell wedding dress, this editorial is as pretty as a fresh spring day. Head to The Vault to see it all!


From Callie Manion“Ode To Spring”
The inspiration for this particular shoot began after a reading of Henry David Thoreau’s, “Spring”:

The first sparrow of spring!

The year beginning with younger hope than ever!

The faint silvery warblings
heard over the partially bare and moist fields from
the bluebird, the song sparrow, and the red-wing,
as if the last flakes of winter tinkled as they fell!

We loved the idea of recreating “the first sparrow of spring” and wanted to play with a moodier palate to inspire brides getting married in the springtime, as a nod to the passing season of winter. During this period, tiny buds begin to blossom and grow from dark, moist patches of earth. We played with these colors seen in nature by incorporating touches of lighter pinks and whites amidst the darker palate of deep blues and blacks–emulating the colors of spring emerging from the colors of a passing winter.

We didn’t want to go too literal, but we wanted to incorporate subtle elements that would be a nod to this idea of a spring bride being the first “sparrow of spring”. You can see the bride playing with one single feather in a few portraits; then again that feather will show up at the table setting later; and lastly, we wanted to emulate a bird’s nest with the bride’s up-do hairstyle at the very end.

This inspiration shoot was all about striking the balance between light and dark, and finding the beauty in both. Captured entirely in film, the images show a sense of darkness, but are also soft and feminine. Our aim was to symbolize the beauty of darkness with the inside location; and then highlight the lightness and airiness of spring with the outside location. We hope to speak to a sophisticated bride who enjoys lightness, but also can appreciate the darkness of the transitioning season, and wants to incorporate both into her wedding day–perhaps with an outdoor ceremony and an indoor reception.

From Moss Floral DesignThe first signs of springs are subtle, yet worthy of celebration. Daffodils peeking out of fallen leaves, hyacinths, budding branches – these are some first signs of spring that inspired the florals I chose for this shoot. Flowering quince is one of spring’s early bloomers. So I decided to incorporate hints of blooming quince branches in the background. As badly as I wanted to add fluffy peonies and garden roses to the floral arrangements, I wanted to stay true to early spring blooms. Touches of hyacinths, lilac, tulips, and the late winter beauty, hellebore, added a delicacy that early spring emulates. This delicacy was also symbolized by the color palette. I selected peach, lilac purple, and a soft pink to represent the innocence and freshness that early spring brings. This against the moody blue tones highlight new life that follows the dead of winter.

From Meggie Francisco EventsComing from a restaurant background, I’ve always cared very much for how cuisine plays a role in an event experience. When guests gather to celebrate a wedding, they travel from far and wide, they buy a beautiful gift for the couple, and they bring out their best attire–all to share an experience together. While this experience begins at the wedding ceremony, it culminates over the meal as guests trade stories and laughter.

Magdalena’s did an extraordinary job bringing together the flavors of early spring with visual brilliance. The creamy asparagus soup has the tender bright green of new leaves, the oysters are plump and juicy from waters that haven’t yet warmed up, and the lamb chops are beautifully seared. I imagine the conversation would be lively and free-flowing with wedding cuisine like this!

Besides the dinner, one image that lingers in guests’ minds after a beautiful wedding is the blushing bride and her attire. The gown, designed by Anna Campbell, showcases lustrous, intricate pearl beading atop delicate scalloped lace. The substantial beading honors the heavy textures of winter, while the delicate lace hearkens the incoming warmth of spring. The bride’s bouquet, a blend of vibrant early-spring blooms by Adri at Moss floral, is juxtaposed with a hearty velvet ribbon. Hair and makeup guru Quynh Nguyen gave our model a fresh, dewy look and two dynamic hairstyles for ceremony and reception.

Photography: Callie Manion | Event Planning + Design: Meggie Francisco | Floral Design: Moss Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Anna Campbell | Cake: Jar Cakery | Invitations: Wondrous Whimsy | Bride's Shoes: Vince | Jewelry: Shapiro Diamonds | Catering: Magdalena's Cocina Mexicana Loca | Hair + Makeup: Q Makeup & Hair Artistry | Venue: At Home | Venue: La Villa Francisca | Chair Rentals: Bella Acento | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Flatware + China: Crate & Barrel | Glassware: Billy Ella | Model: Allison Ponthier | Ribbon: Mood

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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An Engagement Story That Proves Timing Is Everything

Emmie and Todd’s love story is proof that timing is everything. For even though these two shared mutual friends, a mutual schedule, and  performed in the same show (!!) it wasn’t until an ordinary night out in Orlando that these two were finally introduced. Soon thereafter they were long distance, dated all over the country, and became engaged and Tracy Enoch captured it all to share in The Vault!

From Tracy EnochAgainst all odds, the way Emmie and Todd met proves that timing is everything! Without realizing or even knowing one another, despite their mutual ties and even performing in the same show, it took both Todd and Emmie being on the complete opposite side of the US to meet. In April 2014, Todd was acting as a band road manager for a musical act that was touring all over the states. Emmie was into her fourth year working in entertainment at Walt Disney World. Todd’s tour took him to Orlando for the week, and through friends, wound up meeting Emmie. It didn’t take long for them to realize how much they had in common, and how it was hard to believe that they hadn’t meet before. After spending time together that one week in Orlando, Emmie was sure Todd would be on to the next city, possibly never to be seen again. Luckily, the two realized they had something special, and began going on dates in many different states! They took turns flying back and forth to see each other and committed to a long distance relationship for a year and a half. Todd, now back in his hometown of Las Vegas, proposed to Emmie on December 3, 2015. He surprised her by taking her to Lake Las Vegas, where a suite with a candlelit pathway covered in rose petals, surrounded by twinkle lights. led to a storybook poem. After reading it aloud, Emmie turned around to find Todd on his knee. To top things off, Todd had arranged for her entire family (and his) to be their to congratulate the newly engaged couple! They plan to be wed in Dallas in April 2017.

Photography: Tracy Enoch Photography | Hair + Makeup: Terry Snyder | Venue: Dallas Texas | Blue + White Dress: For Love And Lemons | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Floral Crown: Everly Alaine Florals | Pink + Black Chiffon Dress: Sherri Hill

Rustic White Sparrow Barn Wedding

This is the kind of wedding that makes me fall head over heels in love with weddings all over again. It’s beautiful in every sense of the word – the gorgeous blooms by Blooming Accents are beyond pin-worthy, the White Sparrow Barn couldn’t be a more dreamy venue, and the images from Shaun Menary Photography are truly works of art. But you know what really gets me? The love this couple and their families obviously share. That gets me at my very core. See even more in the VAULT.

Colors
Styles
Rustic

From The Bride…Five years ago when I opened up my Pinterest account, I unashamedly started a “Fairytale” board to pin all of my future wedding details. 500 pins later and with a big rock on my finger I was quickly overwhelmed by all of the ideas and trends I had pinned on my board, Needless to say, I sifted through my pins and found that my style had changed quite a bit over the years. However, I let Style Me Pretty lead the way for my inspiration, while they provided real life examples of ideas I had envisioned.

I wanted the room to look very soft, elegant, and dare I say magical when people came into the room. I was also very drawn to antique looking items so my mother searched high and low at every thrift store around. We bought glass vases from the dollar store and mercury-glassed them to create a high-end look on a high-end budget. We found candelabras on sale and spray-painted them the colors we desired. I hand-lettered our decorations to give it a personalized look. Our amazing florist Gloria Parker helped gave me the full look I was going for by adding lots of moss and garland to the centerpieces. We also had pictures of my parents and grandparents wedding invitations framed on our cake table as well!

On the more personal side, we wanted our wedding to be as Christ-centered as possible. Jordan and I are both Christians, and since it was the Lord that has kept us together throughout the 4 and a half years of dating, we wanted to make it a point to others that he was the center of our day. My bridal party prayed over me before the wedding, we worshipped at the beginning of our ceremony, we had our family pray over us, wrote our own vows, and washed each others feet.

We also, however, wanted to make sure that our celebration was a P A R T Y. My bridesmaids and I had a choreographed dance, there was a margarita bar, Jordan and I shoved cake in each others faces, and to top it all off Jordan surprised me with fireworks at the end! But right before we left, we kicked everyone out of the room and had a last dance, just Jordan and I. It was one of my most favorite memories from the wedding.

Needless to say, it was a day full of magical details, lots of laughs, family, friends, Jesus, and a pretty awesome dance party.

Photography: Shaun Menary Photography | Cinematography: Brad & Monica Wedding Films | Floral Design: Blooming Accents | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Invitations: Minted | Bride's Shoes: Macy's Bar III | Bridesmaids' Dresses: For Her And For Him | Catering: Abuelo's | DJ: Andy Austin | Transportation: Federal Limousine | Venue: The White Sparrow | Bridal Boutique: Brides And Beaux | Bridesmaids' Rompers: Forever 21 | Groom's Shoes: Men's Wearhouse | Hair Accessories: Allure Wedding Jewelry | Margarita Machine Rental: Margarita Patrol | Whiskey Decanter: General Greenes Gifts

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Colorful Organic Wedding at Hickory Street Annex

Current mood?  Happy.  The reason?  This breathtaking Hickory Street Annex Wedding from Jessica Gold Photography.  Think gorgeous florals from The Southern Table, the beautiful stylings of Jen Rios Weddings and sweet paper goods from Magnolia Tree Paperie all coming together for a romantic meets industrial affair that is all sorts of awesome.  Fall in love with every moment in THE VAULT.

Colors
Styles
Whimsical

From Jessica Gold Photography… Jennifer & John set out to have a wedding full of organic details and colorful florals. Wedding planner Jen Rios celebrated the industrial setting while incorporating whimsical decor such as personalized place settings, unique linens, and a variety of lanterns. The ceremony space was adorned with a variety of greenery and a candlelit atmosphere. The Southern Table gave the wedding extraordinary florals, creating an eclectic color palette that gave the wedding it’s standout look.

Photography: Jessica Gold Photography | Cinematography: Silverbear Films | Floral Design: Max Owens Design | Invitations: Magnolia Tree Paperie | Hair + Makeup: Beauty And The Blush | DJ: Jason Esquire | Venue: Hickory Street Annex | Cake + Desserts: Jar Cakery | Event Planning + Calligraphy: Jen Rios Weddings