Style Me Pretty: Wedding Blog for the Style-Obsessed Bride

This Lush ‘Springtime in the City’ Editorial Beautifully Captures The Universal Feeling of Love!

Love is for everyone! With iconic Central Park locations and a breathtaking skyline view, Jacqueline Denise planned a ‘Spring in the City’ editorial that exquisitely captures the universal feeling of love. From the light & airy color palette and bright floral displays by DESIGNS BY AHN to the cherry blossom trees scattered throughout Central Park, every detail exuded the blissful effervescence of the season — AND love! This shoot celebrated the real-life couple with a classic & elegant aesthetic that sprinkled in whimsical hints with the most adorable macarons by We The Birds and rosy-hued table settings. Inquisited blew us away with her heavenly stationery suite, per usual. Stop by the full gallery to see all the springtime magic that By Halie shot on this lush day!

From Inquisited… When Jacqueline Denise of Jacqueline Denise Events started planning this editorial it was early January, 2021. The pandemic was still a very real way of life and it was the day after the riots in the US capital. Standing in the center of Central Park collecting her own thoughts about what 2021 was going to bring the world, there was a moment where she looked around her and realized that no matter what was going on in the world, one thing was still and always will be true – Love is universal. It’s unconditional, and it deserves to be celebrated. With the idea that love is universal, Jacqueline Denise began creating the design board for the springtime Central Park Shoot with the overall goal of showing people how beautiful something small and intimate can be as well as celebrate all forms of love. To celebrate all forms of love, she chose to highlight a lesbian wedding with brides of different races and sizes.

With so many gorgeous couples out there it was important to Jacqueline Denise, that Jacqueline Denise Events clearly show that weddings are for everyone. Jacqueline Denise pulled inspiration from springtime in Central Park to create the feelings of classic, elegant and just a hint of whimsical. The colors therefore were all bright, light and airy to reflect the refreshing feeling spring gifts us. Jacqueline thought about Bow Bridge, the Boathouse, yellow taxi cabs, and cherry blossom trees for the color palette. For the final locations and set up of the shoot, Jacqueline Denise took it one step further and loved the idea of having the first look in Central Park and then the Ceremony and Reception in a private park along the hudson in West New York, NJ, so that the NYC skyline could be highlighted and celebrated as well. Fun fact – it was just a 20 minute drive between both locations! The paper, designed by Inquisited, was romantic and the perfect compliment to the soft pink and gold scalloped plates from Uniquely Chic Vintage Rentals. Uniquely Chic Vintage Rentals also provided all of the tablescape pieces, arch support, table and chairs. We purposefully chose a love seat on one side of the table and 3 chairs on the other so that a couple could see they had options and could sit apart or cozied up!

To add a fun whimsical surprise to the table, custom macarons flown in from Dallas, made by We the Birds, were used in place of place cards. The names chosen were all mentors that encouraged Jacqueline Denise Events to be created. In weddings it’s always fun to see something unexpected and reimagining the place cards was a great opportunity for that. One of the best parts of the day was watching Victoria and her team at Victoria Ahn Designs, create the most gorgeous floral arrangements for the Arch, bridal bouquets and tablescape. Using a mix of peonies, and other fresh spring flowers, every petal of every flower was thoughtfully considered and their work was absolutely exquisite. For the dresses and the models, Bridal Reflections absolutely nailed it and chose gowns for both bride models that were stunning on their own and complemented each other beautifully when together. Mayumi, who was born and raised in Brazil, looked stunning in the Ghalia Lahav gown. And Stephanie, a New York local and major model in the plus size modeling world looked spectacular in the Calla Blanche gown. Hair and make-up was completed by Jade Kai, Marylou Liriano and Glam by Alexandria. Overall, the editorial was truly a labor of love, and so much fun! As a team we are all so pleased with how beautifully it was designed by Jacqueline Denise Events and captured and photographed by the lovely By Halie.

College Sweethearts Tie The Knot Where Their Love Story Began

College sweethearts Emily and Mike decided to honor their alma mater with a wedding where their love story began, Notre Dame. They chose a color palette that softly played off the tones of late summer, the surrounding architecture, and of course Notre Dame gold. Kelly Lenard created stunning floral vignettes that flowed naturally throughout each space, from a show-stopping entrance to flowing pops of summer toned florals, greens, and candles through cocktails and dinner. The entire experience was artfully designed and planned by Krissy Campbell, who filled every moment with unique and personalized touches. As you can see through the beautifully captured photos and video from the Bon Photage team, Emily and Mike were incredibly thoughtful as they chose each detail of their celebration from beginning to end. You’ll fall in love with every moment in the full gallery.

From … Emily & Mike first met at the end of their freshman year at the University of Notre Dame during tutoring for biochemistry. After a mutual friend introduced them, Emily and Mike remained on campus that summer, getting to know one another, and the rest is history! Fast forward, and they were engaged in early 2020 right where it all began, on the campus of Notre Dame.

Living in the Midwest since, with family not too far from the area, it was an easy decision in choosing the stunning Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame for their ceremony followed by a tented reception on the stunning Le Mans Green on the campus of Saint Mary’s College, just adjacent to Notre Dame, where Emily’s late mother attended years ago.

The stories of their love and the love of their families that surrounded them created the basis for this beautiful celebration while the timeless, romantic history, Old World architecture and natural landscape felt perfectly fit Emily and Mike’s sophisticated, yet authentic style.

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

bonphotage

View Portfolio

Starr Lake Vineyards Classic California Wedding

Romantic elegance meets classic cool at this California wedding. Mandy Scott Events helped plan a day filled with calming colors of lavender and neutral cream tones which stand out against the natural elements of the mountains, greenery, and florals creating a dreamlike aesthetic we can’t get enough of. Florals by Angella Floral Arts bring a whimsical presence to the reception tables with soft white peonies, lisianthus, and compliments of echinops putting a pop of color at each table. All of the details were artfully captured in the imagery by Blue Note Weddings, you can get lost in all the lovely in the full gallery.

From … Having a wedding at the magical Starr Lake Vineyards in Windsor California is nothing short of a dream. This new and fabulous wine country lake and vineyard estate rests on over 22 acres surrounded by rolling hills and spectacular views of Mt. St. Helena. With the gorgeous 4 acre lake surrounding the Estate, Starr Lake Vineyards was one of the new up-and-coming luxury wedding venues to hit the wedding scene.

The ceremony took place on the lawn above the lake where the couple exchanged their vows in dappled light. Guests sat comfortably in the warm shade under the trees where they witnessed Lexi and Brenden exchange their vows and rings.

The reception took place in front of the new modern barn filled with French country farm tables that were decorated beautifully including decadent French-style white chargers with accents of lavender at each place setting. The light that danced off the tops of the vines in the vineyards created green and gold hues of light that poured in while guests enjoyed dinner..

[iframe https://www.youtube.com/embed/KC1LNDoZFoc 600 338]

Lead Attribution: an Essential Wedding Vendor Marketing Concept

“Lead attribution refers to the credit that’s given for a customer’s interaction with your brand at various phases within their buying journey.” – Demand and Jump

Let’s break that down.

What is a customer’s interaction with your brand? It doesn’t have to just be a booking or purchase, it might be that they started to follow you on Instagram, visited your website or pinned one of your images to their Pinterest board. And why does this matter? Because it demonstrates interest and kicks off their customer journey with your brand!

So what is a customer buying journey? We like to call those sales funnels — all the steps that potential clients take as they discover, interact with, convert to paying clients, and advocate for your business or service.

Most common sales funnels:

Instagram
Referrals: previous clients and vendor referrals
Search
Vendor Directories
Features

And why is lead attribution so important?

Lead attribution is crucial to scaling (and investing in) marketing strategies because without the knowledge of how effective a specific marketing strategy is, you lack the certainty that said strategy will actually perform. By tracking and analyzing each sales funnel and how clients discover your business, you can make educated decisions on the best and most effective routes. We call this measuring your ROI (return on investment) or ROAS (return on ad spend).

Particularly with any paid advertising, it’s vitally important to calculate your ROAS by dividing the amount of revenue you generated by the amount you spent on advertising. A ROAS of more than 1 can be considered a positive return. Of course, not all advertising is focused on creating a conversion. Some activities might purely be targeting growing your brand awareness, collecting more emails, getting more followers etc. These types of campaigns don’t always have a positive ROAS on their own but can be a significant driver in getting people into your purchase funnel who might convert at a later date. This is particularly true in the wedding industry where the sales cycle can be longer than 12 months, depending on when your potential client’s wedding date actually is.

According to our most recent reader survey, 56% of couples tell us they hired a vendor that they actually discovered natively on social media. We don’t even have data on what percentage of couples hire a vendor that they discovered elsewhere, then went to Instagram to do a little research but you can be sure that number is high.

What is so hard about lead attribution and ROAS?

Unfortunately the fragmentation of the digital landscape has made it harder and harder to track exactly where your leads are coming from. For example, let’s say a customer sees a picture of your work on Style Me Pretty’s Instagram and starts to follow your page, after a few weeks they send you a message via the contact form from your website. Even if you proactively ask them where they found you – what will they say? They could say Style Me Pretty, they could just say Instagram, they could even say your website. We can no longer rely on consumers to accurately report where their customer buying journey began because the process is non-linear across multiple platforms, publications and profiles.

And this example also assumes they only needed to see your work once to decide to “consider” you. While we don’t have exact data on how many times a bride/groom engages before they decide to contact a vendor, we do know that with traditional advertising a consumer needs to interact with a brand on average 7 times for it to be impactful in producing a conversion. This is called the “7 Times” rule.

And what if all 7 of those times take place in a different medium? Who is responsible for the lead?! The simple answer is there is no simple answer. We have to measure your holistic marketing efforts, rather than looking at each individual investment or activity in a vacuum. And to make things even more confusing, ROAS isn’t the only metric you’re going to want to track.

What else to measure?

Number of leads
Conversion rate (number of clients converted/number of leads in funnel)
Revenue
Cost

All of these data points are going to give you more facts about how your overall marketing efforts are performing. Tracking these over time, and particularly in time where you are changing your strategy, will give you a better view of the specific types of messaging and touch points that work for your brand and your audience.

Despite the fact that lead attribution has become increasingly difficult to track, there are a number of tools that can help you to get a better picture of where your audience is coming from and to help you move them through the sales funnel to a potential transaction.

Applications to track customer information & leads

Here are some helpful tools or simple processes to get started:

Customer Relationship Management: The gold standard would be investing in a CRM – we use Freshsales. Competitive products include: Salesforce, Honeybook, Dubsauto. A CRM is designed to automate the admin associated with lead attribution and relationship management. This can be a huge time saving, particularly if you receive a lot of interest via a web form, and can make sure that your leads are qualified, and have all the information they need, before you lift a finger to get them to convert.
Referral Tracking: If you’re not interested in adapting a whole new system at the moment (ok, fair), you can start today with a process even as simple as simply asking your clients where they discovered you and recording on a spreadsheet. Make sure you give them a list to choose from that also includes any publications you’ve recently been featured on. Ask them to select as many that apply.
Google Analytics: use your GA to your advantage to see how users are navigating your website, where they came from and where they spend the most time. Here is a great tutorial.
UTM builder: A UTM tag is a code that can be attached to any URL for tracking purposes within Google Analytics. We recommend using unique UTM tags for anywhere you place your website URL, whether it’s on your own social or on vendor directories that you’re listed within. You can create your UTM tags via the GA UTM builder and add them to your URLS here.

You can then find your campaigns in GA and see what drove the most traffic – check out this article for more details.

In conclusion…

So to conclude, if you want to feel good about your marketing investments, you need to make sure you’re measuring the effectiveness and paying attention to where your audience is coming from and how they behave before they convert. Tracking social media leads may feel like a minefield and is only getting trickier as brides/groom move away from traditional planning sites to places like Pinterest and Instagram.

However, the more you can educate yourself on what your successful marketing efforts look like, the better assumptions you can make as well. If your number one source of leads is Instagram, you can feel good about investing your precious time into building a following and a strong brand identity and investing in programs that broadcast your content to larger audiences (aka, Style Me Pretty!).

Images by LBB member Ether & Smith | see the original feature here

Fresh And Fun Lemon Themed Mediterranean Wedding In Sunny California

If a Mediterranean wedding sounds as dreamy to you as it does to us, you’re in for a stunning treat! This couple has always wanted to travel to the Mediterranean to get married, but the pandemic put a wrench in their plans, so with the help of Jillian Nicole Events they brought the Mediterranean to California. Lemons were woven into every element of the decor, from the elegant invitation suite by Spilled Ink Calligraphy to a reception with real lemon trees brought in by Brubaker Floral Co.. You can feel the love and happiness radiating in the beautiful imagery by Lorin Kelly Photography. Take a trip to the Mediterranean in the full gallery.

From Jillian Nicole Events… Not only did this wedding have that amazing Italian feel, but this couple also had stunning views for their ceremony on top of the Sofitel LA Hotel. To keep the Mediterranean vibe going, Spilled Ink Calligraphy added hand-painted lemons onto the invitation suite & menus.

Wedding Planner and Designer, Jillian Nicole Events has always dreamed of setting up a tablescape with vintage plates and lemon trees for centerpieces. When it came to designing, Jillian reached out to 3 Little Birds, who provided mix & match vintage blue plates and blue-tinted glassware.

You can’t have a Mediterranean wedding without some specialty coffee and spiked lemonade! Jesse’s Grind provided both homemade drink options for the guests. To top off the Mediterranean-themed wedding, Mija Bakes provided a buttercream cake and lemon cupcakes.

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

English Garden Wedding Inspiration at the Enchanting Conestoga House and Gardens

Today’s dreamy wedding inspiration at Conestoga House and Gardens is giving us alllll the English countryside vibes. Forte Florals created the most ethereal yet timeless arrangements that perfectly complimented the lush setting. Our favorite part? The bride’s vintage floral embroidered gown – I mean… does it get any better?! To see all the pretty from this garden-inspired soirée, head on over to the full gallery, all captured by Addy Rae Photo!

From Published & Pretty… This dreamy editorial is everything we love about the softness and romance of spring. Drawing inspiration from the stunning Conestoga House and Gardens, it only made sense that the vibe of this wedding editorial was an intimate English countryside wedding. The vendor team wanted to bring out the beauty of the grounds with a pastel palette and lots of floral elements.

From the invitation suite by Dill Paper Company and the handmade paper menus, to the bride’s vintage floral embroidered dress from Ephemerl, nods to florals are seen throughout the design. Among the other pretty rentals (loving the pops of gold and vintage accents), the floral linens from Select Event Group made the tablescape something so unique and beautiful.

We love how the engagement ring from L. Priori Jewelry even resembled a flower! With all the pretty floral elements, Forte Florals nailed the bouquets and centerpieces with timeless designs that complimented, rather than competed with the overall design. Makeup By Leah and Allison Ferrari Hair helped get our model bride and bridesmaid wedding ready with a beautiful natural glow and soft, loose curls. All these details were captured by the talented Addy Rae Photo.

Summer Wedding Elopement Filled With Modern Romance At Villa Catalana Cellars

Romantic textures and sophisticated chic decor meet in this modern romance wedding shoot that brings a European feel to Oregon! Villa Catalana Cellars was the perfect canvas for this summertime elopement, its gardens have a Mediterranean feel featuring palms, Italian Cypress, and olive trees that make you feel as if you’ve been transported to Spain. Alston Mayger Events dreamed up the unforgettable day and filled it with swoon-worthy details, and organic florals in earth-tones by Swoon Floral Design are the perfect compliment to the dreamy aesthetic. The day was artfully captured by Lauren Lee Photography, see all of the artful imagery in the full gallery.

From Lauren Lee Photography… Inspired by the old-world charm of Barcelona, the venue, Villa Catalana Cellars, and soft earthy florals, this European-inspired editorial photographed by Lauren Lee Photography is a beautiful take on modern romance.

With planning and design by Alston Mayger Events, they incorporated a tablescape under a canopy of natural vines and a lush rose installation by Swoon Floral Design on the reception patio.

Incorporating soft and feminine paper goods by Sierra Dyer Co. and an elegant gown by The Label, this is a lovely representation of an evening elopement in Spain.

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

A Spanish Finca Garden Wedding Inspired by Frida Kahlo

A raven-haired beauty and her handsome hubby chose the beautiful country of Spain to host their destination wedding. To bring the Spanish flavor to life, Trille Floral created jaw-dropping arrangements lush with rich reds and deep pink blooms, and a Frida Kahlo inspired head piece for the bride to match! The bride looked absolutely beautiful, donning a wedding gown that was designed and sewn with love by her and her mother. We truly can’t put into words how much we love this vibrant affair! You’re just going to have to see it with your own eyes at the full gallery, all taken by Lilli Kad Photography.

From Lilli Kad Photography… Anna & Thomas have chosen Spain for their destination wedding. Anna and Thomas spent a fair amount of time in Javea prior to this, as Thomas’ mother has a holiday house there, and so they decided to hire a private garden finca set in the hills of Javea overlooking the ocean. They chose this slightly quirky white washed finca which had lots of stairs and levels and although it made the set up a bit more challenging, they really loved the character it gave the wedding and made it a little bit more special.

They loved the fact that every event of the day had their own little terrace of the property and a different feel of the location. The ceremony was set up on a palm lined driveway to the guesthouse which had steep but characterful staircase that ended up being the pathway the guests entered and the bride and groom walked into the ceremony from. The very first vendor they hired was Cara from Trille Floral. They infused their wedding with the richness of red and deep pink blooms to bring the Spanish flavour through! Cara designed a Frida Kahlo floral head piece for Anna which only adds to the vibrant style of this wedding. Both the Pool area with the white Spanish pool house overlooking the ocean and the old town of Javea were the backdrop for the after-ceremony cocktails where the guests relaxed in true Spanish style with antipasti and a Jamon Serrano station, before heading up to the second tier garden for garden reception under palms where paella was on the menu.

The floral design on this wedding is stunningly created by Trille Floral. Their wedding had lots of little elements that are very well thought through and have special meaning to the bride and groom. Anna’s wedding Dress was a joint effort, designed and sewn by her and her mother. The satin slip for the gown was done with the help of a little boutique called Helena Kolan in Tel Aviv. Old Canadian gold coins (collected by Thomas’ grandfather) were melted and used to create Anna’s wedding band and engagement ring – all of the bride and groom’s rings were designed by Sian Evans in London. We adored the colour splash and vibrancy of this happy Spanish garden wedding and love that all the elements are a from different parts of the world. Photography from Austria, Floral design from Australia, Bride from Canada, Dress (partly) from Tel Aviv, Jewellery from London, Groom from Belgium, and entertainment and catering from Spain. A true global effort.

Romantic Lake Estate Wedding Inspiration Worth Swooning Over

For this summer inspiration shoot the lakeside location, fantastic florals, and fashion-forward touches are as fun as the season itself. Floral and event designer DESIGNS BY AHN, dreamed up a day overflowing with fabulous. From a prosecco mobile car overflowing with beautiful blooms to a reception table that feels eclectic yet perfectly put together all at once, each element of this editorial is better than the last. Anna Gianfrate Photography perfectly captures the magic of the day in her elegant imagery. You’ll swoon over every darling detail in the full gallery.

From Anna Gianfrate Photography… For this beautiful lake wedding inspiration shoot, we used a gorgeous beaded Chana Marelus gown with bows. Cedar Lakes Estate was the perfect place to bring our vision to life.

The prosecco mobile car was a fun addition to the cocktail hour. Beautiful flowers by Designs by Ahn, with delicate and earthy tones, are inspired by the beautiful nature at the venue.

The cake design by Sara Victoria Cake Design was inspired by our bridal gown. In the end, it was a spectacular celebration.

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

All New Wedding Must-Haves Have Arrived In the Style Me Pretty Shop!

You know that phrase, why mess with a good thing? It’s usually really great advice, but not when it comes to the Style Me Pretty Shop! Our expertly-curated celebration edit – from aisle-worthy accessories and accents to festive drinkware and decor – has been loved-up for years, so we’re thrilled to launch even more engagement and wedding planning must-haves for the upcoming fall and winter wedding seasons. All of the products that brides and happily-planning partners (significant others or VIP mothers) have been scooping up or eyeing for their special days are still there, we’ve just added a handful of new items to the existing best-selling categories. Everything is available to shop now – so whether you are newly-engaged, have been getting wedding-ready for a while, or are in the final stretch and just on the hunt for a few finishing touches, we’re so happy to share our shop with you!

Photo by Courtney Leigh

#SomethingNew to add to the #SomethingOld

For the couple

Fine-art-style flat lays have always been a favorite of ours, so of course the Style Me Pretty product assortment would already include accessories for wedding-morning photos, like bespoke wooden hangers, embroidered handkerchiefs, and darling shoe decals. But we’re so excited to unveil miniature vow books this season.

These delicate, gold foil-stamped vow books will be filled with heartfelt promises written by the couple to each other, while our brand-new guest books will be filled with heartfelt messages of luck to the guests of honor from their friends and family members.

For their tables

From the escort card display to the reception dinnerscape and a few bars at cocktail hour, in between, Style Me Pretty signage always has a place at the table. And speaking of places, here are some of the new tabletop frontrunners that just landed on SMP: cotton paper place cards, cotton paper table numbers, metal table number picks, and acrylic + metal tabletop signage.

For their cake

We’re always here for some new icing on the cake or dessert game! As such, we’ve rolled out a few new wedding cake toppers and a beautiful new serving set to sweeten up vintage and rustic-glam gatherings, alike. The durable gold and silver reflective acrylic can go with any kind of single or multi-tiered treat, and with a calligraphy style that’s more modern and romantic versus whimsical and shabby chic, these toppers are stunningly versatile.

Have a wedding in the books? We’d love to help you plan the prettiest and most personal best day ever! Shop all the old, new, borrowed, and, yes even blue, products in the Style Me Pretty Shop!

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

Courtney Leigh Photography

View Portfolio

Arrowhead Hill

View Portfolio

718 Creative

View Portfolio

Get Inspired By This Picturesque Provencal Farm Editorial With Subtle Purple Hues

This Provence editorial is overflowing with inspiration! The color palette was inspired by sunrise in the lavender fields using garden roses, peonies, foxglove, and sweet peas in tones of lavender, pale pink, apricot, and lemon. Florals were composed of locally grown summer blooms, perfectly arranged by Adeline of Jaune Pivoine. The dinner table has that fabulous feeling of a leisurely French meal in the garden, with a long candlelit table under a big shady tree. Oui Mon Coeur designed the day with authentic French vintage linens, tableware, and candleholders, while keeping the overall effect of elevated elegance. The day was conceptualized and artfully captured by Veronique Chesnel who through her imagery tells the story of a strong-minded woman, confident in her beauty and in her femininity. Take a look through all the lovely little details in the full gallery.

From Veronique Chesnel… As a mixed-race film photographer, and as a woman, it was really important for me, first, to show Beauty through diversity and feminist femininity. Then, I usually find most of my inspiration in arts, nature, and fashion. That’s why, when I first imagined this inspiration shoot, I wanted to put into it everything I am and everything that is important for me.

Le Domaine de Gressac is a charmingly typical Provence farm, surrounded by lavender fields and olive groves. On the domaine they breed Spanish horses and cultivate their own organic vineyards. I fell deeply in love with their old stone facades, their mighty horses, and their adorable hens.

It was such a dream to work with Alexia Bigaud Morin who enhanced our Amazone’s natural black beauty and brought this effortlessly sophisticated beauty. All the design was created by my friend Ajna, wedding planner and designer of Oui Mon Coeur. This summer day finally ended with the most perfect sunset couple portraits with a stunning view over the Cèze valley.

A Chic Al Fresco Microwedding at Hotel Escalante Planned in Just Six Weeks!

After the pandemic postponed their original plans of international nuptials, today’s beautiful couple decided they couldn’t wait any longer to call each other husband and wife. So, they tied the knot in front of their closest loved ones in Naples, Florida – where the bride’s family has vacationed together for years. The bride absolutely took our breath away in a chic Oscar De La Renta gown, with a bouquet by Kaleidoscope Floral that deserves its own standing ovation. Head on over to the full gallery to see every last detail, all taken by Hunter Ryan Photo!

From The Bride… Michael and I had just started talking to a wedding planner about potentially doing a wedding in Europe for Summer 2020 and then COVID hit so we put that on hold, and kept putting it on hold as COVID dragged on.

In November, we were with family and discussing Christmas plans. My family has been going to Naples for the holidays for the last few years and had already planned (pre-COVID) that Michael’s family would join us this year. The Christmas discussion somehow turned into a wedding discussion and I think it was my dad who suggested that we just get married while we were all down there over the holidays – and the more we thought about it the more we loved that idea.

Naples had become a special place for us, both of our parents and siblings would already be there. The first Christmas our families were spending together turned into a wedding—it just felt right. We knew everything could be outdoors weather wise, and that was enough for us to start. We were lucky that a few close friends were also able to join. We put it all together in the next six weeks and officially got married on January 1, 2021.

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

Hunter Ryan Photo

View Portfolio

Classic Palm Beach Wedding Filled With Chic Details

A classic wedding never goes out of style, and this one is full of details that are sure to stand the test of time.
The Big Day expertly planned by Masi Events, is just filled with inspiration. Designs by Anthology Co. are sure to delight, from the epic round escort card display bursting with blooms to a sweetheart table with a floral runner cascading to the floor. You’ll get lost in the artful images captured by Shea Christine Photography. Take a look at all the timeless touches in the full gallery.

From Masi Events… Every detail was thought through when planning this destination wedding for Meghan and Matthew. The ceremony was decorated with a beautiful white floral circle arch artfully created by Anthology Co.

The cocktail hour took place along the water at the Flagler Museum where we had lavish food displays and white custom bars with signature cocktail drinks. We strung bistro lights to keep the area well lit and guests were able to utilize this space even after the reception had begun.

We then escorted guests to the main reception hosted in the West and Lake View room. Each table stunned in the mauve rose-colored velvet linen by Nuage Designs and the muted yet colorful floral centerpieces with taper candles. It was a memorable weekend in Palm Beach for all the guests.

[iframe https://www.youtube.com/embed/0CtqdlTZzUA 600 338]

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

Event Planning

Masi Events

View Portfolio

Villa Astor On Italy’s Amalfi Coast Amazes At This Dazzling Destination Wedding

That’s Amore! This elegant destination wedding on the Amalfi coast is dripping with so much elegance that we can’t help but fall in love. From the gilded details to the fashion-forward bridal wear, every detail is better than the last. Mitheo Events planned and designed a day that rivals the beauty of the iconic location. Lush white blooms by Armando Malafronte are just the right balance of romantic and chic. You’ll adore every artful image captured by the uber-talented Bottega 53. Luxury awaits you in the full gallery.

From Mitheo Events… Celebrating their love story with a glamorous destination wedding of 120 guests, on the Amalfi Coast, the place where their love had begun, was the dream of this stunning couple. Valentina and Michael wished to exchange their vows at the bride’s country of origin, which they both adore, at Villa Astor in Italy.

Due to the current circumstances of travel bans and health regulations, a large-scale event with international guests traveling to Italy from the US and from around the world was no longer an option. Nevertheless, Mitheo Events Italian wedding planners and designers team was committed to creating the most magical and stylish Sorrento destination micro-wedding, with authentic Italian style and timeless details.

The magical location of iconic Villa Astor, haute-couture Monique Lhuillier bridal gowns and romantic all-white floral arrangements of roses by Malafronte, along with a piece-of-art wedding cake by Marco Failla and finely crafted stationery by Letterink were combined into a wedding celebration of timeless elegance and class, impeccably captured in high fashion style by Bottega 53 and beautifully videographed by Luigi De Gregorio.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/572659072 600 338]

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

The Most Epic Captiva Island Wedding With a ”Retro Florida Postcard” Theme

Now this is a couple who knows how to have fun with their wedding décor! As guests walked from one side of the island to the other for the ceremony to the reception (yup, the island is THAT small), they were greeted by a one-of-a-kind night. The adorable couple inspired their wedding design based off those old-school, retro Florida postcards you used to see, you know… the ones with illustrations inside of each letter? It may have been quite a challenge, but Carrie Darling Events and Kaleidoscope Floral pulled it off with every last detail… all while keeping it chic the entire way through. Check out all the can’t-miss moments from their day at the full gallery, all captured by Hunter Ryan Photo.

From Hunter Ryan Photo… Courtney & Stephen’s Wedding took place in the heart of enchanting Captiva Island, FL at a Private Home.

One significant element of the Wedding is that the guests progressed from one side of Captiva to another throughout the night – REALLY. The island is THAT narrow. The ceremony was held on the beach (across the street from the home) and then guests were guided across the road (via traffic cop) to cocktail hour on the front lawn, the dinner tent was behind the home, the dancing tent was on the other side of the back yard, and the send off was on the narrow path on the back side of the property – and the couple left on a boat with a Captain friend! From one side of the ocean to another .

As guests made the progression from one space to another, the couple wanted each new space they encountered to have an entirely new vibe and style. We also wanted to embrace all the unique characteristics of Florida. So, we based the decor in each space on a retro Florida postcard that served as a Save the Date for the Wedding weekend. You know, the kind of postcard with illustrations inside each of the letters? The “L” in Florida was an Orange Grove that inspired the escort card display, the “O” had a retro nod to cocktail hour with the fun beach umbrellas, The “R” had more of a natural greenery/Everglades style for the dinner tent, and the “D” had more vivid colors or orange and red (sunset colors) that we used in the dancing tent.

Invitations:
They had a very intimate invitation design that highlighted hand-drawn illustrations by Lucy Engelman that were inspired by the couple’s own engagement photos. So instead of using actual photos, it was an artistic version of the couple’s own pictures- which offers a very unique way of sprinkling the couple’s likeness into the suite. Lucy created additional illustrations, like a tropical leaf pattern for the liner of the envelope, a map of Captiva for the itinerary (and also used on the Welcome Bag) and welcome booklets. Everything was very monochromatic in a rich Florida green with traditional Wedding white background.

Some of the illustrated images were made into pillows at cocktail hour, as well as trays that the signature drink was served on, etc. It was such a cool way to use the engagement photos, in a non-traditional way, and of course, a lot of keepsakes for the Bride and Groom.

Ceremony:
Inspired by the surrounding Reeds, Seagrass, Pampas Grass. It was a minimalistic look, with 2 large palm fronds coming together to make the ceremony arch.

The Welcome Sign was custom made with rattan fan blades, a bamboo pole base and accents of pampas that said “Welcome to Captiva” with a ceremony directional sign.

Programs were printed, frayed-edge fabric scrolls that were wrapped around the handles of white paper fans and tied with green velvet ribbon.

Guests were greeted with an infused water station on the beach to quench their thirst. The flavored water ( Pineapple Mint, Florida Citrus, Cucumber Mint) were all served in monogram tossware.

Cocktail Hour:
We embraced the Retro Florida Vibe for cocktail hour on the front lawn, and the fun prints of beach umbrellas you might see scattered on the Florida beaches. Several cocktail rounds dressed in bold striped linens were paired with umbrellas, colorful lemon prints, white fringed and even straw materials.

A playful Beach Ball Selfie Wall greeted guests, and they were invited to interact with additional balls laying on the ground as they captured some photos.

Servers held custom drink trays (with illustrations of the couple’s engagement photos) and their signature “My Tie” Drink, which was a nod to how they met (hint: it had to do with the Groom’s tie). Even the stir stick was in the shape of a neck tie ;)

As an added touch for additional drinks from the bar, guests were invited to use one of the green “C&S” shaped Straws, or pick up a koozie.

Escort Card Display:
Carrie Darling Events built an “Orange Grove Trellis” that fit the dimensions of the tent opening, so it also served as entrance decor to the tent. Guests were presented with an uplit trellis, with custom, diagonal shelving that held small oranges with paper leaf escort cards pinned into them. With a guest count looming around 150, we helped move everyone along by organizing the left side of the trellis into last names starting with A-M and the right side of the trellis held oranges with guests with last names that started with M-Z.

Main Dinner Tent:

The Bride wanted to embrace the beautiful, surrounding landscape, so we used a clear tent and did dramatic greenery palm centerpieces on the table, with rattan lanterns hanging from the top of the tent. The bamboo chairs tied into the rattan lanterns, and the mis-matched green water glasses added some fun hues against the white linens.

Wedding Cake / Cake Slice Display:
Placed between a trio of Palm Trees, on a fun tropical print linen! The tall cake featured additional sugar flowers with butterfly details.

Later on in the evening, the cut slices of cake were brought out to 3 long tables (closer to the dance tent that everyone moved to). The 3 display tables had custom neon “flavor ” signs for the Strawberry Shortcake, Lemon Blueberry and Funfetti flavors. It made it easier to see in the dark, and made it even more exciting for guests to choose the flavor of cake they wanted!

Dancing Tent:
Hanging from the center of the tent was an eclectic mix of dried palms in fun spray-painted colors and fun florals in a central floral chandelier.

We anchored a fun rental bar from Unearthed Rentals, on the far end of the tent (opposite from the Stage) for easy access to some evening livations!

Surprises!:
#1 Specialty Dancers/ Entertainment
Right after the Bride & Groom’s Thank you speech (our signal was “Let’s Get This Party Started) a dance troupe of 4 ladies and 4 drummers came in from both corners of the tent with a major presence, and had al the guests stand and follow them down the path to the “Party Tent”

#2 Ice Cream Truck
Instead of a Late night food, an Ice Cream Truck pulled up to the dancing tent- about an hour before the end of the party… song on and everything to draw a crowd, running for their favorite cone or push-pop!

Send Off:
The last 10 minutes of the party, we passed out monogrammed LED ribbon wands for the guests to dance with and then we directed them to the far back of the property, where a line of palm trees was all uplit in fun colors on the way to the dock. The guests lined both sides of the path, and the Bride & Groom walked down a line of white streamers, to a sign that greeted them with “Bon Voyage”. From there, they boarded a boat with their Captain friend, and took off in an epic newlywed kiss goodbye.

[iframe http://www.youtube.com/embed/r9xTq0v9dzE 600 338]

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

Hunter Ryan Photo

View Portfolio

You’ll Fall In Love With The Fantastic Floral Chandeliers At This Florida Wedding

Look up! This Florida wedding is filled with so many fabulous floral installations you’re sure to fall head over heels. The talented Myrtie Blue gave every inch of this special day a garden-fresh feel that transforms the outdoor ceremony and tented reception. There was no one better than Kelly McWilliams to coordinate all the unique details and create a stylish and seamless affair. Hunter Ryan Photo was there to elegantly capture all the magical moments. Swoon over all the lovely in the full gallery.

From the bride… A few years ago, I was looking at photos from a wedding that I was a bridesmaid in and their photographer had previously completed a wedding at the Seaside Chapel. I instantly fell in love with the simplicity of the chapel and the large windows and thought about how I would like to get married in a chapel like that one day. After Brandon proposed we discussed multiple locations and ultimately fell in love with this one.

I am so glad Kelly McWilliams convinced us to do a first look. It was such a sigh of relief and such a great moment to share with just “us” and get over any nerves. I do not like to be the center of attention and so having him see me in my dress and me seeing him still allowed us to capture the moment when we first saw each other, without everyone else staring at us also.

After not being able to see friends and family for over a year, I can’t tell you how much fun and really just a huge celebration it was. We were so blessed to be able to celebrate such an incredible weekend with close friends and family.

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

Hunter Ryan Photo

View Portfolio

Inspiring Pink And Purple Wedding In Provence

One look at these enchanting photos and you’ll feel as if Provence was simply made for picture-perfect weddings. With incredible landscapes, a Mediterranean-climate, and an overall feeling of tranquility the region is royally suited for a chic affair orchestrated by Instants Magiques Marrakech. With an eye for elegance, Gala Organisation designed a floral dome for the religious ceremony that’s dripping with luxury. Cedric KLEIN Photography captured a day that has us feel as if we’re at the Chateau ourselves. See the full experience unfold in the full gallery.

From Cedric KLEIN Photography… The romantic wedding of Raphael and Sandra was chic and elegant in the heart of Provence at the iconic Chateau Diter. The Chateau sits on the heights of Grasse and is a little corner of paradise on the French Riviera for those who want to experience an elegant and graceful wedding.

The chuppa ceremony was held under a wonderfully flowered dome by Gala Organisation for the religious ceremony. The ceremony begins as Sandra, escorted by her younger brother in the procession, arrives at the top of the steps of a leafy alley, overlooking the audience. At the bottom of the steps, waiting surrounded by his relatives is a future groom impatient to discover his sweetheart.

Once the religious ceremony is over, the traditional couple photoshoot follows in the serene gardens, as well as under the colonnades, courtyards, and porches imbued with timeless beauty and all-Italian charm. Then a set table decorated with crystal candlesticks, a magnificent floral composition, and of course a grand piano for an authentic musical atmosphere awaits guests for the dance evening.

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

The Perfect Blueprint for a Whimsical Wedding With Timeless Touches at Mill Pond Estate

A ruffled wedding dress, champagne cart, and floral-adorned getaway boat! These are just a few dreamy things you can expect to obsess over throughout today’s full gallery from Terrie Images. Stephany Perry Events executed the most beautiful styled shoot at Mill Pond Estate marrying whimsical elements with timeless details, dressed in an organic color palette of champagne and green accents. Keep on scrolling and get ready to be completely swept away..

From Terrie Images… A Love Letter To You is an inspiration shoot full of greenery and touches of whimsical and timeless.

This palette was a combination green tones, champagne, ivory , and gold accents. We created two looks within this shoot to demonstrate this organic palette versatility. We included a romantic and organic look to resonate with brides who love all things whimsical.

We also created a timeless and classic for our brides who love the simplistic details. Both looks highlighted a minimal feel with emphasis on calligraphy pieces to highlight the love letter theme.

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

Mill Pond Estate

View Portfolio

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

French Inspired Chateau Lill Summer Wedding Inspiration

One look at this inspired editorial and you’ll feel like you booked a first trip ticket to France! With inspiration drawn from the French countryside and summertime, a color palette of warm yellow, cream, and blue delights. The free-flowing, organic flower styling by Leah Erickson Floral have us feeling like we’re strolling through the prettiest of Parisian gardens. Each inspired detail was lovingly planned by Willow & Ivy Events, and beautifully captured fully in film by Matt Erickson Photography. Enjoy all the elegance in the full gallery.

From Willow & Ivy Events… Inspired by the French countryside in the summertime, Alexandra of Willow & Ivy Events pulled together an incredible team to create this luxurious wedding editorial in shades of French blue, buttery yellow with punchy pops of yellow in the florals. The incredible setting of Chateau Lill in Washington’s famous winery district of Woodinville was the perfect backdrop with its stunning architecture and ample gardens, complete with stunning florals and multiple ponds.

The butter-yellow florals tied into the intimate elopement-style free-standing ceremony setup across the pond from the reception space. The intricate paper details created by Cree and Co brought an elevated level of sophistication and French flair.

The tablescape was inspired by the patterned linen and opulent velvet napkins from BBJ Linen and was accented with more modern plates and flatware from CORT Party Rentals. In contrast to the abundant blue on the table, Leah Erickson Floral created a stunning garden-inspired organic centerpiece full of bright yellows, soft butter, and various shades of white and cream. The incredible cake by Rue Cler Seattle mimicked the linen and invitation suite with small added raised details peeking out from the folds in the frosting.

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

Chic New York Style Meets Southern Estate Wedding

There’s nothing quite like southern hospitality, and for this wedding held at Great Marsh Estate it was mixed with just the right touch of NYC cool. Inspired by the idea of a southern girl falling in love with a city boy, traditional elements like chintz and bows mix with bold colors and patterns. Just one look at the ceremony tree overflowing with blooms by Love Blooms Floral Design and you’ll be sure to fall in love. Swoon Soiree planned the day in a beautiful and socially conscious way, choosing to work with a venue and vendors that celebrated the southern aesthetic but didn’t ignore the sensitive history of the south. The images by David Abel Photography are a timeless storytelling of history, style, and romance. Get lost in the tale in the full gallery.

From Swoon Soiree… It is no secret that the South East boasts hospitality, southern charm, and some seriously great food. It is also no secret that New York City is famous for its fashion, architecture, art, and its incredible cultural mix and social scene. So what happens when a girl from the south, falls in love with a boy from the city?

When conceptualizing this shoot, we wanted to showcase a beautiful southern venue, but remain socially conscious, and sensitive, to the history of the south. Many of the venues in our area are previous plantations, working farms, or private estates that supported slavery. After a very deep dive into our industry, our local markets, and the clients we serve, we found a venue. Great Marsh Estate has a stately, southern aesthetic, but no history or dark past.

The design was inspired by the Grandmillenial style. This style is rooted in southern hospitality, tradition, familiarity, and etiquette. With elements of Chintz, bows, pattern play, rattan, layers, and lots of color, this is no doubt a southern soiree. We wanted to show that you are able to celebrate your marriage, and your heritage, without romanticizing or ignoring the history of slavery in our country.