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

Beachy Hamptons House Tour

I’m so stealing the entire look of this house for my own little seaside cottage. It’s easy elegance at its best. The kind of place that is undeniably gorgeous but still feels totally approachable with kid-friendly spaces and charming color splashes all designed by Jenny Wolf along with photography by Emily Gilbert. It’s also the kind of place that is straight out of the dream home handbook. See even more right here.

Jenny and John Wolf were looking for a big, open house in the Hamptons, but they didn’t buy one. Instead, they ended up falling in love with a small, dark farmhouse from the 19th century. The beautiful garden was too good to pass up. Of course, this also meant that Jenny, a Manhattan-based interior designer, would have a lot of work to make it the dream home they had in mind.

The couple wanted to make the house feel bigger without actually adding it. They got rid of the attic, which allowed 6 feet more of vertical space and exposed vaulted ceilings. They also exposed the wooden beams on the first floor to add some more room and a touch of the old farmhouse it once was.

A wider thruway between the living and dining rooms added much desired light to both. The walls were all brightened up with white paint, and the floors were given a pleasing pale green everywhere but the kitchen.

Jenny wanted to step outside of her comfort zone with the furnishings. In the dining room, for example, she combined Tolix metal chairs and a modern Knoll table with a jute rug that gives a beach feeling. The kitchen has a light blue retro refrigerator and a big chalkboard for anything that needs to be jotted down.

Now, the Wolfs couldn’t be happier with how their home turned out. They managed to open up the space and add elements inside that make the cottage reflect the beautiful garden and the nearby beach.

This Groom Just Won Husband of the Year After Transforming Their Entire Backyard into the Bride’s Dream Venue

With a little help from her wedding photographer sister, the talented Brooke at Honey Gem Creative, this gorgeous bride tied the knot to her longtime love in an intimate ceremony in her very own backyard (how sweet is that?!) After her amazing hub renovated their entire backyard to prepare for the Big Day (#1 husband award), the bride and Brooke had one month to plan the wedding! Sounds crazy right? Well boy did they pull it off… Not only that, they were sweet enough to provide some tips for future brides who are planning their own wedding! Keep on reading to find out what they are, and don’t forget to check out the full gallery of stunning images!

From Brooke at Honey Gem Creative… This wedding is a special one! It’s my sisters wedding. We’re both wedding photographers so we couldn’t wait to start planning and designing.

How They Met

From the Bride… Perry and I met in high school on the basketball court. I was practicing my free throws in the empty gym and he walked in. I had seen him around and recognized him. He was a bit if a spunk. Although he was in the grades above me so I was shocked when he came up to ask me if I wanted to play a game of 1 on 1. Of course I said yes and from then on we played basketball after school together until the sun went down. It really was love at first sight and we’ve pretty much been together ever since then. High School Sweethearts thats for sure. We finally got married after 17 years together and 6 years of being engaged. It took Perry quite a while to propose and he knew I was wanting him to propose and I’m not good at surprises so he had to plan the proposal well enough for me not to ruin the surprise. He took me to a fancy high end restaurant in Melbourne called Vue De Monde and a friend of his worked there at the time so he gave her the ring ahead of time. It was actually my birthday. We had a beautiful lunch with champagne and I won’t lie I was expecting a proposal but we got to desert and NOTHING.

By this stage I had had a couple of glasses of champagne and was losing my ability to hide the fact I was suspecting a proposal but had given up. A surprise dish of petit fours were brought to the table after dessert and the waiter explained that it was a smokey duck egg that revealed a special dessert underneath. Perry asked me to remove the egg shell and I said a little grumpy.. No you can do it… only to reveal a ring! He had totally got me! After expecting a proposal and then giving up he totally surprised me and asked me too marry him after all.. He then organized a surprise engagement dinner that night with our friends. It was magic. We welcomed our first baby girl London in 2016 and finally got married ion 2018.. We have since welcomed our second baby girl Ivy in 2019.

From the Florist… This was REMI + GOLD’s first wedding in the beautiful continent of Australia and there are hardly words for the incredible experience we had flowering near the amazing city of Melbourne for Honey Gem Creative! We sourced everything locally and met some of the most wonderful vendors who provided us with everything from the most stunning and fragrant garden roses to locally grown lush pepperberries. We even ventured out to forage in the brides backyard for the most beautiful eucalyptus we’d ever seen! (Top Secret: We sourced almost every inch of the giant hanging installation from the lush backyard!) It was an actual dream come true to design for this special couple and we’ll have forever left a piece of our hearts in Australia!

From the Sister/Photographer/Planner…The planning process was a little bit challenging because we only had 1 month to pull everything together. My sister wanted to get married in her backyard. Her backyard backed onto a reserve which had a lot of greenery and gum trees so it was a great location. The backyard needed a renovation and would be ready 1 month before the wedding.

We couldn’t really start the planning and design process because we didn’t know the layout of the backyard. My sister lives in Australia and I live in the USA. I flew out to Australia one month before the wedding and start planing immediately. We have both shot so many weddings and felt overwhelmed with choices. Overall my sister had her dream wedding, better than she could have imagined. However after going through the process we wanted to share some tips we learned along the way that could help future Brides.

Wedding Planning Tips for Future Brides:

1. Ways to bring cohesion into your wedding:

– Ask your florist to add greenery to your bar, signage, welcome table, cocktail tables, and buffet table
– Make sure all your signage is created by the same designer so all fonts and colors are the same
– Ask your florist to add bud vases with blooms to your cocktail tables, bar, guest tables, lounge areas, welcome table, and buffet table. Make sure you have a good amount so it doesn’t look incomplete.
– Prior to the wedding collect candles (with clear cylinders) and votives so that you can place them throughout. These can be used on your guest tables, sweetheart table, at your ceremony, on welcome tables, at the bar, on cocktail tables and at lounge areas (you can also sell these after). Make sure you have a good amount so it doesn’t look incomplete. We wish we ordered more. They also look amazing at night!

2. Narrow down your design board

Rather than coming up with 10 different bouquets try to narrow it down to 1 specific bouquet you like. We had too many different options.

3. Pick your color schemes early on

Because we had seen so many weddings we had too many ideas and couldn’t make a decision about colors. Coming up with your colors early on and sticking to them will make the planning process easier. That way all your florals, linens, signage/paper goods and bridesmaid dresses will look cohesive and consistent.

4. Repurpose

If you have a wedding planner/coordinator who can move florals during the wedding repurposing florals is a great way to enhance the design elements of your wedding. For example, using your ceremony florals at your sweetheart table or cake table or using your bridesmaid bouquets as centerpieces.

5. Making a statement

If you’re on a budget for florals consider using greenery and candles on your guest tables and investing more of your floral budget into your ceremony florals or an elaborate escort card design this can really help to elevate the wedding and give it a more expensive feel without compromising on any area.

6. Have a solid plan B

Since we’re photographers we wanted to make sure a plan B was in place. We rented a clear marquee. The reason we decided on this was because we wanted to make sure light would come through if we had to move the ceremony under the tent due to rain. After the fact we wish we included drapery. It would have been great to have sheer white drapes hanging from the ceiling (which would have diffused the light even more) and on the sides to hide the metal polls. With that said the tent still looked great without the drapes. One draw back with these tents is that they get hot. Our florist had to bring the flowers back inside, so drapes potentially would have blocked the sun better making it cooler.

7. Hiring a designer and coordinator

Since we’re photographers we didn’t think we’d need a planner or coordinator. We now know we were wrong. A designer would have saved us a lot time and stress with nailing down our vision and a coordinator would have been great to help us on the day of and with set-up. My sister realized instead of spending $5000 on food/catering (we had 50 guests) we could have got a food truck and would have had the money for a planner.

8. Cake

For a more elaborate cake and photo have your baker create a fake cake with only 1 tier thats real and have the caterer feed guests cake that’s already been cut and more affordable.

9. Guest tables

We had shown our rental company the size of table we wanted through a picture. When the ables arrived we realized they were too wide making the tables look more bare than they actually were. Looking back it would have been great to measure the width or visited the rental company to see the size in person. If we had done this we would have selected the tables that weren’t as wide so the florals and the candles filled up the table more and so guests were closer together providing a more intimate feel. It would have also given us more room in the tent to add a sweetheart table or lounge. We brought in Remi & Gold from the USA (don’t know what we would have done without her), Boarding School Collective and La Tavola Linens. We had a hard time sourcing the velvet linens in Australia at a reasonable price and my husband was able to fly over with them in his suitcase. He couldn’t fit anything else in his suitcase so we had to purchase a suite for him the day of the wedding.

A few items we sourced on our own and saved money on were the napkins which we purchased from Kmart for $1 each https://www. Kmart. Com. Au/ and the plates which we sourced for $2 each from https://www. Spotlightstores. Com/ . We loved how both of these turned out and we sold them after the wedding.

Credit needs to be given to the groom who redid the backyard with the help of one of his groomsman. He built retaining walls, added concrete, laid new turf and more. During the speeches the Bride Suzie gifted her groom Perry with a certificate of real manhood. This was especially significant and funny because prior to redoing the backyard the groom couldn’t even change a light bulb.

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Remi and Gold

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When the Most Talented Designer Ever Opens Her Own Doors

Heather Balliet is a legend in my world. And I know she probably just cracked up reading that sentence. But it’s true. Heather is the brain behind some of my favorite wedding ideas that we have ever shared on Style Me Pretty. So when the amazing team over at Pura Soul Photography popped in for a visit and snapped some seriously amazing pics of Heather’s home, you know I’d want to share it just as soon as I possibly could. Because it turns out, Heather’s mad chops at designing a wedding translate beautifully to designing her own, classically modern home. Full gallery here.

From the owner, Heather of Amorology… We’re known for creating personalized events that really tell the story of our couples. Our design is romantic and eclectic with a touch of playful, which is also reflective in our modern farmhouse home!

As a wedding designer, I wanted my home to be reflective of all of the things that I love, which meant incorporating pops of color and modern elements, and creating an intimate and inviting atmosphere. I wanted a house that my kids could play and have fun in!

We fell in love with it as soon as we saw the ladder and the loft. Tt was the selling point for us but we completely gutted the house from there! As a bunkhouse for the rancher built in the late 1800s, we knew it was a diamond in the rough but had good bones and great potential and we fell for its charm and personality.

It was for sure a home that we could envision raising our children in, and also had the capacity to do weddings on its expansive lawn. We purchased it a little over a year ago and quickly went to work to make it our own!

My husband, Troy, fortunately has building skills and was trained under my dad who was a general contractor and helped us to also renovate and update some of the main areas that needed some extra TLC, like the kitchen and the Master bath.

One of my favorite features in the house is our old vintage bathtub that we had re-enameled – it used to be the bathtub that my grandpa bathed in as a baby and we love that it’s found a place in our home now!

We gave the house a clean coat of white on both the exterior and interior to allow the accent colors to really pop agains the background. We brought in warm colorful rugs to liven the original cherrywood floors that Troy whitewashed.

A few words from the Photographers, Devin and Skylar…When we reached out to Heather wanting to connect, she and her family opened their home and their arms to us. We had the best experience during this shoot. Troy brought home fresh tacos from their favorite local taco shop for lunch and we all ate around their kitchen counter.

By the time we left we had made plans to go camping. Their home is charming and full of personal touches. We were beyond impressed with the details and pops of color that went into every corner.

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Event Planning

Amorology

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This Is the Cherry Red Monique Lhuillier Wedding Gown We Can’t Stop Staring at #MajorHeartEyes

Layered with toile, organic vibes and all things French countryside, today’s inspiration shoot is coming straight from the creative genius of Greenwood Events for the latest Sylvie Gil Workshop. With a rich red and light blue palette, it’s just in time to inspire any upcoming Bastille Day or Independence Day events—packed with charm, no less. Have a peek at the full gallery and get in on the action yourself at Sylvie’s next workshop, March 2020 in Morocco!

From Darci of Greenwood Events… We were so thrilled when Sylvie invited us to design her 2019 France workshop at Chateau de Varennes. We had followed along for years and had always been inspired by the other designers before us.

My first thought was to intertwine our style, which is often described as “Classic Organic”, with a French Chateau, specifically Chateau Varennes. I really wanted to play upon the French lifestyle, and what could be more fitting than “French Country” in the French Countryside!

I have always loved toile, and even use it in my own home design, so I knew it was going to play a big role throughout the workshop. I also wanted to have the color palette feel really bright, yet Springy. Therefore, the reds with the different shades of teals, robins egg blue, duck egg blue, really felt unique but realistic for a real Bride to be inspired by.

We then set out to layer patterns of toile, French ticking, with classic tabletop pieces and designed fresh and lush floral arrangements that felt timeless and effortless.

To keep the entire workshop shoots cohesive, I place in mind of one specific type of Bride. This Bride was chic and smart, (I had her actually being a book editor in NYC in my head). She wanted her wedding events to feel like they belonged at a chateau but she also wanted to share some of her flair…thus the fashion! We worked with Gabrielle Hurwitz to style our models and she did an outstanding job reading my vision and bringing the “Bride” to life.

In summary, we feel so blessed and lucky to have been a part of this incredible workshop and designing in France was a dream. We can’t wait to go back!

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Wedding Dresses

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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What One Bride Believes Is the Number One Reason to Have a Small Wedding

A garden wedding and a beach wedding all wrapped into one sounds divine, right? That’s exactly what this Montecito fete planned by Hoste Events has to offer, dressed in a darling palette of light blue and blush—a nod to the sea and the sweetest blooms designed by Idlewild. With an guest list of 85, the celebration was intimate and lovely and I promise you’ll want to jump right into your screen when you see the imagery by Jordan Galindo.

Beautiful blues on the coast of Santa Barbara in the elegant estates of Montecito. Timeless but modern silhouettes. The bride and groom embraced all that is a garden wedding done in Montecito style. Soft summer blues ran throughout the wedding. Food and drinks were of the utmost importance to the couple.

From the Bride… Our wedding day included a perfect mix of both vintage details with a modern edge, incorporating hues of soft blue and cream with gold accents and of course, all the greenery I always dreamed would be surrounding us on our wedding day. After a year of planning our wedding with the amazing Hoste Events, we were overwhelmed with the compliments and sweet messages about what a success it was. Knowing that all 85 of our guests had an amazing time at our intimate wedding was a priority to us, especially given the travel time it takes to get to Santa Barbara.

We are so happy we opted for a small wedding and would do it the same in a heartbeat. With a smaller guest count, we got to truly spend time with each and every guest during our celebration. We know this isn’t always the case at weddings, so it really made it unique to us and our families. To say it was the best day of my life would be an understatement.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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TEAM Hair and Makeup

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Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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Wedding Dresses

Martina Liana

Fall 2014

Spring 2017

Fall 2017

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An At-Home Wedding That Puts “Father of the Bride” to Shame

Today’s at-home celebration has a woodland-chic, enchanted forest vibe layered with loads of charm. The Bride, Melissa (who grew up at this beautiful estate) and her Groom, Dave, recruited the help of Sarah Kazemburg Events + Styling to create a gorgeous experience from the ceremony beneath a canopy of trees to the poolside cocktail hour to the clear-top tented reception. It’s backyard done oh-so-right and Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography made sure that no moment went undocumented.

A few words from Sarah Kazemburg Events + Styling… Melissa and Dave first met as law students at NYU. They began as friends in the same study group and flag football team, and so the courtship began. Melissa knew nothing about football, but according to Dave, by the third season she “transformed into an elite edge pass rusher and productive check-down receiver”. After they began dating their third year of law school, Dave landed a job and moved across the country to California. They continued their relationship long distance for a year until Melissa moved out to San Francisco to join him. He proposed to Melissa in a little cabin in the woods on the Mendocino Coast.

Their wedding took place at Melissa’s family home where she grew up in Bethesda, MD. We curated their design to compliment the property’s beautiful grounds, architecture and sprawling gardens. An elegant, woodland-chic, enchanted forest vibe perfectly fit the bill. Emily Baird designed their custom invitation suite featuring a wood backed invitation card and custom watercolor envelope liner in the wedding colors. We loved the idea of a brown envelope to juxtapose the feminine floral liner, and also being that brown is such a prominent color around the home property.

They opted for a small wedding party, with Melissa’s two brothers serving as her “bridesmen” and Dave’s brother as his best man. Their ceremony was officiated by their law school classmate and mutual friend Nick, in an intimate garden on the property enclosed by trees and hedges. Melissa and Dave read their vows to each other underneath a birch wood chuppah designed by Sweet Root Village featuring a lush, asymmetrical cascade of flowers.

We utilized the home’s entire back yard for cocktail hour, spacing out the bars, cocktail tables and food stations throughout the patio and pool areas (made complete by floating pool flowers!). Apple Cider Margaritas were served as the signature cocktail, which was perfect for a chilly fall evening. Guests were encouraged to “make themselves at home” finding their seating assignments displayed in little wooden house cardholders with calligraphy by Stephanie B Design.

Incorporating home accents into the table scapes was a fun way to create a residential atmosphere inside the reception tent. We added a bump-out section to serve as an extra room, which featured a stylish lounge vignette and a statement chevron bar with a custom neon sign attached to the bar backdrop.

Three giant, magical wreaths of greenery were installed by Sweet Root Village across the top of the clear-top tent. We mixed farm tables with traditional rounds, compote centerpieces with collection styles, and varied marble and glass base plates to keep the design interesting and fun, while still maintaining a cohesive look.

Melissa and Dave shared their first dance to “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young, and later in the night Nation performed an epic cover of “Satisfied” from Hamilton for their cutting of the cake!

Here’s What a Wedding in the Largest Sand Desert in the World Looks like

A soft, neutral palette, modern decor and the largest sand desert in the world – this stunning wedding inspiration blends the old world with new, modern aesthetics and the results couldn’t be more breathtaking. From the bride’s sleek, contemporary wedding gown to a crescent-shaped arbor made entirely of pampas grass by Flourish Flowers to the vast sandy scenery… check out the full gallery of details captured by Maria Sundin Photography to see it all!

From Maria Sundin Photography… Bringing together the old and the new, our aim was to capture the spirit of Arabia in a modern take. Collaborating with the beautiful desert resort wedding venue Qasr al Sarab, in the very heart of the Empty Quarter, the largest sand desert in the world, we brought together raw industrial and modern aesthetics with old cultural and traditional elements of the Arabian Peninsula.

When we came across the beautiful desert resort of Qasr al Sarab, which rises as a sand castle in the infinite Rub’ al Khali Desert, we knew that we had to create something special here. The buildings adorned with towers that represent old architecture and wind towers, the old urns, and a collection of authentic antiques from past days makes this a very unique place. Drawing on traditional elements such as clay pots, della’s (Arabic brass coffee pots), leather poufs with beautiful detailing and combining this with dry flowers bound to give a sense of wilderness fit well with the mysticism and heritage of this exceptional place.

“We drew inspiration from regional history and decided to use the crescent moon, a symbol essential to the region for thousands of years, and combined the moon with pampas grass and dry palm leaves, both locally significant as it’s part of the only vegetation that grows naturally in this region”, says the styling team from The Purple Chair. While in keeping with today’s modern brides, The Purple Chair brought in a modern twist with a black industrial wire backdrop, dinner tables with wire legs and a rattan lounge seating to give a 21st century eclectic feel that’s becoming popular in the region. Mustard, wheat and natural tones with a highlight of white, black and brass were used throughout to bring a subtle blend with a modern edge. Stationery artist Robyn from Feather Paper used handmade paper in wheat tones with mustard highlights and gold calligraphy to really draw out those desert hues. Flourish Flowers mixed the soft yellow colours with dry florals and palm leaves which were offset with white roses and ranunculus to create wild and local inspired arrangements. The Bo & Luca dresses in in silk chiffon and silk satin with cuff beading from Ginger & Poppy gave a feminine luxurious touch to a gown that fit well with the fresh desert vibe.

“I always love to blend cultural aspects with a modern vibe and I loved to see how the ideas of bridging this gap came together on the day. I’m naturally drawn to a neutral palette which I think works so great on film stocks like the Fuji400h”, says photographer Maria Sundin. “My personal hope with this editorial inspiration is to show off the beauty of this region that I’m so passionate about and show brides that you can have the best of two worlds if you choose to have a wedding in this endless and mystical desert of the Empty Quarter”.

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When Wedding Royalty Combine Their Talents for an Exclusive Workshop – the Results Are MAGIC

To be surrounded by blooms, talent and a beautiful community of fellow floral lovers for two whole days… now doesn’t that like a dream? It surely is when you’re learning from Kiana Underwood of Tulipina and Anthea Studio for a workshop like no other. Complete with an editorial shoot and two stunning Ines Di Santo dresses and a farewell dinner for the books—the entire event was all captured by Jose Villa, allowing us to experience it, too (sans the heavenly smell of blooms).

Anthea Studio held this spring the most emotional workshop in Rome with Kiana Underwood, Tulipina and the world-renowned wedding photographer Jose Villa. Anthea Studio is a team composed by three young and dynamic Italian floral designers, their vision is fresh, contemporary, dynamic and creative.

They work on destination weddings and luxury events throughout Italy. Provided with a strong technique learned in years of study and work, they aspire to melting different arts together, driven by a lot of passion and curiosity. 22 students and passionates of flower design came from all over the world to attend the workshop with Kiana. Two days surrounded by flowers and beauty, at Antico Borgo di Sutri, a location in the countryside around Rome.

The first day Kiana made two of her iconic arrangements: in the morning, one small centerpiece using pin frog and in the afternoon one bigger, on large scale. All the students that attended the workshop made amazing arrangements with Kiana supervision and had the privilege to get their works photographed by Jose Villa. At the end of the first day Anthea Studio held a welcome dinner: a dream in light blue and pink colors, an heavenly atmosphere, created by the three Italian floral designers.

On the second day Kiana held a lesson about hand-tied garden style bridal bouquet. Then the best part of the workshop: working on an editorial photo shoot with the model Anastasia Arteyeva and the photographer Jose Villa. She wore two dreamy dresses made by the talented Ines di Santo, for two different photo shoots. At the end of the second day, the farewell dinner on a long table decorated with all the arrangements made by the attendees during the workshop and a cloud of bunches and flowers on the ceiling created by Anthea Studio.

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Photography

Jose Villa Photography

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Petit Bouquet

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Wedding Dresses

Ines Di Santo

Fall/Winter 2015

Spring/Summer 2016

Fall/Winter 2016

Spring/Summer 2017

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This Couple Found a U.S. Wedding Venue That Looks Just Like the French Countryside and It’s Game Changing

If you’re on the hunt for a U.S. destination that emulates the French Countryside, look no further my friends. With it’s rustic, old-world walls covered in climbing ivy and sprawling farmland views, Goodstone Inn is absolutely full of charm and happens to be where Ida Rose Events, Cape May Flower & Co. and Emily Blumberg chose to see out their latest wedding editorial. It showcases the beauty of fall and winter, proving that the east coast boasts some pretty incredible gems when it comes to cold weather weddings. Step inside the full collection of inspiration here in the gallery when you’re done below!

We came up with this shoot hoping to showcase the beauty that is Virginia even in the dead of winter. We wanted to create a romantic versatile wedding, something that is more on the fall side but could also work throughout the whole year. We loved the idea of tying in yellows, oranges and light pinks at this historic mansion nestled into the countryside of Virginia.

We really wanted to play off the unique elements at this venue, from the ornate doors, open fields and lots of greenery, sort of a French countryside. We used details that went along with the venue, such as the brides Gucci shoes which we felt really matched the whole feel of this space, long stem candles for the table scape and touches of gold to add romance.

Also, we wanted to include a touch of modern, we did this by incorporating a more sleek bridal gown from Alexandra Grecco, not having calligraphy fonts on the paper goods, but something that had more lines and a bold font, and the ghost chairs used for the ceremony and reception.

One of my personal elements from this shoot was the monochromatic cake with it’s silk bow, I absolutely loved the simplicity and it’s femininity. Sweets by E did such a beautiful job creating this beautiful cake.

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Wedding Dresses

BHLDN

Bridal 2016

Bridal 2019

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A Newport Beach Abode That’ll Make You Want To Move To California

I’m pretty sure, no, make that 100% positive that this is my dream home. I fully stalked it on Blackband Design‘s Instagram account, as I do with all of their work. I looove that this abode has Cape Cod style on California time—a perfect blending of east and west coast beach vibes if you ask me. Graystone Custom Builders created a gorgeous blank canvas and Blackband Design layered on the love. See the full tour captured by Tessa Neustadt in The Vault!

From Blackband Design… Tucked away in the prestigious neighborhood of Bayshores in Newport Beach, this light filled home offers a nod to traditional Cape Cod living with a West Coast spin. While designing this home for our clients we wanted to keep it rustic yet elegant, and classic yet current. We opted for crisp whites and subtle shades of blue throughout the home to give it a coastal vibe.

Our objective was to create a home that is beautiful, casual and comfortable. Our goal was to create a chic yet livable environment by intergrating light and dark finishes with pops of color along with neutral tones.

For our Project Bayshores, the homeowner was already contracted with Graystone Custom Builders to do the home design, material specification and build. The homeowner hired Blackband Design four months prior to completion to do the space planning, furnishings and window coverings. Graystone did an amazing job with the details of the home, from exposed wood beams to painted white brick and reclaimed wood accent walls, we had the perfect blank slate that designers dream of!

The goal for the master bedroom was to create a relaxing retreat with a coastal bohemian vibe. With such tall ceilings and rustic wood beams, we thought this room called for a canopy bed. We thought a canopy bed would look great in this room with the tall ceilings and exposed wooden beams. We brought in a pair of larger nightstands to flank the bed. Graystone designed a beautiful fireplace surrounded in painted white brick. We wanted to create a small scale seating area in front of the fireplace to complete the room. We kept the bedding neutral and brought in color through the decorative pillows, drapery, and window seat.

The bunk room was nearly completed when we were brought on the job and we couldn’t have planned it better ourselves! Graystone truly outdid themselves with the design and build of this room, creating an inviting space for the clients future grandchildren to enjoy. The client wanted the room to have a 60s surf vibe, while making sure the design of the room wasn’t gender specific. We brought in soft shades of blue, gray, and a pop of orange for color. Our clients already owned the vintage surfboard and Graystone built the fun lifeguard chair which finished off the room while maintaining the surfer vibe!

Almost every piece in this home was custom made for the space by Blackband Design. If there are any specific pieces you are interested in please let me know and I can see if it was a custom piece or if it was done through one of our vendors.

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13 Bedrooms That Will Make You Want to Redecorate

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Photography: Tessa Neustadt | Builders: Graystone Custom Builders | Interior Design: Blackband Design

It’s Time To Celebrate COLOR with La Tavola’s 2019 Linen Collection

When it comes to your wedding colors, it’s one of the first things you think about when you start planning the details of your big day! Flowers and bridesmaid dresses, but too often we forget about adding a bit of color into the tables, specifically linens. Well…it’s time to bring some color into our lives and La Tavola is here to do so with their new Fall/Winter 2019 line! From pinks to blues and every hue in between, they are feeding us some serious inspiration! Now brides, do the right thing and use some of these beauties so we can see even more!

Check out the full gallery here and take a look below to hear how this year’s line and this shoot came to life!

From La Tavola…Countless academic studies have been done on the impact that colors have on your brain, and subsequently your mood. While the nitty-gritty may vary from researcher to researcher, the consensus is that COLOR IS IMPORTANT. The color of your workspace can impact productivity, the color of a candy wrapper might make you eat it quicker, and your shade of lipstick can give you just the confidence boost you needed to nail that job interview. Imagine what a bright burst of color can do to a party!

Ten years ago, as we were emerging from the recession, we saw a kind of aesthetic of austerity that, while we can thank for the birth of Millennial Pink, didn’t give us much excitement in the way of palette and design. Gray was welcomed with open arms into the pantheon of accepted neutrals. Budgets and bashes were a bit more subdued as minimalism dominated visual culture.

When it came time to design our 2019 collection, we wanted to not only celebrate color by shaking off the dust, but we wanted to shout it from the rooftops. The success of our 2017 richly hued, jewel-toned velvet line helped us realize that the wedding world was ready to have a little fun again. While classic neutrals (white, ivories, blush) will be a timeless nuptial palette, we urge today’s couples to let color sing loudly during their celebrations.

Paul Gauguin said “Color! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams.” And why not speak the language of dreams on the day of your dreams?

About the Shoot…With this collection and styled shoot, we really wanted to celebrate colors and how they relate to one another. Some of our favorite event designs over the years have used unexpected combinations of our La Tavola linens, ones we had never considered combining. We wanted to create the same experience that we had; “Wow – that works together!”

Our team loved using one space for all fifteen linens to show how different colors and patterns can play off one another to create even more visual interest. Each table was projecting its own distinct feel, meanwhile – however subliminally – it was also visually influenced by the other tables in its vicinity.

From bright and bold to more subdued and romantic, there is a colorful print for every kind of event and couple. Our collection came together like a rainbow of personalities. We have a block print inspired Tucker that contrasts pattern-layered Dylan, mod color-blocked Luca and art deco Alhambra style tiles with Freya that give a nod to that Art History textbook, and romantic relief Mackenna brings in some floral femininity.

Tips from La Tavola…

· Bold colors and patterns can seem daunting, but with linens, these high-impact design elements become one of the easiest ways to elevate the look of your event. Linens are the canvas for the rest of your table design and a bright color or playful pattern can help bring that touch of whimsy, romance, mod or boho style to your table and the feel of your overall event.

· Given the importance of a color over the influence of event design, layering exciting hues with even more exciting prints can add a much needed dynamic to your wedding.

· If you’re hesitant to use bright or bold colors, try picking one color or introducing a touch of pattern by using patterned tablecloths during your cocktail hour or on the linens on the tertiary event tables such as cake table, gift table, and escort card table.

· For novice color or pattern users, we would suggest Mackenna Rose or Dylan Smoke. If you love pattern and color but want something slightly understated, try Freya Goldenrod or Saffron. Have your Ph.D. in colors that WOW? Luca or Tucker are you go-to linens from this collection.

· Most rental companies offer mock-up or samples. If you’re hesitant on how the colors will play with other design elements, take the time to do a practice run – you might just be surprised at how well colors go together.

· For just a hint of pattern play – start with a smaller square footage – many of our linens are available in runners and napkins as well.

A Jaw-dropping Gilded Floating Cake Your Guests Will NEVER Forget

If you’re ever lucky enough to visit the beautiful grounds of Villa Cimbrone tucked away high in the hills of Ravello, you will be consumed by mesmerizing views, enchanting gardens and awe-inspiring sculptures. If you ask us – it’s one of the most romantic places in the world to exchange vows. Allow this gorgeous shoot planned by Lily of the Valley with floral design from Armando Malafronte to inspire and charm its way into your heart. Oh, and don’t miss out on the full gallery captured by Anna Roussos and Thanos Asfis – every image is AMAZING.

From Anna Roussos… Tying the knot in the spectacular crypt of Villa Cimbrone, an 11th century residence in the medieval town of Ravello? Having an intimate dinner at the Terraza Dell’Infinito or Terrace of Infinity overlooking the breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast? Stealing kisses from the love of your life while getting lost in ancient lush gardens? We say YES! Inspired by the beauty and rich history of southern Italy, our creative team dreamt up this romantic editorial shoot as an homage to Italian splendor and old world charm.

Villa Cimbrone provided the perfect backdrop, a dream wedding location for the ones who seek to be surrounded by high aesthetics blended with tranquility and romance. Perched high atop a cliff with a dramatic sight of the Mediterranean and the coastline, the beautiful estate is the crown laurel of Ravello. The intimate ceremony took place under the vaulted arches of the crypt overflowing with lush foliage and floral blooms that evoked the feeling of a magical garden. Styled with a hanging crystal chandelier and scattered vintage gold candelabras, the ceremony was an incredible sight to see. The dinner table set on the Terrace on Infinity was draped in green velvet and adorned with candelabras creating an opulent setting for the couple.

Lavish tableware with gold cutlery and forged glasses highlighted by blush Florentine charger plates were reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance prosperity era. Hues of dusty rose, blush and cream punctuated the floral centerpiece completing the ethereal feel and timeless elegance of the intimate reception. Velvet accents were abundant throughout the editorial complementing the vintage-inspired styling. This sumptuous material was featured in the groom’s costume, ribbons, tablecloths, vow booklets, ring boxes and served as a backdrop for the flat lays. Antique styling goods: a mirror, brush, frames, vintage stamps and other heirloom accessories were used to showcase the stationery and bridal details. The invitation suite was created from handmade cotton paper with deckled edges infused with dried flowers.

The flowing calligraphy on the envelope and the wax seal further added to the romantic and classic touch of the paper goods. The heavenly floating cake appeared as if it was suspended in time and space with intricate golden leaves swirling around the different tiers. It was displayed on deep pink velvet embellished by a loose organic floral arrangement. A whimsical vision crafted in layers of pastel green and pink tulle, the bride’s gown captured the fairytale essence with floral appliqués details and exquisite beading across its delicate silhouette which was accented by a velvet rose ribbon belt.

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This 400-Person Nigerian Wedding in Athens Officially Wins the Award for Best Dressed Guests

Exquisite style, luxurious details and one of the best-dressed group of wedding guests I’ve come across, all makeup today’s Nigerian wedding at Island Art and Taste on the Athens Riviera. Did I mention there were 400 wedding guests?! This large group traveled from all over the world to join the bride and groom as they said their ‘I Do’s’ in front of their 14 bridesmaids and 14 groomsmen. The 12 Events along with Sandy and Odysseas Photography worked together to create the wedding of a lifetime and the everlasting photos to replay every moment over and over again. Get lost in the array of florals and delicate desserts and don’t miss the full gallery for more wedding guest attire!

From Sandy and Odysseas Photography…When Oscar Ibru’s son Ebruba is tying the knot with an absolutely elegant Nigerian beauty like Ibiyiinka you can only expect this Nigerian luxury wedding on Athens Riviera to be nothing sort of dashing! And if there is anyone who knows utter style and sophistication on a wedding day, then let us say that Nigeria does it the best! Exquisite style is what we have been dreaming of pretty much every hour of the day, and if you can’t have enough of milky whites and all-encompassing shine then this totally glam Nigerian wedding on Island Art & Taste Residence designed and styled by The 12 Events is your go to! Ibiyiinka and Ebruba came all the way from Lagos to exchange their I Do’s in Athens and to join them on this incredible journey came four hundred super-stylish friends and kin from London and the U. S.

Their big day began early in a swirl of preparations on their hotel suites while The 12 Events staged an absolutely lush ceremony on the incredible grounds of Ble Azure, a verdant peninsula that takes wedding magic to a whole new level. A sweep of mirror installations white blooms and greenery was placed before an optic-white ceremonial arch, overflowing with white florals and turned into a beautiful garden-inspired backdrop. In lieu of pews white infinity chairs- an absolute must for an ultra chic celebration- were amphitheatrically placed to engulf the couple’s pasty aisle. If you haven’t attended a Nigerian wedding then you certainly are remiss; soon this open-air venue was teeming with superb wedding guest fashion -think off-this-world headpieces and haute couture for days. The perfect accessory for this uber-hot day? An array of white wooden parasols! As the couple’s piano soloist tuned to the sweetest wedding music Ibiyiinka and Ebruba’s 14 maids of honor and groomsmen lead the way for the ravishing bride’s walk down the aisle to her groom. Nothing spells classic style more than all-enveloping whites and this bride and groom’s decor came straight out of a dream (and enough to have you think twice about going overboard with your wedding color palette).

Need more inspiration? Take it from our gorgeous bride…

Our wedding day was absolutely perfect! We chose Greece and specifically Athens because we found the venue perfect for what we wanted and that was where it was located! We wanted a luxury modern wedding with a lot of white and greens and we worked with the event planners to make sure we got exactly that. We wanted to give our guests a Greek experience seeing as the majority of them had come all the way from Nigeria, so at the welcome dinner we had breaking of plates incorporated with traditional Greek dancing and everyone loved it! For the theme and decoration, we wanted a very modern look with a lot of white and glass and we got exactly what we wanted and more. Flowers were a huge part of our wedding and were essentially part of every element of the wedding!! Mainly white flowers were used with different flower types and compositions.

For my dress, I know my sense of style really well and tend to favor more fitted outfits so picking a mermaid style dress was a no brainer. I worked with Nigerian designer Andrea Iyamah and she designed me the beautiful dress I wore on the day. My husband went with his friend to Daville row where they interviewed the finest suit makers in London and they settled for a suit that was made for the princes!

Muted Color Schemes Are About to Be Summer 2019’s Hottest Wedding Trend

What happens when you take an epic list of vendors and put them together for a day, styled and planned by Westcott Weddings? You get this elegant and romantic workshop held by The Editorial Series and Jenna McElroy! Focusing on the space, The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria, Westcott Weddings produced the ultimate photography workshop with every detail imagined from floral installations by Clementine Botanical Art to flawless attire by Serendipity Bridal and The Black Tux. Take a peek below and see how a great team can create a day of old-world elegance mixed with modern design for the picture perfect workshop!

From Westcott Weddings…The Editorial Series is a one-day photography workshop for film and digital photographers. For the first in the series, Jenna McElroy chose the always-beautiful grounds at Laguna Gloria as the backdrop. Photographers gathered in the late afternoon, and Jenna walked them through each of the styled vignettes before giving each the opportunity to capture the spaces through their own lenses. The museum grounds at Laguna Gloria are immaculately curated and lend themselves well to the romantic, European-inspired editorial that Jenna envisioned.

We decided on a color palette of warm, muted summer tones and worked to balance the old world elegance of the grounds with more modern touches. Christin with Clementine Botanical Art designed a wispy, romantic floral installation on the stone steps (often overlooked at real weddings and such a gorgeous spot!), and I love the way our bride and groom were able to nestle right into it for photographs.

Nicolette with Isidore & Augustine designed all of the paper products, and upon seeing them, we were instantly in love with the way the soft floral drawings played against the layers of color and more modern typeface she selected. She was able to beautifully capture the whole essence of the shoot in that gorgeous invitation suite.

Michelle Boyd painted a custom canvas for the workshop, which was used as a backdrop for styling the suite and added romantic texture (which no one does better than her!) to the shot. We kept the table design fairly simple, using Loot’s pieces and La Tavola linens to create a luxe, refined table that felt right at home on the museum grounds. Florals, paper goods, and (delicious!) appetizers and desserts (thanks to Jessica Scott and Candace from Simply Delicious Custom Cakes, respectively) added touches of color and life to the vignette. Candace also created a stunning three-tier cake. Christin complemented the pink architectural details Candace designed with fluffy blooms to achieve that same modern, romantic aesthetic.

We worked with Brigitte at Serendipity Bridal to select an intricate lace dress for our bride from Chic Nostalgia and The Black Tux to outfit our groom. Makenzi Laine styled each of them to perfection, and accessories from L. Priori Jewelry and Bella Belle Shoes completed the look. We’re so thankful for the team that came together to bring this vision to life, and we’re looking forward to the next in the series.

When Their Last Name Is Flowers, You Better Believe They Were Gorgeous!

When your last name happens to be Flowers, a garden-style wedding loaded with blooms only seems fitting, right? Lauren & Stephen’s celebration was a nod to their namesake, bursting with petals and a subtle rustic-romantic vibe at Hickory Street Annex in Dallas. They called on Ivory and Vine Event Co and Venus and Co Flowers to surround their day in beauty and it’s all for the inspirational taking, thanks to Stephanie Brazzle‘s captures below.

From Ivory and Vine Event Co… The planning process with Lauren & Stephen was all that it should be – fun, seamless, and focused on the love that these two share with one another. Any decision we made came back to the careful consideration of whether or not it was an accurate representation of the couple’s personality and style, which culminated into a carefully curated wedding day, full of personal touches and gorgeous details at every turn. We started with the idea of juxtaposing the industrial aesthetic of their ceremony & reception venue, Hickory Street Annex, with the couple’s new, shared last name “Flowers.” This created a gorgeous garden atmosphere for Lauren & Stephen’s guests, as they enjoyed the comforts of an intimate setting as rain lightly ran down the window panes that Saturday.

We selected a color palette of lavender, blush, and hints of deeper colors to give the wedding depth and excitement. Our florist, Venus & Co., selected wild spring blooms to bring a French garden aesthetic into our design. The ceremony was set to evoke an intimate feeling, with guests arranged in a semi-circle, looking on at Lauren & Stephen surrounded by tall, garden inspired arrangements, and floral centerpieces adorning the aisle.

After the ceremony, guests dined on passed appetizers and signature cocktails while we transformed the space upstairs. Lush velvet textured linens, patterned chargers, hand-torn place cards and gold rimmed glassware adorned the table, along with the soft glow of candlelight as guests dined on home-style barbeque, a favorite cuisine of the couple. The couple and their guests danced the night away under string lights, and walked through a confetti tunnel at the end of the evening, into their new life together.

This Cookie Cutter Home Is Anything But Basic

Good home design comes in many forms – especially in this day and age. Whether your home is grand, your apartment is small, or you only have one room to work with; good design is good design! Today we are showing you just that when we visit this track home remodel, designed by Madison Nicole Designs and captured by Lindsey Drewes Photography. “The goal was to turn a very cookie-cutter home into something more unique, that actually had character, and I think it was quite successful!” Take a look to see how a this formally cookie cutter home was transformed!

The home was part of a new community in Riverpark, in Oxnard, CA. The house was new construction, but purchased with standard options and no upgrades (like finishes and materials) pro-tip these are typically overpriced. So, this meant a lot of decisions made in the build out of the house couldn’t be altered.

LIVING ROOM

The original living room space had double heigh ceilings. This allowed us to add an additional level for a family room upstairs. The lower level served as the ‘traditional’ living room and we added new hard wood floors and tile. We also updated the finishes with some bold lighting and hardware.

KITCHEN / DINING ROOM

The kitchen and dining room open up to the living room, so we continued with the same feel when it came to hardware and finishes. The addition of a great sectional rug under the dining room table helps make the area feel more separate in the open space.

FAMILY ROOM / LOFT

The addition of the second level really changed the dynamic of the home. Many track home or community builds have the solid half-wall along the stairs. By removing this and adding in an open railing along the stairs it really opened up the space.

Photographer: Lindsey Drewes | Interior Designer: Madison Nicole

The Ultimate Itinerary for a Memorable Destination Wedding Weekend

A few action items I immediately added to my bucket list after seeing this fete from my dear friend Rebecca Yale… try a Croquembouche, see a France sunset and experience the beauty of Dordogne. Rebecca’s imagery will truly make you feel as if you are there, experiencing every bit along with this darling duo for their multi-day event. And you may just want to add a few things to your wedding wish list after perusing the full gallery.

From Rebecca Yale Photography… Claire and Adam’s wedding in Dordogne was extra special to me because not only was it an amazing week of events at a chateau in France, but Claire also happens to be one of my best friends for 15+ years. I even got to flex my design muscles a little bit and designed the invitation and menu, with the help of some of my amazingly talented stationer friends including Ciarra Claire who made the custom sketch of the venue, Karla Lim of Written Word Calligraphy who made the font for the calligraphy and Valentina Glidden who hand calligraphed all the envelopes and day of paper goods.

The Dordogne region is straight out of a fairytale and many of the little towns feel untouched by the last few hundred years and you walk the streets like you’re walking back into time. The wedding was a a multi-day affair, kicking off with a welcome dinner of pizza and wine at the fairytale like chateau where all 45 of the wedding guests stayed. The next day, which was July 4th, was spent lounging by the pool followed by a rehearsal dinner at a lovely hotel in a nearby town, which was nearly derailed by a crazy hail storm! The wedding day started off bright and sunny, which made for a lovely morning of getting ready followed by a romantic first look in a grove of trees next to the chateau.

One of my favorite moments of the day was during the ceremony when it started to drizzle, Adam ran for an umbrella and held it during their vows to keep them dry—a true gentleman! The rain cleared for about 15 minutes, enough time for us to take a few post ceremony family portraits, but then it came back and this time as a torrential downpour! Guests all took cover in the chateau’s grand living room while the band played and it felt straight out of Downton Abbey. A three course dinner was enjoyed in the chateau’s stable under string lights followed by a second live band to dance the night away to.

Summer sunsets in France are late in the evening so we stole away for a few minutes to take some of my all time favorite golden hour portraits of Claire and Adam in the fields next to the chateau followed by sparklers on their Croquembouche, a traditional French dessert. Guests ended the night in the disco, dancing as a DJ spun into the wee hours of the morning. The next day everyone enjoyed a late sleep in followed by an organic wine tasting with local wines from the region.

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A Castle, a Secret Garden and a Ballgown for Days = the Recipe for a True Fairytale Wedding

Set at Castello Di Vincigliata, today’s fete is truly like something out of a fairytale… a breathtaking Italian fairytale. The Bride fits the part and resembles a Disney princess in her April by Kunbi dress, while the Groom donned classic navy. Zainab and Tom said their I dos amongst perfected landscaped grounds and beautifully aged walls—all of which The Wedding Tale captured in great detail. See it all unfold below and in the full gallery!

From The Wedding Tale… We are so honoured to share this magnificent wedding with you, one of our all time favourites. It was at the glorious Vincigliata Castle, an amazing venue in Tuscany. We loved this place so bright and full of positive vibes! Zainab and Tom chose a beautiful castle in Tuscany for their perfect wedding day in Italy. Castello di Vincigliata is one of the most romantic & beautiful venue in Italy, plunged among the rolling Tuscan hills.   

Zainab and Tom got ready in the superb rooms of the castle, smiling the whole time. They was so excited! Her dress was like something out of Disney’s fairytale. It was simply divine with a long train, like a real princess!   They decided to celebrate their amazing ceremony on the breathtaking balcony with a stupendous view of Florence. It was a very emotional moment!

After the ceremony, Zainab and Tom moved to the courtyard for a champagne reception with their families. After a little toast we spent some time away to take some portraits of them in the secret garden of the castle. We can’t tell you how much we loved this part! A place so intimate and magical, with incredible stone arches!

After that, Zainab and Tom moved straight into the reception, a romantic banquet with candles and flower all arounds. Every details were timeless, beautiful, and chosen very intentionally!  They enjoyed the dinner with their friends, with crazy games, so pleasant atmosphere!  The wedding party continued all night long with romantic dances and wonderful traditional rituals, we were simply enchanted! 

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The Ultimate Vendor Tipping Guide

When it comes to tipping your wedding vendors, you might be wondering who to tip, how much to tip, or what alternatives for tipping there are if your budget is tight. To make it simple and easy for you, here is the ultimate vendor tipping guide with vendors organized by 1) typically tipped, 2) occasionally tipped, and 3) rarely tipped.

Typically Tipped

I say “typically tipped” rather than “required to tip” as unless it’s required in your contract, you technically aren’t required to tip anybody. Ultimately, tip the vendors you think went above and beyond in providing you with great service and a wonderful experience. Within this category are the vendors that are almost always given gratuity for weddings and should probably be first on your list to tip.

Catering Staff (Note: Tips could be included in the contract, so be sure to check)
Delivery and Setup Workers
Hair and Makeup Team (Note: Unless it’s the owner of the business)
Transportation Drivers (Note: This includes valet attendants)

Occasionally Tipped

These are the vendors that don’t usually appear on “must tip” lists, though can definitely be tipped if you feel they did an amazing job. Some of these vendors, like your planner and photographer, are spending several hours with you before and during the wedding day, so it’s a great gesture to give them a little extra for their hard work!

Dessert Baker
Florist
Musicians: Band or DJ (Note: This category is more of an in-between for typically and occasionally tipped, so use your best judgment)
Officiant (Note: Church-affiliated officiants often only accept church donations)
Photographer/Videographer (Note: You can also give separate tips for assistants)
Planner (Note: You can also give separate tips for assistants)
Custom Invitation Designers and Calligraphers

Rarely Tipped

Some vendors just wouldn’t make much sense to tip and these are the categories that fall into that realm. Of course, if you’d like to tip them, feel free to do so!

Gown Boutique/Tuxedo Shop
Lighting Companies (Apart from delivery and setup team)
Rental Companies (Apart from delivery and setup team)
Tailors for Wedding Attire

How Much to Tip

If you search on the internet, you’ll find wide ranges of tip amounts listed for each vendor category. With so many varying dollar and percentage amounts, it can be hard to determine what’s right for you. Everybody’s budget and wedding logistics vary greatly, so don’t be too stressed about hitting a specific number you found online.

I encourage simply creating a line item on your budget for tips. Think about how much you are comfortable tipping your vendors collectively. Maybe that’s $500 or perhaps it’s $2,000. Take your number and divide it up among the vendors you’ve chosen to tip. Prioritize vendors from the “typically tipped” category and then those from the “occasionally tipped” category that you have selected to tip.

Vendors should always be appreciative of tips, so don’t be worried about your tip being too low. If in doubt, you can always ask your wedding planner (if you hired one) for their advice on your specific situation.

Tipping Alternatives

If you don’t have the budget to tip or simply don’t feel inclined to tip a vendor but still want to show your appreciation, here are a few tipping alternatives:

Refer them to other brides – By sending your vendors future clients, they’ll know you were delighted with their services and will also appreciate you supporting their business. Small business referrals have such an impact on a vendor’s success within the wedding industry.
Review them – Review your vendors on sites like Yelp, Google, The Knot, and WeddingWire to help future couples understand their value. You can simply write one review and then copy and paste it to the other sites. Each vendor should take you about 5 minutes to review on all four of those sites above. It’s a small time investment in their business that is greatly appreciated!
Write a Thank You Note – If you felt like a vendor went above and beyond for your wedding day, send them a handwritten thank you note expressing your appreciation. Everybody loves mail and I know I gush over thank you notes from my brides!

Cavin Elizabeth is a wedding film photographer based in San Diego, California. Her wedding work has taken her all over the United States and abroad. In addition to being a photographer, Cavin is an educator and an avid blogger of wedding planning tips for brides and grooms. She authored the book A Bride’s Guide to a Picture Perfect Wedding, which teaches couples how to make wedding plans that are best for photography.

Photography: Cavin Elizabeth Photography

How to Pull Off the Tiny Destination Wedding of Your Dreams

“The people are passionate; the love is wild; and the scenery leaves you breathless.” Lisa Fantino’s words about the Amalfi Coast couldn’t be more true – and this gorgeous affair at Belmond Hotel Caruso planned by Amorology proves just that. Although the ceremony views are incredible, it’s hard not to stare at the innovative design by Siloh Floral… blooming lily pad-like seating and an arbor covered in vibrant blooms. We are forever indebted to Rebecca Yale Photography for capturing these gorgeous photos of the day that allow us to live vicariously!

From Rebecca Yale Photography… Jessica and Baptiste opted for an intimate wedding on the Amalfi Coast, celebrating just with their parents. Since the wedding celebration was so intimate with just their families, Amorology was able to create a very unique invitation and Save the Date with the help of Lovely Paper Things. The Save the Date was a bottle of Olive Oil wrapped in a linen cloth patterned with oranges and lemons which are known to being prominent to the region and the Belmond’s property. The groom’s father is a rancher so she incorporated a special nod to him in the invitations and menus having them printed and debossed, like a cattle brand, on suede. A wicker like liner was created to match the wicker used at the dining table chairs for the wedding dinner. The bride and groom had custom matching passport holders made up for the trip with their new married initials and decided to have a pre-honeymoon and travel for a week through Italy before the wedding.

They found their wedding bands in a little town on the Amalfi Coast, which made them even more special to the trip. Siloh Floral built a large lush arch on the lawn of the Belmond, with the gorgeous cliffs and bright blue Amalfi Ocean behind them. Instead of traditional chair seating, Amorology designed 3 pods for each couple to sit on, which were covered in an abundance of florals to make them appear as if they were growing out of the ground. The bride added a gold veil as a special touch for the ceremony.

Traditional Italian musicians serenaded the couple during the family portraits before the ceremony and then sung Valore as she came down the aisle. Both Jessica’s mother and step-mother played the maid of honor role straightening her veil and dress and her father played the best man role, handing off the rings to Baptiste during the ceremony.

After the bride and groom recessed all of the parents took turns hugging each other as the bride and groom made their way to a lemon orchard and then up to the famous Belmond infinity pool for a few portraits. Amorology created a beautiful lounge space for cocktail hour with accents of pink, orange, yellow and teal. Everyone’s favorite detail by far was the vintage gelato cart, which they all enjoyed as a pre-dinner snack served either in a cone or vintage espresso cup. The bride and groom shared their first dance during cocktail hour before making their way to their seats in the a stunning table for 8 Amorology created under the olive grove with hanging lanterns and oranges and lemons foraged from the property on the table mixed in with the lush floral arrangements. Little glass cloches personalized with their names served as their place cards and were filled with lemons. Leather menus again debossed sat upon each place setting.

They dined on a gourmet meal with wine pairings in the grove while a black cat kept making appearances, which made the bride very happy as she wasn’t able to bring her cat or dog with her to the wedding. There are hundreds of stray cats in Ravello and she made sure to say hi to every one of them and loved having one under her chair for most of dinner. The bride and groom were excited by the large cake for just the 8 of them, but then couldn’t stop laughing when they tried to cut into it and realized the hotel had made a cake that was primarily for show made of styrofoam and they could only cut into the top tier. The bride and groom ended the evening by making their way to the hotel bar for a glass of whisky and a dance by the piano singer in the hotel bar.