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

Will You Accept this (Loaner) Ring?

Do you remember the Sex and The City episode where Carrie takes a peek at the small black box in Aiden’s gym bag, only to find an engagement ring she feels says he doesn’t know her at all?

Dana Fernandez Photography

That’s the kind of disappointment Abby Sparks, a Denver based jeweler, is trying to help couples avoid with her loaner ring program.

A post shared by Abby Sparks Jewelry (@abbysparksjewelry) on Mar 12, 2017 at 4:02pm PDT

For $500, she provides you with a cubic zirconia solitaire set in sterling silver to propose with. The fee acts as a down payment for a custom ring the couple designs as a pair. In addition to the substitute ring, the price also includes a ring box, small bottle of Prosecco, two champagne flutes, a box of champagne gummies and a card explaining the custom design process.

“Sometimes a proposal can’t wait the six to eight weeks it takes to create a custom engagement ring,” says Abby. “Can you propose without an engagement ring? Sure, but it’s not ideal engagement etiquette. The loaner ring acts as a placeholder engagement ring so that you get the fun of a unique proposal without settling for anything less than the ring of their dreams.”

Abby says the inspiration for the program came as a result of meeting with several clients who were stressed and struggling to pick the perfect ring. They had general guidance but not enough to feel completely confident with their decision. “Engagement rings are a lot of money!,” says Abby. “Naturally, they want to make sure they get it right.”

After the proposal, Abby says couples return within 30 days to begin the design process (but she’s flexible with timing). And don’t fret if you’re nowhere near Denver, Abby’s clients are as far-reaching as New York and Italy.

A post shared by Abby Sparks Jewelry (@abbysparksjewelry) on Aug 6, 2017 at 7:47pm PDT

If a couple loses or grows attached to the loaner ring, the $500 fee is split, and half ($250) goes towards covering its cost, the other half is applied to the cost of the final engagement ring.

The loaner ring is returned when the final sparkler is delivered. For those couples who fall in love with (or lose) their placeholder ring, they’re given the option of purchasing it for $250 and the other half goes to the final cost of the engagement ring (which starts at $5,000).

“Designing a custom ring might not be your thing, but you get points for knowing what your partner wants,” says Abby. “Let them design the ring while you pick up the tab. We are discreet and work with you to create the perfect ring with your budget in mind. You get the brownie points for a memorable proposal and they get their dream engagement ring.

I’m sure that’s something that even Carrie Bradshaw can get behind.

Ximena N. Larkin is a writer and publicist who lives in Chicago with her husband and dog. For more of what she writes about visit ximenabeltran.com.

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Fall Southern Wedding at a Pinehurst Private Estate

When it came to planning their special day, this couple had three key must-haves. “First, that the wedding takes place somewhere that had personal meaning. Second, that we create a unique experience from our imagination as opposed to a template. Third, that our family and friends feel cared for the entire time,” the bride said. With Erin McLean Events by their side, they accomplished exactly that with a private estate celebration in Pinehurst featuring Jenny Moloney behind the camera. Dive right in to watch this thoughtfully designed fête unfold!

From the bride.. For many brides and grooms, your wedding may be the first big thing that you create together. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to craft an experience that represents your collective personalities and values and celebrates your love.

That’s the perspective Ben and I had when planning our big day. It was a true partnership and we started with a blank slate. From the beginning, we defined a few key things that were important to us. First, that the wedding takes place somewhere that had personal meaning. Second, that we create a unique experience from our imagination as opposed to a template. Third, that our family and friends feel cared for the entire time – we wanted the space we created to feel like a big hug!

With these factors in mind, we decided to have the wedding at a family home in Pinehurst, North Carolina. It’s a special place that we started vacationing to early in our relationship and that we share with our families. Additionally, it offered a completely raw space that got our imaginations working!

We had the ceremony in the Village Chapel and the cocktail hour and reception at the family house – cocktail hour was a mix of indoors and outdoors and the reception was in a candlelit tent with soft, draping fabric. Our overall design approach was along the lines of ‘casual and warm, elegance.’ For all New Yorkers, think about the tavern at Gramercy Tavern and you’ll get the idea.

We strove to create a balance between formal and informal and did so through decisions like having a combination of round, table-clothed tables and long, farm tables with exposed wood. We also communicated the dress as black tie optional which may have appeared interesting to guests given the house is on a farm property!

Our favorite personal touches include: we wrote our own vows (do it! it’s an amazing process to write and deliver and we had them written in hand calligraphy and framed, afterwards); I turned my mom’s wedding dress into a top that I wore to the rehearsal dinner and also wore her veil for the ceremony; and we did a dessert bar with mudslides and s’mores (two of our favorite items).

Just a few pieces of advice for all brides and grooms: First, pay attention to the details as you’re planning and then forget about them the week-of. They really don’t matter when it comes to the big day.

Second, don’t discount how amazing it is to be bringing the most important people in your lives together. Connect with them, yourself, and connect them to one another. With our wedding being a destination, we planned events starting on Thursday, and by the reception came along on Saturday people were new friends and that made for a true party.

Third, plan out a few times throughout the evening to pause and soak it all in. For example, we built it into the ceremony, after I walked up to the altar, to turn around to face our guests and see all of them at once. We also took about 10 minutes to ourselves, after our ceremony exit, before we did photos, and we escaped for a bit after dinner and speeches to enjoy our first mudslide together. It’s true that everything moves quickly but by having these moments to observe, reflect and appreciate it all, you’ll come away feeling like you were present every step of the way.

Classic French Riviera Soiree at a Pink Wedding Venue

From the tux and lace to the perfectly round bouquet of roses, this French Riviera fete is classic in every way possible. But what I love most about it? It takes place at Villa Ephrussi De Rothschild, a.k.a. the prettiest PINK venue you ever did see, surrounded by gorgeous gardens and palms. Kind of makes you want to book it right now, huh? Well, you just might once you see the full day captured by Caught the Light.

From Caught the Light… It had long been a dream of mine to photograph a wedding at the magical Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on the French Riviera and this jaw-droppingly beautiful wedding did not disappoint! Planned to perfection by Lavender & Rose, whose work is always seamless, the bride and groom travelled from the north of England for their wedding celebrations. Opting for pretty opulence with their floral design by Wayne Riley Flowers, they chose to be wed under a luscious floral arch for their outdoor wedding in front of the Rothschild fountains.

For the Black Tie reception, the couple treated their guests to champagne, cocktails and canapés with views over St Jean Cap Ferrat during the Cote d’Azur’s famous Golden Hour, with serenades by the beautiful Lizzy Parks, followed by an acoustic set by The Phly Boyz who set the tone for the evening. The couple chose to decorate their tables with hand-designs by stationer Louise Richardson who incorporated elements from the inside of the villa to compliment their stationery suite. Gold-rimmed glassware, an abundance of flowers and pretty pastel hues adorned each table as the sun dipped low over the bay, with supper served just after sunset in front of the fantastic pink facade of the Villa Ephrussi.

Impeccable catering was provided by a Michelin-starred chef courtesy of Jardin des Chefs and more music and merriment was provided by The Phyl Boyz more riotous set. It was so much fun watching guests sing along as the top table swayed and both bride and groom sang along before we all settled down to some emotional and ultimately hilarious speeches!

The bride and groom took to the dance floor as husband and wife en terrasse before leading the party indoors for more live music and a brilliant dance floor set by the French Riviera’s finest event DJ, Thomas Dusseune. It could not have been a more dreamy wedding to photograph in such a unique setting with a couple so visibly in love!

The Long Sleeve Ballgown Our Editors Are Obsessing Over

With a serious love for classic style myself, I feel a bit like kindred spirits with this bride, Lauren. Planning around the concept of “timeless elegance,” Lauren and Jake designed a wedding that encompassed that notion to a T. Think a black and white palette, the traditional church ceremony, Frank Sinatra reception tunes, plus a long sleeve ballgown that ensured Lauren looked every bit the classic bride. Jake Anderson captured the entire affair on film photography and his images are just as timeless as the day itself.

From the bride, Lauren… Jordan and I met through a mutual friend. We had gone to high school together, but had never formally met. We dated for five years, mostly at a short distance while we were both in graduate school in different states (Wisconsin and Minnesota). The weekend of April 9, Jordan planned a getaway to my parent’s lake home in northern Wisconsin. His plans were almost crushed by a late spring blizzard, but with a little luck we made the hike to our favorite lake where Jordan proposed on one knee, and I of course said yes. We returned to the lake home, and to my surprise all our family and my best friend were waiting to celebrate, champagne in hand.

As we began the planning process, we wanted our wedding to feel classic and timeless. To achieve this, we chose a neutral color palate of ivory and white accented by the natural greenery that blooms during spring in Wisconsin. The ceremony was held at our church in downtown Madison, with the reception following at The Edgewater Hotel, located on the shore of beautiful Lake Mendota. Our wedding party was made up of both our families (7 brothers!) and we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Once we had a vision of our day, the details started to fall into place. After trying on a few dresses, I fell in love with a long sleeve Hayley Paige gown. It was the perfect combination of tulle and lace. The men in black tie tuxedos was an easy decision- a classic duo!

From a rose petal toss as we left the church to a 10-piece band singing Frank Sinatra, we worked hard to preserve our intention throughout the day. Sticking with our concept of timeless elegance, we chose to have our day captured in film, rather than digital photography. Our insanely talented photographer, Jake Anderson, provided us with photos that we will cherish forever. The grain and realness of the photos are something that cannot be beat. Looking back at the photos makes us feel all the feels, and for that we thank Jake!

We both agree that our favorite moment of the day was simply exchanging vows. We loved the band (North Coast Orchestra), the blooms (Garden Laurels), and the grand exit complete with ribbon wands (thanks, dad!). But at the end of the day saying those sacred vows in front of all our loved ones takes the peony layered cake!

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Watermelon Macarons Are Only the Beginning of This Summer Bash

Watermelon is so quintessential summer, why not throw a big bash centered around this season’s favorite fruit? Styled for Two and Sassy a la Mode gathered their girlfriends and threw the perfect poolside party complete with melon infused treats and let me just say, you haven’t fully lived until you’ve tasted a watermelon macaron. Get ready to send Summer out with a bang a la this inspiration captured by Harmony Lynn.

This summer, we’re obsessed with everything watermelon so we decided to grab our gal friends and have a watermelon themed summer bash pool side! My home here in Satellite Beach Florida, is the perfect backdrop for summer inspired shoots with the lush tropical landscape so we setup our table on the back pool deck full of fun watermelon foods and treats. We first partied in the kitchen with our awesome caterer friend, Beth, from Two Chicks In A Pot. She created watermelon inspired hor d’oeuvres mixed with feta cheese and mint, SO delicious and refreshing on these hot summer days! All of the outfits were from a local shop that we love, The Salty Shack and the amazing tassel earrings were made by our friend Katelyn of Maniere De Mer (one of the girls attending). And finally, we added a cute pool float and big sunglasses for pictures together. The white table with retro pink legs was a cute little DIY project that set the light and airy backdrop for our pink tablescape of plates, lemonade, and watermelon macarons. The pink planter box full of succulents, airplants, and peonies, is another DIY project too! The watercolor watermelon stationery was created by Styled For Two, (my party planning sister site) which was inspired by our adorable cake from Cake Krush! With fun parties like these, we hope summer never ends!!

What To Do If You Want To Exchange Traditional + Personalized Vows

If you want to write your own vows but your religious institution requires exchanging traditional ones during the ceremony – or if you just want both! – take a cue from this sweet Bride and Groom who shared personal, handwritten vows during their first look. Amalie Orrange Photography captured this intimate moment, and the rest of their elegant wedding planned by L.I.F.E. Events is just as heartwarming, so hit play on the video by Jeffrey Stoner below!

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From the Bride… Our wedding was the perfect combination of traditional and whimsical. We officially married during a Catholic ceremony, but we exchanged heartfelt, handwritten vows prior to the ceremony during our first look. The church ceremony was reverent and traditional, and the reception was held at a historic home with small nooks and crannies to explore. From details as big as the white-washed brick and as small as the gold flatware, we wanted our wedding to have an elegant but laid-back feel. While guests could munch on traditional passed fare during cocktail hour, we also had an avocado bar set up. The full moon at the end of the night shed the perfect light on our amazing day – we couldn’t have asked for more.

100 Wedding Cakes *Almost* Too Pretty to Eat

Marie Antoinette famously (albeit allegedly) said, “Let them eat cake,” and loves, we’ve adopted it as our motto, especially when it comes to wedding cake. As far as we’re concerned, the more cake, the better. Always. Which is precisely why we’ve rounded up 100 gorgeous wedding cakes to inspire your own confectionary masterpiece. From sleek and simple to over-the-top and ornate, there’s a cake for every couple’s vision and style!

100 Wedding Cakes to Love

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100 Wedding Cakes to Love

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This Is How You Combine Timeless Romance + Modern Minimalism

Hello, wedding inspiration after my very own heart! Jenna McElroy Photography and Bespoke Events, with the help of Clementine Botanical Art, set out to combine the old with the new. They chose Laguna Gloria, a stunning, Italian-style estate located in Austin, and romantic wedding gowns by Alexandra Grecco and Linyage for that timeless aesthetic, then layered in a modern and minimal tablescape, provided by 10th Collection. The result literally took my breath away, so I’ll leave you to get lost in this enchanting gallery.

From Jenna McElroy… For the design of this shoot, Lindsay and I wanted to combine the ideas of old with new. Laguna Gloria is a beautiful estate turned museum and wedding venue in the middle of Austin. It is an oasis on the lake. The Italian style villa was designed after the owner’s honeymoon to Lake Como. We wanted to combine this masterful Italian architectural design with a modern and minimal tablescape, all tied up with a hint of romance.

It was important for us to keep the table design simple and clean. The plates, cups, and modern candle tapers from 10th Collection were ideal for the aesthetic. Clementine stunned with a floral centerpiece that was the flawless addition of color and movement to our minimal design. The Linyage and Alexandra Grecco gowns from Unbridaled added romance and movement. The minimal ring designs by L Priori were simple yet stunning. The ring paired against the paper design by Lazywood Lane perfectly married our idea of minimalism and timelessness.

This inspiration shoot was a reminder that the timelessness of this beautiful architecture can be paired with the minimalism of today to create a gorgeous design of old and new that any Bride would find appealing for her wedding day.

Bridesmaid Gown Alert: Three Fall 2017 Trends That We Are Totally On Board With

It’s hard to believe that fall is just around the corner, but trust us: PSL sippin’ and cozy throws will be here before you know it. So in honor of one of our fave seasons (and the gorgeous weddings that come right along with it), we’re teaming up with Morilee Madeline Gardner for a rundown on three bridesmaid dress trends that are totally on point. Check out our fave beauties below.

RICH HUES

When it comes to finding the perfect gowns for your besties, Morilee Madeline Gardner never disappoints. And their new Fall 2017 Collection? It’s all about bringing those stunning autumn details to the forefront. Up first is a bevy of rich hues – from eggplant to bordeaux to crisp, cool slate, they’ve got your fall color palette totally covered. Plus, your bridesmaids are going to look beautiful.

GORGEOUS FABRICS

Fall is a season that is all about playing with fabulous textures, so you better believe we’re all over the newest fabric from Morilee Madeline Gardner, stretch velvet. Along with their other beautiful options (hello, chiffon, lace and organza… just to name a few), it adds an extra touch of glam to any wedding. And the stretch velvet + chiffon pairings? To die for.

MIX AND MATCH GOWNS

Here at SMP, we’re the biggest fans ever of mix and match bridesmaid gowns, and for good reason. It looks awesome. We love seeing different colors paired together to create the perfect autumn palette or bridesmaids each rockin’ a different look that makes them feel absolutely gorgeous… all in the same color. With the new Fall 2017 Collection from Morilee Madeline Gardner, you can play with colors and styles, including detailed straps, open backs AND necklines. Perfection.

Ready to bid goodbye to summer and embrace fall in a big way? Head to Morilee Madeline Gardner to check out the new Fall 2017 Collection and find a retailer near you for the happiest besties ever.

The Chicest Oceanside Rooftop Wedding We’ve Ever Laid Our Eyes On

Black and white stripes ALWAYS up the ante for any soiree and this oceanside wedding is no exception. It’s a chic throwback to the good ole stylish days of yesteryear and we’re loving every pic that Abby Sweet captured of this Floridian fete. See them all in our Vault right this way!

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From the Bride… Classic, white peonies, the Emerald Coast, and the most perfect Hayley Paige gown is just the start of this modern, oceanside rooftop wedding on scenic route 30-a -Rosemary Beach, Florida.

As guests were arriving in Rosemary Beach, they were quickly greeted with perfect, spring Florida weather, the laughter and happy conversations between tourists from all over the country, and the European architecture lining the streets of scenic route 30-a. The smell of saltwater and the feel of the ocean breeze guided the guests down the cobblestone street to the doors of The Pearl Hotel. There they were met with champagne and guided upstairs to the Havana rooftop deck. From the black and white striped awnings above the balconies of the suites, to the lace of my oh-so-favorite Hayley Paige gown, to my future husband’s brother’s band playing our first dance song, the day could not have gone any better.

We watched the sun set over the ocean, while drinking champagne and dancing the night away with people we love most in this world.

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Shelby Peaden Events

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This Glam Island Wedding Is Wow-Worthy

We love a pretty and unique spin on a wedding, and Unveiled Hawaii accomplished just that with this glam island destination wedding on Maui’s North Shore. The gorgeous greenery at Haiku Mill kept the island vibe while chandeliers, glass orbs, crystal strands, and white orchid garlands by Damselfly Designs hung from the ceiling for an elegant effect. It’s as wow-worthy as it sounds, so scroll on to see it all, captured by Toto Villaruel.

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Dianne and John, both from Brooklyn, New York, specifically chose Maui’s iconic Haiku Mill as the backdrop for their big day! With its lush green flora and incredible old world charm, Haiku Mill created an enchanting ambiance. Guests traveled from all over the world to join Dianne and John for their Hawaii destination wedding. Their ceremony held at Holy Rosary Church was steeped in traditions, a very important element for the Bride and Groom. The Groom drove his new bride to Haiku Mill in a beautiful classic speedster, courtesy of Maui Roadsters. Luxury destination wedding planner, Unveiled Hawaii, designed a beautiful reception which included a stunning ceiling display of white orchid garlands and hanging crystal strands with glass orbs, inspired by the Bride’s elegant vision for the decor. The vineyard tables were adorned with pale pink table runners, brushed gold candlestick holders with raspberry tapers, and textured glass votives. Gold lanterns and white candles framed the stairs well at the Haiku Mill and made for a romantic entrance. Damselfly Designs created beautiful florals, including the Bride’s bouquet: a stunning mix of pale pink and white peonies with cream spray roses, wrapped with flowing ivory ribbon. Experienced wedding photographer, Toto Villaruel, captured this couple’s love for each other perfectly in Maui paradise!

A Gorgeous Engagement in a California Field

My favorite engagement sessions are the simple ones. The sessions with a couple hand-in-hand, giddy and giggling, so completely in love. Luckily, great photographers like Hello Blue Photo know exactly how to capture those sweet moments between a bride and groom-to-be, and hair and makeup artists like Kacee Geoffroy ensure the bride truly shines in front of the camera. Dive right into all of the above with even more images right this way.

From the Bride… My fiancé and I are simple people, we love real moments in real places. So when planning our engagement session, we knew we wanted it to represent us as a couple! We thought the natural setting of this California field would perfectly match our earthy yet sophisticated wedding aesthetic. At the end of the day, I’m so glad we stuck with what we felt truly represented us as a couple.

A few years back we discovered Christina through a friend! After swooning over their wedding photos and being the overly cautious and specific bride myself, I knew in that moment that this would be a perfect fit for our Central Coast wedding! I love everything about her style of photography. Her ability to catch the perfect moments in the most beautiful natural light would make anyone smile. AND not only is she extremely knowledgeable but she’s also such a ray of sunshine to be around. I can’t wait to have her shoot our big day – it’s such a relief to know it’s in the best photographer’s hands.

Photography: Hello Blue | Film: Film Supply Club | Make Up and Hair : Kacee Geoffroy Hair and Makeup | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab

14 Ways to Include Your (Furry) Best Friend In Your Wedding

Your pet is probably your best friend, your first child, and your favorite member of the family, all rolled into one. If you’re like me, you talk to your “fur baby” more than anyone else on earth. You are her mom, after all!

Sophie Kaye Photography

A day this important should include all your loves – even the four-legged, fluffy, or feathered kind. A special role or a custom detail is a must for the pet who will be completing your new family.

Keep in mind, not all wedding venues allow pets. Make sure you talk to them in advance if you want your pup in person on the big day. Otherwise, plan a personalized nod, so your pet is there in thought.

1. Save the Date
Bring your pet along to your engagement photo shoot. You might want to picture your pooch or your equestrian companion front and center on your “save the date” cards. It’s a great option for pets who won’t be able to attend the ceremony. Bonus: you can frame the photo as your first family portrait!

2. Bridal Portrait
Some brides schedule a separate portrait shoot before the wedding ceremony. It’s a chance to put your hair and makeup trials to good use – and, if you want to go the traditional route, have it on display during the reception. It’s also a chance to feature your fur baby who might not make the wedding festivities. Puppies and other pets are a lot easier to manage for a few hours rather than a full wedding day – especially if you’re shooting outside. And you’ll still get the glamour shot of your dreams. Creative tip: have the florist incorporate flowers from your bouquet into a matching wreath or leash adornment for your pet.

3. Bridal Suite Shoot
Another low-stress option. Have a friend or family member bring your pet by while you and your bridal party are still getting ready. The photographer will be there shooting some fun and casual shots with your entourage before and after you put on your dress. While your pup might not be able to join the champagne toast, the pictures will be totally cute. She’s your best friend, which basically makes her a bridesmaid anyway.

4. Ring Bearer or Flower Girl Escort
Little ring bearers or flower girls will have a much easier time walking down the aisle with an escort. For cuteness overload, dress your well-behaved pet in a matching tux, tutu, flower wreath, or ribbon leash in your wedding colors. Or have your dog stand in as ring bearer. Just remember, there could be a lot of excitement and attention as she’s walking down the aisle. Practice in advance, and appoint a member of the wedding party to step in with treats if necessary.

5. Sign Bearer
Another role for a relaxed pet is to hold a sign outside the ceremony or down the aisle. “Here comes the bride and groom” is a popular choice for pets who want to strut their stuff. You could also place the pup as the greeting committee at an outdoor ceremony. “Sit anywhere you like.” Or “It’s hot outside! Please grab a fan.”

6. Recessional Escort
It can be hard for some pets to perform under the pressure of a ceremony. If you can’t imagine exchanging vows without them, have a handler waiting in the wings. Right after “you may kiss the bride,” the pup can run in to join your jog back down the aisle. Just think of how much more excitement a smiling dog will add to those happy pictures!

7. Wedding Pictures
Even if your pet skips the ceremony, she can always join for post-ceremony pictures. A few snaps of her with her humans and the wedding party will ensure she’s included in memories of the big day. You might want to take this chance to get a solo shot with your pet. It will look so cute framed in your office or art studio!

8. Swizzle Sticks or Cocktail Napkins
Not all weddings are conducive for pets. If that’s the case, give your pooch a nod with stirrer sticks in the shape of your pet or personalized cocktail napkins. Creative tip: have the outline of your pet embossed with your new last name and the date underneath. It’s a subtle and classic way to show your love for a girl’s best friend.

9. Signature Cocktails
If you’re going to have a signature cocktail at your reception, consider naming it after your favorite pet. “Spike’s Sazerac,” or “Lucky’s Lemon Drop” has a nice ring to it. Frame names with the ingredients on each bar. If you want to get fancy, include a watercolor or sketch of your pet.

10. Place Cards and Table Numbers
Incorporate your pet into the table card design or the holder itself. Print black and white pictures of your pet and paint or print the table number overtop in gold (or one of your wedding colors). There are a lot of animal options for paperweights, photo holders, and place card holders. If you find one you like, you can always DIY by spray painting it in a metallic color, or one of your accent colors. Then pop the table number or name card into it. This will elevate the look of the table, while still paying homage to your special friend.

11. Cake Topper
Custom cake toppers are so in. Whether it’s a silhouette of you, the groom, plus your pup – or a caricature or your little family. You can select a topper that matches the look and feel of your wedding cake – and includes the last member of your family.

Feather & Twine
Kelsey Combe Photography | Mustard Seed Photography
Alison Conklin Photography

12. Party Favors
Puppy chow, anyone? Send your guests home with a “doggie bag” of goodies after your reception. Go the extra mile with custom cookies in the shape of your pet. You can also order bags or paper containers with your pet’s face printed on them. Your guests will leave with a smile on their faces!

13. Reception Send-Off
When life settles down, it will be you, your husband, and your pet. Set the tone by leaving your reception arm in arm with your groom and your dog – or cat, or bunny, etc. This is the start of your new life together! And the pictures will be precious.

14. Custom Thank You Notes
Your venue might not be pet-friendly, but your pet is always a friendly face on thank you notes! Have custom cards printed with your pet in a starring role. With some advance planning, you could have them wear a “thank you” sign during the engagement photo shoot to use later for the stationary. It’s another way to add a personal touch to the end of your wedding celebration.

Remember:
Odds are you won’t want your pet running amok all day and night. Plus, she will want some down time too. Animals can internalize all the stress and excitement of your big day! Designate someone to entrust your animal while she’s not “performing.” Hire a dog sitter. Work with the hotel or a pet boarder to arrange a handler and a place to stay. Or arrange for a specialized pet care and chauffeur service like this one.

No matter how you chose to incorporate your pet on your big day, in her eyes, you’re the best mom in the world. And that’s what makes your bond so special.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Madeline Littrell is a corporate PR strategist and freelance writer. Born and raised in the South, she loves big hair, country music, and chicken fingers. Madeline lives in Dallas with her Sheltie puppy, Tennessee

This Wedding Was Flawless – Even Though The Bands Went Missing

Not only is this Bride insanely gorgeous (hello, flawless hair by Meg Ann Workman and killer outfit change into an Adrianna Papell jumpsuit) on the outside, but she’s equally beautiful within. Despite the threat of thunderstorms and tornados as well as finding out the wedding bands went missing just moments before the outdoor ceremony, she stayed calm, cool, and collected. You’d never know anything went wrong when viewing this stunning gallery by Shining Light Photography. So Brides-to-be take note, when you keep focused on what is important – marrying the love of your life – the rest of your wedding day will be perfect, no matter what.

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From the Bride… We chose to have the long, family style tables for our dinner reception because we wanted everyone to feel together and not so spread out. The best conversations and times we’ve shared as a family were always at our dinner table. That’s what we wanted our friends and family to experience. As for the food choice, we love to eat, and who doesn’t like pizza and pasta? By making the dinner family style and having to share the dishes, it really made people interact and lean on each other. Everyone at the wedding helped each other get what they needed. It got people talking to those around them, whether they knew each other well or not! So, over time, everyone started to interact like true family and friends.

From Shining Light Photography… This couple, while clearly stunning on the outside, had even sweeter hearts on the inside. I so enjoyed working with them for many reasons that are blatant to the eye – their great style, intentional details sprinkled all throughout the day, the clean color palette, their fun friends and family, and the great signature cocktails. ;)

However, some of my favorite memories looking back on this day were from noting how calm and kind this couple were in the face of so many things “going wrong”. You may not realize it when glancing through the images, but this day started out super hot for a May, West Virginia wedding! Then it took a turn just before the ceremony – there were severe thunderstorms and threats of tornados taking place within a few miles of the outdoor ceremony site. Dark clouds were rolling in, but our Bride and Groom stayed so peaceful, not panicking at all, and just remained ready to go down the aisle and get married!

If that wasn’t enough, the wedding bands went missing just minutes before the ceremony was about to start. They had to tell the Bride that she wouldn’t have her rings to exchange during the actual ceremony, and as I expected to see her start getting frustrated or upset, she simply said, “It’s okay! Don’t worry about it. It’s not a big deal right now.” What!? I was so in awe of her grace and composure; not wanting anyone to feel bad about mistakes that just happen in the midst of wedding day craziness! After the ceremony was over, as we were rushing to snag some portraits of our bride and groom before the rain hit, the rings were found! We ran over to the altar and the couple exchanged the rings as if nothing had happened.

To the upcoming Brides out there: These are little things that will not go as planned on your wedding day. The key is if you’re going to CHOOSE to let it be a moment you just laugh through and know will be a funny story down the road, or if you’re going to choose to dwell on the negative and allow it to create a painful memory. You can choose to have joy in each moment and, if you do, I promise you’ll be much happier when looking back at your images and reliving your wedding memories!

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Wedding Dresses

Pronovias

ATELIER PRONOVIAS

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Dancing Lights, Cruise Collection

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Adrianna Papell

Spring 2015

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A Mint-Hued Beach Wedding Bursting With Romance

A romantic beach wedding is never a bad idea, and Julie and Matt managed to inspire us all with a celebration that merges the two in the sweetest way possible. It’s all beautiful blooms, gorgeous sunsets and mint-hued details transported straight from an English garden to the beaches of Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa. Elizabeth Medina captured every beautiful moment and it makes for one awe-inspiring collection of photographs below.

From the Bride… Thank you to our parents, family, and friends who sacrificed time and expense to travel to Mexico and celebrate with us; it was the vacation of a lifetime! Our Mexico crew has a special bond and we should all go back. Thank you for the constant advice and help on wedding related decisions. Thank you to Elizabeth Medina Photography for capturing the day beautifully and for being a calming presence throughout the day, and to the Dreams Tulum staff who took such good care of us!

My favorite memory was accidentally waiting until the night before the wedding to write our vows. Of course, I was in a panic, but Matt wrote his down without a sweat. He also managed to calm me down so I could write mine. When we read them to each other during the ceremony, they ended up being a mirror to one another and it was really special to me. I will also always cherish the memory of having dinner on the beach during our reception. We were sipping wine surrounded by people we love so much, with our feet in the sand, listening to the waves and Frank Sinatra playing in the background.

From the Groom… Seeing Julie walk down the aisle was my favorite memory. Even though I had seen her just before that – when we did our first look – when she came around the corner with her dad she looked so happy and beautiful.

A Dreamy Wedding Inspiration Shoot Worthy of Fairytale Status

I dream of a California wedding. A beautiful villa, among rolling hills and vineyards, a stylish yet soft and relaxed vibe all around. Well, these daydreams no longer just live in my head, they’re right here before us with this shoot by Samantha Kirk. With Gavita Flora working their magic and Bright Event Rentals lending some oh so perfect pieces, it’s a fairytale come to life – see more right this way!

From Gavita Flora… If you were to take a drive into beautiful and serene Carmel Valley, California, you may notice something very special tucked away among the gently rolling hills and vineyards. A charming French chateau, aptly named Folktale Winery, peaks out from behind majestic oak and cypress trees. It’s not hard to feel completely transported when looking at this beautiful landmark. The design for this editorial shoot, captured by the wonderful film photographer, Samantha Kirk, was inspired by the French architecture of the chateau, as well as the relaxed and untamed beauty of Carmel Valley.

For this design, we wanted to create a feeling of warmth, sophistication, and refined femininity. A rustic wooden farm table from Bright Event Rentals was softened with a flowy silk table runner and hand-loomed cotton napkins from Silk & Willow. The french-inspired “Arthur” chairs and antique brass candlesticks added a quintessential French feel.

Artful details were designed into the paper goods by Kelsey Malie Calligraphy, including a hand-drawn illustration of the chateau itself. The dress, “Daphne” by Ivy & Aster, was soft and feminine with a touch of drama. The bride’s hair, by Kelly Jo Makeup & Hair, was delicately braided and pinned into an effortlessly romantic updo.

For the floral elements, we wanted to create pieces that felt relaxed, feminine, and timelessly romantic. The bouquet was finished with a blend of soft blush and muted coral silk ribbons from Silk & Willow.

College Sweethearts Tie The Knot In True Southern Style

Michelle and Jeff knew that in order to pull off their dream Southern wedding, they needed a dream location. “We knew we wanted to get married at a place that encompassed all of the things we value which is family, friends and of course, animals,” Michelle said. Naturally, they turned to Georgia’s Barnsley Gardens as the backdrop for their entire wedding weekend and the result was a springtime affair filled with timeless style, Southern charm, and a whole lot of love. Take a peek at their special day (including a cameo from the couple’s darling pups!) all captured by Simply Sarah.

From the bride… Jeff and I met during our junior year at Clemson University and were completely enamored with college life full of friends, football, and fun. Our paths had crossed a time or two before, but it wasn’t until the night of a football game tailgate that we decided just bumping into each other occasionally wasn’t going to cut it. Jeff was on the baseball team at Clemson and although I rode horses and knew nothing about sports, we quickly realized that we shared so many other things in common and fell completely head over heels for one another.

After graduating college, Jeff was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and pursued a career in professional baseball while I moved back home to Atlanta to begin my first job. After only a few months of long-distance, Jeff retired from baseball and immediately jumped on a plane headed for Atlanta so we could be together again. Being ‘college sweethearts,’ we weren’t exactly prepared for the trials we would face in the transition from college to real life. Through that tough transition, one thing never changed and that was our love for one another.

On February 7th, 2016, after 6 years of dating, we went from just growing up together to growing old together when Jeff asked me to spend forever with him. It was truly the most amazing moment of my entire life! He knows me all too well and included the two most important things in our lives in his proposal: our bulldogs, Charlie and Sophie.

When it came to planning our wedding, we knew we wanted to get married at a place that encompassed all of the things we value which is family, friends and of course, animals. We wanted to get married close to Atlanta since it’s not only where I grew up, but where we now both call home. The moment we saw Barnsley Gardens we knew it was the place for us—not only is it completely beautiful and encompasses an amazing story of love, but it was the perfect place to host all of our friends and family in one location, including our two pups! Our one wish was to have a wedding weekend rather than just a wedding day, so we kicked off the weekend with a southern-style welcome barbecue in the beer garden and ended with a farewell breakfast in an old 19th-century farmhouse. We chose to have our wedding ceremony in a beautiful, intimate chapel on the grounds and then held a cocktail hour and the reception in the ruins and gardens of an old estate built in the 1800’s by Godfrey Barnsley for the love of his life. Is that not the most magical setting you’ve ever heard of to begin our new love story together?!

We aspired to have a celebration truly capitalizing on the beauty of springtime in the South. This became the inspiration for all of the design details throughout the day- from our ceremony in the chapel adorned in lush greenery to our reception in the gardens with floral arrangements in soft hues of blush, peach, ivory and blue. It’s funny where design inspiration can come from sometimes- during the search for dresses for my bridesmaids to wear, I fell in love with the steel blue color that my Maid of Honor wore. It ended up being the color inspiration in many places from linens to floral elements and paper goods. At the end of it all, we wanted to be able to look back and feel like the whole day just felt like “us.” Every design element we chose was selected with our own styles and personalities in mind; simplistic yet romantic and timeless. A day that we will look back on in 50 years and still think it was just as beautiful. The old ruins was also a huge inspiration to the design as well. There was so much natural beauty throughout the grounds that allowed the beauty of springtime to show that we truly didn’t need to do much!

Looking back we do have one favorite part of the day that stands out above all the rest. Instead of attending cocktail hour with our guests, we chose to take the time after our ceremony to spend just the two of us and reflect on everything from the day. There was dinner set up on a private patio where we could sit and eat and talk about our excitement to now be married. It was such a special moment and I couldn’t recommend doing this more to future couples! During this time, we were able to visit with our two pups too! The photos Sarah was able to capture during that time with them are some of my favorites!

Simply Sarah Photography was an absolute dream to work with! Sarah is incredibly talented and captured our wedding perfectly. Jeff and I were very hesitant when we first got engaged about being “bad” at taking photos. That thought was quickly whisked away when we met Sarah for the first time for our engagement photos. She made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera and we couldn’t have appreciated that more. We truly can’t recommend Simply Sarah Photography more! She is the sweetest, most professional person and we felt so honored to have her capture the most special day of our lives. Best decision you can make is hiring her for your wedding!

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Wedding Dresses

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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How to Plan the Best Vacation Ever Using Instagram

While meeting with a group of social media friends recently, we discussed how Instagram is our favorite platform for many reasons—from connecting to shopping to life hacks… but what I love most, is the plethora of travel inspiration. Did you know you can plan a pretty incredible vacay or honeymoon using Insta? It’s true. Here are five ways to do it.

Create Custom Destination Collections

We’ve been enjoying Instagram’s new save feature for months now, but did you know you can save posts to collections with custom names? Now, when your Instagram friends post about that incredible restaurant they ate at in Charleston or a lovely little café in Paris, you can save it to your Charleston collection or your Paris collection. Genius, right? Only problem is you might have a hard time fitting in allll the fabulous things you want to do!

Utilize the ‘Places’ Search

By utilizing the ‘Places’ search you can find what Instagram users are doing in that area right now. Sure, you might have to scroll a bit to find some gems, but you’re sure to add a couple of fun to do’s to your list. Also, if you search for a ‘place’, you can watch any destination’s story for current happenings!

Post About Your Trip in Advance

Most people are usually happy to give recommendations if you ask a question on Instagram. Share a pretty picture (with credit!) of your destination or ask on your Instagram stories and you’ll probably get at least a few replies from friends or followers who’ve visited the area before.

Local Instagram Accounts

Scope out your hotel, nearby restaurants, etc. by checking out their accounts on Instagram. You can even peek at their ‘tagged’ page to see what others have posted about during their visit.

Search by Hashtag

Sure, if you search #charleston you’re going to get a TON of posts. So, try finding more specific hashtags for your destination like #charlestoneats or #charlestonharbor to narrow down your search. It’s as simple as typing in your destination in the ‘tag’ search and scrolling the most popular tags.

An Autumn Wedding Set by the Sea

Dan and Bridget often joke that they fell in love on the way to Cape May so there couldn’t have been a place more fitting to host their special day. Inspired by the idea of “Fall by the Sea” they incorporated a palette of rich seasonal hues alongside misty ocean blues for a juxtaposition that worked to perfection. Rachel Pearlman told the story through her lens and it’s a celebration (and a love story) you don’t want to miss.

From the bride… Dan and I met in Sea Isle City, New Jersey where we both had been renting shore houses with our friends. The first time we met, Dan ended the night with a slow dance, setting the scene to Van Morrison’s ‘Into the Mystic’ and asking me to look up at the stars. His romance and charisma swept me off my feet and many dates would quickly follow in Philadelphia, where we both lived.

The amount of mutual friends we shared made it hard to believe we had never met before but we both believe the timing was everything and we weren’t meant to cross paths until we did!

It was our second summer as a couple when Dan and I visited Cape May together. It immediately became a special place for us and since we met in Sea Isle, had dates in Ocean City, and nights out with friends in Avalon, we began to sing to each other the song, “on the way to Cape May, I fell in love with you”, as it’s true to our story in so many ways.

After becoming engaged, our ‘theme’ quickly became ‘Fall by the Sea’, and my design inspiration foremost came from my parents’ wedding day. My parents used dusty blue as a focal color and I had always admired it since I was a little girl. I incorporated coastal aspects to play off the setting of the town; blue watercolors, shells, and drift wood. Pearls were the main detail in honor of my grandmother and also happen to be my birthstone. We accented with shades of greenery, burgundy, and ivory to complement the vineyard.

It was important to personalize our day as much as possible, so we had a custom logo design created in hand writing. A rustic, wooden sign was hung outside our church and read: ‘We’ll end up hand in hand, somewhere down on the sand, just me and you’ (Zac Brown Band – and our first dance song!).

We choreographed our first dance to a Zac Brown/Van Morrison rendition of Into the Mystic, and Dan surprised me at the end of the night with a serenade along side The Corner Boys & Co.!

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Wedding Dresses

Lazaro

Spring 2016

Fall 2016

Spring 2017

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Flower Girls

Joanna August

Babes of the Nile

Ceremony

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Plum Pretty Sugar

Castelbel & Trumpet

Signature

Lilli Tru

PomPon

Plum Pretty Sugar for BHLDN

PPS Couture

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The Perfect Bridal Look for an Elegant Outdoor Wedding

From an elegant and simple Lily of the Valley bouquet to a killer block heel and column gown combo, this Bridal look is pure perfection. And it’s completely in sync with a day infused with the ease and elegance of a neutral color palette and the showstopping beauty of a never-ending tablescape all planned by Posh and Folk + florals by Seascape Flowers. See this outdoor celebration unfold through the lens of Carlie Statsky with even more right here.

From the Bride… David and I always envisioned a smaller wedding in terms of size, and we kept it small by only inviting close family and friends and having it be a destination wedding in CA. I always envisioned an outdoor wedding. From the ceremony, to dinner, and dancing, I wanted everything to be outdoors. I envisioned a sit down meal amongst all of our wedding guests, where family and friends could connect on a more personal level while enjoying a fantastic meal. With my job in the wine industry, it was important that the dinner be special. I envisioned a shared dining table with a 3 course meal sourced from local and fresh ingredients. In addition to the food, the wine and service needed to be elevated and attentive to the needs of our guests. CVR delivered on all fronts. Regarding my vision for the “look” of the wedding day, I wanted to keep the focus on the beautiful surroundings. We also kept the focus on quality details over quantity with the whole wedding theme. We hired the best vendors we could, and kept things within budget by keeping the details simple. The flowers were white and cream with lots of green embellishment. I carried the most beautiful Lily of the Valley bouquet that made me truly feel like a Bride! My sister hand painted custom post cards that were put in our guests welcome bags. David and I didn’t write our own vows, but we did write a sentence about each other before the wedding, and our officiant read these statements during our ceremony. There wasn’t a dry eye during the ceremony, and saying my wedding vows to David was the best moment of the whole wedding.