I may be a little biased, but speaking from personal experience (in my planning my own wedding!)—our Little Black Book members are the bomb dot com. I think I had NINE fabulous LBBers involved in my Big Day, so when I see a handful like this talented bunch putting their skills to work on a soiree I know it’s going to be a doozy. From the bursting florals by LC Floral Design and coordination by LVL Weddings & Events to the lovely lighting by Got Light, rentals from Bright Event Rentals and linens from La Tavola, there weren’t plenty of gorgeous details for Jessica Rowland to snap up.

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From LC Floral Design… I had the honor of being the florist for Kaleen and Heath’s wedding in Sonoma! The decor was elegant yet they pulled in the outdoors and white barn setting with organic details such as loose table arrangements, olive branch leaves at each place setting and wood farm tables with the cross back chairs. The ceremony they kept simple as they did not want to take away from the beauty of the outdoor space. The entrance of the aisle was flanked with varying sized of gold vases filled with lush greenery. The bridesmaids were all in different black dresses to fit their own style. The bride wanted them to get a dress that they would wear again. You can never go wrong with black and white florals! There wasn’t one detail that was missed, this was a beautiful Spring Sonoma wedding! A big thank you to Ashley Brand with LVL weddings who helped execute this beautiful day!

From the bride… Throughout the entire planning process our theme was ‘simplicity’ and this guided so many of our decisions. We were married less than 9 months after being engaged so ‘simple’ was not only what we envisioned, but what we needed to pull it off. Wedding planning can be overwhelming these days so we kept the basics in mind… Then made it pretty! The day of the wedding I really just wanted to be at my own wedding. I used to cater weddings, and I’ve seen so many couples missing their own wedding. So, we did a first look, kept all pictures simple and attended our own wedding! Our officiant had us turn to face our guests for a part of the ceremony, we had a drink and mingled during cocktail hour and we sat down at the reception and actually ate our dinner with our bridal party. When I look back at my wedding what stands out are the people! We made a point to include friends and family in all aspects of our wedding. We created moments where we would remember being with them when we looked back at the day. A large bridal party, a close friend as our officiant, my cousins drove me to the ceremony, an uncle introduced us, grandpa’s antique car as the getaway car, a friend flew a drone… The list goes on and on!

Photography: Jessica Rowland | Coordination: LVL Weddings & Events | Florist: LC Floral Design | Dress: Kinsley James Couture Bridal | Stationary: A Fabulous Fete | Catering: Ramekins Sonoma | Make Up: Minted Styling | Hair: Minted Styling | Lighting: Got Light | DJ: Boutique DJs | Venue: The Barn at Tyge Cellars | Ceremony and Reception: The Barn at Tyge Cellars | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Transporation: California Wine Tours

Believe it or not, Jim and Jade met by total chance on New Year’s Eve. On a crowded dance floor in New York City, no less. Fate worked its wonderful magic and these two soon knew they’d found something pretty special. When it came time to plan their wedding they decided to escape the city and head to Boulder for a destination event all their guests would love. They made a point to embrace the Rocky Mountain’s natural beauty and we have a complete look at their big day captured by Tamara Gruner.

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From the couple… We met by chance, bumping into each other on a crowded Lower East Side dance floor in New York City on New Year’s Eve. Jim gave me a harmless compliment as he made his way through the crowd, and I returned the favor by tracking him down and pinching his cheeks in front of his friends (to his great embarrassment). After some dancing and an ill-advised round of shots at the bar, we exchanged numbers. I’d never dated somebody that I had no mutual friends with, especially in NYC, so I made sure my friend took a photo of us and did what all millennials do – looked him up online the next morning. Lucky for him, he passed the test and we made plans to meet at a wine bar the following Sunday. One Sunday date led to another, and the rest is history. As an homage to those initial Sunday dates, we chose “Sunday Kind of Love” as the song for our first dance.

After considering a few different locations, we settled on Boulder, Colorado, which is where Jim attended college. It was important for us that the location have a wide range of activities for guests to enjoy outside of our wedding, and that the city itself wasn’t too hard to get to for those traveling long distances. Fortunately, Boulder is perfectly situated along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, providing guests with an abundance of fun activities – hiking in Chautauqua Park, biking along Boulder Creek, dining, and drinking at various local brewpubs and restaurants, and shopping on Pearl Street.

As for the wedding itself, I knew I wanted to highlight the stunning natural beauty of Colorado and incorporate one of our passions (travel) with a vintage twist. Our décor choices and color palette emphasized lush greenery, natural wood, and shades of blues and green. The “vintage travel” theme was further stylized with vintage suitcases and cameras, even vintage stamps that held a special meeting for us as a couple. We customized our seating chart by using a world map that tied in cities we’ve visited together for the table seating and beautiful watercolor calligraphy that matched our palette. Then, we used vintage books, globes, travel postcards, and luggage tag favors as our finishing touches. One of my favorite parts was our photo booth, which was a vintage VW van. It was so much fun and added a unique feature for our guests.

Photography: Tamara Gruner Photography | Floral Design: Painted Primrose | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: La Momo Maes Bakery | Invitations: Violet Press | Shoes: Steve Madden | Hair + Makeup: Amy DaCosta | Calligraphy: test | Venue: Wedgewood Wedding And Banquet Center | Musical Performance: Amy Vachal | Photo Booth: Shutter Bus

We’ve featured countless black-tie weddings over the years, yet they’ll never cease to make our hearts pitter patter when an exceptionally lovely one like this comes across our desks. From the beautiful lace detailing on the back of the Bride’s gown and the dapper gentlemen sporting attire from The Black Tux, to the gold accents, pretty arrangements by Steve’s Flower Market, and romantic candle light at the reception, this wedding by Elizabeth Nord Photography is the absolute definition of timeless elegance.

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From Elizabeth Nord Photography… Kevin and Laura began their wedding day by getting ready at the super cute Rafaello hotel, had their first look on the hotel’s rooftop (called Drumbar), and then held their ceremony at Germania Place. There are so many things that I loved about their wedding day including her dainty, rose gold accessories, the men’s custom fitted suits, the couple’s portraits at the Art Institute of Chicago, and the personal touches that they included in their wedding ceremony. They both chose to wear something from their grandparents – Laura wore her grandmother’s ring and Kevin wore his grandfather’s cuff links. I love how important family is to them and how they trusted me completely when it came to portrait locations! The colors of the wedding were so classic and beautiful. I loved the pink, green, and white floral paired with the gold decor that was so gorgeously designed by Steve’s Flower Market. All of the speeches were so warm and heartfelt. It’s obvious that this couple is loved by so many… And it’s easy to see why! This was one wedding I’ll never forget. I had so much fun working with these two!

Photography: Elizabeth Nord Photography | Floral Design: Steve's Flower Market | Cake: Alliance Bakery | Makeup + Hair: Sarah Williams | Calligraphy: Cali O'Rourke Calligraphy | Band: Chicago Catz | Venue: Kenmare Catering | Tuxedo Rentals: The Black Tux

One of the biggest challenges in the wedding planning process is the. guest. list. It can mean the difference between being able to buy your dream dress or say I do at your most coveted venue. Take a cue from this duo who traded a 200 person wedding for an intimate 60 person fete in Italy. With the help of Super Tuscan Wedding Planners and Flowers Living, their Big Day went off without a hitch. Facibeni Fotografia captured it all right here.

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From the Bride… My husband and I spent a lot of time looking at Boston wedding venues and worrying about our 200 person guest list and the cost. After many conversations we decided that instead of spending all this money on a day that was going to fly by, wouldn’t it be so much better to have a destination wedding and spend a week with our closest family and friends. It didn’t take us long to agree on Tuscany as the destination. We had been wanting to travel to Italy and we thought the Tuscan landscape would be a perfect backdrop for a wedding. I have to say, our families were extremely supportive and excited about the idea and that made us want to do it even more. So it was decided, we would get married in Tuscany and we would invite 60 guests.

Since we could not travel to Italy before the wedding week, we knew we needed to find an amazing wedding planner, and we did. Germana at Super Tuscan Wedding Planners helped us plan every detail from the venue to the boutonnieres. We planned everything via email, skype, and online images. We relied heavily on STWP for suggestions and opinions and they never steered us wrong. When we first arrived in Italy for our wedding week, Germana took us to a showroom to see all of the decor we had chosen so we could be sure we liked it. She also treated us to an amazing meal where we were able to choose the menu for our wedding day.

The venue we chose is a breathtaking villa situated on a hill close to the town of Volterra. Not only was the villa the venue for the wedding day, but it was also the home to us and our 40 guests for the week leading up to the wedding. We spent the week lounging around the grounds, visiting Volterra, touring a vineyard, eating the most delicious food we have ever tasted, and drinking a lot of wine!

Even with the threat of rain on our wedding day, we decided to have our ceremony on the villa lawn overlooking the rolling hills of Tuscany. The weather was perfect and it only started to rain as we were finishing up with our photos. The aperitif and the dinner were held inside the villa.

While we enjoyed every aspect of our wedding, the cake was one of the highlights of the night. We had a traditional millefoglie cake prepared live in front of us and our guests after dinner. Then, for our first dance, our guests surrounded us with sparklers (surprise courtesy of my mom). It was a magical ending to a very special day/week.

Photography: Facibeni Fotografia | Videographer: Screenshot Production | Wedding Planner: Super Tuscan Wedding Planners | Wedding Dress: KENNETH POOL | Ceremony Venue: Villa Di Ulignano | Catering: Preludio Catering | Hair and make up: Ursula Spicciaioli | celebrant: TUSCANPLEDGES | venue: Villa Di Ulignano | Bridal shoes: Jimmy Choo | Florists: Flowers Living | Music: B Katch | Rentals: Preludio Noleggi

Can we take a second to talk about this incredible background by Drop It Modern? The bold, modern floral print is not only a gorgeous statement piece on its own, but it also provides the perfect balance to the Bride-to-be’s boho look, with her Stone Cold Fox gown and hand-tied, garden rose bouquet by Janna Brown Design. Julie Paisley Photography captured the lilac goodness, and we’re officially obsessed with this bridal shoot.

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From Janna Brown Design… Nashville lifestyle blogger and Bride-to-be, Hunter Schleicher, is the epitome of southern beauty. Donning a Stone Cold Fox gown with a plunging neckline and soft, tousled waves with dewy makeup by Melissa Schleicher, she looked radiant against the purple hews of her untamed bouquet. Fine art film photographer, Julie Paisley, captured the golden light of the afternoon effortlessly, leaving no question to why Brides flock to her in droves. We assembled a lush, hand-tied bouquet, filled with lavender tones and resplendent garden roses from Ella Rose Farm.

Photography: Julie Paisley Photography | Wedding Dress: Stone Cold Fox | Hair + Makeup: Parlour 3 | Calligraphy: Owl Post Calligraphy | Backdrop: Drop It MODERN | Film Processing: The Find Lab | Floral Design + Styling: Janna Brown Design Co. | Flower Farm: Ella Rose Farm | Model: Hunter Shcleicher | Silk Ribbon: Silk and Willow

Let me just say that the bathroom game is mighty strong with this one. For every impeccably designed room, there is an equally as gorgeous bathroom. And all of that beachy beauty comes at the hands of Greige Design. Take the full tour of this newly renovated Newport Beach abode all captured by Taryn Grey.

We are Greige Design, an interior Design Firm in Orange County, CA. We are thrilled to share our recently completed project on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, CA with you. 

The home is a 7 bed/7 bath house in Newport Beach, CA – expanded from 4 bed/4 bath. The home is now appx. 3300 sq ft and serves as a vacation home for our lovely clients. 

The project was a family affair, as the owner’s son, Cody Johnson of Pacific Edge Builders, was the contractor. Christina Fluegge of Greige Design handled the Interior Design. Christina oversaw the remodel and decorative update of this project.

The goal was to enlarge the home to accommodate the owner’s growing family and friends, and change it from a casual beach house to something more sophisticated for their family to enjoy. 

Christina added 3 additional bedrooms, remodeled 1 bathroom and added 3 additional bathrooms, added a large additional family room area and 2 outdoor decks. New furnishings were added throughout. 

The family wanted to keep a few special pieces that her husband had made, including a cocktail table in the family room. Christina changed the wood flooring throughout the house to create a more cohesive look, and decided to paint the stairway white to contrast with the other woods. 

The contractor used left over flooring to create an accent wall in one of the bedrooms. The homeowners were thrilled with the results and plan to enjoy the space with their growing family for years to come!

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The contractor used left over flooring to create an accent wall in one of the bedrooms. The homeowners were thrilled with the results and plan to enjoy the space with their growing family for years to come!

Photographer: Taryn Grey Photography | Construction: Cody Johnson | Interior Designer: Greige Design

If you want my opinion, the best place for an anniversary session is right at home. The place that plays backdrop to your daily rhythms. The place you spend your days with the one you love. Photographer, Jeremey Chou shared the same vision and orchestrated a lifestyle shoot with this real couple, Alicia and Derek. It’s a shoot celebrating the quiet morning moments shared over a cup of hot tea and the beautiful beginning of a lifetime of love.

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This is your perfect morning. In a house with the ocean view, you wake up next to your loved one blinded by bright sun beams. Your hair still smells like saltwater, you reach to his lips and get a taste of it too. You stay in bed in front of a big window, getting everything out of this moment, so pure and close. You watch him pour hot water into the cup and make green tea leaves slowly relax and expand. He’s looking at you with a smile and you can’t stop smiling back. You put on a light summer dress, a straw hat and between all the sandals choose to go barefoot. You go downstairs and get ready for the rest of your lives together. All like this day – peaceful, free, intimate and with an abiding smell of the ocean in your hair.

Photography: Jeremy Chou Photography | Floral Design: Twigss Floral Studio | Hair + Makeup: Kelly Jo Makeup & Hair | Stylist: Sea Of Love

It may be the height of summer, but winter brides, I know you’re out there—and I’m betting you’re on the hunt for a bit of winter wonderland inspiration. Look no further than this classic day captured by Images by Berit. Complete with a Carolina Herrera wedding dress and Jenny Yoo bridesmaids, you’ll be dreaming of the cold weather days to come.

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From Images by Berit… Chris and Erin met at school in Geneva, New York- where 9 out of the 12 months of the year it is snowing. They had always loved the winter and thought the idea of having a winter wedding was cozy and romantic , because it reminded them of where they first fell in love. They were going for all things that reminded them of the winter; plaids, furs, black tie, navy, champagne, holiday parties, Christmas lights, hints of red, white, green and gold, delicious food, fun drinks, all the people they love in the same room together! Plandome Country Club was always a second home to Erin and she could not imagine having her wedding any place else. The staff is family to her and now Chris! They were so so excited to share their wedding day with everyone at PCC!

Photography: Berit Bizjak Photography, Inc. | Flowers: Flowers by Burton | Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera | Cake: Saint Honore Pastry Shop | Ceremony Venue: St. Mary's | Reception Venue: Plandome Country Club | shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair and Makeup: Beauty On Location | Band: Current Affair | Grooms Attire: Ralph Lauren | Bridal Salon: Mark Ingram Atelier | Flower Girl Attire: Coren Moore Inc.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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What girl doesn’t love a great pair of shoes?! And, your wedding day is the perfect excuse to pick up that once-in-a-lifetime pair. Need a little inspiration? Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty — here’s 100 stunning pairs to get your started on your journey to find the one, or in this case, the two!

100 Wedding Shoes You'll Never Want to Take Off

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100 Wedding Shoes You'll Never Want to Take Off

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We’ve already gushed about how gorge Julianne Hough looked at her July 8 wedding to Brooks Laisch.

Now, we’re getting all the details straight from her makeup artist about the exact products he used to give her the ultimate bridal beauty look!

A post shared by People Magazine (@people) on Jul 9, 2017 at 6:46am PDT

GreatBeauty.com‘s celeb makeup expert Spencer Barnes shares step-by-step tips and products:

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Petit Bouquet

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Bridal portraits have long been a special tradition in the South, but there’s a reason they’re so beloved by Southern Brides! From acting as the perfect trial run for your hair and makeup to providing you with a gorgeous keepsake and present for your Groom, the benefits of scheduling a bridal portrait session are many! Nancy Aidee Photography counts bridal portrait sessions among her favorite things to photograph and has quickly become known for her expertise in this area. Here she shares why every Bride should consider scheduling a portrait session, and once you do, how to make the most of it!

Why You Should Book a Bridal Portrait Session

It is the perfect opportunity to do a run-through with your hair and makeup team and make modifications before the big day. It also allows you to move a bit in your wedding dress and make sure it fits perfectly, still giving you the opportunity to make additional alterations. You get to try out your accessories, brake in your shoes, and make adjustments to your overall look – it’s not too late to swap out that hair accessory with a veil or exchange a delicate necklace for statement earrings!

The bridal portrait session is another opportunity for you and your photographer to get to know each other more and feel comfortable working together. This comfort will translate to your wedding day photos!

Lastly, and also my favorite benefit of all, it makes for a perfect pre-wedding gift for parents or your soon-to-be husband. It’s about preserving the beauty and joy of this chapter in your life! I recommend scheduling this session about 3-4 weeks before the wedding.

While I recommend Brides having their portraits taken before their wedding, some prefer to take their bridal portraits on their actual wedding day for a variety of reasons. If you’re unable to schedule a separate session, it is always best to set aside at least 10-20 minutes – or longer! – in your wedding timeline for your photographer to capture these photos on the wedding day. This should be prior to any other photos (i.e. first look, family, pre-ceremony, bridal party, etc.).

Make the Most of Your Portrait Session

When you are choosing your photographer for your wedding, seek out a photographer that you feel comfortable with, that will give you great direction and steer you – they will also be the ones taking your bridal portraits! You want someone who will guide you in the placement of your hands, which direction to position you in, and how to make you feel beautiful during the session. Make sure to communicate with your photographer as much as possible and learn in advance their photography style and preferred use of light.

Beautiful lighting is essential, and personally, I prefer to work mostly with natural light. So choose a location and time of day for your portrait session that will maximize natural light! Some other factors to consider when choosing a location for your bridal portrait session are comfort, availability, and meaning. My advice would be to choose a somewhat private location where you can feel more at ease. This could be your wedding venue, church, home, or even a private garden or park. There are also venues that constantly rent their spaces for bridal portraits. Ultimately, the location should also be an absolute reflection of your style and personality and should tie in the overall aesthetic of your upcoming wedding day. If you are planning on having your bridal portraits taken outdoors, make sure you have a backup venue or location in case the weather is not in your favor.

Complete the look with your accessories. A veil is such a simple and beautiful detail, and having photos with and without the veil will give you a variety of images. You should also bring your wedding day jewelry and shoes. These can make a big impact and provide interesting, details shots during your portrait session. Don’t forget the bouquet, either! This will not only help you with posing, but it will also complete the overall bridal look and allow you to talk about any last minute tweaks with your florist.

Finally, bring some company to the shoot! Having your mom, sister, or a friend to help out throughout the session is always helpful for a smooth and more enjoyable shoot. Have a great time throughout your session, and don’t forget to toast to the occasion! Completing your bridal portraits is definitely cause to break out the bubbly!

Photography: Nancy Aidee Photography
 | Expert Advice: Nancy Aidee Photography


When the pink architecture of Charleston matches the perfect blush shade of your bridesmaids dresses or the fluffiest pink peony bouquets by Frampton’s Flowers, we call that a match made in wedding heaven. This Southern celebration is all charm and historic backdrops with planning by Enlighten Events and loads of pretty imagery photographed by Dana Cubbage. See the full affair right here.

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From the Photographer… Jackie + Jimmy’s wedding day was one for the books! After a late start to their day due to a timeline miscommunication, we were still able to capture every detail of their amazing day with time to spare! That is the beauty of always creating a wedding day photo timeline with plenty of cushion… no stress!! Jackie + Jimmy shared a sweet First Look in historic downtown Charleston before meeting up with their bridal party for photos in the historic district. It was a really hot spring day, but everyone looked FABULOUS and maintained a good attitude about taking photos despite the heat. Elaine of Frampton’s Flowers surprised bride Jackie with a GINORMOUS bouquet of the fluffiest peonies I’ve ever seen in my life. Her flowers were so insanely gorgeous. Fun note – Jimmy sent Jackie her very first bouquet of flowers through Elaine back in college and they’ve been friends ever since. So it was a real full-circle moment for Jackie, Jimmy + their friend/guest/florist Elaine! Before we knew it, we were headed to the Rice Mill where Jackie + Jimmy said “I do” in a beautiful ceremony on the water. Guests were treated to a selection of traditional Lowcountry fare and the dance floor was PACKED all night, thanks to The Company Band. Lucky for us, there was a beautiful sunset over the water at the marina – so we took advantage of it with some additional portraits and they are some of my all-time favorites!! At the end of the night, Jackie + Jimmy exited through a tunnel of sparklers… the perfect ending to an amazing day.

Photography: Dana Cubbage Weddings | Planner: Enlighten Events | Floral Design: Frampton's Flowers | Gown: Modern Trousseau Charleston | Cake: Publix Bakery | Stationery: Anson Paper Co | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaid Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Good Food Catering | Hair + Makeup: Ash & Co. | Band: The Company Band

Never have I ever seen bridal shower inspiration quite this pretty. Set in the golden hills of California, it’s a gathering of girlfriends with styled blooms, work-of-art cakes and thoughtful design by Linen & Lilac. The ever-fabulous Esmeralda Franco photographed this al fresco celebration and we’re sooo on board with every last detail.

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California Ranch Events provided the perfect back drop for an elegant Californian bridal shower styled shoot. We focused our color palette on rosy, earth tone colors, keeping the design simple and feminine. We sprinkled an array of mini cakes by Ma Petite Maison Cake Design down the center of the table, accenting them with contemporary low floral arrangements by Laura’s Floras.

The place settings combined a mix of rentals from The Chiavari Guys, Anthropologie, and Heath Ceramics, all placed atop La Tavola’s delicately patterned Morse Code linen with eggshell Tuscany napkins that we tied in a casual knot. With a glass of brut rose in hand, feeling beautiful in an airy BHLDN dresses, the bride’s friends have all they need to celebrate her in style.

Photography: Esmeralda Franco | Videography: Imaginem Productions | Event Design + Planning: Linen & Lilac | Floral Design: Laura's Floras | Cakes: Ma Petite Maison Cake Design | Reception Venue: Reinstein Ranch | Engagement Ring : Susie Saltzman | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Makeup: Instant Pretty Lashes | Hair: Tayler Cercone | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Owl Post Calligraphy | Rentals: The Chiavari Guys | Silk Ribbon: Tono Co

When it comes to fashion, not all trends are created equal, especially when it comes to bridal fashion. With photos that will last a lifetime, it’s key that whatever wedding dress you say yes to can stand the test of time. While trendy in ready-to-wear and popular on the bridal runways the past few seasons, off-the-shoulder wedding dresses are the perfect marriage of both style and timelessness. And the best part? It’s the perfect neckline to frame your glowing face on the big day!

Off-the-Shoulder Wedding Dresses

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Off-the-Shoulder Wedding Dresses

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One of my favorite parts of watching a couple’s wedding video is when they show the bride and the groom opening the gifts they got each other. Don’t get me wrong, I love the vows and the first dance too, but there’s something so sweet about watching them open something their partner selected especially for them on such a momentous occasion.

When He Found Her

If you’re searching for a gift for your groom, read on for seven ideas that are worthy of your first gift as husband and wife.

For the Groom on the Go
Gifting your groom a watch has basically become the standard wedding gift, but the key to keeping this wedding-gift trend fresh is finding a watch unique to him. For example, if your groom is running from time zone to time zone and traveling the world, this watch keeps “dual time,” meaning it has four hands—so no matter where in the world you both are, you can always see where one another is. Swoon!

Carlie Statsky

Collector’s Item
Does your groom collect something special or significant? Add to the collection with a piece that’s the ultimate wow-factor—and that doesn’t have to mean that it will break the bank. Scouring flea and vintage markets until you find it will only add to the excitement and level of uniqueness when you finally get to share it with him.

Something for the Both of You
Get your groom excited for life after the wedding with lingerie for you and boxer briefs for him. You can’t go wrong with his and hers wrapped together in one box for him to open the morning before you say “I do.” Talk about a surprise!

A Special Sipper
Every guy has their go-to drink: bourbon, whiskey, gin, tequila, you name it! Head to a good liquor store and have them track down an old bottle or vintage he might have always wanted to try. Bonus points if it’s from the year you met or the year he was born!

Aga Jones Photography

Something Blue
Switch up the something blue rule and give your groom the good luck with a pair of blue socks and blue shoes that he’ll have for years to come.

Honeymoon Surprise
If you’re headed right off on your honeymoon, surprise your hubby-to-be with an adventure or special excursion just for him—think a round of golf at a hard-to-get-into course, a massage, or that hike he really wanted to go on (that you might not have initially been psyched about).

Amy Arrington Photography

Pop A Bottle
Are you both really into wine? Ask your favorite wine shop to recommend a bottle you can open on your ten year anniversary—you’ll need their help ensuring the wine will age appropriately. Gifting him something you can share together ten years down is something you can look forward to together.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Briana Charlotte is a freelance writer residing in Brooklyn, New York. When she isn’t writing about all things bridal, she can be found on the dance floor at a wedding or bachelorette party.

With Ava Moore behind the lens and a bottle of champagne waiting in the wings, this stunning couple captured their engagement portraits in the most celebratory of ways. From the beautiful backdrop of Lowndes Grove to charm of this Bride and Groom-to-be,  pore through every last moment, including a bubbling cheers, right here.

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Jess & Tom celebrated their engagement in September! We had been planning their engagement session for months, and they flew in from Manhattan especially for the occasion. So when you get a forecast of heavy rain and storms at the last minute, what do you do? You reserve a gorgeous plantation for the afternoon, enjoy the peace and tranquility of the waterfront property, and pop open some Prosecco! We had to go with something Italian, considering that Tom popped the question just prior to their big trip to Italy last year! So I met up with this sweet couple for their Lowndes Grove Engagement Session, and I must say that I’m secretly glad we thought it was going to rain. Of course it did not rain, and we got amazing photographs to celebrate this really special occasion!

Photography: Ava Moore Photography | Florals: Ava Moore Photography | Wedding Venue: Lowndes Grove Plantation | Planning: Ava Moore Photography

Garden weddings have become a major trend over the past few years and it’s easy to see why. They lay the foundation for a epically romantic day and this couple, Liz and Brady, knew it would be the perfect setting for that relaxed, California vibe. Sylvie Gil photographed, Riley Loves Lulu planned the details and the gallery is a in lesson whimsy, color, and all things garden style.

From the bride… Brady and I met through mutual friends at work and were neighbors in downtown Palo Alto. We were friends for a year before dating, and the rest is history! We pick Allied Arts as our venue for a few reasons – we loved the charitable aspect with some of the proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital, we wanted our wedding to have a California vibe, and the venue reminded me of my great-grandmother’s home in Southern California.

Photography: Sylvie Gil Photography | Event Planning: Riley Loves Lulu | Floral Design: Second Nature Creations | Ceremony Venue: Allied Arts Guild | Rings: Jewelry Designs by Ruth Fitzgerald | Catering: Elaine Bell Catering | Hair + Makeup: StyleBee | Groom's Attire: Couture Uomo | Ceremony Music: San Francisco Conservatory Of Music | Bridal Boutique: Trudy’s Bridal | Ice Cream: Tin Pot Creamery | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Oyster Bar: Hog Island Oyster Company | Rentals: Unica Party Rentals

This blushing beauty of a wedding is not only draped in the most gorgeous shades of pink but it’s also highlighting the elegance of a classic Chicago celebration. With river views, gorgeous architecture and romantic details galore, take a front-row seat to this pretty day through the lens of Tim Tab Studios.

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From the Photographer… James and Amy met 8 years ago on their first day of undergrad at Florida State University. After graduation, James moved up to Chicago with Amy as she started medical school. They fell in love with the city, and now couldn’t imagine leaving. James proposed to Amy on a trip to Hawaii, in the most romantic way possible: on the beach at sunset, with a photographer hiding in the bushes since he knew Amy’s love for pictures. Their process of wedding planning was slow, as they had a two year engagement due to Amy’s little free time out of the hospital. This actually became a huge blessing for them, since there was no pressure in making decisions quickly and they could take their time in making everything just right. Amy dreamed of a romantic and dreamy theme, with shades of blush, white and champagne. They were able to have the ceremony in the beautiful Rockefeller Chapel, on University of Chicago’s campus where Amy would receive her MD just three weeks later. They chose Galleria Marchetti for the reception venue, as it gave them the romantic and dreamy feel they were looking for. James really tapped into his creative side, as he played an integral part in the planning process. Their advice to couples in the planning process is to decide together the few most important parts of a wedding to them first. Weddings can get incredibly expensive, and knowing you and your partner’s priorities up front is crucial. For them, the most important factors were that their guests had a fun party and the photographs could be something they could treasure for a lifetime. The day goes by so quickly, so also take some time with your new spouse to be in the moment of the day.

Photography: Tim Tab Studios | Floral Design: Trablume Floral Design Studio | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Cakes: Amy Beck Cake Design | Reception Venue: Galleria Marchetti | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mishka | Jewelry: Dae Sung | DJ: Style Matters DJs | Bridal Boutique: Diana's Bridal - Skokie, IL | Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Watters | Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Adrianna Papell | Bridesmaids' Dresses Source: Brideside | Chapel: Rockefeller Chapel | Groom's Bowtie: Tom Ford | Groom's Tux: Suitsupply | Groom's Watch: Cartier | Groomsmen's Tuxes: Men's Wearhouse | Makeup Artist and Hair Styling: Deco Adamo | Reception Decor and Lighting: Elegant Event Lighting | Veil: Bel Aire Bridal

Where do we even begin? From the couple’s whimsical meeting – details in their own words below! – to their rustic, culinary-themed wedding planned by ROCK PAPER SCISSORS EVENTS at the Kinsterna Hotel in Greece, every bit of this love story is an absolute dream. From the sesame candy in the welcome gifts to the ceremony refreshments to the cheese and olive oil bar at the reception, guests were indulged with a fresh and local culinary experience. Anna Roussos and Miryana Slivenska captured it all, and each moment is somehow more delicious than the last.

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From ROCK PAPER SCISSORS EVENTS… “She was scouring the sea looking for her lost pet turtle. Although he was busy perfecting his béarnaise sauce, he agreed to help her find what she was looking for. That day, they dove together, roamed the water depths together, and when they surfaced again, two adventurous souls had their paths forever changed.”

This is how our couple met, and we believe it’s true. And so, the adventure began for us. We were on a quest to find the best venue to host the wedding’s guests and at the same time reflect the couple’s taste. Hidden within the unexplored beauties of the Laconia region in the Peloponnese, the Kinsterna hotel is a unique place where you not only get pampered by the exceptional services of this renovated medieval castle, but you also indulge yourself with an amazing culinary experience that only uses local and fresh produce. The Groom’s love for Greece and its food and wine and the Bride’s longing for its sun and beach made this decision rather easy; we knew immediately this is going to be an extraordinary wedding.

For the welcome gifts, we chose pasteli bars – a local sesame candy – that were distributed with the wedding programs as the guests were greeted to their rooms. As it was a day wedding, we made sure that during the ceremony, guests were served fresh lemonade and herbal infused water to cool off. The wedding lunch was prepared by the chef using local produce that was grown on the hotel grounds and the house wine came from a vineyard just minutes away. Guests were amazed by the cheese and olive oil bar and got to keep a small bottle of olive oil as a wedding favor.

The overall style of the decoration was in line with the simple, intimate yet elegant and unique wedding Melissa and Haissam wanted. We went for a rustic, earthy style, with the olive tree at the heart of the overall theme, and that reflected the beauty of the location they were getting married at. It took us a full year to plan this wedding; we exchanged more than 400 emails, had long video calls on Skype, and even used WhatsApp, Pinterest, and Instagram. Yes, we became friends after all of that, and we can’t wait for a trip back to Greece to see them again – hopefully with a new member!

Photography: Anna Roussos | Cinematography: Miryana Slivenska | Event Planning: ROCK PAPER SCISSORS EVENTS | Floral Design: ROCK PAPER SCISSORS EVENTS | Wedding Dress: Georges Chakra | Invitations: Love Me Do | Reception Venue: Kinsterna Hotel & Spa | Bride's Shoes: Ted Baker | Jewelry: Cartier | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BCBGMAXAZRIA | DJ: Viparties Events DJs & More | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Flatware Rentals: White Lilac | Groom's Shoes: Cole Haan

This New Your City couple wanted their wedding to be timeless, romantic, and sweet, and they couldn’t have chosen a more perfect location—New Orleans. Complete with twinkling lights hovering over the courtyard, Erika Parker captured their I do’s and the stunning bridal portraits below. Head to the full gallery for more!

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From the bride…We fell in love in New York City. It must have been our destiny to meet each other in a city of more than 8 million people. Five years later he proposed on a sunset walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. That night, he shared his dream that we get married in a small courtyard with twinkling lights. From that moment, we knew New Orleans was the perfect destination. We wanted our wedding to feel timeless, romantic, and sweet. The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum was the first pharmacy in America, and the perfect blend of the old with the new. Its rich history and beautiful courtyard were the ideal backdrop for our intimate wedding. Our florist incorporated soft touches of blush tones, with roses and dahlias, that added a beautiful elegance to the evening. Our wedding cake and delicious treats for the dessert bar were homemade with love by our families. And our mutual love for jazz filled the night—from the second line band, to the Louis Armstrong soundtrack we played throughout the evening. We loved seeing our guests enjoy the wedding together and celebrating our love. We couldn’t have dreamt of a better place than NOLA for our special day.

Photography: Erika Parker Photography | Wedding Planner: Amy Chan | Floral Design: Pick a Petal | Wedding Dress: Alexandra Grecco | Bride's shoes: Rachel Simpson | Catering: Pigeon Caterers | Make Up: Kiss and Make Up | Hair : Tessi Martin | Groom's Attire: Bonobos | Ceremony and Reception: The Pharmacy Museum | Groom's Hair and Beard: Aidan Gill | Groom's Shoes : Allen Edmonds | Invitation Design: Katy Samour ( the bride! ) | Letterpress Printing: Broder Press | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Second Line Brass Band: Lagniappe Brass Band