There are about a million reasons to adore this spring shoot, but first and foremost? The bride’s cherry blossom printed gown by Monique Lhuillier. It set the tone for a shoot filled with unexpected whimsy and Hylah White, Stacie Ford, Seniman Calligraphy, and La Tavola are a few key vendors who brought the vision to life. Spring brides, consider these images by Rebecca Yale all the inspiration you’ll ever need.
From Rebecca Yale… For this Spring wedding editorial we were inspired by the beauty of Kestrel Park, a 19th Century English Country home and gardens located in the heart of Santa Ynez, CA. Hylah White Special Events chose French blue to be the main color inspiration to play off the European feel of the venue. We loved how the light shade of blue complemented the cherry blossoms that were in bloom throughout the garden, which led us to choose a stunning cherry blossom printed gown from Monique Lhuillier’s unique RTW collection for our fashion forward bride’s ceremony dress.
Continuing the garden inspiration our bride changed into another beautiful RTW Monique Lhuillier gown with a beautiful high low hem allowing her to show off her beautiful floral booties designed by Joy Proctor for Bella Belle Shoes. Afterwards, the bride changed into a third stunning Monique Lhuillier bridal gown with a gorgeous lace bodice and layer upon layer of magnificent tulle for some golden hour portraits in the beautiful rolling hills of Santa Ynez.
The incredible Felissa from Of The Flowers made three unique bouquets inspired by each gown. Stacie Ford and Caitlynn Demetrician for Stacie Ford created beautiful and natural hair and makeup looks for each gown embracing and playing up the bride’s beautiful natural curls with delicate foliage inspired hair pieces by Hushed Commotion.
The reception table was set between the magnificent garden hedges and the stone castle-like horse stables, truly making the entire day feel like a fairy tale! Guests were welcomed to their seats with hand calligraphed place settings on their seats and each place setting had a beautiful torn edge menu with the same wax seal as the invitation.
Of the Flowers and Hylah White Special Events paired white and green centerpieces with beautiful marble slabs and a mixture of silver and crystal candlestick holders with french blue candles. Not to leave a detail untouched the scent of the flowers from the table was just as beautiful as the tablescape looked! A lovely dessert table was set beneath the blooming wisteria on the other side of the stables with macaron towers from Bottega Louie. The perfect ending to a fairytale wedding day!
Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Floral Design: Of The Flowers | Invitations: Jasmin Michelle Designs | Shoes: Bella Belle | Ring: Trumpet & Horn | Makeup: Stacie Ford Weddings | Hair: Caitlynn Demetrician for Stacie Ford | Calligraphy: Seniman Calligraphy | Tuxedo: The Black Tux | Venue: Kestrel Park | Desserts: Bottega Louie | Earrings: Chanel | Event Planner + Stylist: Hylah White Special Events | Female Model: Ciara Williams | Gowns: Monique Lhuillier | Hair Accesories: Hushed Commotion | Linen: BBJ La Tavola | Ring Box : The Mrs Box | Silk Ribbons and Table Runner: Silk and Willow | Tabletop: borrowed BLU | Vow Books: Seniman Calligraphy
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While perhaps my idea of simple is still influenced by my Italian and Latin heritage, this season became a dance with the artist and the editor in my mind. Not a stitch more than what was needed, yet full license to push a design that was simply more. I’ve taken great pleasure in the white space- the clean and quiet surround that allows me to appreciate details otherwise lost. We’ve laid down the theater this season to allow the elegance of classicism and the women I love to dress take their place in the forefront. – Ines Di Santo
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It doesn’t take much to convince us that JLM Couture knows everything there is to know about stunning bridal + bridesmaid gowns, but their latest Spring 2017 Collections? Sooo on point. Think soft, romantic fabrics, feminine silhouettes and a modern elegance that is basically everything you’ve ever wanted. Pop that bubbly and celebrate the new season with some of our fave trends below.
ROMANTIC FABRICS + DETAILS
Spring? It’s all about the romance. And the new styles from the JLM Couture Spring 2017 Collections do NOT disappoint. Think an entire world of soft, lightweight fabrics and intricate details that will literally WOW your guests and you are sooo on the right track. From the hand-appliquéd lace + sheer fabric of the Hayley Paige collection to the luxurious shimmer of Lazaro to the lace-filled goodness of Tara Keely, they’ve got you completely covered.
FEMININE SILHOUETTES
We all want to look stunning on THE big day, so when searching for that perfect gown, finding one that shows off your beautiful figure is key. With the JLM Couture Spring 2017 Collections, there’s an entire world of jaw-droppingly gorgeous gowns that will make you feel (and look) beyond amazing. We’re talking the classic meets modern styles of Alvina Valenta, the uber-romantic looks of Blush by Hayley Paige and the traditional (with a twist) designs of Jim Hjelm. Looking fab has never been easier… or more breathtaking.
EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE
The key to a gorgeous wedding day? Finding a gown that lets you shine. And that’s where JLM Couture and their new Spring 2017 Collections come in to play. Whether you’re a boho bride looking for a touch of vintage elegance (hello, Ti Adora) or a classic lady who loves a pretty twist (two words: Tara Keely), each amazing gown in the JLM Couture lineup has effortless elegance down to an absolute science.
Ready to celebrate the new season by finding that gown of your dreams? Head to JLM Couture today to check out all of the breathtaking styles from Hayley Paige, Lazaro, Alvina Valenta, Jim Hjelm, Tara Keely, Blush by Hayley Paige and Ti Adora. And don’t forget to soak in all of the lovely party + bridesmaid dress options from Hayley Paige Occasions. Your dream gown is sooo waiting.
Bridal Gowns: JLM Couture
There’s something special about a traditional wedding. Each detail – like the couple’s sweet history with the location, the bride’s beautiful bouquet wrap crafted from her mother’s veil and grandmother’s gown, and the groom’s heirloom toasting goblets – overflows with love and thought. Grab a tissue because this elegant event captured by Laura Ann Miller Photography will pull on your heartstrings. See all the thoughtful details in our Vault!
From the Bride… Although Dan and I met and now reside in Missouri, there was never any doubt that we would marry in Wilmette, my beautiful hometown. Situated on Lake Michigan just north of Chicago, it’s a special place for us – even more so after Dan asked me to marry him there on my childhood beach. We hope to one day settle in Wilmette with a family of our own, so it only felt fitting to become husband and wife there, too.
Dan and I were together for seven years before we became engaged, so we had a long time to dream of our future wedding. Once our engagement was official, our vision for an elegant, romantic and traditional wedding came together quite easily, especially because I previously worked in the wedding industry and had filed away ideas for my own special day over the years. We knew we wanted a classic wedding that wouldn’t look too dated in the albums we one day show our children. Above all, it was important to us that the day feel personal and intimate; that drove all our decisions, from our venues to the decor to small details throughout the day.
We chose beautiful vintage venues with personal connections to my family. We married at my childhood church, and our reception followed at Michigan Shores Club, a historic social club in the neighborhood where I grew up. Michigan Shores is just steps away from the beach where Dan proposed, making it all the more special. The beautiful Tudor architecture of the club and the traditional-yet-intimate ambiance of both venues drove my design for our wedding day.
We chose a neutral and romantic color palette of blush, ivory and gold with black accents – a combination that both reflects our style and is a nod to our alma mater, Mizzou, where we fell in love. Our floral design was garden-inspired, with green garlands, large hydrangea blooms, and garden roses. To create an intimate ambiance and encourage conversation, we opted for long tables adorned with low floral arrangements and lots of candles to add warmth to the space. We also mixed in small, round tables with blush linens and high candelabra centerpieces for contrast.
I planned every detail of the wedding myself, and everything had a personal touch or meaning. I customized my strapless Tara Keely wedding gown to add removable, off-the-shoulder lace sleeves, which at the time was a look I wasn’t able to find in stores but one I envisioned for my wedding dress. I designed the wedding-day paper, signage, and bottle-coolers for our reception bars. My parents and I scoured antique shops for vintage vanity mirrors to use on our escort table and painted vintage frames for our displays. I sourced all the candles and tabletop decor for months. I wore Badgley Mischka shoes, and my bridesmaids wore Badgley Mischka dresses, a nod to my day job. I was also fortunate to work with wonderful vendors who brought my ideas to life, in particular our floral design by Kristin of Petals N’ Bloom and our gold thermography wedding invitation suite by Alicia of On Three Designs. I loved working with Alicia to design our invitations and incorporate personal details, like the vintage-inspired monogram and wedding map.
One of my favorite details that went unseen by most was my bouquet wrap. My mother made my bouquet wrap from pieces of my grandmother’s wedding dress and her own lace wedding veil. The finishing touch was my mother’s pin from our shared sorority – my something borrowed that day. Dan and I were also the latest in a long line of couples to toast with his family’s silver goblets; we loved continuing the tradition.
As much as we wanted a sophisticated and elegant wedding, we also wanted a fun wedding! Our DJ, Karin of Toast and Jam, played a huge role in creating a party atmosphere. Her music kept our dance floor going all night. The photo booth (complete with cardboard cut-outs of our beloved dog, Henry) was also a big hit, as were the festive sequin accents throughout. Seeing all the people I love having such an amazing time made all the hard work planning and coordinating on my own so worth it.
One of the best decisions we made was to have a long engagement, which allowed us to take our time with planning and to enjoy every step of the process. We also had plenty of time to relish being engaged and all the pre-wedding celebrations that come with it. My advice to brides is to give yourself the gift of time and enjoy the planning process.
Photography: Laura Ann Miller Photography | Event Planning and Design: Ali Salter | Floral Design: Petals N' Bloom | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture | Invitations: On Three Designs | Ceremony Venue: Saint Francis Xavier | Reception Venue: Michigan Shores Club | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Badgley Mischka | Makeup: Dominica Swanjnoski | Hair: Tamara Makeup + Hair Artistry | Calligraphy: KLG Calligraphy | DJ: Toast and Jam | Bridal Boutique: Volle's Bridal Boutique | Linens: Cv Linens | Photo Booth: Big Hugs Photo Booth | Trolley: Village Trolley
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Mykonos might be the prettiest Greek island I’ve ever laid eyes on, but it’s also known as the island of the wind. That windswept beauty could not have more perfect for this outdoor wedding and photographer extraordinaire, Elias Kordelakos, captured every bit of magic behind his lens.
From the photographer… Mykonos is one of the most renowned Greek islands! It’s also known as the island of the winds. The light and color of this Greek island though, makes it the perfect destination for a wedding day. And what a wedding this one was. Italian finesse meets Greek-cypriot temperament.
During the bride’s getting ready, I witnessed a cypriot custom called “Zosmata”. They put a red ribbon around the bride for 3 times to wish her prosperity and fertility. A very strong and emotional moment for the guests and the bride! The wedding ceremony was held at the church inside the hotel which was very picturesque.
Photography: Elias Kordelakos | Event Planning: Greek Weddings | Floral Design: Studio 7 | Invitations: Be My Guest | Groom's Attire: Montblanc | Hotel: Santa Marina
Eager to embrace spring for your special day but a little worried that there’s still a crispness in the air? Well, fret no longer because this wedding right here has all the answers to your wardrobe worries. With colorful bridesmaid dresses and some chic furs, we have a look that’s bound to keep your ladies warm while still looking gorgeous. Forage + Film captured the looks and every bit of beauty from this Texas wedding – all in our Vault right this way!
From forage + film… This vibrant private estate wedding was just the perfect introduction to spring! With its rich colors, beautiful light, yet soft furs and organic florals, we spent the day swooning all over each special detail! We loved that the estate belonged to the groom’s family and is where he spent many holidays and where family members before him said their own vows on its waterside lawn! Speaking of families, these two not only grew up in the same town, but their families were also friends for years prior to meeting! It was a fairytale day for a beautiful couple and their sweet families.
Photography: Forage + Film | Videography: Oak & Cypress | Event Planning: Your Wedding Your Way | Floral Design: Exquisite Petals | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Catering: Absolutely Delicious | Band: Uptown Drive | Wedding Venue: Private Estate | Cigars: Preferito Cigars | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Fireworks: Starlight Fireworks
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