Just because you say “I do” seaside, doesn’t mean you need to fill your celebration with that classic nautical decor. With a love for all Montauk has to offer, this couple decided to amp up their oceanside wedding; with black and white stripes, gorgeous florals and a soft, stylish color palette, it’s beach chic perfection. James A. of Judy Pak Photography captured it all – see more in our Vault right this way!

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From Judy Pak Photography… What happens when two quasi-New Yorkers meet on a hot summer afternoon at The Surf Lodge, fall in love over delicious food and touring SoHo shops, and aspire for a ceremony that captures past, present, and future and pays homage to a shared love for the Hamptons? A summer wedding in Montauk.

Bride and groom, Risa and Doug, chose Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa for their wedding celebration. Surrounded by the pristine waters of the Atlantic and dramatic views of the dunes, Gurney’s pays homage to the classic style of old Montauk while infusing chic modern elements into every part of the hotel. Their love for the beach, for simplicity and elegance, made no concessions here.

Risa has a love for design and brought together all of the detailed elements to make her dream wedding come true: romantic bistro lights, black and white stripe napkins, glass beaded charger plates, a sprawling outdoor tent, flower arrangements with texture and depth, green moss, mercury glass, farm tables covered with candles, an overall feeling of “perfection.” Every last detail was captured by the talented James A. from Judy Pak Photography. James has an eye for detail and knows how to capture real moments authentically. They could not have achieved their wedding day aspirations without him.

Risa and Doug were married on the Forward Deck, overlooking the ocean underneath the most beautiful and chic lush green chuppah designed by Pola Rebisz from Rosehip Social, on a foggy yet romantic September afternoon. Their officiant, Cantor David S. Wisnia, has a remarkable life story: he was a holocaust survivor, a composer and also married Doug’s parents over 45 years ago. They were so honored to have him marry them given his history with Doug’s family. Their bridal party was large, 25 to be exact, but they couldn’t have imaged it any other way. Risa and Doug had their best friends and family walk down the aisle along with eight rowdy, but adorable children. From the laughs under the chuppah to the smiling faces of their guests, it was a moment they will never forget.

The cocktail hour was held outside the tent on the Spa’s rooftop deck overlooking the ocean. The cocktail hour was quite a spread and featured many of Risa and Doug’s favorite food: lobster tails, shrimp cocktail, oysters, sushi, pigs in a blanket and some of Risa’s favorite rose. A dinner of filet mignon with red wine and shallot butter sauce followed, lit by table candles and lanterns overflowing with flowers created by Pola and her team.

The reception was held under a canopy of bistro lights and featured one of New York’s most talented bands, Radio Underground, from Element Music. The dance floor was never empty and the band left everyone wanting more.

It was important that the day felt personal to them. They wanted to capture themselves, where they found each other, and where they hope they’re heading.

Risa and Doug’s wedding celebration ended up capturing them, expressing the pure joy of their love for one another and for their guests so effortlessly that the only thing they could do and wanted to do was get on the dance floor and enjoy each and every minute of it.

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Cinematography: Forged In The North | Wedding Coordinator: Peter Pizarro | Floral Design: Rosehip Social | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Invitations: A Fine Press | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: The Wedding Library | Makeup Artist: Kari Ellen Winik | Band: Element Music | Officiant: Cantor David Wisnia | Wedding Venue: Gurney's Montauk Resort And Spa

We’re still in the thick of Winter here in Boston; snow and all. But our saving grace is indulging in the coziest of details until Spring decides to make an appearance and this party is just that. It’s a mix of winter greenery, comfort treats like milk and cookies and a celebration of a baby on the way all crafted by NE Occasion and captured by Love & Light Photographs. Head to the vault for even more and beat those wintertime blues!

From the planner…This shower was designed to represent a childhood favorite snack; cookies & milk. Jessa, the mama-to-be and owner of Love & Light Photographs, came to me with a swaddle blanket from Little Unicorn and that set the tone for the event’s style. Clean, modern & crisp.

 Since her little boy’s shower was in December, we wanted to incorporate winter but not Christmas. We utilized felt green and white trees as décor accents. Every detail from the bespoke invitations to the custom candle favors did not get overlooked. We created three signature cookie scented candles for favors. Oatmeal raisin, sugar cookie and almond biscotti candles burned throughout the event creating the warmest and inviting atmosphere.

 The best place for the most intimate baby shower is at home, where the heart is. The catering from Cardinal accurately captured the nostalgic feel by serving grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup and chocolate chip pancakes.

What cookies and milk party would be complete without cookies and milk? Sweet Bee Bake Shop prepared a custom cookie spread for us featuring a special Hot Chocolate cookie with peppermint marshmallows. Vintage milk bottles were displayed in an antique baby tub for guests to enjoy with their cookies.

The Vintage Cake created the most beautiful naked cookie cake fully equipped with cookie dough crumbles, can you say YUM?! If you were a guest at this shower, I am sure you did not want to leave! The two fireplaces created a warmth and inviting feeling beside the Christmas tree adorned only with blue lights.

 It was such a pleasure reminiscing about childhood favorite treats and snacks while planning this shower. Working with Jessa to curate her dream baby shower was an experience I will never forget and lucky for all of us, we have these stunning images to look at so we won’t either!

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Photography: Jessa Schifilliti, Photographer | Event Styling & Design: NE Occasion | Cake: The Vintage Cake | Invitations: Mary Kate Moon | Catering: Cardinal | Custom Candles: Noon Design Shop

Allie and Matt met when they were babies. And when I say babies, I mean the tender age of 15 and 16 years old as high-school students turned boyfriend and girlfriend. Fast forward many years later and these two decided to spend forever together with a celebration for the books. Think classic with a modern, industrial chic spin and there’s more to see in the gallery photographed by Sawyer Baird.

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From the couple… Matt and Allie met for the first time as high school students at the ages of fifteen (Allie) and sixteen (Matt). After two and a half years of dating in high school, Matt graduated and went on to play baseball at The University of Georgia. With Matt constantly traveling for baseball and Allie still being in high school, they made the extremely tough decision to go their separate ways and told each other- ‘If you love something set it free. If it comes back it was meant to be’. After Allie graduated from high school she went on to attend The University of Alabama and while she frequently thought about Matt and his baseball career, she knew she didn’t want to get in the way of his success, and therefore, decided to keep her longing thoughts to herself.

After four years of college, Matt ran into a family friend at a Mexican restaurant who informed him that Allie was recently in a serious accident. Shortly thereafter, Matt reached out to Allie to check on her well-being and they continued to call and text as if they were never apart. That next weekend, Matt decided to travel to Tuscaloosa to visit Allie after not seeing her for four years. As the weekend approached, Matt stood on the corner of University Avenue near a light pole while he waited for Allie to meet him. Once Allie rounded the corner, they locked eyes, slowly ran towards each other, and hugged for what felt like hours. After attending a concert together, they spent the night reminiscing and catching up on the past four years of each other’s lives. From that moment on, they were inseparable, all over again, just as they were in high school. Five fun-filled years later, Matt proposed on the beach of Lake Michigan near a lighthouse at sunset while his family looked on from the top of a hill.

Upon their arrival back to Georgia, they immediately went venue hunting and knew that The Foundry at Puritan Mill was ‘the one’. After a fourteenth month engagement filled with meticulous planning and an amazing team of vendors, Matt and Allie had the wedding of their dreams while surrounded by close family, friends, beautiful white flowers, and sequins galore. As they were whisked away in their classic 1964 Rolls Royce at the end of the night, they began their very own, happily ever after!

Photography: Sawyer Baird | Cinematography: Before Your Eyes Cinema | Wedding Planning: We Tie The Knots | Floral Design: Boukates | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Food: Bold American Events | Venue: The Foundry At Puritan Mill | Linens: Bold American Events | Photography - Assistance: Lindsey Eller

What do you get when you blend the outdoor beauty of a garden wedding with the black-tie romance of a classic Dallas restaurant and a mariachi band that plays homage to the Bride and Groom’s latin roots? Pure perfection, a.k.a. this celebration planned by Keestone Events, along with florals by The Backyard Bouquet and the prettiest sweet ending courtesy of Sugar Bee Sweets. Follow all the gorgeous imagery captured by Stephanie Brazzle Photography with even more in the vault.

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From the Bride… I was once told “the best love story is when you fall in love with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time.” My love story began five years ago with a first date at Coal Vines in Downtown Dallas. We were set up through a mutual friend but due to bad relationship experiences in the past and being consumed with graduate school, I didn’t have very much interest or high expectations. Little did I know that that one date would change my life so much! Victor would propose three years later.

I had dreamed of purchasing my wedding dress with my mother at my side. Unfortunately, my mother had lost her battle to cancer. For months, I was holding off on buying the dress because I knew it would be an emotional day. When I did go, it was so discouraging since I had tried on several dresses and had not yet experienced that ‘aha moment”. I was down to one dress and when I put it on, tears instantly flowed. I had found my dress. I wanted to make my mother a part of my wedding day and wrapped her necklace around my bouquet. Holding it brought me a lot of peace, and made the day feel all the more meaningful. I felt her presence and I knew she was smiling and enjoying in the day with me.

We had a small wedding with our closest friends and family at Marie Gabrielle. To me, finding the venue is as important as finding the right wedding dress. I had envisioned a timeless and elegant, black tie garden wedding affair, and Marie Gabrielle was perfect with its beautiful grounds. My favorite moment of the wedding was reading our vows. In declaring our love to each other in front of all, I felt like a modern day princess marrying her prince charming.

As Victor and I are both Hispanic, we wanted to incorporate our Latin roots by having a mariachi band. Our DJ also made sure to play a blend of salsa, merengue, bachata and American dance music. We are blessed to have family and friends travel from around the world to be there for our wedding. It made an already wonderful day even more special. Thank you to all the amazing vendors for making our fairytale wedding come true!

Photography: Stephanie Brazzle Photography | Planner: Keestone Events | Florals: The Backyard Bouquet | Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets | Stationery: Scribbles And Swirls | Hair and Makeup: Pixie Glam Studio | DJ: DJ Brandon | Ceremony + Reception: Marie Gabrielle | String Trio: European Ensemble Strings

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes…opinions pouring in from everyone and anyone you know. While most unsolicited advice comes from a good place, it can be tough for a couple to stay true to their own wedding vision with constant input. Take it from these real brides who kindly took every bad piece of advice with a grain of salt and planned their best day ever.

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“The Details Don’t Matter”

Someone told me that “the details and the look of our wedding didn’t matter”. While I recognized that our marriage was THE most important part of the day, the details, flowers, favors and the overall feel of our wedding was important to me; both because I am a designer and desired a beautiful day for us to remember for years to come, and also because I wanted our guests to feel loved while they were there celebrating alongside us! While the details of your day are secondary to the promises you’re making to one another, they are still important.

-Michaela, married September 2016

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“The Necessary Rituals”

The worst advice any bride gets is that something is “necessary”. Whether it be your MIL telling you the candle ritual is necessary, or your wedding planner insisting on ‘the DJ everyone uses’, your wedding day is just that: YOUR wedding day. There are so many details that I thought were absolutely necessary (programs, favors, 3 menu choices) that ended up going unnoticed. I wish I would have known that those things didn’t really matter, and instead focused more on the things that my fiancé and I truly cared about.

-Chloe, married October 2015

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“Delay the Honeymoon”

The worst advice we ever received was to hold off on our honeymoon to save a bit of money for wedding costs. I am so glad we didn’t take that advice! Instead, we opted for a honeymoon cash fund for our registry and left a week after our wedding. It was the best vacation of our lives (so far) and I’m so glad we enjoyed it as newlyweds!

-Melissa, married July 2015

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“You’ll Regret This”

My hubs and I eloped, so while I didn’t receive a ton of “traditional” advice, I did receive my fair share of “You’ll regret this one day” and “Are you sure?” along the way. It can be hard to stay on course with the constant chatter of those who have been there before, but what I learned is this: do what’s right for you. In the end, if you stay true to yourselves, you’ll be happy. No matter what.

-Dawn, married July 2014

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“The Must + Need”

I came to learn that anytime someone started a sentence with “You must” or “You need to” it was most likely going to be some very unhelpful advice. We received plenty of odd looks and various comments when we told people we weren’t going to have bridesmaids or groomsmen but I’m so glad we didn’t let that affect us; it was personally a fantastic decision. Dismiss any of those “musts” and “haves” and focus on what feels right to you!

-Liz, married June 2015

My dearest wedding planning pretties, if you’ve ever considered an at-home affair, please, please let this inspiration shoot from Luxe and Luna Couture Events be your guide. It’s all the convincing I need that a backyard wedding can be SO next level. Don’t you agree? This little setup makes me all sorts of happy. Thanks to Shannon Moffit, you can pin your heart out in The Vault.

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From Shannon Moffit Photography… Our team of vendors met on the outskirts of Charlottesville for an editorial inspired by the romantic elegance of a private cottage. Our model wears a delicate beaded gown by Carol Hannah, antique Trumpet and Horn rings, and an Old World inspired crown by Anna Marguerite. She carries an organic bouquet, filled with a medley of hues ranging from yellow to pink to dark plum. A cool breeze rustled through the trees as we wandered the quiet woods around the property. A table was set besides the cottage, covered with loose floral arrangements, antique candles, and light snacks.

From Luxe and Luna… We started by designing around Porter & Ives’ private cottage in rural Virginia. We brought in rich colors and regal details, compliments of Carol Hannah’s beautifully beaded Iolite gown and Anna Marguerite’s Edwardian inspired headpiece. I wanted this editorial to feel like a countryside retreat, so it was only fitting to draw from nature when designing the tablescape. Organic flower arrangements and natural linen draped over the table.

Photography: Shannon Moffit Photography | Floral Design: Porter & Ives | Wedding Dress: Carol Hannah | Jewelry: Trumpet & Horn | Makeup: Real Doll Makeup | Accessories & Veil: Anna Marguerite | Candles: Creative Candles | Creative Direction/Styling: Luxe and Luna Couture Events | Hair Styling: Jewel Hair Design | Paper Goods: Letterlyn Studio | Private Home: Charlottesville

I see a whole lotta wedding videos and believe me, they’re all amazing, romantic and more often than not, leave tears in my eyes. But well, this one right here made me stop. Stop and stare. Made me pause and take it all in. The story is beautiful, the words, magical and resonating. The Film Poets didn’t just create a record of a wedding day; they creatively shared the story of Adam and Kristin, their friends, their family, their journey. Safe to say, my weekend just started on quite a high note. Enjoy!

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From The Film Poets… There were a lot of words that came to mind when we first started talking with Kristin and Adam – playful, unique, and beautiful where some of them. It was only after meeting them and their family that we realized there was so much more.

The Place: Providence Hill Farm is a beautiful wedding venue located in Jackson, Mississippi. As we were flying our drone, what stood out were the winding roads that led to the stables. Since Kristin had decided earlier that week to have the ceremony inside because of potentially bad weather, the ceremony layout was different than anything we had seen before. Always up for a challenge, we adapted our approach and were able to use the long and narrow aisle to get some unique shots during the processional.

The Story: Our goal for any creative film, whether it’s a Highlights or Feature, is to build an emotionally engaging story. We had a lot to choose from, and the decisions on how to best weave the pieces together weren’t easy make.

For a long time, Adam’s sister Sarah has known that Kristin would marry her brother. This felt like the perfect introduction for building anticipation for what was to come. During college, Kristin’s roommates knew that she had a mysterious boyfriend, but they were never sure who he was. We decided to use these playful stories to give context to their relationship. From our previous talks with the couple, we learned that Adam’s grandmother had raised him and his two sisters. You’ll notice that we paid special attention to her throughout the day, especially when his sister Jessica started sharing her story about Adam’s father. I personally know what it’s like to lose a parent and to have them absent at the wedding, so I knew how special it would be to honor Adam’s dad by showing how he was on everyone’s mind.

The Response: With nearly 400,000 views on our YouTube channel, this Highlights Film has become one of our favorites. But what really matters to us is what Kristin had to say: “Thank you so much Matt and Pacey. I could not have dreamed up a better video. I am speechless and forever grateful that Adam and I will have this video to treasure for the rest of our lives.
P.S. My phone is still blowing up about it!!

Cinematography: The Film Poets

Some items are wedding registry givens (aka pots and pans, serving dishes and stemware) but how about those often forgotten pieces that are ideal for this time in your life (aka when else will you invest in them)? With a honeymoon on the horizon, there’s no better time to add luggage to that registry checklist of yours. Whether your style is chic and trendy or simple and classic, we’ve got all the options so you can pick the pieces perfectly suited for you and your partner to embark on the world together!

The Best Luggage to Register For

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The Best Luggage to Register For

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The Smart Bride + Groom’s Guide to Wedding Registries

SMP’s Wedding Registry ABCs | Unique Wedding Registry Ideas | 10 Must-Have Registry Items

Kohl’s
Macy’s
Bloomingdale’s

Weddings are already overflowing with love and surprises, but when the groom goes out on a limb to make the day ultra special for his bride… cue the waterworks! Valentine’s Day may be over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to bask in the love, so we rounded up ten romantic gestures that will melt your heart in the sweetest way imaginable. Take note, grooms-to-be — no pressure or anything!

Sweetest Groom Surprises Ever

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Sweetest Groom Surprises Ever

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If I had gotten married in the South, I would envision my day to look something like this… layered with elegance, charm, richness and intimacy. To me, that embodies everything a Southern wedding should be, and RMBO Collective, Petal and Pine and Julie Paisley nailed it with this slice of inspiration. What’s your favorite detail? Let us know in the comments below!

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From RMBO Collective… As a Los Angeles-focused wedding planner and designer for the past 6 years (formerly the co-owner/creative director at GATHER Events), I have gotten to know my LA turf rather well. As I step into my exciting new solo event planning and design venture, RMBO Collective, I am focused on traveling outside my home base and partnering up with the greater special event community across the country. There is so much talent out there!

On a recent visit to Nashville, I was struck by the dynamic of this beautiful southern city—rich in history and tradition, but with a clear eye on modern sophistication. Half expecting to see a honky tonk on every corner, instead I found sleekly designed restaurants, gorgeous coffee houses and modern event venues that would rival any larger city.

Inspired by the contrast of the city, we created a modern, sophisticated take on southern charm. Julie Paisley Photography beautifully captured the aesthetic we were envisioning. With a focus on stark and sophisticated black and white, we added a hint of warm hues of blush and Potter’s Clay, one of Pantone’s hot colors for Fall. Metallic gold details were peppered throughout.

The Cordelle, built in the late 1800s, created the perfect backdrop for our shoot. Located in the heart of bustling Nashville, its exposed brick and 100 year old Hackberry trees tell the story of bygone days. 12th table’s eclectic modern furnishings bring the ceremony, dinner table and lounge spaces into an of-the-moment aesthetic.

Petal and Pine’s abundant textured arrangements feel fresh, organic and unfussy. The modern design and calligraphy of Hew + Co’s paper goods were punctuated with a curated collection of vintage stamps from Verde Studio.

Real-life couple Angela and Rico relived their wedding day as our models. Can’t you just feel the love between them? Our bride stunned in a beaded Bo and Luca gown provided by the incredible Nashville bridal boutique, The Dress Theory. Locks By Leslie created a natural but glamorous hair and makeup look. Rico dazzled in a sleek ensemble from The Black Tux.

Aperitif Events & Cocktails created gorgeous, colorful libations. This one (in the champagne coupe) is a recipe of light rum, lemon juice, rosewater thyme simple syrup, fig puree, muddled raspberry, cyan and egg whites. It’s a perfect fall color in the prettiest shade of pink. Cheers to Nashville!

From Julie Paisley… It is always a joy when a planner contacts me to shoot an editorial, especially when it’s at one of my favorite venues in Nashville. I loved this shoot, being able to work with some of my favorite Nashville vendors and connecting with new ones is always a treat. I also loved working with our real couple, Angela and Rico they were amazing!

Photography: Julie Paisley Photography | Event Design: RMBO Collective | Floral Design: Petal and Pine | Wedding Dress: Bo & Luca | hair and makeup: Leslie Ellis Hair and Makeup | Wedding Venue: The Cordelle | Rentals: 12th Table | bride's earrings: Untamed Petals | cocktails: Apertif | groom’s attire: The Black Tux | models: Angela Allen | models: Rico Allen | paper goods and calligraphy: HEW + Co. | vintage stamps : Verde Studio | wedding dress boutique: The Dress Theory

Spring is so close I can feel it, and if there’s anything to make you want to officially ditch winter it’s this wedding set in Fallbrook, California. “We tried to create a romantic and simplistic feel. We wanted the main focus to be on our florals that had pops of light blue and peach,” the bride, Brittany said. They achieved just that with a floral-centric affair and Sara Weir captured each and every bit.

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From the Bride, Brittany… I have always dreamt about my wedding and the perfect man that I would marry since I was a little girl. I found the man of my dreams and we sought out for a wedding that reflected our love for each other. For our wedding, we tried to create a romantic and simplistic feel. We wanted the main focus to be on our florals that had pops of light blue and peach. I absolutely loved the way my florist, Brie Walter, adorned the rows of white linen tables with stretches of garland and candles.

My favorite piece from the wedding was our arch, which had thick garland intertwined with flowers and was draped beautifully across the stained wood. Another element that I tied into the wedding was my love for DIY projects. I made my veil, ring bearer box, wood arch, and wooden signs that I had scattered throughout the ceremony and reception. My husband also designed my ring with his great grandmother’s diamond that is now my center stone.

Every little detail was special to me and I am so grateful that each and every moment was captured on film by my photographer, Sara Weir. I will hold on to all of the little moments that were captured for forever.

Photography: Sara Weir Photography | Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo | Cake: Flour House Bakery | Bridesmaid Dresses: Alfred Angelo | Tuxes: Friar Tux | Venue: Riverview Church | Floral Design + Styling: Pavan Floral | Rentals: Abbey Party Rents | Robes: J Kraft Plus

This wedding is bringing all the romance and glamour to the shores of Punta Cana and to say it’s a true beauty would be an understatement. Crafted by Claire Duran Weddings And Events along with palm tree dotted imagery by Asia Pimentel Photography, peek inside a celebration that marries a tropical locale with a stunning alfresco affair. Plus, find even more right here in the vault.

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From the Bride…Washington, DC – world’s melting pot – is where a girl from Peru met a guy from New York and their happily ever after began. On May 5th 2016, Jack proposed at top of Huayna Picchu, located in the Cusco Region, after a beautiful hike up. He proposed with the ring that his father gave to his mother when he proposed in 1968. It was beautiful! More than I ever dreamed it would be! 

My now Husband and I love to get away, be in the sun- and we figured what better way to celebrate our marriage than surrounded by our family, friends, and the warm culture of the Dominican Republic. We were told 30% of invites don’t come through to destinations weddings, and much to our pleasure we had a 90% return rate on acceptances and over 100 guests. Family and friends from New York, Washington DC, and Peru.

The day itself, was so much fun to be able to do the bridal get-ready suite, the last-minute details from flowers to my 6 year old niece’s flower basket, all in the context of the Caribbean sea and a resort where everyone was having fun. Jack swam out to a reef with his best friend from college/high school the day of our wedding (and even returned!!) and my mother in law played tennis and swam until it was time for hair and make-up. When getting married here, we enjoyed a beautiful view of turquoise colored waters, white sand beaches, and beautiful sunsets. This location was picture perfect! For us, warm tropical weather and an ocean view created the perfect setting. In fact, everything about this location in general is romantic in nature. I wanted a classic and romantic feel, soft muted neutrals with lots of greenery, and the backdrop for our ceremony was the beautiful Caribbean Sea, couldn’t have asked for a better setting.

Wedding Planner: Claire Duran Weddings And Events | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Wedding Cake: Cake Studio Bavaro | Stationery: Spurle Gul Studios | Hair and Makeup: Krystie Anne | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Ceremony Music: Quartet | Venue: Jellyfish Restaurant | Film Lab: Goodman Film Lab | Wedding Photographers: Asia Pimentel Photography | Wedding designer : Claire Duran Weddings And Events

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Sometimes all you need is your love, a cozy blanket and a beautiful bouquet, and with Maria Lamb behind the lens capturing it all, you’re pretty much all set. Add in some of Oregon’s stunning scenery and it’s the icing on the cake. Simply Charming Socials helped plan this whole engagement shoot and these finished results show just how fabulously everything worked out. Enjoy our Vault right this way!

From the Bride-to-be… Nick and I met as freshmen at Oregon State University in 2007, and quickly became close friends. While we didn’t actually start dating until we had graduated, everyone around us knew the love that we shared for one another without either of us actually ever admitting it. After graduation, he had moved to Washington State, and I was set to move to Lexington, Kentucky at the end of summer. I went up to visit him for a weekend in July, and ever since then, we have been inseparable.

We dated long distance for three years; most of our relationship was daily Skype dates where I would fall asleep mid sentence at 2 AM but refused to hang up because I just wanted to see him a bit longer. Our visits were usually weekend trips for him to Kentucky to drink bourbon, watch horse races, and embarrass ourselves as we both cried outside TSA as he headed back to Washington. Work finally allowed us to move together – this time to Atlanta, Georgia.

We had planned for quite some time to take a drive up to North Georgia to the wineries for the day. We gathered a picnic lunch, packed up the car, and spent the most wonderful September day together. At one point, Nick said he wanted to walk up to a quiet pergola at the top of the hill at Three Sister’s Winery to check out the view. While I was taking in the view, he had dropped to one knee. I don’t really remember much after that, but I do know that my answer was a very quick (potentially before he was even done with the question) “YES!!!!”.

With the help of our photographer, Maria Lamb, we found Rowena Crest in the Columbia River Gorge as a location for engagement photos. It was about 40 degrees and the wind was howling all day, but Maria made it so easy to have fun and forget the fact that we were freezing! I knew that I wanted to go a little more bold for our engagement shoot, and immediately fell in love with the vintage inspired coat from Anthropologie. Rowena Crest immediately reminded us of Ireland; the grey skies, and bare oak tree paired perfectly with the subtle pop of color from the coat and the bouquet to help us accentuate that feel.

Photography: Maria Lamb | Event Planning: Simply Charming Socials | Floral Design: Seventh Stem | Blanket: Pendleton | Coat: Anthropologie | Silk: Silk and Willow

Donuts are a fast track way to my heart and maybe the most genius theme ever for a birthday. This little cutie would probably agree. For her 1st celebration, Eden Jade’s mom and the event planner behind Swoon Floral Design, went all out crafting a brunch infused soiree. Layered in pink, decorated with bright blooms and tasty breakfast treats, this party captured by Lady & Gent Photography is the perfect way to celebrate the big 1.

As a floral and event designer, I had been thinking about Eden’s first birthday party longer than I’d like to admit. My husband and I also have so many amazing family and friends that supported and encouraged us through our first year of parenthood so I wanted to throw a fun party. Let’s be honest, making it through the first year is a reason to celebrate!

I decided to stick with a fun palette of pinks, peaches and corals, and of course include beautiful florals. The City Hippy Studio created the invitation based around the monthly photos I took of Eden. Each month I would create the number out of flowers and lay her next to it. I loved how the invitation and all the other signage for the party turned out.

Puj baby was gracious enough to use their retail space as our venue. The concrete floors and white walls created a perfect backdrop to the bright colors. Something Borrowed provided the beautiful furniture for the lounge area. Pink chairs, cream sofa, and fun throw pillows created a cozy area for guests to hang out.

Since the party was late morning, we decided to have brunch! Fresh fruit, cheese, crackers, yogurt bar, mimosa’s and bloody mary’s were all DIY by my family. Little Red’s Bakeshop provided yummy pastries, the smash cake, and the sugar cookies that we gave out as favors. Dessert for the guests were Coco Donuts.

 The floral arrangements had a mix of some of my favorite blooms: Peonies, dahlias, garden roses, and cosmos to name a few. Despite skipping her nap that day, Eden had a great time! Ultimately the party was a success because the people who love and care about our daughter were there to celebrate. What a blessing!

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Enviable Kids' Parties

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Enviable Kids' Parties

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Photography: Lady & Gent Photography | Floral + Event Design: Swoon Floral Design | "Eden Jade" Cutout: ADX Portland | Donuts: Coco Donuts | Eden's Outfit: Old Navy | Invitations and other paper goods: The City Hippy Studio | Party Napkins and Straw Flags: For Your Party | Pastries, Smash Cake, Cookies: Little Red's Bakeshop & Café | Rentals: Barclay Event Rentals | Specialty Rentals: Something Borrowed Portland

This wedding has me craving summer in a serious way and it has everything to do with the stunning imagery from Judy Pak. She told the story of Christina and Scott’s seaside wedding, including their perfectly unique ceremony set in a boathouse. The always fabulous Katydid Signature Floral & Event Design complemented the day with blooms galore and it’s all the inspiration a nautical bride needs.

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From the bride… We met at Syracuse University (go Orange!), fell madly in love in New York City, where Scott proposed on our roof, and got married two years later in Bay Head, New Jersey on a VERY windy September day. We both grew up spending our summers down the shore and knew it was the perfect place to tie the knot. Our ceremony was in a boathouse which was a really unique, simple and raw space. We brought in garlands and white flowers to bring some romance to the room. The ceremony was very personal and reflected our playful and passionate personalities.

After the ceremony, we departed by boat and set sail into the most stellar sunset. We’ll never forget sailing away, watching all of our family and friends wave and cheer – happy tears were flowing! After a few laps around the bay we headed to the reception and before we docked, Scott’s mom surprised us with a classic jersey shore beach plane fly-over announcing our marriage. It was epic!

Our reception was filled with unforgettable toasts, delicious local seafood, floor shaking dancing and ended with an after-party filled with all of our favorite jersey shore boardwalk food. We were so lucky to have wonderful vendors. A special thank you to the amazing Judy Pak who captured the day with her natural and magical film photography. Our day was pure bliss – filled with tons of laughter and love! A huge thank you to both of our families for making our dream wedding come true.

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Cinematography: Cullen Wedding Studio | Floral Design: Katydid Signature Floral & Event Design | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Invitations: A Fabulous Fete | Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Hair + Makeup : Aleksandra Ambrozy | Band : Atomic Funk Project | Groom's Attire: My Suit | Wedding Venue: Bay Head New Jersey | Draping : Fabrico Events | Groom's Shoes : Hugo Boss

Any couple who designs a “Drop It Like It’s Hot” display at their wedding is a couple I want to be friends with. “We wanted to incorporate Jason’s family business, Sincere Orient, who manufactured pho noodles, and what better way to do so by making our escort card as Sriracha Hot Sauce that pairs with pho?” said the bride. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg in this cultural, modern lovefest and The Great Romance Photo captured the fun from beginning to end.

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From the bride… Jason and I have always been in love in visiting new cities and places that have been in our bucket list. As we conducted our own research on different venues to hold our wedding, the USC Building was the first and last venue we visited, and it only took a moment for us to decide that this was “it.” This was my dream wedding that incorporated the dreamy fairytale, traditional aspect with a modern twist.

I have always had an idea of what I wanted in our wedding. I knew the flowers, the kind of dress I wanted, the colors, and even the desert, but we were kind of stuck on the escort card and gift. We wanted to incorporate Jason’s family business, Sincere Orient, who manufactured pho noodles, and what better way to do so by making our escort card as Sriracha Hot Sauce that pairs with pho. It also helps that Jason LOVES hot sauce, and he puts it on everything! After, everything came together, and we were able to come up with a theme “Drop it Like It’s Hot.”

One of the things Jason and I wanted to include is the blending of our traditions. Family and our cultural traditions played an important part in raising us to who we are today, and we wanted our wedding to reflect that. I wanted to include the Catholic traditions of the veil and cord, while Jason included his tea ceremony. These traditions are a way to pay respect to our family, and including both displayed a blending of two cultures.

One memorable surprise was the lion dancers. There were many moments that made our day so special. Jason’s overflowing happiness can definitely be remembered as he cried happy tears so throughout the night. Even though it’s typical for the bride to cry during the wedding, it means so much more when the groom expresses his happiness. The support and love from all our close family and friends were felt throughout the night, as we literally danced the night away.

Our wedding reflected who we are in every little bit of detail, to the desert, songs, and atmosphere as everyone celebrated until the end. One thing that was very memorable was passing bowls of pho toward the end. This unexpected surprise not only gave a lot of energy but also helped tie everything together to end the perfect night with the help of CCL Weddings.

Photography: The Great Romance Photo | Cinematography: David Rho | Event Design: CCL Weddings & Events | Wedding Planning: CCL Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Green Leaf Designs | Wedding Dress: Watters | Cake: M Cakes Sweets | Catering: Patina Catering | Hair + Makeup: Kohnur | DJ: ProKreation/Paul Kim | Wedding Venue: Southpark Center | Custom Backdrop: Modest Peach | Custom Hot Sauce: La Siracha Racha | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Photobooth: GC Photobooth | Rentals: Chiavari Chair Rentals | Specialty Furniture : Etablir Shop | Stationery Design: Small Paper Co. | Tabletop Rentals: borrowed BLU

Wedding planning is never perfect. You can trust us on that one. But when it comes to avoiding mistakes that really, truly matter, wedding invitation etiquette is so important. From sending out the Save the Dates to making sure those envelopes POP, we’re teaming up with our friends at Shine Wedding Invitations to count down those avoidable mishaps. Scroll below and take notes.

ONE: FORGETTING THE SAVE THE DATE

When it comes to pretty paper goods, sending out that Save the Date is key. Think a fabulous way to announce your impending nuptials and a totally awesome heads up for the party of the century that your nearest + dearest won’t want to miss out on. Not to mention all of the beautiful options from Shine Wedding Invitations. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to receive a stunning Save the Date like this? So gorgeous, loves.

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TWO: NOT COMPLETING YOUR SUITE

We all know that choosing the right wedding invite is so, so important, but leaving out all of those special extras? Definitely not an option. From reception cards to direction cards to RSVPs, Shine Wedding Invitations has you totally covered AND can help you piece together the perfect package that will leave all of your guests talking. I mean, getting your nearest + dearest to the party is the most important piece of the puzzle, you should make sure they have all of the info they need.

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THREE: OVERLOOKING THE ENVELOPES

Guys, your wedding invitation is all about setting the tone for your Big Day, and it all starts the minute your friends and family pluck that envelope out of the mailbox. So our advice? Keep your stationery suite consistent with Shine Wedding Invitations’ time-saving and stress-reducing options. I’m talking professional guest addressing, envelope liners and custom stamps. Your guests will definitely know you plan to celebrate in style – we promise.

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FOUR: FORGETTING THE DAY-OF STATIONERY

Sure, you picked out the world’s most amazing invites, but did you remember all of your day-of stationery, too? With Shine Wedding Invitations, you’ll be rockin’ the prettiest stationery suite ever, plus an entire lineup of lovely paper goods, including programs, place cards, menus and table numbers. Seriously guys, it’s so important to coordinate from start to finish for a cohesive and oh-so-chic look. Don’t let it be a detail you overlook if you want to complete a classic and timeless stationery suite!

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FIVE: NOT ORDERING THANK YOU CARDS IN ADVANCE

After all of the champagne toasts have been made and the dancin’ has been done, you’ll want to sit back, relax with your honey and dive into all of those Thank You cards to let your guests really know how much you appreciate them. Shine Wedding Invitations suggests ordering those Thank You’s at the same time as you order your invites, so there is absolutely no delay in sending your love.

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Whether you plan on throwing the celebration of the year or simply want to tie the knot in an intimate party, set the tone for your Big Day with a beautiful invitation suite from Shine Wedding Invitations. You’ll be blown away by their timeless designs and paper quality, not to mention their fab customer service. Which means you can check one shoulda, woulda, coulda off that wedding planning list, all while keeping your stationery suite consistent. Enter the sigh of relief here.

Receive FREE standard shipping* from Shine Wedding Invitations with any stationery order of $500 or more! *Promotion is only valid for orders shipping within the United States.

Congrats on your engagement! This is an incredible time and you should be enjoying ever second of it! With wedding planning comes some stress, it’s seriously inevitable. Trust me when I say, these five tips are a must to avoid getting way too overwhelmed with the planning process — you will thank yourself later! Enjoy the wedding planning process, loves!

First, Map It All Out

Before you dive in head first, take a step back and map out everything that needs to get done. I found using a check-list binder was super helpful to keep me organized and remind me of all the things I needed to consider. Here is an awesome one by Kate Spade I would recommend! Next, whip out a calendar and start mapping out what decisions need to be made by what date. This will help you spread out your deadlines and make sure you don’t have to rush anything! A calendar will be your new bestie for the next year!

Delegate When You Can…

If you’re anything like me, it’s really difficult to hand things off because we’re control freaks! I felt like I needed to be involved in executing on every little detail of the wedding, but I quickly learned that’s pretty unrealistic and incredibly stressful. If you have the budget, hire a wedding coordinator that you feel comfortable with and hand some stuff off – completely! Also, let your maid of honor or bridesmaids help with things. They will be more than happy to help you and on the big day you will excited to see some little surprises that you didn’t call the shots on.

Plan A Weekend Trip!

About three months out from your wedding, you will be feeling the pressure. Most of your weekends will be consumed with wedding planning and if you are an over-achiever and have everything already in place, your thoughts will still be consumed with the wedding. It’s extremely important to take some time off! Plan a weekend getaway with your future hubby. I suggest a staycation — don’t go far, but rather stay local and go relax away from home. Make a deal to not discuss the wedding and instead enjoy the moment!

Get In A Workout Routine Stat!

You know what they say, fitness kicks stress in the butt. It’s true. One of the biggest favors you can do yourself while planning your wedding is to get in a workout routine. You will not only have a time every week to release and fight stress, but you will be toning it up to look amazing on your big day. Yoga is always an awesome workout and stress reducer but feel free to try something new and exciting like a barre or circuit training class!

Remember, a good glass of wine and a romantic comedy can fix anything!

Lastly, have fun with the process. It’s very easy to get caught up in obsessing about details and driving yourself crazy. I will fully admit I have been on the verge of tears a few times during the process because I’ve felt overwhelmed! It’s 100% fine to spend Saturday nights in, sipping a glass of wine, browsing Pinterest, with a romantic comedy on the television — here are our suggestions!

This Texas farm wedding is all about embracing the “old” woven in with the “new.” The bride, Meredith carried her grandmother’s handkerchief and sourced antique furniture for a vintage vibe but paired those touches with new traditions like a choreographed dance with her groom, Jacob. Michelle Boyd photographed the day, including the dusty purple color palette we can’t stop obsessing over. See it all here!

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From Michelle Boyd Photography… Meredith and Jacob’s day was so very dear to my heart. I’ve known Meredith for almost ten years and their marriage has been long awaited by all their close friends and family. I’ve often thought Meredith had an “old soul,” and it was so evident throughout the day, from their use of vintage chairs and antique furniture straight from Meredith’s house to carrying her Grandmother’s handkerchief as her something old.

Jacob’s joy and excitement were contagious from the moment the men arrived to get ready. When I asked him to show me how excited he was to marry his beloved, well…you’ll be able to spot that photo all by yourself! From practicing her first dance with her father to surprising their guests with their own choreographed rendition of “I’ve Had The Time of My Life,” neither Meredith nor Jacob stopped smiling – not for a single second – throughout the whole day!

Photography : Michelle Boyd Photography | Florals: Bramble & Bee | Cake: Edet Okon | Catering: Cafe Natalie | Hair & Makeup: Adorne Artistry | DJ: LG Entertainment | Ceremony Music: Cameron Keys Music | Venue: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Planning: Bella Luna Bridal & Occasions | Rentals: Any Occasion Party Rental

How insanely romantic is that to have your Groom sing to you as you walk down the aisle?! As if I wasn’t a hot mess already, I would have absolutely LOST it if my Groom sang to me as I made my way to him for our I do’s. This Bride is one seriously lucky lady, and likewise for her Groom—how gorg is she? There’s so much more sweetness in The Vault thanks to Steve Steinhardt... right this way!

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From the couple… As California natives we wanted a wedding that reflected who we are with a Cali State of mind! The whole wedding was made to feel like a festival and celebration where guests could eat and drink and enjoy live entertainment all night long!

The 350- person wedding was complete with food trucks, live bands, fire dancers, a first karaoke( in lieu of a first dance), a mobile guest book (guests got to spray paint a car) and a “Drunk History” video.

The bride wore Monique Lhuillier. The Groom played the bride’s favorite song, “Neil Young’s, Heart of Gold” on his guitar while she walked down the aisle. The Groom, Casey, a trauma surgeon who loves Burning Man, requested fire dancers and a unique California bohemian wedding that captured his adventurous spirit. The bride lived in San Francisco for 10 years for her career in technology and wanted a wedding that highlighted the spirit of San Francisco and her favorite San Francisco band, The Bayonics.

When guests arrived they were offered a Moscow Mule or mini champagne bottle and passed appetizers from Omni Catering. The ceremony officiant was Casey’s father. After the “I does” the bride and groom and guests enjoyed a shot of tequila.

The string blue grass band “The Get Down Boys” started off the celebration. After cocktail hour the food trucks opened and “The Bayonics” played until 10pm.

The bride opted for 2 King Proteas—they are her favorite flower and ironically the National Flower of South Africa, where the groom lives for almost 2 years).

The couple drove the” mobile guest book” to their favorite place for a mini honeymoon–camping in Bug Sur.

Photography: Steve Steinhardt Photography | Event Design + Planning: Event of the Season | Floral Design: The Open Blossom | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Ceremony Venue: Santa Barbara Historical Museum | Reception Venue: Santa Barbara Historical Museum | Catering: fire and wine catering | Catering: Conscious bean | Catering: Omni Fresco Catering | Catering: Big Tom's | Catering: California Donuts | Catering: The Burger Bus | Catering: McConnell's Ice Cream | Catering: Shrimp vs Chef | Makeup: Romina Murillo | Bride's Hair: Dee Harkess Cleo Salon | Drunk History Video : Shade-Grown Productions | Firedancers: Gavin Roy | Rentals: Town And Country | Rentals: Found Rental Co. | Rentals: Dish Wish | Video: Bicyle Ice Cream Films | wedding party pictures/first look: Santa Barbara Mission