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

Homestyle Wedding Inspired By Dinner at Grandma’s

When this photographer-turned-bride set out to plan her own wedding day, inspiration struck from an unlikely spot. “We took the feel of our wedding day from one of our favorite days of the week – Sunday’s spent at Josh’s grandparents’ house for dinner.” Opting for homestyle foods and locally grown flowers, their farm wedding was thoughtfully designed from start to finish. See it through the lens of Julie Cate right this way.

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From the Bride… This being my own wedding, I’m quite excited to share our inspiration and everything that went into our special day.

Our inspiration began from the location Joshua, my fiancé proposed at. It was next to a river that we always go swimming at – the path there is full of ferns and the most beautiful sounds of the water flowing, and the birds and insects singing. We also took the feel of our wedding day from one of our favorite days of the week – Sunday’s spent at Josh’s grandparents’ house for dinner. We chose home-style foods that were all sourced locally.

Since I’m a photographer and florist in the wedding industry, photography and flowers were the most important things on my list to choose. I chose Julie Cate after looking through many photographers’ full albums of wedding days – something I would absolutely recommend when booking a photographer. Our florist was Local Color Flowers because their passion of locally grown flowers is just amazing. There is so much romance in each flower from our day because I know they were chosen and hand picked by people who have a passion for growing flowers in Maryland. We settled on a burnt orange, rust, brown-pink palette to compliment the season and to contrast the rest of our color palette which was cooler tones of blues and greys. We had ferns lining our ceremony aisle to relive the moment we decided to journey towards marriage at the river Josh proposed at.

We set the tone with our invites for our guests with the help from Julie Ha Calligraphy – we wanted to incorporate the natural feel of the florals and ferns, but also pull in a little of my husband’s love of antiques by making them feel as though they were old letters. Julie did such an incredible job of hand coloring the paper, tearing the edges and crafting such beautiful calligraphy.

Our venue we choose last minute in May after our original venue got shut down (sigh). It couldn’t have been more of a blessing though. Glen Ellen Farm was the most perfect venue for us, from the love of historic details (our cocktail hour was in barn ruins), the love of farming flowers (the owner is constantly keeping care of her flower plots that she hopes to continue growing), and just the peaceful sounds of birds, sights of deer and wildflower paths. Glen Ellen was the place that fully pulled everything together for us.

SMP Favorite Find…BoomBox!

Remember when you were a kid and you used to collect birthday cards and movie stubs and pictures of your someday wedding and you’d store it all in an old shoebox that you decorated with puffy paint and stickers? Ladies, meet your childhood keepsake box’s bigger, WAY cooler sister (and if we’re being honest…the prettier one), Boombox. An uber gorgeous keepsake box filled with personalized, just-for-you notes, well wishes and gorgeous photographs (we love you, Jose Villa) from the people you love most in the world.

GORGEOUS photos tucked inside the box by Jose Villa…not nearly as gorgeous photos snapped of the box itself by me, Abby Larson.

We don’t often post about products on SMP but this one, founded by the lovely and super smart #girlboss, Christina Geist, was just so perfect for you soon-to-be’s, we couldn’t resist.

Because Boombox is truly the PERFECT wedding gift and we didn’t think we could keep the find all to ourselves.

Just think..the sweet sentiments from your friends, the well-worn advice from your beloved grandparents, the nearly-naked-saggy-diaper-while-blowing-bubbles-in-your-backyard memories of you two gifted so generously from both sets of parents, all housed beautifully in a gorgeous keepsake box that would chic-up any coffee table or shelf, perched in such a way that you would actually open it. And show it off. And love it over and over again. Can you imagine?

Boombox brings all of those incredible memories – that I promise you will fly right by on your wedding day – together into one absolutely beautiful keepsake. And they make it SO easy for huge or small groups alike to contribute truly personalized, totally individualized notes and well wishes to celebrate what just might be the best day of your entire life.

Okay, we’ve done our job. The rest is on you. Pass this post on to your moms or dads or maids of honor and let them take over the heavy lifting. And if you need more convincing, just pop on over to Boombox and see for yourself!

xo, Abby

Wedding Inspiration that will Light a Fire Under Your Wanderlust

Taking a cue from the beauty of ancient Greece, this inspiration designed by Getting Married In Greece along with florals by Red Box Days and planning by La Fete will give you all the reason you need to plan a destination wedding to the Mediterranean. The backdrop of Athens mixed with an elegant tablescape, the prettiest olive branch details and a nature infused color palette is sure to inspire. Pore through the gallery of images by Sotiris Tsakanikas for even more.

From the Photographer… The team of blog “Getting Married In Greece” and I, organized this fine art editorial shoot, inspired by Ancient Greek history. For the setting of the shoot we chose one of the most important archaeological sites of the Acropolis, the surrounding area of the Odeon of Herodus Atticus, which to this day stages plays and operas with excellent acoustics. According to mythology Goddess Athena gifted the first olive tree to the city of Athens on the Acropolis, so the tree’s unique color was combined with the white marble and defined our color palette. The stunning wedding dress was picked for its unadorned, clean line while the bridal style was completed by the flower crown made of olive twigs and white hypericum berries and the lace up sandals. The tabletop was composed of an aged linen tablecloth and soft grey towels while the modern oxide cutlery contrasted the classic china and matching glasses. The custom stationary line was created using calligraphy and olive tree details on a unique hand cut paper. The naked cake was created to complement the shoot concept and was decorated with fresh olive twigs and flowers. The florals of olive and various white summer flowers subtly completed the fine table decoration while the wedding bouquet was also similar in its hues.

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Sotiris Tsakanikas

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Cheers to the Romance of Winter – Wind + Rain Are No Match to Champagne

Winter has a special place in the hearts of these two. They met in those chilliest of months, started dating, and even said “I do” at that time of year. So it was only fitting that they toast to three years of marriage in the same season! Designed and styled by Chloe+Mint and with a gorgeous calligraphed champagne bottle courtesy of Seniman Calligraphy, these two kissed and sipped and smiled – and Tenth & Grace captured it all. Cheers to the romance of winter and many more years of love for these two!

From Tenth & Grace… Nicole and Austin celebrated their third wedding anniversary with a romantic anniversary shoot at the Sutro Baths in San Francisco. Designed by Chloe+Mint, the session featured a gorgeous winter-inspired bouquet by The Bloomery Co. and a personalized champagne bottle by Seniman Calligraphy. The wind and rain added to the romantic feel!

From Nicole… All of our major anniversaries fall within a one month period. We met, started officially dating, and got married in the winter months.

We kept our wedding very simple, and eloped on a secluded portion of the California coast. One of my very favorite parts of our day was feeling like a princess in the most beautiful dress, and getting to celebrate with my love. For our three year wedding/five years together anniversary, we wanted to have a shoot that felt a lot like the best parts of our wedding, so we could remember all our feelings so many years ago, and the commitment we made to each other. In that time, we’ve changed so much, but in a way, so much has stayed the same. This shoot was the perfect embodiment of that.

Tanya was able to bring the most romantic, elegant vision to life – one that even rivaled our wedding day. The vendors were unbelievable. I was spoiled with the most beautiful bouquet, a dress that was so delicate and perfect in every way, all wrapped up with the sweetest, personalized details, like champagne to toast our love on the rocky coast of the San Francisco Sutro Baths. It was like we were married all over again, I couldn’t have asked for a better anniversary.

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Petit Bouquet

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The Easiest Way to Make Your Dinner Table Sparkle

Looking for a way to make your next dinner party sparkle? This shibori napkin DIY is the ticket. Crafted by Something Vintage Rentals, it’s a quick and easy refresh for your napkin situation that will add color and pattern and the loveliest hand-dyed quality to your tablescape. They’re breaking down the easy steps below and for more of this pretty party captured by Anne Robert, head to the vault!

The Something Vintage Rentals Team and La Fleur du Jour set out to style an intimate dinner honoring the guests of Restoratives Republic, a vodka bourbon distillery serving craft cocktails in the heart of DC.

We began with a large, open industrial space, so adding warmth was imperative. It can be challenging to make elements like cement and steel seem cozy, but when paired with natural accents of leather and amber wood, the space took on a much warmer feel.

We furthered the casual intimacy with shibori napkins hand-dyed in indigo and a simple leather and walnut accent. Using one long row of farm tables really helped anchor the wide open space, and brought easy conversation between guests.

Our Chief Inventory Curator, Tiffany created this DIY tutorial on how to make shibori napkins like we used at Restoratives Republic at home. Shibori is a Japanese technique of resist dyeing fabric resulting in unique shapes and patterns on the material. There are tons of different patterns you can make using this technique and we chose a triangle-inspired pattern for these napkins.

Materials

White cotton napkins or flour sack towels (make sure they are cotton)
Indigo dye kit
Rubber bands
Large bucket/pot

Start by mixing your bucket of indigo dye according to the package instructions.

Create the shibori pattern of your choice by folding the napkin then using the rubber bands to bind it in place. We chose to fold our napkins into a triangle, then used rubber bands on each of the corners. You can do it in a square, rectangle, or other shape—the possibilities are endless!

Dip the whole napkin in water to fully saturate it. 4. Next, dip the areas of the napkin you want to be indigo into the vat of dye. We chose to dip just the three sides of the towel, never fully submerging it, to get the design we wanted. You can experiment to see which look you prefer. A bucket of dye will make a million napkins!

Take the fabric out of the dye. It will have a green hue at first,, but after it is exposed to oxygen, it will turn dark blue.

When you open up your piece you’ll see the areas the dye was not able to penetrate and the amazing pattern it created!

Rinse the napkin in cold water until the water runs clear.

The result is a one-of-a-kind bold indigo and white piece of art! We cut our towels to make them a bit smaller, tied them with leather, and then we had the perfect napkin for our table!

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Party DIY's For Your Next Girly Get-together

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Party DIY's For Your Next Girly Get-together

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Photography: Anne Robert Photography | Styling: Something Vintage Rentals | Styling: La Fleur Du Jour | Floral Design: La Fleur Du Jour | Rentals: Something Vintage Rentals

This Boca Raton Fete = Wedding. Dress. Goals.

Oh, Lauren Fair, you never cease to wow me with your gorgeous, gorgeous imagery. There’s not one detail of this day that I didn’t fall completely head over heels for—I spent far too much time poring over it in The Vault (can you blame me?). But the one thing I kept coming back to was THAT Rivini dress. #weddingdressgoals, I think so. Want more? It’s all right here.

From Lauren Fair… Erika + Kyle’s south Florida wedding incorporated bright, bold, lush blooms and a lighthearted whimsical feel! The weather was absolutely perfect and we photographed their portraits around the lovely Addison in Boca Raton. As the sun dropped and dusk fell, guests gathered under a massive floral chandelier in the courtyard for their vow exchange, and danced the night away for hours afterwards!

From the Bride… The whole day was magical! I wasn’t stressed out at all so I could really enjoy the little moments like seeing Kyle for the first look and just gushing at how hot he looked, drinking champagne with my bridesmaids in the bridal suite, and dancing all night long as soon as the party music came on. We danced non-stop and I wish I could replay that night over and over! Advice for future brides: Try to do whatever you can to minimize your stress levels. I think leading up the big day you’re so worried about how all the details will come together, so having a planner is key to making sure things don’t slip through the cracks. But on the day of, there’s nothing you can do, so you might as well enjoy it. We got massages the night before. We started our wedding day off at Crossfit with a few of our friends, which was so fun! Then I had a big healthy green smoothie before hair and makeup arrived. Try to do whatever you can to feel “normal” by going through as much of your morning routine as possible, it really helps to curb the stress. Sit back and take mental snapshots of the special moments – it goes by SO fast!

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Lauren Fair Photography

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Petit Bouquet

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Minimal White Wedding Inspiration for Winter Lovers

Being a lover of all things white, this bit of beauty crafted by A Blush Moment and Rhythm Photography sings to my heart. Because when it comes to winter weddings, what’s more beautiful than a fresh canvas that lets you layer on the texture, intricacy, candlelight and metallics? Sounds like a cold-weather fete I’d raise my hand to attend. You too? Dive into The Vault for more.

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From A Blush Moment… The term less is more was definitely prominent in this creative shoot styled by owner and lead wedding planner Jeannie from A Blush Moment. Simplistic was key when it came to executing a minimalist theme with clean lines, gold accents and an almost monochromatic colour palette. Tucked away in the heart of the distillery district Airship 37 was the perfect venue for this minimalistic shoot. An open space area made it possible to style the shoot from the ground up. Everything from the modern Ikea dining table to the ghost chairs from Chairman Mills to the hanging gold geometric prisms from A Blush Moment were carefully chosen for the shoot. Every item had its place. White pillar candles, which ran along the length of the dinning table, replaced the flower centerpieces commonly seen in weddings. The place setting was kept to a minimal with accents from the gold cutlery. The touch of gold was carried through in the hairpieces and earrings provided by The Loved One.

The bride had her hair and makeup done by May from Muah Beauty before she slipped into two classic yet contemporary gowns provided by Elmwood Brides. The groom wore a custom grey suit from Wingmen Suits. A 5-tier cake created by the talented team at Sugar Tiers was the showstopper of the day. It definitely was too pretty to eat. This wedding shoot was captured beautifully by Anita from Rhythm Photography as well as Norris from Norris Films. Both photos and video showcased this timeless occasion for years to come.

Host the Ultimate Invitation Assembly Party

Sometimes “getting there” is almost as fun as the destination itself and that sentiment certainly holds true in wedding planning. Just take this Minneapolis couple who took the “chore” out of invitation assembly by making it a full-blown party. Along with industry pros, Jill Elaine Designs, Rosann Konieczny, Maven and more, they rounded up drinks, donuts, and good friends to turn a tedious task into an evening to remember. See all the fun in the gallery captured by Lucas Botz and snag tips to host your own Invite Assembly Party from Park Place Planning & Events.

Make Sure You Have Adequate Space: A large table to spread out on is key so you have enough room for all of your suite pieces and space for assembly.

Set the Tone: Have some fun beverages and lite bites but keep them away from your pretty stationery. Upbeat music to keep the group going is key!

Have a Plan: Assemble a suite ahead of time so you know and can show your guests the proper steps and order of assembly. Consider setting up a cute diagram or list to help direct your friends.

Pick Up Your Stamps Ahead of Time: Just remember to get your suite weighed ahead of time at the post office you plan to mail from so you know exactly how much postage your suite requires.

HAVE FUN! This should be a fun part of your wedding planning experience!

From the Planner… As a wedding planner I want my couples to enjoy every minute of the process– from finding the perfect location to the last dance and everything in between; I want the whole experience to be memorable and as stress-free as possible. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of work required to assemble a wedding suite so when it came time to plan my sister’s wedding, I partnered with the talented Jill Elaine to surprise her with an assembly party. Putting the invitation together… together was not only more efficient, it was the perfect excuse to gather family and friends to celebrate another step in this beautiful journey. We spent the morning indulging in donuts and coffee and catching up on each other’s lives outside of wedding planning. We also succeeded in folding, stamping, stuffing, and sealing 80 invitations. I love being able to look back and see my sister and her fiancé’s smiles. I was honored to create and share this moment with them.

From the Bride… I know I shock no one when I say that weddings are a lot of work (even weddings where your maid of honor is a professional planner), so I was thrilled when I learned that Ty and I would have help putting together our beautifully designed but rather elaborately constructed invitations. I was even more excited when I learned that the day would also involve drinks and donuts as well as my family and friends. I highly recommend turning menial planning tasks into parties whenever possible; not only does it save you work, it allows you to spend quality time with those closest to you before things really get crazy.

From the Designer… As a custom stationery designer, I try to take the “chore” out of assembling the wedding invitation suite. It should be a fun part of the planning process– a time to get together with family and friends to celebrate your upcoming nuptials and check an item off your to-do list at the same time. I adore packaging, so many times my clients and I will dream up a beautiful way to present the wedding invitation suite to their guests. Unfortunately, assembling a beautifully packaged invitation usually involves a number of time-consuming steps. This was certainly the case with Anna and Ty. The invitation was packaged with a translucent vellum paper, tied with a gold string, and affixed with a wax seal. To simplify the process, we put together an assembly to-do list: seven steps that hung on the wall to serve as a how-to as well as an art piece. I’m very lucky to be studio neighbors with LAB Minneapolis, a light-filled, beautiful open space with large tables perfect for invitation assembly. But you could easily host an assembly party at your home, an artist’s studio, or a private room at your favorite restaurant or coffee shop. Turn the process into a get-together with food, cocktails, and good company, and celebrate sending out your first invitation together as a couple.

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Petit Bouquet

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Glamorous Wedding Set at a 1920’s Mansion

If old-world glamour speaks to your wedding love language, this collection of images by Cadence Kennedy and film from BETSI EWING STUDIO will be just for you. Beginning with black and gold stationery by Momental Designs and ending with an epic sparklers send-off, there’s no better spot to kick off your Friday than the gallery right here.

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From the Bride… John and I met at a party in SOHO on my favorite day of the year; April 1st. As we laughed and danced to the band that was playing, I began to realize that this may be my April Fool! Our subsequent dates took us all over Manhattan, exploring restaurants and cityscapes with a relaxed vibe that came to define our relationship.

As we looked for a wedding venue, we both instantly fell in love with the easy elegance of the de Seversky Mansion on Long Island. It had the flair and history of a mansion built in the 1920’s with an intimacy in which our guests could unwind and have fun. Momental Designs captured its essence with hand-painted, gold accented invitations in the likeness of our venue’s grand foyer and chandelier. I found a gown by Berta Bridal with a scalloped, pearl design and deep V-neck, showcasing both old-world glamour and a modern, playful cut. The de Seversky staff did an amazing job accommodating a special timeline of events that lent itself to the type of evening we envisioned.

Following our church ceremony, we hosted a sprawling cocktail hour then gathered our guests for a formal sit-down dinner in the ballroom, with a pianist playing softly in the background so that our guests could enjoy each other’s company over a great meal, while we reveled in our first hours as husband and wife. After dinner, guests were welcomed into the glass garden room to enjoy our favorite band in the world, Atomic Funk Project, who brought down the house while interacting with the crowd for the rest of the night. The dance party spilled out onto the patio, where guests enjoyed fire pits and a cigar bar under the moonlight.

The whole day felt unreal, but Cadence Kennedy Photography proved it was with her magical imagery captured from start to finish. We knew that Cadence’s airy and whimsy photography style, teamed with Betsi Ewing Studio’s artistic videography would bring to life the special moments as we felt them; like we were in a dream! Our favorite photos reflect the greatest small moment of our special day when we snuck outside to witness the sunset and to take it all in.

We wound up practicing our first dance (that we made up only 3 nights prior!) and laughed through our stumbles. John and I spent most of our wedding night laughing and dancing to the band that was playing, which is exactly the way that we started, as April fools in love.

The French Countryside is Always a Good Idea

It is safe to say that most people’s idea of a dream wedding includes a chateau in the French countryside. The scenery, the romance, the food… it’s the kind of destination that lends itself perfectly to a gorgeous celebration of love. And gorgeous is the key word. Think blooms upon blooms crafted by Lily Paloma, an intimate yet incredibly romantic designed by Fete in France and then there’s all the imagery by 2 Brides Photography. All in all, it’s a francophile or lover of travel’s dream.

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From Fete in France… College sweethearts, Ven and Adrian, knew they wanted a beautiful location in the French countryside that would be able to bring together the romance of France, their passion for gastronomy yet still be accessible for their international guests coming to their intimate destination wedding. With the help of Fête in France they were able to find the peaceful and bucolic Château de Bouelles. This chic retreat is surrounded by fields and cows, but also has a maze, a rose garden, a hunter’s cottage, and such creature comforts as a heated pool, sauna, fitness room and tennis courts. The weekend started with a rustic rehearsal dinner under the arches of 100-year-old trees on the property. Women were wearing flower-crowns and they ate a delicious local spit-roast suckling pig as the sunset and the candlelit flickered. The wedding day featured an outdoor ceremony under a floral arch full of unique rituals. One example is a vase filled with water by the bride and groom, then each guest adding a rose to make their special bouquet. Cocktails were then served in the formal gardens and dinner in the château. French touches included vintage candlesticks, porcelain and a beautiful table runner full of fresh greenery and flowers. We could describe this enchanting wedding in a million ways; talking about all details; flowers, gardens, ceremony, the table set-up, or even the gorgeous custom-made wedding dress by the bride’s mother, etc… but it is better to hear it directly from the bride.

From the Bride… A destination wedding was the best option for us as we had family and friends travelling from all over the globe. We chose the French countryside for the beautiful scenery, outdoor atmosphere, and access to exceptional food. Chateau de Bouelles was a perfect fit for us because we were truly able to enjoy the wedding weekend with our family and friends. The exquisite gardens won us over, as early on we easily envisioned incredible outdoor festivities. The setting and location of the chateau allowed our guests time to explore the region in between wedding events. We had a very dependable planner that understood our vision. Our wedding was absolutely stress free and enjoyable in every way imaginable, we couldn’t have executed it without her.

I had tried on many beautiful dresses, several which felt alright but none that were quite spot on. It needed to be classic but not stuffy. I wanted it fuss free and a dress I could move around in and not need help while walking. After months searching and not finding quite the dress, my mother offered to make my dress. It took lots of phone calls and several flights but it was a beautiful way to include her in both the plans and on the wedding day.

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Fete in France

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2 Brides Photography

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That fairytale gown you’ve been looking for? We found it.

Looking for a winter weather pick-me-up? Then you’ve come to exactly the right place, because today we’re spending some time with the new Spring 2017 Avery Collection from Maggie Sottero Designs and it’s amazing. Think organic, artful designs, stunning embellishments and body-skimming silhouettes. Scroll for the big ol’ dose of romance (+ sunshine) your day totally needed.

Fact: Maggie Sottero Designs creates gowns that are absolutely breathtaking… and the new Spring 2017 Avery Collection most definitely does not disappoint with gowns that will leave all of your guests talking. From demure styles with a twist (hello, McKenzie) to beyond beautiful detailing with beads, pearls and crystals (we’re looking at you, Petra) to unique trains like the cutout stunner on Odette, every last gorgeous creation is the definition of romantic whimsy with styles that will make your hearts sooo happy. I mean, we all want to look like a princess on the Big Day and Maggie Sottero Designs’ scalloped hemlines and vintage-inspired laces will do just that. We promise.

Whether you love the illusion lace of the Blanche or truly want to make a statement with the Bianca (that skirt!), contact Maggie Sottero Designs today to find your very own fairytale masterpiece. You absolutely won’t regret it, loves… these gowns are awesome.

A Quintessential Southern Soiree for Charleston Lovers

In my own hunt for the perfect wedding destination a few years ago, Charleston was definitely a contender. You can’t beat those charming streets full of old world beauty—see? Dana Cubbage Weddings‘ captures of this day planned by Boutique Planning are pure Southern pretty through and through. Take a gander at The Vault, I think you’ll agree.

From Dana Cubbage Weddings… Georgia-Leigh + Brian’s downtown Charleston wedding was the quintessential Southern soiree. These two DC residents wanted an elegant affair focused on celebrating with their family + friends… and they sure got it! The day started with a sweet First Look in the French Quarter area of downtown Charleston, followed by a TON of portrait time before we headed back to the William Aiken House for group + family photos. Their ceremony took place at Grace Cathedral downtown and it was an absolutely STUNNING church! After they said “I do!”, everyone hopped on a trolley and headed back to the venue for their reception. Georgia-Leigh and Ashley with Boutique Planning did an amazing job creating a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere for their guests at the William Aiken House. Guests were treated to a variety of lowcountry favorites and the dance floor was packed all night thanks to Asheville, NC-based band, The Business. At the end of the night, Georgia-Leigh + Brian exited through a tunnel of sparklers. It was the perfect end to their fairy tale day.

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How To Pull off an Intimate Garden Wedding in the City

Smack dab in the middle of downtown Los Angeles, this wedding was as beautiful as it was intimate. A garden setting surrounded by city skyscrapers added a uniquely elegant touch to this couple’s special day. Soft blush florals provided by The Little Branch, added a perfectly subtle enhancement to the already beautiful setting. Check out the entire collection captured by Michael + Anna Costa Photography.

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From the Bride… In our first year of dating, we attended 11 weddings, so we had the chance to see many beautiful ceremonies, venues and wedding styles. But when it came time to plan our wedding, neither of us really knew what we wanted. I had never been the girl who imagined her dream wedding or pictured what my dress would like, so we had a hard time getting started. We knew we wanted an outdoor venue close to home, and happened upon Maguire Gardens, a private park in front of the Los Angeles Public Library’s Central Library. We saw a few pictures online, and when we visited it felt like a tree-covered oasis in the middle of the high-rise buildings of Downtown L. A. It felt comfortable, chic, unique, and perfect for us. From there, everything started to fall into place.

When I started dress shopping, the jeweled ball gowns were gorgeous, but they didn’t feel right for our venue. It seemed like something natural and fluid was more appropriate. My Bliss Monique Lhuillier gown was perfect with its delicate, understated lace and open back. The Art Deco exterior of the Central Library juxtaposed against the lush garden inspired the bridal party attire – navy suits for the guys and gray dresses for the girls. For a fun touch, we asked the guys to wear whatever brown dress shoes they had and asked the girls to pick out their favorite dress silhouettes. I love how natural everyone looks in styles they find comfortable and the overall look of the bridal party when everyone is just a little bit unique. For a fun touch, Randy wanted to wear a matching navy vest and pink tie to set him apart, and it totally worked.

Given that the park had so much greenery and innate beauty, we wanted the flowers to look organic and natural as well. We opted for a pale palette and unfussy arrangements rather than tightly-bound, symmetric bouquets. The ivory, blush and silver sage in the bouquets paired perfectly with my gown and the bridesmaids’ dresses. Meg at The Little Branch helped us create beautiful arrangements to go under our ceremony tree to help define the space, and, since the reception was outdoors at night, she incorporated lanterns and votives on the tables for additional lighting. I told Meg that I wanted the flowers to look nice but not overdone and too serious, and she made sure everything turned out more perfectly than I ever could’ve imagined. To add a little something fun and unexpected to our venue, we added a couple of chandeliers – one hung from the tree where we held the ceremony and one over our sweetheart table. Sandra at Luna Party Rentals proposed the idea of the crystals strewn over the tree and making the chandelier look like it was floating over our table. Despite having spent hours getting ready and taking some of the pre-ceremony photos, I didn’t feel like it was truly our wedding day until I first saw the ceremony tree with the chandelier and crystals right before we did the first look. It was like a fairy tale.

For the ceremony itself, Randy and I thought it was important to write our own vows and make the wedding ceremony truly our own. Our officiant, Elysia, made us feel comfortable in front of everyone, and there were definitely a few times where we were all laughing during the ceremony. My favorite was probably after Elysia told the story of how Randy was so nervous during the proposal, that he handed me the ring but didn’t put it on my finger. When he slid my wedding band onto my finger that day, I very quietly joked to him, “You did it this time”, which Elysia decided to share with all of our friends and family. And the fact that Randy and I made the same joke about our competitive nature when we watch Jeopardy together is probably a good sign that we are truly meant to be together.

Other than the type of venue, one of the few things we knew from the beginning was that we wanted good music and food. Basically, we wanted a fun party for our family and friends. Angelica Strings provided beautiful music for our ceremony, even arranging a string quartet version of Jose Gonzalez’s “Heartbeats” for the bridal entry. During cocktail hour, we had a signature spicy mezcal cocktail and Django Foxtrot, a local jazz band, both of which fit the cool, urban vibe at our venue. Dom from Red Shoe was an amazing DJ and provided the best mix of oldies, pop and our favorite 90’s rock and hip-hop that kept people out of their seats and dancing all night. Our nephew, the ring bearer, and my cousin, the flower girl, had so much fun dancing on a “real dance floor” that they were sweaty and exhausted by dinner time, and one of our friends danced so hard that she sprained her ankle!

The other wedding decision we had no trouble making was picking a cake. Our favorite bakery for birthday cakes is SusieCakes, so it was an easy decision to go with them. The hard part was picking which flavor to go with after the tasting, so we ended up with two flavors! We had a hard time figuring out how to cut the first slice and couldn’t stop laughing. Dessert has always been our favorite part of a special meal, so we also had a dessert table with various bite-size options and candy. We couldn’t have done any of it without Brooke, Christy and the team at Orange Blossom Special Events. They went above and beyond to help us throughout the planning process and ensured that the day was perfect. We knew we were in good hands with them. We’re so grateful to have worked with Michael + Anna Costa Photography. Michael’s photos are beautiful, and he really captured the day. We couldn’t believe how many photos he had taken and had a tough time selecting the ones that would ultimately go into our album.

Lastly, we had been worried throughout the whole planning process about doing a completely outdoor wedding during an El Nino year in California. We didn’t have a contingency plan other than getting a large tent to cover the whole area, which would have blocked out so much of the natural beauty of the venue in addition to being inconvenient. Thankfully, we had a quintessentially Southern California day full of blue skies and sunshine. It ended up being the perfect day to celebrate the start of our marriage with friends, family, dancing, and lots of dessert.

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Event Planning

Orange Blossom Special Events

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When You Own a Coffee Shop Your E-Sesh is Really, Really Cute.

Georgette and Brian, you two are THE cutest and I’m completely obsessed with your entire engagement session. Really, does it get any cooler than a coffee shop (of which you own) love sesh? I think not. Followed up by snuggling in the prettiest of fields with a fluffy white pup… can’t. even. See the entire gallery of gorgeous crafted by Sophie Epton in The Vault!

From Sophie Epton… When Georgette and Brian told me the concept for their engagement shoot, I was so ecstatic! These two are the coolest, so I knew their engagement was going to be just as spectacular. Brian owns the most adorable coffee shop in San Antonio (and had been running it for six months!) and so it was truly fitting that we started our session there. It was such a joy-filled, fun shoot; I photographed as Brian whipped up lattes and snuggled with his future bride amongst the roasted beans and copper coffee machines.

A week later, we all traveled over to Driftwood to one of the most fantastic Hill Country venues- the Greenhouse at Driftwood. Georgette and Brian dressed up for the occasion (in suit and the dreamiest of blush BHLDN dresses) and they even brought their sweet pup, Peanut, along for the ride. We hiked amongst rocky terrain over to the most magical river, danced in the glowing grass fields at golden hour and even had a chance to go inside the infamous cacti greenhouse at the venue. It was so amazing to combine these two concepts and looks into one incredible, personal engagement session that truly showcases these two as a couple and their journey together.

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Petit Bouquet

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The Prettiest Woodland Bridal Session

Inspiration comes in many forms but when it’s a bridal shoot set in the most charming woodland, it’s more than enough reason to swoon. With the creative vision of Lauren Field Design and Untamed Heart Photography behind the camera lens, it’s no surprise every detail came together perfectly. More this way!

From Lauren Field Design…

”We don’t persuade people through intellect, you do through emotion.” -Aristotle

Being the observer in one another’s life creates the loveliest environment. We were inspired by the beautiful moment a bride has with her bridesmaid before she embarks on a new journey in her life. Sharing this small moment with her dear friend fosters the strong intimate relationship she will desire to build with her groom.

The harmonious palette of taupe, light green & golden rod illustrates earth’s energy allowing us to observe the beauty that radiates from within. Focusing on the raw simplicity of the woodland area was important in creating a calm and peaceful backdrop where the colorful hues of orange, cream, and light pink of golden hour shined through the foliage.

The bride was adorned in an exquisite cap sleeve full lace Claire Pettibone gown paired with a loose modernist side braid. To highlight the gorgeous lace details we created a custom sheer ivory ribbon and light mauve lace cape to cascade behind the bride.The bridesmaid wore a dramatic floor length vintage silk beige pin tuck halter gown and loosely drawn up hair. To pair with the delicacy of the gowns we selected lustrous raw stone jewelry for the event. A custom crimson fabric wrapped ring box showcased the striking engagement ring. Adding this vibrant hue to our color story created a rich ambience for our highly neutral setting.

As the sun starts to set on this lovely event, our ladies toast with a signature cocktail of champagne and hibiscus flowers.As they forge their own paths in life they will always share in that bond that brings them together.

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Wedding Dresses

Claire Pettibone

Couture Bridal

Fall 2015 Romantique

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Super Stylish Garden Wedding

A garden wedding is always a good idea and when the Bride is as stylish as this one, it gets even better (I mean, just check out those earrings!). She was positively glowing and made sure to spread her style secrets to her bridesmaids, decked out in Jenny Yoo. Theo Milo captured all the looks and Light Cannon Films got in on the live action – see their clip below and all the pics in our Vault gallery right this way!

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Summer Weddings

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Eatery Garden Weddings

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Romantic

From Theo Milo… When your friends and family are willing to travel great distances in hurricane-force weather, you know you’ve built some great relationships. And their guests could back that up – there were many testimonies given in the speeches and the more intimate moments of the times that Camille and Josh put others first, made time for family, and prioritized the important relationships in their lives. Even when Camille moved to New York to pursue her acting career, and even when Josh began to pursue Camille (a worthy pursuit, if you ask us!), they never forgot their roots, and the people that got them there.

Amidst the lavish Spanish moss and live oaks of Airlie Gardens, and the understated brick walls of Bakery 105 in historic downtown Wilmington, all of those lasting friendships and family ties came together for one beautiful celebration. The gorgeous details, signage, candles, garlands, and sweet details were no less extravagant than what this occasion deserved, and provided the perfect twinkling, effervescent backdrop suitable for such a romance.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Amsale

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

Amsale Bridesmaids Spring 2014

Additional Styles by Amsale

Amsale Bridal Fall 2014

Amsale Bridal Spring 2015

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Amsale Bridal Blue Label

Amsale Bridal Spring 2016

Amsale Bridal Fall 2016

Amsale Bridal Spring 2018

Amsale Bridal Fall 2018

Amsale Bridesmaids

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Jenny Yoo

Spring 2014 Maternity

2016 Bridesmaid Collection

2016 Bridal Collection

Spring 2017 Flower Girl Collection

Spring 2017 Bridal Collection

Spring 2017 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

Spring 2017 Accessories Collection

Fall 2016 Separates Collection

Spring 2017 Lingerie Collection

Spring 2017 Separates Collection

Spring 2017 Bridesmaids Collection

Spring 2018 Bridal Collection

Spring 2018 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

Spring 2018 Flower Girl Collection

Spring 2018 Bridesmaid Collection

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Proof that Lakeside Weddings Make for the Prettiest of Celebrations

If ever there was a reason to buy a lake house, this would surely be it. It’s prime real estate for the most romantic of wedding celebrations. Set against the backdrop of the Canadian wilds along with design by JoyFoley Weddings, blush infused blooms by Fleurish Flower Shop and the prettiest images by Justine Milton Photography, it’s simple yet so, so elegant. Pore through the vault for even more of this beauty.

Riley and Cody had a very specific vision when it came to their wedding. They wanted simple, organic and elegant. When I started designing their special day I knew we needed to incorporate lots of candle light, greenery and warm elements. With organics being so on trend this year {and we love this!} I wanted to ensure we created something unique to them. Jaime Gage from Fleurish Flower Shop perfectly captured our vision with the beautiful and organic bouquets and the lush greenery table runners. Candles adorned all of the tables and perfectly set the ambiance for the entire evening. The icing on the cake was having the talented Justine Milton work her magic and perfectly capture Riley and Cody and their special day!

Photography: Justine Milton Photography | Floral Design: Fleurish Flower Shop | Makeup: Trena Olfert | Hair: The Pretty Haus | Planning & Design: JoyFoley Weddings

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Photography

Justine Milton Photography

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An Oregon Wedding Planned Entirely from Amsterdam

When Jenna and Rory decided to set their wedding just outside Portland, Oregon, they were undertaking quite the task. Currently living in Amsterdam, their planning journey meant countless emails, Skype sessions, and virtual tours. But to say it all paid off would be an understatement. Take one look at the photos from Maria Lamb and you’ll see how their perfect day went off without a hitch.

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Fall Weddings

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Outdoor Weddings Weddings in Wineries

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Rustic

From the Bride… A British boy meets American girl through the Swoosh – Nike. Our passion for sport, fitness, and helping all athletes (including ourselves) brought us together at the HQ in Beaverton. When Rory was relocated to the Beaverton office he found himself sitting 3 cubicles away. I could hear that British accent and loud voice instantly. He made his presence known.

The relationship was hush-hush at first to ensure that we could uphold our professional reputation and keep the beginning of our relationship for us to create and determine the future. We dated for 4 months when visa complications had him shipped away to the European office in the Netherlands. As a very career driven and independent person, it was very hard for me to ever consider following my heart for love. After 8 months of long distance, 9-hour time difference (which means you text only), I took the leap of faith and head out to the Netherlands. But, I’m very practical and ensured I had a job lined up.

Rory and I have been exploring Europe for 1 year together. Many people would have thought he would have proposed as we watched the sunset in Positano, or as we played in the snow in the Swiss Alps, or sail through the blue waters of Croatia. Instead, he found the most simple of moments on New Year’s Eve when we were in Vermont. He knew that celebrating with my family would mean the most to me and took advantage of the fact the next day I would be surrounded by many that matter to me. These occurrences are rare with some of my family in Portland, some in Boston, us in Amsterdam, and friends in NY and California. He bought the ring and called my father on the phone only 10 days before. He says he was thinking about it for a while but realized after I jumped on a plane, this was the best moment.

We (I’m being generous with we) have planned the entire wedding from Amsterdam. Many hours of late night emailing and mainly done digitally through Skype sessions with vendors or virtual tours. However, I managed to make a few trips back to Portland to finalize some details and seal the deal on certain items. We wanted a simple affair that celebrated the many people who traveled for the day and ensured the ‘agenda’ was to spend the most time with the guests as we could.

Mixing Romance and Greenery with a Stunning Rustic Backdrop

Whether you fall firmly in the romance category, love a great organic infusion or lean towards all things vintage and old-world, this wedding has all of the above. Greenery and blooms crafted by Dark & Diamond gussied up the gorgeous brick wall backdrop of the Roundhouse At Beacon Falls and Brian Hatton Photography captured all the beautiful moments.

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Summer Weddings

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Hotels + Resorts Weddings

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Modern

From the Bride… Andy and I both love upstate New York and the Hudson River Valley. Our shared love of nature is a central part of our relationship and the Hudson River Valley has both sentimental and aesthetic value for us. So we knew we wanted a venue that was somewhere along the Hudson, easy for friends and family to get to, with a cute town that was close to nature.

When we visited The Roundhouse we fell in love with the industrial feel in an adorable town right next to some awesome hikes. The Roundhouse’s sleek design and decor mixed with the beautiful waterfall on one side and mountains on the other were a perfect mix. We loved the rustic setting paired with the convenience of amenities, hotel rooms, and all inclusive catering. The combination of indoor and outdoor space gave us comfort in knowing we had a great back up rainy day option. The floor to ceiling windows, exposed brick, wood beam ceiling, and open dance floor made the venue a truly unique space. It was also easily accessible for elderly family members, which was incredibly important to us.

Our floral designers, Dark and Diamond, helped us to accentuate the natural beauty of the venue by adding flowing greenery and flowers, romantic candles, and small details throughout. They had worked at the Roundhouse many times before and helped us bring our vision to life. Not to mention, they were probably the coolest couple we’ve ever met. We got married on July 3rd, 2016 and our friends and family all got to take advantage of the beautiful town of Beacon, delicious food options, cozy bars, awesome hikes, and even got a glimpse of local fireworks during our party!

A Dolce & Gabbana Ad Inspired This Real Wedding

When bride-to-be, Shirly came across a Dolce & Gabbana advertisement one day, she knew she’d just found her wedding inspiration. Featuring striking florals, rich black accessories, ghost chairs, lush greenery and brassy gold elements, it guided her fashion-forward approach to their wedding design…and the result is every modern bride’s dream. Mark and Shirley brought on an amazing vendor team with Esoteric Events, Kristina Adams, Amari Productions, Seniman Calligraphy, The Blushing Bird and La Tavola, to name a few. See it all this way!

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Colors

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Fall Weddings

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Rustic Weddings

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Modern Romantic

From the Bride… When we first started designing the look of our wedding, we struggled to unite vastly different aesthetics that we both loved. One day, I came across a Dolce & Gabbana advertisement and that became the focal point of our inspiration. We took the colors of the fashion forward florals and layered in rich black accessories and ghost chairs for a modern take, and then incorporated brassy gold elements and lush greenery and textures for some old-world romance. Thanks to our spectacular all-star vendor team, we are so happy with how everything came together!

We had only moved to Los Angeles from New York for two months before Mark proposed. So we thought it was very fitting to have our wedding in Southern California since we had many out of town family and friends traveling from Asia and the East Coast. We both wanted an outdoor celebration, and once we saw the venue with its sweeping vast views, we knew that was it. Our wedding day was truly the happiest days of our lives. It’s a remarkable feeling to be marrying your soul mate, surrounded by everyone you love. I couldn’t stop smiling all day, and no matter how hard I tried to stop it, I cried lots of happy tears!