Brian and Nicole weren’t interested in a stuffy celebration, but instead wanted a wedding that felt like a party with all their favorite people. The night included good food, good drinks (pre-ceremony popcorn, anyone?), a playlist hand-selected by their guests and Lisa Ziesing of Abby Jiu behind the lens. This, my friends, is a happy day done right.

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FromLisa Ziesing of Abby Jiu Photography… They wanted to party and they did, all while eating delicious food. Bar was the focus and music was important (on the RSVP cards, guests were asked for a song request, which was later played at the wedding). Nicole and Brian live in the Shaw neighborhood in DC, so it was no surprise they picked Long View Gallery down the street for their venue.

Food was very important to the couple. They had a taco station setup called “chipotle Sunday” in honor of N+B getting chipotle every single Sunday. They are also huge movie-goers, so popcorn was handed out as a pre-ceremony, along with pre-ceremony specialty cocktail, to get everyone ready for the night!

The menu reflected a theme of “around the world” in shaw (their DC neighborhood). They both are huge foodies and love to eat. The menu mimicked a restaurant in the neighborhood, Sundevich, one of their go-to spots. They were trying to pull all of their favorite foods into one. 

There was a “Bride’s Seat” at the Bar – Nicole is known to have her spot at the bar, so it would only be fitting to have a fancy seat at the bar for her on the wedding day! And maybe a note about sunglasses never leaving Nicole’s face, hence the bridal party recessional with the white shades and having them for all guests during dancing.

To make things light-hearted and playful, airplane bottles were used as escort cards with a legend to help guests find their seats. They love to play games, so this was the perfect way to show that!

All of the wording throughout the stationery/paper goods was playful and informal and also unique. The quote we used for the save the date set the tone and expectation for the wedding and that it was going to be fun, fun, fun!

Photography: Abby Jiu Photography | Coordination: Cheers Darling Events | Event Design: Lauryn Prattes Styling and Events | Floral Design: Amaryllis | Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige | Stationery: Stephanie B Design | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Heirloom Catering & Event Design | Makeup: Nikki Fraser Of Beauty N The Bride | Hair: Bridal Hair By Remona | DJ: Chris Stiles | Hotel: Hotel Monaco DC | Venue: Longview Gallery | Bridal Boutique: Love Couture Bridal | Decor: Amaryllis | Furniture Rentals: Something Vintage Rentals | Linen Rentals: Nuage Designs

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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From destination wedding plans in Italy to a simple elopement at city hall, Mike and Trinh settled on a last-minute compromise with an intimate celebration on the cliffs of Big Sur, California. They shared vows in front of those they love most with ocean views for as far as the eye can see. Thanks to Jessica Kay for an entire gallery waiting in The Vault.

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From the Bride…Originally I had different wedding plans from having the wedding in the coast of Italy to just eloping at San Francisco city hall. Two months before our wedding date, we compromised and decided to have it in Big Sur, California which is about a 3 hour drive from where we currently reside. Mike and I have traveled the world together and lived in several different cities before Mike proposed in NorCal where he was born and raised in a small town.

I am an artist and nature gal at heart, my vision for our wedding was to incorporate as much nature and us in there as possible. Big Sur has captured my heart long ago when we first visited, she has her unique beauty and a sense of adventure like myself. Big Sur reminded me of my adventures around the world, living on the edge, and trekking to many mountains including Machu Picchu and Mount Everest. Although, I’ve never been to Point 16 before, when I saw the photos of the venue online I knew that I wanted our wedding ceremony to be on that point overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. Our love story has been about adventures, taking risks, and making sacrifices and I think that’s what keeps it all exciting and we’re still very much in love since day one.

Although I am proud to be Vietnamese American, many days of my life was spent living and working in Europe. I’ve always admired French and Italian artists along with their culture and aesthetics. I wanted to incorporate a Tuscany garden feel, Greek romance, and French countryside and California laid back to the dinner table which included old clay pots filled with olive branches and few florals, macaroons for take away gifts, and name cards handwritten in watercolor by me. My wedding designer Joy Nicolas helped carried out the rest of my vision, and I couldn’t have done it without her.

Growing up I enjoyed reading Greek methodology, and in late 2000s I visited a few parts of Greece and loved it there too. I created the design for my dress which was influence by Grecian clothing. My vision of my dress came to life thanks to my friend Judy from Julee Chic Bridal based in San Jose, CA. I tried on so many dresses, I’m very petite, and I didn’t have much time to keep looking for dresses so I simply wanted to have one custom made.

Everyone enjoyed the organic food that was locally sourced by our caterer Cheri and prepared right there at the outdoor kitchen. The view was amazing according to everyone. On a normal day, this part of Big Sur is sunny with a nice breeze. However, recently the big fire has been burning over 100k acre of the forest two weeks prior to our wedding left a haze which also left a very beautiful sunset for our sunset photos. In the end all we have left are photographs, which were captured by Jessica Kay Photography perfectly.

Photography: Jessica Kay | Cinematography: Filmman Video | Event Design: Joy Nicolas | Floral Design: Petals Of Love Floral Studio | Wedding Dress: JuLee Collection | Cake: Fleur de Farine | Catering: A Big Sur Affair | Hair + Makeup: Styles By Ann | Calligraphy: Ink and Linen | Band: Ivy Hill Entertainment | Venue: A Big Sur Affair | Bridal Boutique: Ju.Lee Collection | Candle Holders: Trunks & Tales | Stylist + Designer: Joy Nicolas

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Petit Bouquet

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Here at SMP, we wholeheartedly believe that adding a little bling to your work day makes it that much better. So today we’re teaming up with our friends at Bailey, Banks & Biddle and Scott Kay to do just that. From dazzling diamond engagement rings to stunning eternity bands, we’re taking some time out to help YOU choose that perfect pairing for your finger, one step at a time. Dive in to find out how.

Think Lifestyle

Whether you’re an adventurous lady who would rather rock climb than sit, an avid marathon runner, a lover of reading Jane Austen (guilty) or something else entirely, trust us, narrowing down the right stone and metal combo for your lifestyle is key.  Thankfully, Scott Kay has sooo many amazing settings (like the Oval Halo Setting) and metal combos (hello, Platinum, 18kt, 14kt Yellow and White Gold) that fitting any and all lifestyles is the definition of easy-peasy.  Not sure which one to choose? Bailey, Banks & Biddle’s talented diamond experts can walk with you step by step throughout your ring search to ensure you’re selecting the stone and Scott Kay setting that will last.

Tell Your Story

At the heart of every engagement + marriage is an amazing love story. One that is unique to you and yours… and your ring should be an extension of that. Whether it’s a setting that reminds you of how you first met, or simply the promise of the future, Scott Kay’s newest Embrace Collection is the perfect symbol of the bond that you and yours share. Think stunning designs that showcase diamond links or alternate metal + diamond links for a look that is breathtaking AND gives a little added dimension. Not to mention the linked design detail is the perfect way to tell each other you’re in it for forever… linked for life. How sweet is that?

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Remember the Four C’s

We can’t talk engagement rings without talking about the four C’s – Clarity, Cut, Color and Carat Weight. At Scott Kay, all gorgeous settings are fitted with a beautiful Bailey, Banks & Biddle diamond that has been hand-selected to guarantee the highest in all of the above, plus that added brilliance and quality you know is so important. I mean, that’s even MORE than the four C’s…. they go above and beyond, y’all. Which is why Bailey, Banks & Biddle is known for diamonds that stand apart from the rest and have all been certified by a third party accredited gemological laboratory, which is sooo important. I mean, a Bailey, Banks & Biddle diamond in a Scott Kay Classic Setting? Beyond beautiful.

Stay Within Budget

Ahh… the budget. We don’t necessarily love the word, but we all have one and it’s seriously important to stick to it. (You’ll thank us for this tip later.) But just because you have one, doesn’t mean the world isn’t still your oyster. At Bailey, Banks & Biddle, there is a wide variety of drop-dead gorgeous, I’m going to die if I don’t have it style of rings in every stone, setting and price point. And remember those four C’s (and beyond) we talked about above? No matter the budget, they stick to it. So, basically, you’re set for life with an exceptional piece of jewelry that will showcase just who you are. (Which is awesome.)

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Ready to select that ring of your dreams? Visit Bailey, Banks & Biddle today and work with one of the leading experts in fine jewelry design and craftsmanship to create your forever piece.

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Photography (Top to Bottom): Rebecca Yale + Tamara Gruner + Sally Pinera + Rebecca Yale + Jose Villa

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Photography

Jose Villa Photography

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Photography

Rebecca Yale Photography

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My husband and I have been pretty darned blessed. We have a business that is creative and beautiful and inspiring and challenging. One that allows us to work close to our children so that we can hear their giggles during the day and put a bandaid on boo-boos when only a mom or dad will do. It’s this weird hybrid of work and home and family and we truly wouldn’t have it any other way. So when Family Circle asked us to share what our home looks like for their Holiday Issue, we were thrilled. And the beautiful mess that ensued was definitely one for the books.

First of all, this shoot took place in September. And it was 85 degrees here in Boston. Not a Christmas tree or wreath to be seen for miles and miles. So the Family Circle team brought in all of the seasonal greens and basically transformed our home into a full blown Holiday Shop. I begged them to leave everything behind because it was so wildly gorgeous but alas, as fast and as beautifully as they set up the props, they broke them down, packed them up and were out of here before the sun had set.

We spent the morning getting all of the still shots. The INCREDIBLE Stylist – Christopher White – who you might remember from HGTV’s The High Low Project – is killer talented and fiddled and fussed with each detail until it sang perfect. The equally awesome photographer, David Land, stood behind the camera – which was tethered to his computer – making sure the light hit just so, the smiles felt relaxed and easy and every last shadow was gracefully muted. You would be so surprised at the care that they take with each image. Shifting a vase 2 degrees in one direction, propping an ornament so it caught the light, adjusting my gigantic feet to make them appear less gigantic. Work of heroes really.

Our living room was draped floor to ceiling in sheer white fabric, just enough to diffuse the Summer sun while still saturating the space with brightness. Everyday pillows were swapped out with holiday versions – another detail that I begged to steal though thankfully later found and bought from West Elm (how cute are tassels!?), stockings were hung and see those gold bud vases on the mantle? Those were from my daughter’s 5th birthday party three years ago. Definitely the most used DIY item in our stock room.

As a blogger who has done hundreds of shoots, we have built up a pretty intense stock room. I’ll show you some day because it really is one part absurd, one part totally awesome. The Family Circle team, despite bringing in a truck load of goodies, ended up popping in and out of our own stock to fill in the little gaps and make the space really feel like our own. They truly tended to every last detail – even bringing gingerbread cookies from another shoot they had done the week before. And they still tasted good so if you need a great gingerbread cookie recipe, they’ve got you covered.

Okay, moving on. Getting shots of perfectly crafted rooms is one thing. Enter: a two year old who is about 30 minutes shy of naptime. The last time we had Thea on camera, she cried hysterically every time she saw the camera pointed at her.

This time, she NAILED it. We ended up getting the cover shot in less than 10 minutes. And she smiled the entire time. Happy baby = happy mommy. Despite the 2 pairs of spanx and wool sweater I was wearing. Which were not making me very happy.

Next came the big kids. The Family Circle team and I brainstormed a craft that my kids and I could do together and while it didn’t make the magazine, they loooooved it and I think it turned out adorable. As a side note, my son has Sensory Processing Disorder. Getting dressed in the morning generally leaves both of us in tears. He feels pain and discomfort so acutely and needs constant sensory therapy throughout the day. Sitting down, painting pinecones instantly put him at ease. He loved it and when you add that to the back of a good outdoor hike to collect said pinecones, he’s such a calmer little boy. Plus, they make super duper cute ornaments and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they will share the craft online!

Speaking of adorable, Chris (Stylist) managed to get each of my kids the CUTEST Uggs you’ve ever seen. Audrey now wears hers every single day. Thea begs to wear hers even though she’s outgrow them in just a few short months. And William, well, his sensory issues prevent him from loving his but they look REALLY cute in our entry way, so it’s a win across the board!

So what’s it really like when a magazine takes over your house? Well, it’s kind of awesome. While what you see on the glossy pages may not be exactly the way it was in real life, the hope is that we can capture our family in a way that feels real and yet aspirational. I sprinkled in a few of the more real life pics so that you saw a little bit of the messy and if you click through the gallery, you’ll see more of just that.

Airbrushing will take eczema scars away and will wipe sensory issues clean. But it can’t take away the pure love and joy that this family has, that is only intensified throughout the holidays when we try so hard to slow down when the rest of the world is speeding up. Thank you so much to Family Circle for an incredible experience and a beautiful feature. We will treasure this little window into our family forever and ever.

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The full list of pretty products can be seen in the current issue of Family Circle magazine on stands now!

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Photography: David Land | Featured in: Family Circle | Senior Home Editor: Danielle Blundell | Photo Director: Tina Anderson | Stylist: Christopher White | Iphone Images: Abby Larson | Hair and Makeup: Dianna Quagenti

Once upon a time there was a wedding from Hello Blue Photo that was so incredibly beautiful it made us cry. *Enter* this stunner of a celebration that’s sure to get teh waterworks going. It’s timeless, traditional, and totally chic, and the best part? We’ve got every bit of it to share and it’s all just waiting for you to fall in love with via The Vault!

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From the Bride…I envisioned my wedding day to be classy, elegant, and romantic. I also liked the natural, soft, whimsical look and knew that I wanted to incorporate rustic touches to the decor. With the help of Julep Bloom Design, Amne helped me bring that vision to life with her organic and romantic floral design.

We took a tour of Serra Plaza and immediately knew this was going to the venue for us – the chandeliers, market lights, and water fountain were beautiful. I wanted to exchange our vows outdoors and Serra Plaza had the perfect location in the courtyard near the water fountain draped in beautiful foliage and florals. The chiffon draping also made the wedding so soft, flirty, and romantic.

We wanted our wedding pictures to retell our wedding day to our kids and grand kids. I was looking for a wedding photographer who shared the same vision I had for my wedding pictures – fresh, ethereal, and romantic. After calling and meeting up with dozens of wedding photographers, I met Christina and connected with her personality and style. From our engagement pictures to our wedding day, she produced some of the most gorgeous pictures. Christina was so wonderful to work with – she was sweet, genuine, and captured our most special moments beautifully.

Photography: Hello Blue | Coordination: Top Event Planner | Floral Design: Julep Bloom Design | Wedding Dress: Katie May | Stationery: Minted | Hair + Makeup: Luong Lasting | DJ: SoundWave Productions | Venue: Serra Plaza | Cake Design: Givral Bakery | Rentals: Signature Party Rentals

Have you seen the new Beauty & The Beast trailer? Fair warning, it’s amazing. Which is why we’re channelling our inner Belle by rounding up the chicest ways to plan a Disney inspired wedding day. Like a modern-day fairytale come to life, we’ve got everything from the beautiful ballgown to the incredibly unique decor and it’s all waiting for you (including the official Beauty & The Beast trailer) below!

Beauty & The Beast-Inspired Wedding Details

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Beauty & The Beast-Inspired Wedding Details

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See the official trailer below!

Remember how we brought you all the beauty from NYC Bridal Week? Well, today we’re bringing said beauty back and recapping what trends we want YOU to rock on your big day. From beautiful beadwork to bold blue statements, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite finds from the week and which ones we hope to see grace the pages of SMP soon. See it all below!

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Something Blue

What bride doesn’t want a fairytale moment on their wedding day? Designers this season were channeling Cinderella in the best way by incorporating beautiful blue gowns in their collections. From Francesa Miranda to Ines di Santo, to Hailey Paige, we’ve LOVING the newest something blue for your big day.
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Edible Centerpieces

We saw it firsthand at the Lela Rose presentation and trust us, it’s totally a game-changer. Because what’s better than greeting guests with a centerpiece filled with fantastic food? How about if said centerpiece could also pull double duty to get guests in their seats quicker post-ceremony + you don’t have to have as many catering waitstaff on hand to pass apps. Translation? It’s a win- win.
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3-D Gowns 

Marchesa made all of our wedding day dreams come true with their presentation at Canoe Studios, but our number one takeaway? 3d applique gowns are totally having their moment. See the above as proof and fall further into favorite here!
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Not Your Grandmas Pearls 

From embellished gowns to stunning headpieces, designers everywhere this season incorporated this lovely like gem in totally refreshing ways that’ll have you swapping out a necklace for a gown dripping in precious pearls.
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Nail Art

When we went backstage at Monique Lhuillier we got a firsthand look (literally) at the nail art @RitaRemark was creating with Essie and ladies, we’re BEGGING you to try it out! It’s totally feminine, simply artistic, and all the while classic. See it all on our Facebook live! 

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Find even more bridal week takeaways below!

The Runway to the Aisle: The Hottest Trends from Fall 2017 Bridal Week

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Petit Bouquet

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Thanksgiving is my most favorite meal on the planet. But even more than the turkey or the stuffing is that famous line-up of desserts. You know the ones that you just might bust the button on your pants for? From decadent bread pudding to a classic as can be pumpkin pie, these treats are no-fail approaches to the sweetest Turkey Day ending.

Delicious Thanksgiving Desserts

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Delicious Thanksgiving Desserts

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See our complete Thanksgiving Guide here!

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Falling head over heels for amazing photography is sort of our thing here at SMP, and when it comes to images that make us stop and stay awhile, we have a soft spot in our hearts for Magnolia Weddings. Their fab photojournalistic approach to your Big Day captures some seriously awesome moments… and all in images that will literally take your breath away. Get to know them below.

With over a decade of experience and a passion for capturing your celebration in the best way possible, Magnolia Weddings is everything you’ve ever wanted in a wedding photography team… and so much more. Think seriously talented photographers who aren’t afraid to step away from the camera, get to know you + yours AND assist you in whatever you may need. Whether that’s calming down the bride before the big First Look or shining the groom’s shoes, so that every shot is perfect.  They aren’t just there to snap your Big Day moments… they are friends that will take care of you. And, honestly? That’s awesome.

Ready for images that you’ll cherish for always? Contact Magnolia Weddings today to begin your journey. You won’t regret it, loves.

Photography: Magnolia Weddings | Floral Design: Vo Floral Design | Catering: Eagle Vines Vineyards Golf Club | Makeup: Melanie Leandro | Hair: Rose Bouvier | DJ: Justin Nguyen | Venue: Eagle Vines Vineyards Golf Club

Whether you’re finding out baby’s gender or not, it’s no easy feat to choose the perfect name for your little one. Thankfully, there’s plenty of naming inspiration out there, from charming Irish picks to names inspired by beautiful blooms… but our latest muse? All things musical. See our top 20 sweet-sounding names below!

Unique Baby Names for Wee Ones Destined to be Musicians

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Unique Baby Names for Wee Ones Destined to be Musicians

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More inspo for your bebe this way…

30 of the Cutest Ever French Baby Names
Creative Celebrity Baby Names That Aren’t Totally Crazy Pants
60 Twin Baby Name Pairings that Would Make Mary Kate + Ashley Jealous

Virgil Bunao Photography has a way with the lens that totally makes your heart flutter. Perfect example? This crazy beautiful southern wedding in Charleston that’s all sorts of incredible. From the indoor church ceremony to the intimate reception, we’ve got it all waiting for you (including the Bride’s gorgeous Heidi Elnora gown and the bridesmaids’ blush beauties by Joanna August) in The Vault!

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From the Bride…Most girls dream of their wedding their whole lives. While I did have my fair share of wedding dress daydreams and church bell fantasies, I more frequently dreamt of my husband – what he would be like, what qualities he would embody, and what we would accomplish together. It was no surprise to me that I knew I was going to marry Taylor the first time I met him. He profoundly embodied every quality and more that I had dreamt of all those years. It was truly love at first sight. Charleston was a mainstay throughout our relationship, as we frequently vacationed there while dating. We moved to Atlanta after Taylor graduated from Law school and me from graduate school at University of Tennessee. Shortly after, we got engaged on the Battery. Since Charleston had played such an important role in our courtship, it was a very natural decision for us to marry there.

In the early stages of wedding planning we decided that we wanted our wedding to embody our deep love and commitment for each other, honor our families and unique history with personal touches, and represent our classic and southern styles. We found the perfect ceremony venue at the French Huguenot Church. It was beautiful, classic, had a storied history, was uniquely Charleston, and ultimately was representative our old-world love story. The William Aiken house was the ideal reception venue as we wanted a reception with both indoor and outdoor elements while remaining intimate and romantic. In choosing Charleston and these particular venues, we found exactly what we were searching for – the ideal blend of tradition with progress, beauty with simplicity, and elegance with calm.

The color palette was made up of soft blushes and peach with accents of metallic gold and emerald green. Gina Langford painted an unbelievably gorgeous custom wedding crest for us which served as both our wedding palate color inspiration and floral inspiration. The wedding crest included Juliet garden roses, magnolias, peaches (a nod to our “together-home state” of Georgia), confederate jasmine and honeybees to pay homage to my childhood growing up on a farm with honeybees. The crest foremost set a theme: Whimsical, romantic, us. My stationer carried elements from the crest through all of our paper goods from invitations to signage, favor tags, and our ceremony program. The floral arrangements inspired by our crest included peach garden roses, blush peonies, jasmine, emerald magnolia leaves, and real Georgia peaches that Taylor and I brought to Charleston from Atlanta. The bridesmaids wore soft pink, floor length Joanna August bridesmaids dresses and carried peach garden rose bouquets with greenery that perfectly tied the color palette together.

There were so many lovely, unique touches to our wedding that meant so much to us, and we are fortunate that our incredible wedding photographer, Virgil Bunao (whom we found via the Style Me Pretty blog), was able to capture every bit of nuanced elegance. My bouquet was wrapped with lace from my mother’s wedding gown and included a century-old family crest ring that my husband inherited and gifted to me upon our engagement, and a gold locket with my new initials from Charleston jeweler, Croghan’s Jewel Box. I surprised Taylor with a vintage watch that was part of my “something blue” as the dial was a sapphire, and custom gold bumble bee cufflinks, both as a nod to both my childhood honey farm and to our nickname “bee” for each other. At the ceremony, my high school mentor and teacher sang Jesu Joy of Mans Desiring for the Mothers processional. My grandparent’s vintage wedding cake topper adorned our incredible four-tier almond, red velvet, chocolate, and carrot wedding cake. We displayed wedding photos of each of our parents and grandparents on the fireplace mantel at the William Aiken House as a way to acknowledge the love and legacy that had guided both of us to each other. Our guests were treated to two very special custom wedding favors. Taylor and I spent the weeks before the wedding bottling mini honey jars with raw honey from my childhood farm. It was truly a labor of love. To pay tribute to a tradition my parents had incorporated in their wedding, we sent our guests home with mini red velvet wedding cakes perfectly iced with cream cheese frosting.

Taylor and I were sure to “bury the bourbon” at our reception site – a southern tradition that is said to ward off rain on your wedding day. However, in the days leading up to our wedding, Tropical Storm Bonnie began to make its way towards Charleston’s coast, and brought with it torrential downpours and strong winds. Concerns were high as we monitored the flights of incoming guests and scrambled to formulate weather plans. After some last minute rearrangements of our reception layouts, an unintended tent rental, and a lot of reassuring from our wedding planner, we were as prepared as we would ever be for the tropical storm.

Well, the rain gods must have liked the type of bourbon we buried! When I looked out the window on the morning of the wedding, I could see in the distance that the rain was breaking up and blue sky was emerging. When it was time to walk to the church for the ceremony, the sky was blue, and the sun had emerged. As I was walking with my bridesmaids, I was so unbelievably calm and happy – I will never forget it. The church bells were ringing, the bag piper was playing, the sun was shining, the air had a sweet aroma of southern jasmine, and tourists and locals alike were gathered on Church Street, taking pictures and cheering. I felt like I was in a movie. I told myself I would never forget that moment, and I have thought about it every day since May 29, 2016. I was so happy and excited to get married to the man of my dreams surrounded by all my favorite people. It was truly the best!

My favorite part of the day was the ceremony. I processed down the aisle with my father to an A Capella version of “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You”. The acoustics of the church were incredible; it was such a magical moment. During the ceremony, it felt like Taylor and I were in our own little perfect world filled with giggles and tears of joy. In fact, despite the 120 guests looking on, Taylor “snuck” a kiss in the middle of the ceremony while the officiant turned away to procure the wedding rings. It was an unrehearsed, sincere, and unforgettable moment. I felt so thankful that this man I had envisioned and prayed for all those years was now becoming my husband.

Our wedding day was truly filled with so much love. At the end of the night, as I looked around, we were surrounded by all our loved ones there to support us through this next phase of life. The lanterns in the century old magnolia tree, the twinkle lights, and the incredible live band all created an unbelievable ambiance. The whole day truly felt like a dream. There are two distinct sensory elements that will forever remind me of our magical day- the mint juleps and gardenias. The taste of our signature cocktail, “mint to be” mint julep, danced on my taste buds. Throughout the night I kept getting wafts of Taylor’s gardenia boutonniere. That scent will forever take me back to that night. After we finished dancing to our final song of the evening, we were sent off by a chorus of cheering friends and family brandishing sparklers. As Taylor and I nestled into the back of our chauffeured classic DeSoto to head to Wentworth Mansion, the clouds opened back up and the finest mist of rain began to fall from the sky.

Photography: Virgil Bunao Photography | Event Planning: A Charleston Bride | Floral Design: Palmetto Bloom | Wedding Dress: Heidi Elnora Atelier | Cake: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Invitations: Sweet Magnolia Paper | Ceremony Venue: French Protestant Huguenot Church | Reception Venue: William Aiken House | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: William Aiken House | Hair + Makeup: Charleston Events Hair & Make-up | Lighting: Innovative Event Services | Band: The Charleston Wedding Band | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Groomsmen's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Officiant: Reverend Vance Polly | Ceremony Music: Heath Webber | Transportation: Acw Limo | Transportation: Absolutely Charleston | Bagpiper: Carolina Bagpiper | Beverage Services: William Aiken House | Bridal Veil: IHeartBride | Equipment Rental: Nuage Designs | Equipment Rental: Ooh! EventHaus | Equipment Rental: Snyder | Getaway Car: Lowcountry Valet

In my dream world, this is what winter would look like – crisp, clear, and not a snowflake in sight. It would still have that warmth and intimacy that we crave this time of year and add in some romance, and we have the perfect recipe for a winter wedding. Designed by Atrendy Wedding, with a Buttercream Bakeshop cake that is that I can’t stop thinking of, and hair and makeup magic by Amie Decker Beauty, this shoot captured by Amelia Johnson is just the right thing to put us all in the approaching seasonal mood. Join me in our Vault gallery right here!

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From Atrendy Wedding… An ultra-feminine lace gown and a romantic updo, a gold palette with whispers of green and burgundy, and an intimate reception setting in a wine cellar set the stage for an opulent winery photo shoot with understated winter details. Over-the-top florals, candlelight, shimmer, and subtle wintery details came together perfectly under Amelia Johnson’s talented lens.

Photography: Amelia Johnson Photography | Event Design: Atrendy Wedding | Floral Design: Sweet Root Village | Wedding Dress: Hitched Salon | Cake: Buttercream Bakeshop | Invitations: Cheree Berry Paper | Hair + Makeup: Amie Decker Beauty | Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Lighting: John Farr Lighting Design | Transportation: Vintage Limos | Venue: Stone Tower Winery | Chair Rentals: Select Event Group | Drapery: Fabrication Events | Gift Basket: Marigold & Grey | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: White Glove Rentals

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Makeup Artists

Amie Decker Beauty

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We thought you could use a little morning pickmeup. Translation? It’s time to break out the beauty, which is why we’ve got this stunner of a styled shoot from Studio Elle Photography to share. A southern inspired day complete with cakes and desserts from Luna Bakery & Cafe (atop La Tavola Fine Linen Rental) that’ll have you spellbound. Dreamed up by the massively talented A Charming Fete, this is one wedding isnpiration that’s blooming with all types of beauty (including those magnivicent Molly Taylor and Co. designs). See it all for yourself in The Vault!

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From A Charming Fete…When Renee of Studio Elle Photography and Emily of Emily Millay Photography reached out to us to create something amazing for their Illuminate Gathering photography workshop we knew Moorland Mansion, a stoic, century old property would be the perfect spot. The huge white pillars and 360 degree surrounding weathered wood porch gave vibes of an elite southern mansion. Bailey of Molly Taylor and Co. Created a breathtaking arrangement for a beautiful ancient tree on the back lawn for the couple to say their vows beneath. A luxe, dusty rose velvet linen on the dining table pulled in the perfect amount of feminine softness accented with rich claret hues. The cane back dining chairs, French scalloped plates and eggshell linen napkins elevated the tablescape to a perfect level of formality along with beautiful calligraphy details.

The bride wore a breathtaking Claire Pettibone gown and vintage inspired engagement ring. The fondant blush petal texture of the cake and petite pastries played into a feminine southern vibe, we even had an appearance by Ralph a sweet, blind Old English Sheepdog rescue. He stole the show posing proudly in his floral collar. It was a beautiful day!

Photography: Renee Lemaire Photography | Event Design: A Charming Fete | Floral Design: Molly Taylor and Co. | Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone | Stationery: Rose Gold Studio | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Ring: Trumpet & Horn | Makeup: Beauty Therapy | Hair: Lather A Salon | Groom's Attire: Davide Cotugno | Venue: Mooreland Mansion | Cake + Desserts: Luna Bakery & Cafe | Chairs: All Occasions Event Rental | Glassware + Flatware: Event Source Party Rental | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Veil: The Mantilla Company | Vow Book: Wedding Story Writer | Workshop: Illuminate Gathering

It’s not every day you meet the love of your life while waiting out a hurricane, but for cuties Caitlin and Thomas, that’s exactly what happened. It was a movie-like beginning that all lead to a stunning hometown affair that can only be described as classic with a big ol’ side of romance. Think lush florals from Quatre Coeur, pretty paper goods from Wedding Paper Divas and a VAULT of gorgeous moments all captured by the amazing Kelsey Combe. See you there.

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From the Bride… TJ and I met at a bar on the Upper East Side of Manhattan during Hurricane Sandy and after two and a half years of dating, he proposed to me on the street corner where we first kissed. Almost immediately after the proposal I began envisioning what I wanted our wedding to be like. As a couple, the thing we value most is the people in our lives and I knew our main priority was to have all of our family and friends there with us, and to throw an awesome, memorable party to celebrate. We also sought to have sentimental touches weaved in throughout the day which captured us as a couple.

I grew up in a small square mile town in Westchester and knew that I wanted our wedding to be in the place where I grew up. Right away we knew we wanted the ceremony to be a Catholic mass and I quickly landed on the perfect place for our ceremony – at the Catholic Church in my hometown. My parents also still live in the home where I grew up and early on I decided that I wanted to get dressed there. I also knew that I wanted my dad to see me for the first time in our front yard that I spent countless hours playing as a child.

In terms of the reception, the one place I could not get out of my head was Shenorock Shore Club, the beach club I grew up going to. The Club has absolutely beautiful views, delicious food, and amazing facilities and staff. More importantly, it meant a lot to me to be able to share a place where some of my fondest memories were made with all our family and friends. So it was a no brainer, and within two weeks of the proposal we booked it.

Once the venue was squared away, photography was my next biggest priority. I wanted photographs that we could look back on and would truly feel transported back to our wedding day. I ended up only talking with one photographer, Kelsey Combe, and immediately knew she was the person for me. From her website I knew that her photos were beautiful and seemed to capture natural, organic wedding moments, but once we met I knew right away that she was such a genuinely nice person that I enjoyed talking to. She told me she never forgot any of her couples and could recall names and wedding dates for everyone she shot and I knew that this was the type of person I wanted with me on the day of my wedding. She truly captured what being at our wedding was like and made us look our best; her eye for natural lighting is absolutely unbelievable and she made me feel confident and beautiful the entire day!

In terms of flowers, I knew that I wanted something that had a soft, romantic vibe that would make the space feel intimate despite the fact we had almost 200 guests. The reception room was essentially a blank canvas so we knew we wanted something that would totally transform it. My floral designer Ruth was beyond patient with working with an unartistic person like myself and helped me refine my vision over many in person meetings and emails. Did I mention I basically knew nothing about flowers before this process, except that peonies were my favorite? I quickly learned those would not be in season for my September wedding and would need to be open minded to the hundreds of other beautiful florals that would be in season. Early on we decided to do a mix of round and long tables to make the room feel not overly uniform which would require different types of arrangements.

I loved the overall aesthetic of the flower arrangements we chose but my favorite aspect by far was the escort card table installation. In lieu of place cards we had each person’s table assignment written on a collection of antique mirrors. Then Ruth constructed a “flower frame” above the table with beautiful greens and an array of flowers including dahlias, ranunculus, hydrangeas, and garden roses in ivory, blush and lavender hues. Bubble candles, like the ones in the round table centerpieces, hung from the top of the installation which made the table seem to glow off the reflection of the mirrors.

Cocktail hour was on the deck of the club house which is right on the beach and looks over the Long Island Sound. As guests walked in they were greeted by steel drum music and signature cocktails (the groom’s drink was a Dark and Stormy and the bride’s drink was called Cool as a Cucumber; a vodka lemonade with muddled cucumber) with custom stirring straws. We also decided to an array of passed hor d’oeuvres, including a bite sized grilled cheese with a shot of tomato bisque and lobster mac and cheese served on a spoon. We also had a raw bar, which fit in perfectly with being right on the water.

My favorite memory of the day was getting to see TJ before the ceremony. It was amazing to get a few moments alone before the craziness of the day started. The photos from that part of the day are probably my favorite to look at, as it was the first moments when we really felt like the wedding was actually real.

Photography: Kelsey Combe Photography | Event Planning: Blush Events | Floral Design: Quatre Coeur | Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige | Cake: Magnolia Bakery | Invitations: Cheree Berry Paper | Ceremony Venue: Church of St. Joseph | Reception Venue: Shenorock Shore Club | Bride's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Watters | Makeup: Maison Rouge | Hair: Continental 109 in Bronxville, NY | Lighting: Fabrico Events | Band: Cafe Wha Band | Favors: MarieBelle Chocolates | Groom's Attire: Brooks Brothers | Transportation: Silver Star Limousine | Bride's Reception Dress: Anne Barge | Earrings: Erica Koesler | Getting Ready Robes: Love Ophelia | Menus: Wedding Paper Divas | Photo Booth: The Bosco | Programs: Wedding Paper Divas | Signage + Escort Table: Quatre Coeur | Table Cloths: Nuage Designs | Top Of Dress: BHLDN | Veil: Erica Koesler

Here’s an adorable proposal for the books: this future Bride-to-be planned a little treat for her man, and with a festive flannel shirt in tow, embarked on a little getaway… only to be taken completely off guard by her guy’s own surprise… a sparkly ring and a question. While we see with these engagement pics from Simply Sarah what her answer was, it’s the background story that makes me smile even more – and if you want to see how their story continued, don’t miss their wedding pics here!

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From the Bride-to-be… I transferred schools my sophomore year of high school, and as I was walking out to the carpool line the first day, I saw the most handsome boy standing outside waiting on his mom. I hopped straight in the car and told my mom I had just seen “THE cutest boy alive,” and searched for him all night on Facebook and found nothing. The next day, I told my only friend at school I had at the time about the boy I had seen the day before but I didn’t have enough details for her to know exactly who it was. Embarrassingly I have to admit we decided his nickname would just be “baby” (he had a baby face) until I could figure out his name. She finally figured out who I was talking about and she told me that “baby” was Daniel Fields and he was a freshman. A younger boy that looked like him didn’t discourage me from looking like a fool for being an older girl pursuing someone younger, so of course from then on I practiced “Morgan Fields” over and over in my head and on lots of paper.

My friends and I began to stalk every move Daniel made and I eventually figured out that his locker was directly next to my last period math class which meant I got to see him almost every day. One day, I saw a guy I knew talking to Daniel and made a mental note that the next time I saw him I was going to say something. A couple of days later at lunch, I told our mutual friend he HAD to set me up with Daniel. He said of course and promised to get his number for me. Days passed, and the friend comes up to me again at lunch with a tiny piece of paper (that I still have) with Daniel’s number on it. He added that Daniel was incredibly shy and that I would have to make the first move if I wanted anything to happen. My parents always told me growing up that I was never to approach a boy first and that I should always wait for them to pursue me. Well, I made an exception to the rule and decided I’d send a casual text. I sent the text and he responded and really from that point forward, the conversation never stopped. We talked all summer long and would ask each other every question in the book. I finally mustered up the courage to ask him to go out to eat with my family and our best family friends at P. F. Changs and he agreed. After that first time of hanging out we practically hung out every single day after and were absolutely obsessed with each other. We became each other’s best friend and truly were a part of one another’s families.

We dated for two years, and then it was time for me to go off to school. Much to my dismay, we decided that we needed to break up and have time to really mature and take advantage of all the opportunities we could without always basing our decisions on one another. It absolutely crushed me, but I knew if it was meant to be the Lord would find even the craziest way to bring us back together and He most certainly did. We decided to start dating again and it honestly felt like nothing had ever changed. Of course we were much more mature than we were in high school, but it was just like it was always meant to be. Immediately, we were one another’s best friend again and we didn’t do anything without the other. Our families were overjoyed and we were one big happy family all over again.

About a year and a half passed, and Daniel and I decided to take our own “Mountain Weekend” in Montana in September. I really didn’t think anything of it considering we had previously been out just a couple months before and Daniel grew to love the place as much as I did. Fall is our favorite season, and Montana in the fall is extra spectacular so we could hardly stand to wait to book our next trip when we got home. Daniel and I both love to surprise one another and really will find whatever excuse to do it. On pretty much every trip we’ve ever taken, we’ve always packed a little something extra or planned something special for each other and this trip was no exception. We also like to tease one another that we have the best surprise and Daniel was insistent that his would beat mine this time without a doubt. It would seem fitting at this point most any girl would get a clue what was about to happen, but Daniel is very smart and talked to me in depth about how he would be ring shopping in December back in August so that kept my mind preoccupied to thinking we would get engaged around Christmas time.

So…we make it to Montana, walk in the house, and on the island there is a beautiful bouquet of white garden roses. I of course am so giddy that he surprised me by having flowers for me waiting at the house and thank him for the most amazing surprise to which he very nervously responds that it is only part of the surprise and I would get the rest the next day. The following morning, I woke up to a fire in the fireplace with a fresh cup of coffee, and Daniel heads out to go play golf. Around lunch time he comes back and tells me that we’ll head down to eat lunch and then we can go for a ride on the horses after. Riding the horses is my favorite thing to do out there so I hurried to eat and off we went on our horses “Freckles” and “Cotton.” We took the most beautiful trail through multiple groves of Aspens in their golden prime and up to the highest elevation on property called “Sheep’s Rock.” At this point, the wrangler we were with told us that we could get off if we wanted and take a look at the view of the property from the top. We got off the horses and started down the path where I saw one of my white garden roses laying on a tree branch with a note tied with a ribbon around it. Daniel tells me to open it, and the note says “I love the way you twirl your hair when you get nervous…”. We kept walking down the path where I collected ten more white roses each with something Daniel loves about me written on it. At the top of the path and top of the mountain, there were two chairs with a beautiful wine and cheese display and one final white rose laying across a leather photo album. I opened the album and page by page is filled with a picture and piece of the story of our journey all the way from 16 to 23 years old! At the end, he had written his purpose statement and mine beside his. With tear filled eyes, he stood me up and turned me around and got down on one knee and asked me to spend forever writing our story together… and that’s where it all (officially) began! Needless to say, his surprise beat my measly gift of a new flannel shirt for our trip!

Photography: Elizabeth Lanier Photography

Speaking from personal experience, if you’ve ever hosted Thanksgiving you’ll fall into one of two categories—a complete chaotic disaster where you never want to host again, or, a beautifully chaotic day that’ll make you want to do it every. single. year. We’re rooting for that beautiful chaos friends (because no Thanksgiving is ever 100% perfect) and the key to success? Planning and preparation. From mastering the perfect apple pie to knowing how to set the table, you got this.

Thanksgiving Survival Guide

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Thanksgiving Survival Guide

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See our complete Thanksgiving Guide here!

The insanely stunning views immediately grabbed my attention… but then the love story took hold and I was swept off my feet. Hoo Films captured the beauty of it all – but the scenery and the sweet words – and even shared this clip at the newlywed’s reception, letting friends and family relive all these special moments then and there. Get in on this action with us right this way!

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From Hoo Films… Elizabeth and James have officially stolen our hearts! We had the best day giggling and crying with them. Their words to one another were so incredibly genuine, funny, and loving. We aired this Same Day Film at their reception so all the family and friends could relive these amazing moments. Don’t miss one of our favorites this year!

Photography: Feather and Stone Photography | Cinematography: Hoo Films | Event Planning: Details Details | Floral Design: Shawna Yamamoto Event Design | Hair + Makeup: Kohnur | Band: Downbeat La | Ceremony Music: West Coast Music | Venue: Pelican Hill Resort

Did you hear that? That’s the sound of bridesmaids collectively rejoicing that they can now wear prints. It’s a poppy new trend we’ve seen take hold of the wedding industry and bridal parties everywhere are incorporating it big time. From the prettiest floral prints to inspired hues, we’ve got to say it adds a bit of personality to your big day. See how a few of our favorites highlight this new trend below!

Patterned Bridesmaids Dresses We Love

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Patterned Bridesmaids Dresses We Love

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See more bridesmaids trends below! 

Rewear Your  Dress | Mixed Bridesmaids Dresses | Show their Personal Style

Whether you are starting afresh decorating a new home or are looking to revamp your current digs, layering in items that are party-ready (a la Abby Capalbo) makes for the best of spaces. Her home is the epitome of cozy and gorgeous, sprinkled with items that are ready for everything from fireside cocktails to dinner with friends. Pore through some of the essential pieces that truly make this space shine.

Entertaining Essentials

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Entertaining Essentials

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Handwriting is super personal; you can often tell who the writer is with just a quick glance. And weddings – and their invitations – should be just as personal! Calligraphy is a beautiful way to add that intimate touch to such a special document, and Tim Blair of Well Written Calligraphy knows that all too well. Lucky for us, he’s here to help us figure out which fonts are the best fit for every wedding out there!

And since a majority of invitations are designed and printed using computer fonts and stock or semi-custom designs, and with time, cost and expediency as real and limiting concerns, here’s how to choose the style(s) that are the best fit for your big day!

1. Complementary

My main rule is your most important one – complementary! The font or fonts you choose need to relate to your event and the design decisions you’ve already made! Fonts for a large elaborate black tie event are more elaborate than those for cozy outdoor weddings. In this very simple chart below you can start to get a sense of how this could be put into practice:

2. Cohesion

Additionally, lettering on everything should be cohesive! Cohesive does not mean “the same” though. As you make selections consider how you are going to address your envelopes? Put names on place cards? Create programs? All of the lettering should work together, so it’s important to know the methods you are going to rely on to produce everything so that nothing stands out as being noticeably different. Before you chose a font for your invitations consider these questions:

a. Is a calligrapher going to address your envelopes or place cards? Find out what fonts he or she can match!

b. Is someone you know going to address your envelopes or place cards? Look at their handwriting and get a feel for how it looks. If they write in an upright style, chose something also upright for your invitation.

c. Are you going to print some things yourself? If you are going to print programs or the envelopes on your home computer or at print shop, see what font choices they have. Not all scripts are the same, and they don’t all coordinate. If you are going to rely on computer fonts you have available to you, make sure the invitation is similar.

d. After you know how everything is going to be produced, you can make sure ALL the fonts are cohesive. Here’s a little trick: If you are going to print things in a variety of ways from many sources, a good way to keep things cohesive is to find a simple (not script) font that is available on almost any computer. Add script to things you’d like to stand out, like your names on the invitation or to the headings in a program.

But, regardless of size, taste or budget, planning for your wedding should be fun and always personal. If you like something, that’s really the most important thing!

Ready to invite your guests? See our tips below!

ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

Wayfair
Skillshare
Animoto

We’re excited to share that Shine invitations is currently offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $500 (US orders only) as well as a free sample kit featuring the invitation of your choice, color charts, paper samples, and an example Save the Date! Don’t miss out!

THIS WEEK’S DISCOUNTS…

For our California Brides… Discounts from The Ranch at Laguna Beach

For our Southwest Brides… Don’t miss upcoming trunk shows at Lovely’s in Houston!

For our New England Brides.. Discount from Long’s Jewelers (Estate Jewelry and Wedding Bands)!

For our Tri-state Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design, giveaways from NST Pictures and OLLI STUDIO and don’t miss the Rosa Clara trunk shows at Designer Loft Nov. 11th – 13th!

More trunk show news!

Don’t miss the Anna Campbell trunk shows at the following Lovely locations: Washington DC Nov. 11th – 13th | Rochester, NY Nov. 18th – 20th | Houston Dec. 9th- 11th | Charleston Dec. 16th – 18th!

Don’t miss the Rue De Seine trunk shows at the following Lovely locations: Houston Nov. 26th – 28th | Philly Dec. 2nd – 4th | Miami Dec. 9th – Dec. 11th | San Francisco Dec. 16th – 18th | Washington DC Jan. 6th – 8th | Charleston Jan. 13th – 15th!

Calligraphy Advice: Well Written Fine Penmanship and Etiquette