Saying “I do” in classic fashion is never a bad thing, and when these two sweeties tied the knot in their traditional meets romantic affair, it was everything you want your wedding day to be. Think gorgeous details, a beautiful locale and moment after moment of HAPPY. Oh, and the bride’s amazing hair? It’s beyond. See it all captured perfectly by the talented Kristina Lorraine in THE VAULT.

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From the Bride… It all began on a hot and humid day back in July 2012, fittingly, at a Chicago street fest a few beers deep. It started innocently enough, Kurt’s friend knew mine, which started the introductions. This led to an afternoon of a few awkward flirtations and a whole lot of Bud Light. Kurt claims that he had asked for my number that day, but this part of the story is still a little hazy. It took three months and the magic of Facebook to reunite us (we’re a shy duo).

We had our first date at a romantic local establishment (Kirkwood in Lincoln Park), and again keeping with the theme, learned more about each other over a few adult beverages. The next few years were spent meeting each other’s wonderful friends and family (Kurt was welcomed with party hats and boas and thankfully my introduction was a lot more tame), a few weekend getaways, moving in together to our cozy Roscoe apartment, and a little bit of heartache. All of which showed us that we can pretty much handle anything that is thrown our way. Our story shows that love can be found at any corner even when you least expect it. Even the corner of Lincoln and Montana!

Our wedding vibe can be described in three words: light, romantic and antique-y. This made the most sense due to our casual venue and our laid-back personalities. We went to a countless number of good will stores and a few antique rental spots to make our look complete! Our theme for the wedding was “love” (unique right??) which we were able to incorporate all over our venue. Starting from the drink we loved, to Polaroids of the people we loved (in lieu of a guest book), to centerpieces with displays of Kurt and my favorite things. It really turned out to be a perfect day of love!!

Photography: Kristina Lorraine Photography | Event Planning: Graceful Events | Floral Design: Trellis | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Invitations: BHLDN | Ceremony Venue: St. Andrew | Reception Venue: The Abbey Resort and Spa | Bride's Shoes: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair + Makeup: Sonia Roselli | Cocktail Cruise: Lake Geneva Cruise Line | Dessert: Holey Moley | Photography - Assistance: Mugan Films | Rentals: Relics Vintage Rentals

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Not only have we looked to some of these iconic women for their incredible style—but we also love the beauty of their names. From Garance and Coco Chanel to Bianca Jagger and Poppy Delevingne, these ladies rock uber style and have fabulous names that are sure to inspire your baby naming process for a little lady.

Baby Names Inspired by Iconic Women with Uber Style

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Baby Names Inspired by Iconic Women with Uber Style

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Paper Wisteria Backdrop DIY for a Flower-Inspired Shower

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See our full baby name archives here!

Give me a bouquet from Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs and I’m always on board. It’s the beginning of this classic southern affair designed by A. Dominick Events and we’ve got all the moments from the lens of Katelyn James. Adorable first look reaction, included.

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From the Bride…Yes – the groom, my dress, the unbelievable weather, the incredible venue were what made my wedding day special, But also, truly? The people.

Our families, whose generosity and patience really made the day and weekend itself a reality, but who also shaped everything we believe in, and surrounded us with love on the day and always. Our wedding party made it special – they are not just beautiful humans, but they have always supported us and continue to support us. Our friends (who we consider to be family), who came from near and far and wide, to stand by us as we said our vows.

Both my parents walked me down the aisle – it was important to them, and to me – and then in the middle of the father-daughter dance, my dad and I had planned to surprise my mom by pulling her up to the dance floor with us. Then it just felt silly without my sister – we’re a unit – so we pulled her up too. It was one of my favorite non-ceremony moments. It is so hard to choose just one favorite detail from our wedding, but if I had to it would be pinning my grandmother’s wedding ring (along with a little blue ring of my mother’s) into my dress as my old, borrowed, blue – because I believe my grandmother would have really loved to have picked my dress with me!

I just wanted it to be both the loveliest and most logistically smooth day that our guests had ever attended – it was important to me that it was beautiful, that it reflected us as people and as a couple, and that guests always knew what was happening, how, and where. (As someone in the events industry, the guest experience matters!) So that was major “inspiration.” Decor-wise, I just wanted it to be lovely. Our colors were technically gray and chartreuse and white – modern (John’s taste) but also a little unexpected and romantic (my influence). And then we added in some pink for me, and some deeper greens because spring produces a bounty of beautiful flowers that are hard to resist. My dress and the venue inspired a lot – I picked my dress first, actually, which I wouldn’t have planned to do – but it ended up laying the groundwork for the tone we wanted to set. Romantic, beautiful, flows easily, and a little bit organic but refined. Boom: Pippin Hill. A match made in heaven. And the rest fell (or at least mostly!) into place.

It sounds cliche but I loved the food, the sparkling rose, the perfect gray and white of the escort cards, and the glimmering mercury glass of the votives on the tables. I loved our ceremony music and our reception DJ – it doesn’t sound like a detail, but when it’s good, it’s really good and the guests really enjoy themselves. And of course, the cookie table. It’s a Western Pennsylvania tradition, and my aunts and family members made all those cookies for us – it is such a generous and delicious tradition that we were lucky enough to have our families be willing to transport it to Virginia.

All of this would not have been possible without the most wonderful vendors (who I really continue to think of as my partners in the whole thing) – Cindy from A. Dominick Events (who saved me), Katelyn James (who captured everything more beautifully than I remember it), Pat and Sherry from Southern Blooms (who made my floral dreams come true), Hannah at Pippin Hill (who made my food dreams come true, and service look like a total breeze), Cheree Berry and team (who made my paper dreams come true) and last but not least Alison Harper’s team (who made me feel beautiful) They all brought this entire beautiful thing to life – and made it so easy and smooth for me – and I am forever grateful!

Photography: Katelyn James Photography | Event Planning: A. Dominick Events | Floral Design: Southern Blooms | Wedding Dress: Suzanne Neville | Cake: Favorite Cakes | Invitations: Cheree Berry Paper | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Hair + Makeup: Alison Harper and Company | DJ: Evan Reitmeyer | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: Pippin Hill Farm

When you have the perfect pairing of photographer and adorable couple – and a beautiful backdrop that’s just one amazing added bonus – you don’t need anything else. No props, no fillers, no extras. Just pure, simple talent and a too cute for words twosome. Need proof? Look here: Joel Serrato captured these cuties in the hills of Los Olivos – see all the pics in our Vault right this way!

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From Joel Serrato Films + Photographs…Emily and Sean’s engagement session in the mountains of Los Olivos.

Photography: Joel Serrato Film Photographer | Hair + Makeup: Janet Villa

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Cinematography

Joel Serrato Film Photographer

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For the creatives behind Ashley & Malone, working with your significant other looks beyond dreamy. And this glammed up office is the proof. A sleek white backdrop, a pop of pink sofa, perfectly edited desks and all the pretty vignettes you could possibly imagine – that’s just a bit of what you’ll find in this creative workspace. Take the full tour captured by Krista Fox Photography right here.

The Ashley & Malone office is a space for us to work as a team, collaborate on exciting new projects, welcome our clients into a space that’s inspiring and hopefully foster our company culture in a bright environment. 

Ashley & Malone began with the dream of building a boutique agency that better served the creative industry. A loving team who believed that design didn’t have to be complicated and development didn’t mean confusion for our clients.

The journey behind Ashley & Malone didn’t just happen one day, it was shaped by years of late nights and hard work, but also a unique story of the love of Ashley and Dallas, a husband and wife duo who fell in love during our last semester of design school.

After a few years of courtship, long distance between Dallas’s home in The Bahamas, and finally a move to Ashley’s hometown, we were married in 2012. Since graduation, we had run a successful freelance business where I designed and Dallas developed. It largely served corporate clients and to say I was uninspired was an understatement.

 We were both working full-time jobs and ran our company in the evenings and weekends. I was happy, but something felt like it was missing… Why was I working every night after work to design projects that I wasn’t passionate about? During our wedding, I was so inspired by the creativity and beauty found in the wedding industry. The people who we worked for were fun, female entrepreneurs who valued stunning design but also lacked the know-how and experience in graphic design and code.

I can remember a few times when our vendors reached out to us in a panic saying their website crashed or a simple change they wanted to make wasn’t possible because their developer was MIA. Alas, Dallas would come to the rescue and fix whatever problem they were having. I didn’t realize how valuable it was having a coding pro that wasn’t going anywhere.

The idea for Ashley & Malone came to life. We slowly transitioned our freelance business and setup a landing page for our new venture – A design agency that catered to creative entrepreneurs, wedding pros and bloggers. It was built on the concept of having a creative, reliable and personal approach to branding and website design.

 Before we knew it, we were booking one, two and now six months in advance. After a year and a half of building the business out of our home, we made the jump and signed an office lease. I maintained my flexible full-time job, and Dallas soon left his gig to work for the company full-time.

Nine months later, I left my cushy job and hired our first Office Manager. Six months later we hired on a Graphic Designer and Web Developer. We’re now a happy little team of five (hopefully forever) and I couldn’t’ picture it any other way. This office shoot was a way for us to celebrate where we have been and where we are going.

To more intentionally showcase the story behind Ashley & Malone and honor our incredible team. The business has changed so much in the last 3 years, we service small and large clients and really wanted to communicate that to our following. A few noteworthy partnerships have been with The Body Book (by Cameron Diaz), Lover. Ly and Inspired By This.

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20 Chic Ideas for an Organized Office

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20 Chic Ideas for an Organized Office

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Photography: Krista Fox | Office of: Ashley & Malone

First comes the proposal, then comes the planning! As a new bride on the cusp of holy matrimony, it can be difficult to know where to begin. While friends, family and internet inspiration can be resources to figuring out where to start, it’s important to first know the style of wedding you’re going for. The wedding style you choose will walk you through each step of planning and better equip you to make decisions quickly; without stress or confusion.

Browsing wedding websites (like SMP, of course) and magazines are usually the first things a bride begins to do in the planning process. It may seem like a good idea, but if you don’t first figure out your wedding style, browsing inspiration endlessly will leave you overwhelmed and spinning in all directions. There are so many options and beautiful choices that can pull at our heart strings so it’s important to have a firm idea on the wedding style before deciding on other details such as the flowers, colors, or reception decor. The wedding day style you choose will be the ultimate tool to guide you throughout wedding planning. So let’s get to it…

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Closet Perspective

First, think about your wardrobe. Your personal style says a lot about who you are as a person and can bring about certain keywords that will help guide you to a more personalized wedding day. Do you and your fiancé have similar style? If not, take note of both styles to make sure you’re taking into consideration a collective style that speaks to the both of you. Now, take a look into your closet. What kind of styles do you wear? Are you conservative, preppy, trendy, glamorous, edgy, or casual? Although we all seem to have a finger on our personal style, it helps to visualize each piece and see our closet or style from a different perspective. I may think I’m really trendy but when I see my staple wardrobe pieces, I quickly realize I have a more laid-back approach to fashion. Keep your personal style in mind while you ponder the next steps to discovering your wedding day style because it will help your decisions stay ‘on brand’ and be more authentic to who you really are as a couple.

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Weekend Vibes

What do you and your fiancé enjoy doing together? Do you like to explore the great outdoors or prefer a nice dinner out before a show? Your wedding day style should reflect common interests that will ultimately help you make more personalized decisions for the wedding. A couple that enjoys sunshine and surfing wouldn’t be likely to choose an indoor, winter wonderland wedding but the bride might fantasize it for a moment if she doesn’t take their common interests into consideration beforehand. For example, if I were to skip this step and went straight to browsing inspiration on the internet then I may end up wanting a million things for the wedding that look pretty in a picture but clearly doesn’t speak to our relationship. Dreaming of all the different weddings you could have will leave you falling from a cloud without solid direction and make wedding planning seem far more difficult than it should be.

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The Power of Three

Once you have your personal styles and common interests in mind then you will be able to narrow down your wedding day style into a maximum of three keywords. There are so many descriptive words to choose from, so to make it easier, I’ve included a page from my book My Fairytale Wedding below that lists many of the keywords to reference! With your partner, note only 2-3 of the words that speak to your personal style and how you want your wedding day to look. Do these words complement each other for a refined wedding theme? Write these words down or keep them in mind throughout wedding planning. As you begin to make decisions on the specific details for the wedding, these keywords will help you stay focused and confident for an overall cohesive look and wedding style you will love for your big day.

Happy planning!

xoxo, Desiree

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Peek Back at Desiree’s Wedding!

Amsale Bridal Week Fall 2017

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Amsale Bridal Week Fall 2017

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Photography: Amsale

Anne Barge Bridal Week Fall 2017

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Anne Barge Bridal Week Fall 2017

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Photography: Dan Lecca

A change in season means one thing: a change in color, and boy oh boy do we love ourselves a rich pairing of autumn hues. Thankfully Jasmine Pettersen has answered our call because this lovely little inspiration is bursting with seasonal elements that you’ll want to steal. See it all in The Vault!

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From Jasmine Pettersen … We took inspiration for this shoot from the golden light of autumn, and the gardens and grounds of the Heide Museum of Modern Art in Melbourne. Organic and slightly wild, the fenced gardens hide secret nooks for lovers to wait, and surprise us with delicate green shoots among the autumn tones.

Our bride looked ethereal in her embroidered silk Houghton NYC Beatrix gown from The Bridal Atelier, paired with a delicate crown from Anna Marguerite.

Shades of gold and silvery grey feature throughout: in the soft billowy silk ribbons, the art deco diamond rings, and the exquisite paper goods in metallic ink on grey handmade paper.

Our florals, mirroring the wildness of the garden, feature poppies, garden roses, peonies and autumn berries and foliage.

The overall effect is both elegant and refined, but grounded in the imperfect beauty of nature.

Photography: Jasmine Pettersen | Floral Design: The Flower Dispensary | Wedding Dress: The Bridal Atelier | Cake: Sweet Milton | Rings: Keshett | Hair + Makeup: Ashleigh Carpenter | Groom's Attire: Godwin Charli | Venue: Heide Museum Of Modern Art | Headpiece : Anna Marguerite | Models: Viviens | Paper goods: Written Word Calligraphy | Silk ribbons: The Coterie

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Written Word Calligraphy

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Now that we’ve had a chance to drool over part one of Jess Galfo’s wedding day captured by Love & Light Photographs, it’s time for the magic that came after “I do.” Beginning and ending with epic staircase moments, it’s no surprise this fashion blogger turned bride made sure her gowns fit the Cinderella occasion. In her words, “It has been such a pleasure to share my wedding journey with you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following along.” The feelings are so mutual, Jess.

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After the vows, our guests headed into cocktail hour overlooking the bay. Few places on earth can reflect the postcard-quality views, and nothing beats a summer sunset over the ocean. After cocktail hour and as guests headed into the reception, I quickly transitioned my look into something a little more sleek, for dancing of course! My hairstylist Michelle (of Up and Out Beauty Bar) stayed with me the entire day to help transition my hair for the evening. I wore a custom hairpiece by Foolish Ginger that delicately strung along my curls.

Our guests found their seats with the help of calligraphed escort cards adorned with wax seals. French inspired centerpieces, candelabras, linens of textured ivory with lace embroidery, and a stunning ballroom with a scenic view set the tone for the evening. Our sweetheart table featured a beautiful garland (over 3 feet of flowers!) simply laid across a sparkling linen in a soft ivory. Our band, Almost Easy, kept us on our feet, and I can truly say we danced the night away under the stars overlooking the beautiful coast.

The whole day was an ethereal vision and the happiest day of my life! It has been such a pleasure to share my wedding journey with you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following along and for all of your sweet words. I would love to hear about your wedding plans too in the comments below. Cheers to planning your very own fairytale!

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Photography: Love & Light Photographs | Cinematography: Endless Wave Studios | Event Design: Gilded Lily Events | Floral Design: Reynolds | Cake: Carlo’s Bakery | Shoes: Jimmy Choos | Jewelry: Jenny Packham | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Makeup: Make Me Up Eva | Hair: Up & Out | Band: Almost Easy Band | Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein | Groomsmen’s Attire: Calvin Klein | Officiant: Reverend Donald Gebhard | Ceremony Music: Shrewsbury String Quartet | Transportation: ShooBoo Shuttle | Venue: Mallard Island Yacht Club | Bridal Boutique: Kleinfeld Bridal | Bridesmaid’s Accessories: Olive + Piper | Bridesmaids’ Robes: Cloud Hunter | Cake Topper: Table Setting is My Life | Ceremony Lighting: Ocean Tents | Custom Hair Accessories: Foolish Ginger | Custom Wedding Dress + Veil: Kleinfeld Bridal | Invitations + Signage: Design House Of Moira | MOB + MOG Robes: POSY | Maid of Honor Dress: Adrianna Pappell | Rentals: Dovetail Vintage Rentals | Ring Bearer Pillow: JfyBride | Vintage Hat Box: Trousseau & Co | Welcome Gifts: That’s Darlin’ | Candleabra Rental: Two of a Kind

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Follow Jess’ Entire Wedding Journey!

(Left to right) Engagement | Holiday Love | Wedding Planning | Bridesmaid Ask | Bridal Shower | Bachelorette Weekend

You guys have NO idea how much of a tease writing this post was for me. We find out the gender of our very own baby in just ten days. Ten! I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning. Although we aren’t planning to do a gender reveal party, after seeing this adorable shindig planned and designed by mama-to-be, Elizabeth Carberry, I’m starting to think that maybe we should. Read more about the inspiration behind the sweet details below and see the rest captured by Bonnie Sen in The Vault!

From the Mom, Elizabeth Carberry… Before even finding out we were pregnant I knew I wanted to host the perfect gender reveal for our future little star. We had to wait a little longer than expected because our doctors made us wait until week 20 to find out but it was worth the wait!

I know from day one that I wanted the theme to be Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and working and collaborating on events with some of the most creative people in Washington, DC made it so easy to pull together my vision. I wanted everything to be really simple and neutral in color palette and design with just a touch of sparkle.

My dear friend from Taffy Floral created luscious, unassuming, gorgeous bouquets that served as the focal point of our tablescapes. And the icing on the cake was a custom wall mural made by The Blue Haystack to pull the theme together that corresponded with the cake topper to share “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, How We Wonder What You Are” with our family and friends.

My husband wanted the reveal itself to be interactive, so we went with the poppers, but I knew that I wanted to include the most delectable cake to surprise us from Buttercream Bakeshop. And to add to their tasty creation, Cookies On The Side, made the most adorable and delicious cookies!

The poppers were a fun way to include all the people we love most in sharing in our surprise – although coordination took a bit of finesse so everyone popped at once. The confetti was blue! And even though “I already knew it was a boy” (call it a mother’s intuition), we could not have been more thrilled! Baby Carberry now has his own version of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Start signed by all of the people that already love him most – and now onto his nursery to make his little world come to life. We can’t wait for our Christmas baby!

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Try this DIY backdrop for a baby shower!

Photographer: Bonnie Sen | Styling: IDA ROSE EVENTS | Cake: Buttercream Bakeshop | Invitations: Pen and Parcel | Art Mural: The Blue Haystack | Confetti Poppers: Relish Print Designs | Cookies: Cookies on the Side | Gallery: Fathom Creative | Planning & Design: Elizabeth Carberry

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Petit Bouquet

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You guys, we’ve followed our girl Dressed by Jess since the very beginning. We followed her from the engagement to the bridesmaid ask, to the wedding planning, bridal shower, and bachelorette weekend. To say we’ve come to adore her is an understatement, and that’s why we’re nearly bursting at the seams for the wedding day reveal! Shot by Love & Light Photographs and filmed by Endless Wave Studios, it’s simply too good for one single post, so stay put for part two up next.

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From The Bride…The time has finally come to share all of the details from our wedding day. It’s been just about three months since we said “I do” and it was truly everything we could have imagined and so much more. We feel so consumed with love from our family and friends and we are so thankful for each and every person who helped our big day come to life. Here’s how our fairytale unfolded…

Our wedding celebration was inspired by the French countryside and the grand beauty of Paris. We were engaged in Paris during a vacation there in October of 2014, and it was one of the happiest times of our lives. Incorporating a touch of France into our wedding made the day even more sentimental. We scouted several venues in the tri-state area in search of a whimsical setting that felt special and reflective of our old-world kind of love. We chose a waterside estate, The Mallard, just south of where Rob and I grew up. It was an extremely romantic setting that felt straight out of a storybook.

Leading up to the wedding Rob and I poured our hearts into planning. I worked with Paige of Gilded Lily Events to design every last detail. We set the tone for the celebration with French blue, ivory, rich greenery, blush, and gold accents. Our invitations along with all of the signage for our wedding day were custom made by Victoria of Design House of Moira. The softest French blue was hand painted over gold foil invitations and finished with our initials in a floral embellished crest.

If I had to choose three favorite wedding planning moments, it would be customizing our invitations, working with Reynolds and Gilded Lily Events on the floral theme, and designing my dress alongside Mark Zunino. To be honest, while I enjoyed almost all of the wedding planning, these moments will always standout as my favorites. I’ve been waiting to talk about my dress for what feels like years now! Mark designed the dress of my dreams which featured a 9 foot detachable train delicately adorned with Italian 3D-cut lace which was scattered organically throughout the ballskirt and bodice. The A-line skirt fell softly on top of a fit-and-flare reception dress. The sleeves featured more lace to add softness and dimension and they were also detachable. Mark designed a cathedral veil to complement my dress (nearly 12 feet long) with a blusher. It was truly the dress of my dreams!

I woke up on the morning of our wedding to the bluest sky and to a cool ocean breeze. It was a perfect 73 degrees with zero humidity…totally not normal for New Jersey in June. I couldn’t even envision this weather if I tried to. I was surprisingly calm and collected throughout the day. I really wanted to enjoy every moment and absorb all the love and happiness that surrounded Rob and me. Getting ready with my girls in the bridal suite at the Mallard was magical. The suite is 3,000 square feet (it takes up the entire 4th floor!) and overlooks the bay. I truly felt like a princess in a palace sipping champagne and dancing around during my final moments as a Miss.

I treated each of my bridesmaids to custom robes by Cloud Hunter Co., accessories from Olive + Piper, a customized bridesmaid hanger, a gold clutch, and a delicate chain necklace with a pearl charm from Trollbeads as a keepsake. The girls each wore a different dress from Monique Lhuillier, and my Maid of Honor wore a sparkly Adrianna Papell gown that was complemented by the other girls’ gowns. They all looked so beautiful.

As hair and makeup wrapped up, the hours finally turned into minutes before seeing Rob for the first time. I’ll never forget stepping into my dress, slipping on my shoes and accessories, and holding my bouquet in front of the mirror. Seeing the full look come together brings out all the different emotions of the day in one glance- overwhelming relief, excitement, nervousness, and absolute joy. I opted for an all-white bouquet full of garden roses, peonies, sweet peas, and scabiosa, all tied with raw silk ribbon in the day’s signature color, French Blue. It was total perfection. The final few moments before I saw Rob surrounded by my mother, mother-in-law, and bridesmaids were so precious. My heart was beating so fast in anticipation of seeing him.

Our first look took place underneath beautiful stone arches next to the garden. The florist and Gilded Lily Events adorned this area with a vintage couch and a garland of roses and greenery. It felt as if we had been swept away to a French Chateau. As I walked towards Rob, his back to me, I could see him swaying back and forth. I knew he was just as excited and anxious to see me. I tapped his shoulder and when he turned to me we both smiled, hugged each other and then bawled our eyes out. It was a raw emotional moment that was so special. I fell madly in love with this man 7 years ago and we have shared many special moments together, but nothing compares to how I felt when I saw him for the first time on our wedding day.

The ceremony took place in a charming chapel surrounded by water, and we exchanged vows underneath a garland of garden roses, hydrangeas, and dahlias all carefully strung about over the stones. A gold vintage frame filled with flowers hung above the mantel and hundreds of lit candles overflowed the fireplace. Chandeliers intertwined with roses lined the aisle along with white rose petals. Tiny packets of lavender were placed on the guests’ chairs for a celebratory toss. A string quartet played traditional pieces as guests sipped on lemonade before heading into the ceremony. Once inside, the ceremony began. One of the most memorable lines the Reverend said while marrying us just so happens to be the opening frame to our highlight video and it was a piece of advice I will cherish forever: “When love lives, as it does here today, it reflects the deepest and most tender secrets of the universe. Devotion… Joy…and love can only grow if you nurture them together.”

Photography: Jessa Schifilliti, Photographer | Cinematography: Endless Wave Studios | Event Design: Gilded Lily Events | Floral Design: Reynolds | Wedding Dress: Mark Zunino | Cake: Carlo's Bakery | Stationery: Design House Of Moira | Jewelry: Jenny Packham | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Makeup: Make Me Up Eva | Hair: Up & Out | Band: Almost Easy Band | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein | Groomsmen's Attire: Calvin Klein | Officiant: Reverend Donald Gebhard | Ceremony Music: Shrewsbury String Quartet | Transportation: ShooBoo Shuttle | Venue: Mallard Island Yacht Club | Bridal Boutique: Kleinfeld Bridal | Bridesmaid's Accessories: Olive + Piper | Bridesmaids' Robes: Cloud Hunter | Cake Topper: Table Setting is My Life | Candleabra Rental: Two of a Kind | Ceremony Lighting: Ocean Tents | Custom Hair Accessories: Foolish Ginger | MOB + MOG Robes: POSY | Maid of Honor Dress: Adrianna Papell | Rentals: Dovetail Vintage Rentals | Ring Bearer Pillow: JfyBride | Signage: Design House Of Moira | Veil: Mark Zunino | Vintage Hat Box: Trousseau & Co | Welcome Gifts: That's Darlin'

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Follow Jess’ Entire Wedding Journey!

(Left to right) Engagement | Holiday Love | Wedding Planning | Bridesmaid Ask | Bridal Shower | Bachelorette Weekend

A simple black and white color palette always seems to work no matter the decor style or space. It’s modern, it’s classic, it’s timeless and perfect for a room you are designing to grow with your babes. Take this nursery turned magnificent toddler space designed by Harmony Lynn Photography. A b & w color palette, mixed with modern details makes for a big kid’s room that they’ll never want to leave.

My little boy, Domenic, recently turned four! Took me a while but I finally turned over his room from nursery to big boy. They really do get so big so fast! I was originally inspired by the black and white striped rug and designed the room with that pallet in mind. 

The room is large, featuring one gigantic window overlooking the Banana River here in Satellite Beach! Because the room was so big, I filled it with two twin beds, perfect for future sleepovers and in the meantime, an easy secondary bed for midnight accidents.

The art was a fun project me Domenic did together with watercolor paints. He picked out his favorite themes and I recreated them. We found matching pillows for the rain cloud and sun for just a little pop of fun and color which he now calls the happy and sleepy beds.

Behind the beds is the original chalk board wall that I created for him when we first moved in. It has his birth date and weight and sweet love notes from me to him written on it. I’ll never erase it until he wants to paint over it!

On the other side of the room is a giant built in to house his many little man accessories. The dresser was a changing table now converted to a shelf. I love having cabinets where I can put away his many colorful books.

He loves to hide out in his Teepee with this stuffed animals and read books on his own or jump on his bed. He loves his big boy room and all the things inside of it that make it his.

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43 of the Most Well Designed Kids' Rooms the Internet has Ever Seen

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43 of the Most Well Designed Kids' Rooms the Internet has Ever Seen

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Photographer & Designer: Harmony Lynn Photography | Private Home: Our Home

Monica & Andrew’s English countryside wedding is what daydreams are made of. With the truly talented Faye Cornhill behind the lens snapping up every second of beauty, we’ve got every bit of their celebration waiting for your to fall head over heels in love with via The Vault!

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From Faye Cornhill… I’m so happy to share this beautiful wedding with you, it really will go down as one of my all time favourites. It was at the wonderful Notley Abbey in Buckinghamshire. Notley Abbey weddings are always sublime. I love the seclusion, the space and the opulence of this beautiful venue.

Monica and Andrew are genuinely two of the loveliest people you could ever wish to meet. Breaking with tradition they arrived on the morning of the wedding together. Hand in hand they walked up the cobbled stones to the huge Notley Abbey oak door, exchanged a simple kiss and agreed to meet at the alter. Super cute.

Monica and Andrew are genuinely two of the loveliest people you could ever wish to meet. Breaking with tradition they arrived on the morning of the wedding together. Hand in hand they walked up the cobbled stones to the huge Notley Abbey oak door, exchanged a simple kiss and agreed to meet at the alter. Super cute.

Monica was the picture of calm throughout her preparation. She effortlessly styled her own hair and make up, smiling the whole way. As she unpacked her lace Monsoon dress and her stunning pink sari (bought by her father in India) I knew I was going to be in for a visual feast.

Monica’s huge smile lit up the room as she walked to meet Andrew. Together they stood, clinging on to each other, as they exchanged their vows. There was such an overwhelming sense of happiness as the registrar announced them as husband and wife. Andrew wasted no time in kissing his beautiful bride.

After the ceremony, Monica and Andrew were greeted by guests with a shower of confetti. We then moved to the lawn for a champagne reception. The three of us managed to grab some time away to take some portraits on the amazing driveway at Notley. I can’t tell you how much I loved this part – working with such lovely people makes me so happy.

After this, Monica was changed into her stunning pink sari by her Mother and Auntie and we moved straight into the speeches. After a delicious banquet I managed to grab some more time for photos of Monica and Andrew. The light at Notley was just perfect for the sparkle of her sari.

From the Bride… Andy and I got engaged in September 2015 and we knew pretty much straight away that we wanted a summer wedding the following year. Come January 2016, we hadn’t made even made a start!

I had always envisaged a country chic sort of wedding, but Andy preferred the more formal surroundings of central London, so when it came to choosing a venue, we were at opposite ends of the spectrum. Then, a couple of weeks into the search, Andy stumbled across Notley Abbey, a beautiful country house set in idyllic grounds and full of history. We both looked at each other and thought ‘wow’, but knew there was next to no chance of securing a date this year, let alone in the summer. Needless to say, we were astounded to hear that there was a solitary Saturday available for July this year, and we jumped at the chance to view the venue the following day.

We drove up the beautiful tree lined drive; everything was covered in snow and looked so picturesque. We knew there and then that we wanted this to be our venue, even though it was the first (and only) venue we had visited. We deliberated for all of sixty seconds, and proceeded to hand over a deposit immediately.

From that point onwards, the planning went relatively smoothly. I knew I wanted some personal touches that reflected us as a couple, so (with the help of my mum and sister) handmade all of the invitations, place cards and wedding favours. I even did my own hair and makeup on the day. The day itself couldn’t have gone smoother; the weather was exceptionally beautiful throughout the day (particularly given the temperamental summers we have in England), the ceremony was emotional, and even the fact that our little flower girl ran off down the aisle only added to a glorious day. And, best of all, Faye (our brilliant photographer) was there to capture all of those wonderful memories, which we will treasure forever.

Both Andy and I had said from the start that we wanted our wedding day to be fun and relaxed, with everyone we know and love with us to share our special day. It is a cliche, but that’s exactly how it was. We will forever look back on this day as the happiest of our lives.

Photography: Faye Cornhill | Floral Design: Mandy At Sonning Flowers | Groom's Suit: John Lewis | Wedding Venue: Bespoke By Bijou | Brides Gown: Monsoon | Film Lab: Carmencita Film Lab

You just can’t go wrong with a wedding at home. Especially when you deck it out from top to bottom with blooms as bright as these babies! Thanks to Fleur De Lis for their talent and mkPhoto for capturing it all, we have a uber colorful (aka uber perfect) Vault gallery to dive into today – right this way!

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From mkPhoto… Micaela Carrasco and John Gallagher planned a super exciting wedding in a surprisingly short time. They imagined summer outdoor event and when none of the venues they considered offered quite the right combination, they decided to transform their home and yard into the perfect setting. No detail was left to chance and a team of extraordinarily talented and creative minds worked together to create a dream wedding.

The dress, shoes, flower, the home – every detail was stunning. The combination of the back yard sophistication was a pleasure to capture. The wedding day could not have been any more perfect including a quick trip to Longwood Gardens for portraits. Micaela and John tied the knot at home and will always remember their perfect day when they are relaxing on their deck and watching the sunset over the field.

From the Bride… John and I were friends for years and were co-workers. We were both in outside sales and had a strong passion for sales. That common interest among many other shared interests brought us together. We quickly fell in love and knew that we both wanted the same things out of life: family, travel, laughter and excitement. We were quickly engaged during the Christmas Season 2015, our favorite holiday. John proposed in New York City on the Bow Bridge in Central Park.

The best advice we could give is that the details make the event. The more detailed you can be the better things will turn out. Let people know what your vision is and ask how to get what you had in mind!

Photography: mkPhotography | Cinematography: Allure Films | Event Planning: Styled Bride | Floral Design: Fleur De Lis Floral | Cake: Cakes & Candies By MaryEllen | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Max Hansen Caterer | Hair + Makeup: Claudia Seyler | DJ: VIP | Ceremony Music: Rittenhouse Music | Transportation: Delaware Express | Pest Control - Bug Spray: Mosquito Joe | Portraits: Longwood Gardens Pennsylvania | Restroom Trailer: United Site Services | Tent Rentals + Lighting: Eventquip

Le Mille e Una Nozze knew what they were talking about when they recommended Tuscany to Martina and Fabrizio. It was a home run from start to finish. Les Amis Photo captured it all – the views and the special moments between the two, to all the rustic chic details that make our Pinterest boards bloom (thanks to the talented Flowers Living). More in our Vault right this way!

From Le Mille e una Nozze… When I met Martina and Fabrizio, they were thinking about a wedding as a three day party and they thought that the Italian Riviera was the good choice for a party by the sea. But meanwhile, as they were describing their ideas of their dreaming wedding, I suddenly realized that Tuscany was their perfect location.

They immediately loved my proposal. Borgo Sant’Ambrogio was the perfect venue: not too big, with a little church and a big field in front of it, with a right number of rooms for guests, but above all with a beautiful meadow for the dinner and a breathtaking view on the landscape!

So I started to think about the wedding’s concept and the beautiful landscape helped me: I chose the olive tree and its leaves as the main component, and I suggested the idea of a wreath, evoking a big hug, for the graphic suite. Colors were the ones of the landscape plus a touch of pink to adorn.

The religious ceremony took place in the field in front of the church, with a simple setting. “Love theme” from Nuovo Cinema Paradiso was the song that accompanied the bride’s entrance. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a standing cocktail, and then the dinner. For centerpieces we chose simple compositions to get a natural effect, lots of candles, and an outdoor garland lighting for the dinner area.

After dinner a spectacular wedding cake was served under an illuminated tree, and then the guests danced all night long.

Photography: Les Amis Photo | Event Planning + Design: Le Mille e una Nozze | Floral Design: Flowers Living | Wedding Dress: Alberta Ferretti | Stationery: Mondo Mombo | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Artevento Catering | Hair + Makeup: Salon Beautè Siena | Lighting: Wedding Music And Lights | Band: Sombras live music | Venue: Borgo Sant'Ambrogio | Graphic Design: Mondo Mombo

Blooming with beauty, that’s what we’ve aptly named this inspiration from Apryl Ann Photography. Because when you combine the true talents of The Wildflowers and Bows and Arrows, you know you’re in for a terrific treat. Enter peonies as big as plates and the prettiest way to bring the outdoors in for your big day. Get inspired and be sure to see it all for yourself in The Vault!

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From Rebecca Marin with The Wildflowers… In this dreamy growing garden wedding, we let florals run wild. The flowers, leaves and vines that enveloped the space were as beautiful as they were untamed– a far cry from traditional tightly-bunched white blooms. A palette of cream, yellow, pink, merlot, and tiny touches of green and lavender was present in the flowers, as well as in the cascading Frou Frou Chic ribbon, the naturalistic tablescapes, and the Bonne Nouvelle paper goods.

The bridal beauty looks were undone, effortless, yet sophisticated. The first bride piled her natural curls into a messy chignon, so that the delicate florals and translucent back of her gown could take the stage. The other sported a loose fishtail braid, an ethereal flowing dress, and dewy lips and lids. Little petals and leaves wove throughout their hair as though they had fallen from the arrangements around them. Our brides’ rings, both by Shapiro Diamonds, were modern yet elegant. One boasted an unconventional light-catching yellow diamond that bounced the sun onto a loosely draped bouquet; the second featured a sparkling white diamond in a dainty gold setting. The full effect of these bridal portraits, captured by Apryl Ann Photography, was one of regal beauties who had escaped their big days for a quiet moment among blossoming plants and sun-drenched tile.

Outside, the reception table was shaded by a vine installation mimicking the soft lines of the leafy overhead branches. The florals, by Bows and Arrows, included dozens of tiny vessels, each containing its own arrangement of just a few flowers and leaves. Paired with varying heights of candles, the flowers created an eye-catching multilevel centerpiece. A few blossoms topped the atypical yet playful strawberry cream cake. The neutral gray wooden table and blush-colored chairs, as well as the simple white plates and antique-looking glasses, formed a perfect blank canvas to showcase the florals’ natural beauty. In all, the just-foraged look of the plants and decor created a romantic authenticity that resembled an intimate, elevated estate wedding.

Photography: Apryl Ann Photography | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Wedding Dresses: Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon | Invitations: Bonne Nouvelle Design | Rings: Shapiro Diamonds | Hair + Makeup: Samantha Landis | Event Design + Event Planning + Styling: The Wildflowers | Models: The Campbell Agency | Rentals: Perch Event Decor Rental

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As my husband and I get prepare to welcome our baby into this world, one thought keeps coming to mind. Is it possible to maintain style in my home with a little one running around? This baby gate I recently stumbled upon gave me all the proof I need that, yes, it is SO do-able. Here are a few other ways we’ll be aiming to keep our dignity in the style department after babe arrives!

10 Ways To Have a Stylish Home with Kids

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10 Ways To Have a Stylish Home with Kids

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Not that you need any other reason to completely adore Twobirds Bridesmaid, but just in case you were looking for another to add to your list of why they are so very, very awesome, here’s one: their new Convertible Jumpsuit. A drop-dead gorgeous fashion masterpiece that can be worn in endless styles and comes in two sizes that require absolutely ZERO alterations. It’s ah-mazing, loves.

THE perfect piece for any occasion, the Twobirds Bridesmaid Convertible Jumpsuit is as easy to wear as it is beautiful. Think six gorgeous colors (white, ivory, sapphire, pewter, black and lace), a stunning silhouette that will work with ANY and all body types and one glam look after another with their wrap options.  You can even custom order your fave hue for that bridal party.  I mean, it’s basically everything you love about the wrap dress with a side of sass that only a jumpsuit can deliver. I can’t tell you how obsessed we are about this. (Hint: It’s an insane amount.)

Whether you’re attending your besties’ Big Day or simply want a fun piece to wear out and about on the town with your love, the Twobirds Bridesmaid Convertible Jumpsuit is available NOW on their website, their New York showroom and in stores across the country. I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these beauties.

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GIVEAWAY

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WHAT: Twobirds Bridesmaid is giving away one jumpsuit in the color of your choice! (Valued at $295)

HOW: For terms and conditions and to enter, CLICK HERE. Good luck! xo

Photography: Trent Bailey Studio | Bridesmaids' Dresses: twobirds Bridesmaid | Location: Wave Hill

This colorful gallery is my ultimate version of happy. For starters, the couple wanted a wedding that felt more like a fun summer party than a formal affair and I’m pretty dang sure they delivered. Many of the details, including the hanging geometric figures were handmade by the duo and the Drunken Pixel photo booth and cheeky paper goods tied it all together. Keep the party going with The Great Romance Photo gallery and film by Memo Collective.

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From the Bride…Sam and I started dating at the age of 19, so it would be an understatement to say that I’ve been dreaming about our big day since…Well, forever.

We’ve always envisioned having our wedding at a very modern chic space, and the Fig House fit our vision perfectly. I remember the exact moment we stepped inside The Fig House for the very first time – we felt as if we were being transported into a secret world and instantly knew it would be the “one.” The art-deco design, the colorful mid-century modern furniture, and the open yet intimate setting of the space was everything we dreamed of.

One of the biggest focuses of our wedding was making sure that our wedding felt more like a fun summer party rather than a formal affair. Despite having a guest count of 160, we created an intimate feel, by confining our cocktail hour and dinner to a smaller space, arranged the dinner tables into long rows, and served American barbeque for dinner.

Majority of our décor was handcrafted because we both personally love DIY projects and creating things with our hands. With the help of our amazing wedding party, we handmade key pieces like the hanging geometric figures, personalized place card holders, and dessert forks. The table florals and ferns were hand-picked from the Los Angeles Flower Market and arranged on our own as well. We tried to keep our décor as low-key and as simple as possible because we didn’t want to take away from the charm of the venue.

My favorite moment of the day was our first dance. About 15 seconds into our (slightly awkward) slow dancing, Sam resorted to his silly self and began lip-syncing the lyrics of our song to me to help me feel more relaxed (let’s just say it’s a little overwhelming to see 160 pairs of eyes watching you dance). I remember feeling incredibly happy and thankful in that moment – everything seemed so timeless.

Photography: The Great Romance Photo | Cinematography: Memo Collective | Coordination: Sage Event Planning | Floral Design: Twig & Twine | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Out of Thyme | Bride's Shoes: Ted Baker | Bridesmaids' Dresses: ASOS | Catering: Gus's BBQ | Hair + Makeup: E2 Beauty | DJ: IFTW | Groomsmen's Bow Ties: The Tie Bar | Groom's Attire: No. 33 | Groomsmen's Attire: Zara | Venue: The Fig House | Beverage Services: IV Events | Desserts: Merely Sweets | Groom's Shoes: Allen Edmond | Photo Booth: Drunken Pixel | Tableware Rentals: Signature Party Rentals