SUBMIT WEDDING
The 100 Most Romantic Love + Marriage Quotes of All Time

Is there anything more romantic than a love letter? Whether it’s your wedding day, anniversary, or just because, there’s nothing like receiving a heartfelt, handwritten note to make your heart flutter. So if you want to profess your love, but don’t know where to start, don’t worry. We’ve found the 100 most romantic quotes on love and marriage to inspire your inner poet and unleash your inner Cupid.

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“Where there is love there is life.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate then when I fall asleep your eyes close.” – Pablo Neruda, 100 Love Sonnets

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” – Dr. Seuss

“Unless you love someone, nothing else makes sense.” – E.E. Cummings

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” – Maya Angelou

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu

“What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life–to strength each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting?” – George Eliot

“You are my heart, my life, my one and only thought.” – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The White Company

“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” – David Viscott

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” – “When Harry Met Sally”

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“Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.” – Ursula K. Le Guin, The Lathe of Heaven

“Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it be rather a moving sea between the shores of your souls.” – Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

“When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew.” – Arrigo Boito

“Who, being loved, is poor?” – Oscar Wilde

“A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.” – Dave Meurer

“There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.” – Martin Luther

“There is no remedy for love but to love more.” – Henry David Thoreau

“Love at first sight is easy to understand; it’s when two people have been looking at each other for a lifetime that it becomes a miracle.” – Sam Levenson

“A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.” – Andre Marois

“One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.” – Sophocles

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“This is what we call love. When you are loved, you can do anything in creation. When you are loved, there’s no need at all to understand what’s happening, because everything happens within you.” – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.” – Judy Garland

“When you trip over love, it is easy to get up. But when you fall in love, it is impossible to stand again.” – Albert Einstein

“When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance.” – John Lennon

“Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.” – William Shakespeare

“The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It’s a choice you make – not just on your wedding day, but over and over again – and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.” – Barbara de Angelis

“In your light I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems. You dance inside my chest where no one sees you, but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art.” – Rumi

“For you see, each day I love you more 
Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.” – Rosemonde Gerard

“To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow–this is a human offering that can border on miraculous.” – Elizabeth Gilbert, Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage

“Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.” – Unknown

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“Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life.” – Leo Buscaglia

“I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me.”– Roy Croft

“To find someone who will love you for no reason, and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness.” – Robert Brault

“A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.” – Unknown

“In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.” – Maya Angelou

“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”– Franklin P. Jones

“In the arithmetic of love, one plus one equals everything, and two minus one equals nothing.”– Mignon McLaughlin

“It is love that makes impossible possible.” – Indian Proverb

“Walking with your hands in mine and mine in yours, that’s exactly where I want to be always.”– Fawn Weaver

“In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities.”– Janos Arnay

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“The highest happiness on earth is the happiness of marriage.” – William Lyon Phelps

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance.” – Corinthians 13:7

“He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.” – Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

“If I were to live a thousand years, I would belong to you for all of them. If we were to live a thousand lives, I would want to make you mine in each one.” – Michelle Hodkin, The Evolution of Mara Dyer

“Do I love you? My god, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches.” — William Goldman, The Princess Bride

“We loved with a love that was more than love.” – Edgar Allan Poe, “Annabel Lee”

“I have for the first time found what I can truly love – I have found you. You are my sympathy – my better self – my good angel – I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life, wrap my existence about you–and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.” – Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

“Is love this misguided need to have you beside me most of the time? Is love this safety I feel in our silences? Is it this belonging, this completeness?” – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Half of a Yellow Sun

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” – Audrey Hepburn

“He looked at her the way all women want to be looked at by a man.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

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“You and I, it’s as though we have been taught to kiss in heaven and sent down to earth together, to see if we know what we were taught.” – Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.” – William Shakespeare, Sonnet 43

“He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” – Emily Brontë

“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you.”– Jane Austen, Persuasion

“To love or have loved, that is enough. Ask nothing further. There is no other pearl to be found in the dark folds of life.”– Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

“Soul meets soul on lovers’ lips.”– Percy Bysshe Shelley, Prometheus Unbound

“I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who’s ever lived: I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.”– Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

“By my soul, I can neither eat, drink, nor sleep; nor, what’s still worse, love any woman in the world but her.”– Samuel Richardson, Clarissa, or the History of a Young Lady

“I have found the one whom my soul loves.” – Song of Solomon 3:4

“Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet.” – Plato

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“There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.” — Sarah Dessen, The Truth About Forever

“He was my North, my South, my East and West, My working week and my Sunday rest.” — W.H. Auden, Stop All the Clocks

“Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.” — William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

“I finally understood what true love meant…love meant that you care for another person’s happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be.”  — Nicholas Sparks, Dear John

“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.” — A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

“Every atom of your flesh is as dear to me as my own: in pain and sickness it would still be dear.” — Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

“The winds were warm about us, the whole earth seemed the wealthier for our love.” — Harriet Prescott Spofford, The Amber Gods

“She was more than human to me. She was a Fairy, a Sylph, I don’t know what she was – anything that no one ever saw, and everything that everybody ever wanted. I was swallowed up in an abyss of love in an instant. There was no pausing on the brink; no looking down, or looking back; I was gone, headlong, before I had sense to say a word to her.” — Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

“I’ve never had a moment’s doubt. I love you. I believe in you completely. You are my dearest one. My reason for life.” — Ian McEwan, Atonement

“One day you will kiss a man you can’t breathe without and find that breath is of little consequence.” — Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

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“So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.” — Paulo Coehlo

“You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.” — Oscar Wilde

“It was love at first sight, at last sight, at ever and ever sight.” — Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita

“I love your feet because they have wandered over the earth and through the wind and water until they brought you to me.” — Pablo Neruda, Your Feet

“yours is the light by which my spirit’s born:
yours is the darkness of my soul’s return
—you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars” — E.E. Cummings, #38

“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” —Aristotle

“Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend is his wife.” — Franz Schubert

“Once upon a time, there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.” — Nicole Krauss, The History of Love

“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, only with what you are expecting to give—which is everything.” — Katharine Hepburn

“Two hearts can enlighten the whole world.” — Sir Kristian Goldmund Aumann

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“Hear my soul speak. Of the very instant that I saw you, did my heart fly at your service.” —William Shakespeare, The Tempest

“Two hearts in love need no words.” —Marceline Desbordes-Valmore

“Life is the flower for which love is the honey.” — Victor Hugo

“True love stories never have endings.” — Richard Bach

“To live without loving is to not really live.” — Molière

“Insomuch as love grows in you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.” —  St. Augustine

“That love is all there is is all we know of love.” — Emily Dickinson

“There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved.” —George Sand

“It has made me better loving you … it has made me wiser, and easier, and brighter. I used to want a great many things before, and to be angry that I did not have them. Theoretically, I was satisfied. I flattered myself that I had limited my wants. But I was subject to irritation; I used to have morbid sterile hateful fits of hunger, of desire. Now I really am satisfied, because I can’t think of anything better.” — Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady

“You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest and most beautiful person I have ever known, and even that is an understatement.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald

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“I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)I am never without it (anywhere
I go you go,my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)
I fear no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet)I want no world (for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you ” — E.E. Cummings

“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” — Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land

“It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

“You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She’s not perfect—you aren’t either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can. She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break—her heart. So don’t hurt her, don’t change her, don’t analyze and don’t expect more than she can give. Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she’s not there.”  — Bob Marley

“Love is like the wind, you can’t see it, but you can feel it.” — Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember

“You don’t love someone because they’re perfect. You love them in spite of the fact that they’re not.” — Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper

“The older you get the more you realize that it isn’t about the material things, or pride or ego. It’s about our hearts and who they beat for.” — J. Sterling

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” – Mignon McLaughlin

“After a while, you just want to be with the one who makes you laugh.” — Sex and The City

“Now at last they were at the beginning Chapter One of the Great Story no one on earth has ever read, which goes on forever; in which every chapter is better than the one before.” — C.S. Lewis

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More Love Lessons For You + Your Beau

Stay in Love While Wedding Planning | Tips for Writing Your Own Vows | Beat the Post-Wedding Blues

30 of the Cutest Surfer Baby Names We’ve Ever Heard

The one adjective that comes to mind when I think of surfers is ‘cool’. And we all want our baby’s names to be ‘cool’, right? Maybe you’re leaning on the more classic side or just looking for something that’s pretty and unique, but either way, you have to admit these surfer-inspired names are pretty adorbs and would be perfect for any beach-loving babe!

30 of the Cutest Surfer Baby Names We've Ever Heard
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30 of the Cutest Surfer Baby Names We've Ever Heard
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Try these DIY Paper Flowers for a Baby Shower!

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Find hundreds of baby names in our archives here!

We Found the Garden Wedding of Every Girl’s Dreams

There’s nothing sweeter than vendors pooling their talents to create inspiration eye candy for SMP brides-to-be. And when that inspiration just so happens to be set at Rancho Las Lomas? You better count us in. Jon CUSeniman CalligraphyPretty Vintage Rentals, and so many crafted a shoot all about that soft, understated, and completely effortless romance every girl wants on her wedding day and we’re 100% uhb-sessed.

From Jon CuInspired by the hand-painted tiles and many charming bungalows nested around this spectacular private resort and zoological garden at Rancho Las Lomas. We wanted to create a scene with romantic and soft textures and incorporate the unique elements the venue has to offer. A delicate design with hues of coral, cream and white set the stage for this romantic, yet delicately editorial shoot. Our vision was to embrace a sophisticated and elegant design with an understated and effortless look.

We decided to set the table beneath the famous open-air theater that nestled under ancient oak and sycamore trees which created a room surrounded by the unique elements of the venue such as the orange clay roof and ground tile, white stucco and the blue and white hand painted tiles, murals from Portugal. The soft nectar palette was a lovely backdrop for the loose flowing flowers and vintage-inspired china which paired perfectly with the vintage silverware and accompanied well with the rest of the settings.

Jon Cu Photography was able to capture the effortless beauty of our bride styled in Carol-Hannah gown. The simple messy updo and romantic soft peach makeup with a hint of gold created by Chiali Meng Artistry matched perfectly with the gold foiled dress. Romantic rich florals designed by Plenty of Petals balanced by natural place settings adorned with hand-loomed silk ribbons and calligraphy place card designed by Seniman Calligraphy graced the tables scape and made a thoughtful yet dramatic contrast.

As we designed this style shoot, one of our goals was to include unique venue elements into the shoot. For example, the color of orange is all around the venue from the roof to the floor. In the style shoot, we decided to use orange as our main color of inspiration and incorporated different shades of orange such as the light coral linen, silk table cover, velvet armchair and the darker cymbidium orange orchid that we used in the bouquet and floral arrangements. Another uniqueness of Rancho Las Lomas is the venue itself is a zoological garden with more than 10 kinds of wildlife live on the property. To portray this uniqueness, we decided to include macaw hand-drawings in our invitation suite.

From the textured white fondant cake, the handmade venue inspired wedding invitation suite, to the gorgeous gold foiled open weave linen Carol-Hannah gown and hand-loomed silk ribbons, those unique textures defined the tone of the shoot. By bringing interior luxuries outdoor, such as the velvet armchair and pressed champagne coupes, we created a scene of vintage elegance paired with the relaxed resort lifestyle.

Photography: Jon Cu | Event Design: Yvonne Xue | Floral Design: Plenty Of Petals | Wedding Dress: Carol Hannah | Cake: Sweet & Saucy Shop | Jewelry: Trumpet & Horn | Hair + Makeup: Chiali Meng | Calligraphy: Seniman Calligraphy | Venue: Rancho Las Lomas | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Tabletop + Armchair Rentals: Pretty Vintage Rentals

12 Things To Add To Your End of Summer Bucket List

As a born and raised New Englander, I always aim to enjoy the strengths and beauty each season brings with it. But that doesn’t keep my summer-loving heart from crying a little inside as these warmer days slip away. Not ready to say goodbye yet either? As the weeks of August pass by, make sure to get in some of these simple, yet soon-to-be-missed summer time to do’s!

End of Summer Bucket List
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End of Summer Bucket List
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Pippa’s Tying the Knot and We Have Her Perfect Registry Picks!

It’s happening, loves. Pippa is tying the knot and if there’s one thing we know about this royal in-law + style maven, it’s that classic glamour is totally her thing.  So today we’re teaming up with The Registry at Bloomingdale’s for a little game of “What Will Pippa Register For” because, well… sooo much fun. Take a look at our beautiful picks for our fave sis below.

Pippa Middleton Registry Picks
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Pippa Middleton Registry Picks
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Our finds for Pippa are out-of-this-world gorgeous, but the best part? You can register for your very own Pippa-esque essentials by stopping by the The Registry at Bloomingdale’s in-store or online.  From stunning bed and bath necessities to decor must-haves to kitchen gadgets that will make your hearts sing, The Registry at Bloomingdale’s has EVERYTHING for your brand new abode, right down to that must-have blender for those Sunday morning smoothies.  Not to mention that The Registry at Bloomingdale’s also offers exclusive savings (20% off in store!) on dresses, intimates, fine jewelry AND men’s suiting + formalwear right through your wedding date, which means looking absolutely fabulous for that engagement party is totally covered… you and your groom will never look so awesome.

Contact your Personal Registry Consultant at The Registry at Bloomingdale’s TODAY for their expert advice AND to find out even more about their fab completion offer (10 – 20% off!), bridal event invites and amazing honeymoon packages. There’s even time saving essentials, like a Registry Checklist, Thank You Manager and mobile Big Brown App.  Head there NOW to fill your home with those traditional with a twist items Pippa would totally love.  They’ll take care of you… we promise.

An Intimate Woodland Wedding in Yosemite

When you love the great outdoors as much as this adventurous couple, a wedding set amongst the gorgeous redwoods of one of our most beloved national parks seems like the perfect choice. Anne-Claire Brun captures both the intimacy of the occasion and its stunning, grandiose backdrop to perfection. You’ll fall in love with the natural beauty of this wedding here in The Vault!

From Anne-Claire BrunI have dreamt about shooting a Yosemite Wedding. I went there for the first time about a year and a half ago and it’s needless to say that I fell in love with the beauty of that part of the world. I knew I’d like it from the photos of Ansel Adams. But I didn’t expect the light to be that extraordinary. Maybe I’d simply forgotten the majesty of mountains because I haven’t gone to the French Alps (where I’m from) in years, but waking up in the morning before sunrise isn’t something I do for just anything, It was freezing and dark. And then the light slowly glided over the tree tops, breathing colors into the valley. In Yosemite, the light is magic.

When Jessica and Brandon wrote me that they planned on having their engagement photos in Big Sur and their wedding in Yosemite, I was a little in love with them. In Big Sur, he proposed to her. In Yosemite, he used to go camping while growing up.

I love when weddings locations have meaning!

So here’s the wedding of Jessica and Brandon. And if after that you don’t have a plane ticket/road trip to Yosemite National Park, I don’t know what you need.

From The Bride…Brandon and I met online! On the website OkCupid. We are both serious nerds, so it only makes sense that the internet would bring us together.

Brandon proposed on the third anniversary of our first date, on the gorgeous Pfeiffer State Beach in Big Sur. It is one of our “places” that we return to time and time again. He took me there after a killer dinner at Big Sur Bakery. It was totally deserted and we were just admiring the stars and the waves and all of a sudden I turn around and he is on one knee! He asked me to marry him, I said “Of course!” and then he got out his flashlight so I could actually see the ring (it was pretty dark!). The ring was perfect; it’s a sapphire, exactly what I wanted–but I would have said yes to a Ring Pop.

We were totally unprepared for the planning process. It wasn’t something either of us had looked into previously, and it is this amazing and overwhelming world. We quickly narrowed down what we cared about (food, photography, a fun time) and didn’t (the usual traditions, long ceremony, dances). We DIYed a lot of stuff, for better or worse! We got a lot of compliments on our playlist, so that one at least was a success.

Our style was really just “things we both like.” It ended up being pretty nature-inspired, which makes sense. We are both into backpacking and hiking, and that’s definitely something we bonded over.

Jessica’s favorite moment of the day – This is so hard! Possibly our actual ceremony, which we both wrote. It was a very honest and moving moment. Even though it was freezing cold (I’m sorry to our guests and vendors!). Totally worth it. Or maybe just seeing all of our people together. It was a really great day.

Brandon’s favorite moment of the day – It’s hard to say. It was just a good day. Probably when Jess and I went off together after the ceremony for a few minutes. It was nice to just go be married together!

Our advice for future brides and grooms: don’t stress too much. Stuff will go wrong but you will not care.

If you are not attached to a particular date, the off-season offers incredible savings.

You can’t please everyone! Your only job is to make sure your guests are fed/hydrated. And that can mean cake and punch.

Consider prioritizing photography, as that is your one physical memento, and it can really catch the tone of the day and capture special moments you may have missed or forgotten. We splurged on our photos and it was so, so worth it.

Enjoy it, being married is amazing!

Photography: Anne-Claire Brun Photography | Floral Design: Bohemian Bouquets | Wedding Dress: Cleo and Clementine | Cake: Majestic Yosemite Hotel | Invitations: The Nesting Project | Jewelry: Swoon Jewelry Studios | Hair + Makeup: Flawless Hair And Makeup | Favors: For Your Party | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Officiant: Friend of the couple | Venue: Majestic Yosemite Hotel | Bride’s Shoes: Walkin on Air | Save the Dates: Nifty Printables

Learn How To Make the Prettiest-Ever Fruit Salad in Minutes

Cantaloupe and honeydew melon, I love you, I do. But there’s a new fruit salad in town and I’m convinced she’s the only fruit salad I’ll be making for quite some time. Not only is the pretty factor off the charts, but the ease of effort and addition of mint makes for the most gorgeous fruit frenzy I’ve ever laid eyes on. Captured by Dyan Kethley, get the recipe from wellness coach, Kara Stout below!

Fresh Citrus, Berry and Mint Salad
prep time
5 Minute/s
cook time
total time
5 Minute/s
Serves 0Ingredients
  • Oranges
  • Clementines
  • Grapefruit
  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Mint
Instructions
  1. Peel oranges, clementines and grapefruit and add to large bowl.
  2. Add in strawberries and raspberries.
  3. Top with fresh mint leaves.

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Photography: Dyan Kethley Photography | Event Planning: Silver Lining Events + Co. | Event Design:Silver Lining Events + Co. | Food and Nutrition: Kara Stout | Floral Design: Blue and Tan Events | Paper Products: Pink Champagne Paper | Calligraphy: Pink Champagne Paper | Furniture and Decor Rentals:Propmaker Event Rentals | Make-up: Rayven Walker | Hair: Wedfully Yours | Plate and Tea Cup Rentals: Pretty Little Plates | Jewelry and Accessories: Accessory Jane | Film Developing and Scanning:Photovision | Location: The Farm by Propmaker in Anna, TX

200 Perfectly Posh British Baby Names

We’ve said it before, and we’ll probably say it several more times, but Kate Middleton can do no wrong. Case in point, her children’s perfectly British and completely adorable names: George Alexander Louis and Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Feeling inspired by her posh picks? We’ve got dozens more beautifully British baby names waiting for you below!

British Baby Names
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British Baby Names
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More Baby Names to Obsess Over

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Fresh + Beautiful Color Palettes for Fall Weddings

Deciding on a color palette is one of the first steps in designing the wedding of your dreams. And if you’re planning a fall wedding, chances are you’ve seen lots of inspiration in shades of red, orange, yellow and gold. But what if you want something different? Lucky for you, we’ve got six color palettes that are anything but ordinary.

Best Color Palettes for a Fall Wedding
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Best Color Palettes for a Fall Wedding
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More Inspiration for Your Big Day

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In the World of Dream Closets, this One is Completely Crushing It

Shoe Walls, and purse shelves and space lots of space… these are the things that closet dreams are made of. Oh and valet rods. Amanda swears by those and if her closet is any indication, she knows what she’s talking about. Tour her fashion cave and get inspired to carve out a little space of your own. Psst…check out the rest of the Fashionable Hostess’s Miami home right here!

I always dreamed of designing my own closet where everything had a place, and I have to say it really came true with this space. I am such a visual person so I prefer for everything to be out in the open – hanging or folded. I find that with drawers I forget about pieces that are tucked away, so I save that space for everyday pieces like workout clothes and pajamas.

 In terms of organization, I am very specific in the way I have everything arranged. Everyday dresses in one section, fancy dresses in another, and maxi/formal in another. Any pieces of a different season live in the back while what’s newest and trending is in the front. Anything neutral, or a “classic” goes in the middle, because you never know when you may just throw on a good oldie.

My shoe wall is too fun I must say – I really wasn’t a shoe person until a few years ago and now I am obsessed. Right now I am really in love with Alexandre Birman, they are just a bit more unique {did you see Giselle wore a pair as she strutted in the Olympics opening ceremony?!}. 

The best addition to my closet by far are the valet rods {btw this is an easy addition to any closet!}! Since I am always rushed in the morning with the kids, I always picket my clothes the night before a big meeting and hang them on the rod! I hang everything from the outfit to the bag to the accessories!

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Enviable Shoe Closets
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Enviable Shoe Closets
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Photography: Simply Lively | Home of: The Fashionable Hostess

A Blush Engagement Session Like You’ve Never Seen Before

Ladies, there’s not denying it. We all (and by all, I mean every. single. one. of us) need this dress pronto. Transforming a traditional engagement session into a beautifully blush beginning, Katlyn Marie PhotoArt captured it all to share. And lucky for you, we just so happen have got every bit of it waiting for you to fall madly in love with via The Vault!

From Katlyn Marie PhotoArtColin and Austen have such a sweet and playful love, which shows up in every single frame of this romantic engagement session. And all of the blush details with a stunning Oregon sunset in the background make it that much more romantic! From Austen’s beautiful blush gown, to the stunning floral arrangement, to the sweet little garden roses adorning her hair, this engagement session was absolutely perfect!

From The Bride-to-be…Colin (a Boston native) and I (raised in ­PDX) met when we were both ski bums in As­pen, CO right after college. We were work­ing at the same resort at the base of Asp­en Mountain. Colin kept visiting me at my­ hostess stand, and finally worked up the­ courage to ask me out. Our first date wa­s a hike in 2012 to a 360 degree view poi­nt of the surrounding mountains. The hike­ turned into a full day adventure of gett­ing to know each other, and wanting to kn­ow more.

We spent the next year in Aspen together,­ then both left to figure out “the real w­orld.” I went to SF for a year while he w­as home in New England. After experiencin­g the stress and anxiety of a long distan­ce relationship, I moved to him, and a ye­ar later we moved to Portland to be near ­my family and put down roots. For our ann­iversary this past year, I booked 2 night­s at a B&B in Hood River to celebrate 3 y­ears together. We spent the day visiting ­vineyards, cider houses, and orchards. Wh­ile we were picking apples in the rain at­ Draper Girls Orchard, Colin directed me ­towards “a good bunch of apples” (that ne­ver existed) and I ended up finding a rin­g box on a branch! I turned around to fin­d him down on one knee with the only 4 wo­rds he could find. In my state of complet­e shock, I said yes!

We plan to return to Hood River to celebr­ate our wedding with our friends and fami­ly from all over the country. It will be ­at Gorge Crest Vineyards on the WA side o­f the Gorge in July 2017. We are excited ­for a casual backyard feel with live musi­c, craft beer, local wine, and lawn games­. Oh, and a superb view of Mt. Hood.

Photography: Katlyn Marie Photoart | Floral Design: Swoon Floral Design | Dress: ASOS | Invitations: Kelsey Malie Calligraphy | Hair + Makeup: Portland Makeup And Hair | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Location: Willamette State Mission Park

Celebrate Your Big Day at Morada Bay

Seaside weddings make my heart happy.  And a seaside wedding at Morada Bay?  Well, that’s an entirely new level of joy.  Think a breathtaking bayside setting, a talented team of wedding experts and a never-ending lineup of fabulous resources that will turn that dream day into an absolute reality.  We are sooo on board.

From their stunning locale in the heart of Islamorada to their staff that knows everything there is to know about throwing a fabulous party, Morada Bay’s fabulous accommodations and sparkling beaches were simply made for marrying.  Which means that whether you’re planning a small, intimate affair with just your nearest and dearest or a grander event with 200 special someones, Morada Bay has JUST what you are looking for… and all overlooking those pristine beaches and glistening waters the Florida Keys are known for.

Contact Morada Bay TODAY to begin planning your unforgettable wedding.  We CAN’T WAIT to see the results.

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Photography (Top to Botton): Maxime Photo & Video (Photos 1,3,6) + Pierre’s (Photo 2) + Jannette De Llanos Photography (Photo 4)

Donuts, Quiches + Pancakes, Oh My! A Pretty + Healthy Brunch Menu.

Do you have a favorite meal of the day? Mine just so happens to be brunch. Early enough for breakfast foods to still be acceptable and late enough for a cocktail and sweets to make an appearance. But did you know that said brunch treats can actually be healthy too? Thanks to Kara StoutDyan Kethley and the team behind all this brunch gorgeousness, we’ve got the prettiest (and healthiest!) recipes for donut, quiche and pancake lovers alike!

For the Donut Lovers…

Raspberry Lemon Mini Donuts (dairy-free, gluten-free)

(Makes 12 mini donuts)

ingredients

1 cup coconut flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp sea salt
¾ cup coconut sugar
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
½ tsp vanilla
4 organic eggs
¾ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
½ cup coconut oil
1 ½ lemons
1 heaping cup fresh raspberries

directions

1. Add coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, flaxseed, sea salt and coconut sugar in a
large bowl and mix well.
2. Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl and then add to the dry mix.
3. Add almond milk, vanilla and coconut oil. Note: make sure the coconut oil is in liquid
form. If solid, melt it over the stove in a pan and then measure it to be ½ cup.
4. Juice the lemons and mix in.
5. Blend raspberries in blender. Add blended raspberries to the dough and mix well.
6. Grease mini donut pan with coconut oil.
7. Spoon the dough into each donut mold.
8. Bake on 350 for 20-25 minutes. Make sure to check at 20 minutes.

Raspberry Coconut Glaze

ingredients

½ cup coconut sugar
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 tbsp coconut oil (again in liquid form)
Juice of ½ lemon

directions

1. Blend raspberries in blender.
2. Add blended raspberries, coconut sugar, coconut oil, and lemon juice to mixing bowl.
3. Mix well with hand mixer.
4. Place in freezer for 10-15 minutes.
5. Brush glaze onto each donut, covering well and serve!

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For the Quiche Lovers…

Mini Quiche made with Farm Fresh Eggs and Seasonal Vegetables

(Makes 4 mini quiches)

ingredients

2 farm fresh, organic eggs
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/3 cup goat cheese
8 asparagus tips
4 sliced grape tomatoes
3 chopped fresh basil leaves
4 chopped chives
2 tbsp almond meal
½ heaping tbsp Provence spice from Glory Kitchen
¼ tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Wholly Wholesome gluten-free 9” pie shell

directions

1. Defrost frozen crust on countertop until thawed.
2. Remove dough from pan and roll out with rolling pin.
3. Grease each mini quiche tart pan with coconut oil.
4. Divide dough into four pieces and press evenly into mini pans.
5. Poke fork holes into crust and bake for 8 minutes on 375.
6. Whisk eggs in large mixing bowl.
7. Stir in the almond milk, goat cheese, almond meal, Provence spice, sea salt, and pepper
and mix well.
8. Add in the asparagus tips, tomatoes, basil and chives and gently stir.
9. Pour quiche mixture into each crust-filled mini quiche pan.
10. Bake on 375 for 25-28 minutes. Keep a close eye on your quiche and make sure to check
after 20 min.

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For the Pancake Lovers…

Gluten-Free Pancake Cake with a Key Lime, Orange, and Maple Syrup Frosting

(4-Ingredient Pancakes, dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, makes 18 pancakes)

ingredients

3 bananas
6 organic eggs
3 tsp vanilla
3 tsp cinnamon

directions

1. Blend banana, eggs, vanilla and cinnamon in blender until creamy pancake mix.
2. Grease pan with coconut oil.
3. On medium heat, make your largest pancakes first for the bottom tier.
4. Next, make your medium-sized pancakes for the middle tier.
5. Lastly, make your small-sized pancakes for the top tier.

Key Lime, Orange & Maple Syrup Frosting

ingredients

2 cups unsweetened organic Greek yogurt
1 orange
3 key limes
2 tbsp pure maple syrup

directions

1. Add Greek yogurt to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
2. Juice orange to make ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice and add to yogurt.
3. Juice your key limes and add to yogurt.
4. Mix in the maple syrup.
5. Whisk well to thicken it a bit.
6. Chill at least 4 hours or overnight in fridge.
7. Next comes the fun part, frosting your cake! Starting with the bottom tier, frost the top of
each pancake and continue stacking and frosting until each pancake is covered with the
frosting up to the top tier.

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Photography: Dyan Kethley Photography | Event Planning: Silver Lining Events + Co. | Event Design:Silver Lining Events + Co. | Food and Nutrition: Kara Stout | Floral Design: Blue and Tan Events | Paper Products: Pink Champagne Paper | Calligraphy: Pink Champagne Paper | Furniture and Decor Rentals:Propmaker Event Rentals | Make-up: Rayven Walker | Hair: Wedfully Yours | Plate and Tea Cup Rentals: Pretty Little Plates | Jewelry and Accessories: Accessory Jane | Film Developing and Scanning:Photovision | Location: The Farm by Propmaker in Anna, TX

A Luxury Wedding You’ll Hardly Believe is Real!

Any wedding that involves couture gowns, luxury cars and a dreamy garden estate and is total YES in my book. Luckily this bride and groom felt the same and hired Rhythm Photography to tell the story of their day. Go see our favorite moments tucked inside The Vault!

From Phoebe Lo EventsA dreamy celebration of romantic luxury and impeccable elegance, Lisa and Kelvin’s Graydon Hall Manor wedding featured an estate garden Ceremony paired with a terrace cocktail reception and followed by a formal a manor evening faire.

Couture attire and gowns were abundant, and a collection of high end vehicles were also present for the couple and bridal party’s transportation of the day. Our event design made use of a rustic charm motif that mimicked the manor venue’s existing design features in the areas of color hues, structure and pattern to further embellish the event space and environment. A variety of artistic and handmade elements also defined the couple’s love for hand crafted pieces and artful keepsakes that are unique to their celebration. This could be seen by the head piece and jewelry, as well as the fine art painted backdrop in the late night reception area.

Taking place on the eve of Mid-Autumn Festival, the couple welcomed a range of Chinese and Vietnamese traditions that represented their cultural backgrounds.

Photography: Rhythm Photography | Cinematography: Givin Design | Event Planning + Design: Phoebe Lo Events | Wedding Dress: Watters | Wedding Dress: Mori Lee | Cake: Jacq Baked Goods | Invitations: Empress Paper Crafts | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Jewelry: Cartier | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Catering: Couture Cuisine | Hair + Makeup: A Glow By Joan | DJ: Maximum Music DJ Service | Groom's Attire: Canali | Officiant: John McKibbon | Venue: Graydon Hall Manor | Bridesmaids' Gifts: Tiffany & Co. | Cake Topper: Pulp Function | Floral Design, Decor + Lanterns: Secrets Floral Collection | Hair Accessories: The Loved One | Photo Booth: Photo Booth Heroes | Reception Backdrop: Phoebe Lo Events

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
This Navy + White Winery Affair is the Definition of Chic

Navy is the new black, folks, and this gorgeous day captured by Laura Ann Miller is proving that fact whole-heartedly.  From the sweet maids in stunning floor-length frocks to the beautiful details dotting the ceremony + reception to the lush florals from Les Bouquets, every moment is ABSOLUTE perfection. Head to THE VAULT for all of the pretty, our fave shade of blue included.

From Laura Ann Miller Photography… Katie and Gentry were married at Chandler Hill Winery on the most gorgeous April day in St. Louis. No April showers, just lots of sunshine and love! They planned the perfect day – stylish and fun! This day was inspired by the soft details of spring and the couple’s chic style!

Katie added lace sleeves to her dress, and I’m still swooning over this. She also opted for an oversized bouquet, which was oh so dreamy! The maids wore contemporary navy dresses and the pops of pink throughout the florals complemented well.

When it came time for their special dances, the couple was surprised by a firework show! Can you think of a better surprise for their big night?? This was so much fun!

Overall, the best part of this day was witnessing how truly happy these two are when they are together. This is love, folks!

Photography: Laura Ann Miller Photography | Floral Design: Les Bouquets | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake: Sarah's Cake Shop | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Revolve Clothing | Makeup: Flawless Makeup | Hair: Becky Lutz | Venue: Chandler Hill Vineyards

Floral Filled Botanical Garden Wedding

This botanical garden wedding had me at the favors, but then totally won me over with that reception. With Kelly Dillon Photography behind the lens, it’s once celebration that you’re sure to pin. Complete with wooden cutouts and custom made floral napkins, Capers Catering set the scene for guests to dwell in the dream. See it all for yourself in The Vault!

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Colors
Styles
Al Fresco

From The Bride…As a local tradition, the night before Thanksgiving Eve all of Reading and North Reading alumni would head out to a local bar to meet with old friends and catch up with everyone in town. As I walked into the “Tavern” I noticed this gorgeous man simultaneously walking our way. It was hard to miss him. I remember his eyes were so blue, I couldn’t help but stare. Oddly enough, he knew my best friend who was walking in with me, so we all stopped to chat for a minute. We bump into each other a few other times that night but what really sealed the deal was a simple Facebook friend request later that evening. We chatted for a few weeks as the Christmas seasoned unfolded and finally made plans for our first on December 14th, 2011. The rest was history.

It was just another work day; wake up, shower, walk the dog and I was out the door, or so I thought. Lets fast forward to 4pm…As I sent Matt my typical text, “On my way home, what should we make for dinner”, little did I know he had a bigger plan set in motion. When I arrived home, I was greeted at the door by my doggie who happily wagged her tail and smiled ear to ear. Tucked away in her collar was little note that said, “daddy can’t get any work done in the living room, so I’ve been puppy shunned”. I laughed out loud and thought, “what could she possibly be doing that was distracting him that much?” As I opened the tightly shut pocket doors, there was Matt down on one knee surrounded by flowers, balloons, and over a dozen ring pops. We had this inside joke that when he proposed it would be with the biggest ring he could find, a ring pop lol. So it was only natural that they made an appearance.

Over the last 10 years, Matt has worked as a landscaper for a local greenhouse and garden center. I’m an interior designer by trade, so it was only natural that we found a place that combined my love for gorgeous structures and matt’s love for beautiful gardens. We came across Tower Hill Botanic Garden and instantly knew this was the place we had to have our reception. Spring would be the best season for the soft pale colors and bright greens we wanted to incorporate into our scheme. I loved the blush and mink colored dressed from BHLDN that combined a delicate lace and sheer chiffon which Matt paired with light gray suites and mahogany leather shoes. Our venue gave us the ability to bring in everything from the chairs to the dinnerware, truly a designers dream. Rather than sitting at a sweet heart table, Matt and I wanted to be surrounded by all of our bridal party and their loved ones. We dreamt up this gorgeous 24 ft. long table with an abundance of greens and delicate flowers running down the center. Each guest would receive a wooden name cutout which was placed over top of a custom made floral napkin. Our seats were decorated with flowers and a wood bride and groom sign secured with a blush pink ribbon. We wanted our guests to enjoy an abundance of food, drinks and great company.

Photography: Kelly Dillon Photography | Cinematography: Lightcanvas Films | Floral Design: Rachel O'Neil Event & Design | Wedding Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal | Bride's Shoes: BHLDN | Jewelry: Nordstrom | Catering: Capers Catering | Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: Tower Hill Botanic Garden | Rentals: New England Country Rentals | Signage + Table Numbers + Favor Tags: Antea Amoroso Design

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
NYC’s Pretty Parks + One Cute Pup Make This E-Shoot a Winner

New York City may be the epicenter of the world but I’m pretty sure when you add in an adorable pup, they still take center stage. Case in point: this engagement shoot by Angela Newton Roy. Strolling through Central Park and Madison Square Park with their Zoe, these cuties kissed and cuddled and we get to gaze upon all the sweet results. See it all in our Vault right here!

From Angela Newton Roy Photography… Madison Square Park is a special place to Julie and Steve. At the beginning of their relationship, when Julie was living in Manhattan and Steve was living outside Philadelphia, he would come visit her in NYC. They would often take walks around Julie’s neighborhood, spending time with Julie’s pup Zoe, leading them to Madison Square Park. This neighborhood became an integral part in their love story, and so they knew right away they wanted to come back here for their engagement session. We spent the afternoon walking Zoe around Madison Square Park, and then headed up to their second favorite location, Central Park, to catch the last of the gorgeous NYC summer light.

Photography: Angela Newton Roy Photography | Makeup: Sephora | Hair: The Dry Bar Salon | Attire: Ann Taylor | Location: Madison Square Park | Location: Central Park

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
A Sunset-Inspired Wedding for The Beach Loving Couple

This couple’s source of inspiration? Dreamy oceanside sunsets. “From our wedding invitations, to the bridesmaid dresses, to our wedding cake and to the sunset we got that evening, this love for pastel colors was incorporated throughout our day,” said the Bride. Go see why we’re obsessed with the gallery from Rachel Solomon.

From The Bride…As two Midwesterners, Jared and I met randomly at a bar in Santa Monica where I was drinking a margarita and he, an old fashioned. Our relationship grew quickly with major hallmarks happening along the California beaches. After getting engaged at Silly Mountain in Arizona, just around the corner from where my parents live in the winters, we discussed our vision for our day. Everything we discussed was rooted in what mattered most to us: that our guests have an incredible time, that we have many personal touches unique to “us,” and that everything fits together cohesively and flows seamlessly. It was important to us that it came across to our guests that this was a ‘celebration of love’ and not just another wedding. My brother, who we asked to get ordained to officiate our wedding, helped to show our guests this by crafting a ceremony so perfect that brought Jared and my love to the forefront to show our guests why we wanted them all there to celebrate with us.

When choosing our venue, we wanted to choose a place that had meaning. Nowhere in the Midwest or California felt more meaningful to us than Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club did – a place we will be going back to for years since my parents live near there and we have regular family golf outings there. I am also an incredibly superstitious person so it fit perfectly. We wanted an ‘outdoor everything’ wedding with hints of our relationship throughout the day for us to share with our guests. For example, our signature drinks were margaritas and old fashioneds, we did a sand ceremony with sand from California beaches and Arizona locations that symbolized significant moments in our relationship – like the beach we were when we said “I Love You” for the first time. We also charmingly incorporated in the nickname we have for ourselves, “J2” (j-squared), in our day-of paper which was perfect given that we got married on the day of squares – 4/9/16 (22/32/ 42).

I knew I wanted a backless dress but I didn’t want anything that didn’t fit the venue. When I tried on Claire Pettibone’s Alma dress and saw two “J’s” in the lace, I immediately imagined myself in that dress in our venue and knew it was the perfect fit. We chose Jared’s suit to complement the colors throughout the day – a nice blue that would pop in pictures but fit with the overall feel for the day. Having not seen my dress next to his suit before the day, I was so happy with how my dress and his suit came together so perfectly – just like us!

I used our venue as inspiration to bring out the best in the décor, dress, ambiance and energy for the day. After having gone to Italy two years prior, Jared and I loved the Tuscan-style clubhouse and played into this with our décor. Our guests said it was like being at a wedding in Tuscany with a beautiful Arizona backdrop! Our colors were inspired by our love for watching sunsets at the beach. From our wedding invitations, to the bridesmaid dresses, to our wedding cake and to the sunset we got that evening, this love for pastel sunset colors were weaved throughout our day and accented the venue perfectly. One of our favorite foods is bread and olive oil. In fact, one of our favorite parts of going out to eat is enjoying bread before our meal. In an effort to share this favorite thing with our guests while also making our table décor and seating cards both beautiful and functional, we got mini olive oil bottles to complement the demi-baguettes we bought from Costco which were wrapped beautifully by my four aunts the morning of the wedding with dusty blue paper and fresh rosemary cut from my parents’ neighbor’s rosemary hedge. It was quite the DIY group effort!

When our day was over, Jared and I both said to us that we don’t think we will ever go to a more perfect wedding than our own. Just like our love story, our own “celebration of love” will always be our favorite. The energy was unmatched and everything fit together perfectly. It would not have been so perfect had it not been for our family and friends helping us and our amazing team of vendors supporting the design and execution of our day – especially Sam Glascock with Imoni Events who went above and beyond to see my vision through and made it feel so seamless that we could actually enjoy our own wedding; Rachel Solomon, our photographer, whose style and talent fit our vibe and captured our day perfectly; our florist, Blume Events, who translated my vision beautifully into the florals; Dave Strickler, our DJ from Desert House Productions who set the perfect musical tone during the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception; the entire team at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club who worked with me to ensure everything went off without a hitch; and our videographer, Dan Nettles, an experienced NFL videographer but novice in the wedding industry who I fortuitously found on Thumbtack and beautifully captured our day.

Photography: Rachel Solomon Photography | Event Planning: Imoni Events | Floral Design: Blume Events | Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone | Cake: Sugarlips Cakery | Invitations: The Paper Mint Press | Stationery: Vee Creative | Makeup: Sarah Sanmarco | Hair: The Getaway Studio | DJ: Desert House Productions | Groom's Attire: Custom, By Design | Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club | Bridal Boutique: Posh Bridal Couture | Rentals: Event Rents | Rentals: Prim Rentals | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Tour a Home that Has Miami Style Glamour Down to a Gilded Science

We’ve toured Amanda of the Fashionable Hostess‘s home, gone behind the blog and snuck a peek at her office and now we’re getting a full blown tour of her new Miami digs captured by Simply Lively. And if you are a gold lover, you are so in luck. Bright light, modern styling and a signature glimmer of gold make up this pretty space and just wait until you see her closet. We’ve got that coming up next!

Welcome to our new Miami Home {The #MiaChateauFH}! While our Nashville home was dreamy, few of you know that Miami is actually where I grew up (and where the majority of my family lives), so it’s so nice to be home, and even more fun to have had a whole new design project! 

First things first, I am obsessed with the amount of natural light in our new house! It is filled with large windows and glass doors in nearly every room, so it really makes you truly appreciate living in sunny Miami year round.

As for the decor, I was incredibly lucky that nearly every piece from our Nashville house worked seamlessly transitioning into our new one! As for the color story… This time I went with an incredibly neutral palette – Benjamin Moore 971 on the walls and 972 on the trim. 

We have a slightly’ off-white’ tile floors throughout the house, so our walls actually appear much whiter than the colors appear on a swatch (it’s crazy how elements of contrast like your floors and natural light can change the color of a paint!). I then brought in color through the furniture and accessories!

Living Room

Light fixture: Urban Electric | Couches and Chairs: custom in Miami {New Design Furniture} | coffee tables: OROA Miami | Lamps: Aerin | Giraffe Photograph: Greg Lotus | Large shelves: Serena & Lily

Our kitchen is by far the busiest room in the house. With 2 little ones I feel like I spend endless hours in there making breakfast, packing lunches, cooking dinners, preparing cheese plates, so big kitchen lights were essential. 

These stainless steel ones from Restoration Hardware make me feel like I am in a restaurant kitchen!! Then our breakfast nook is actually our favorite spot for family breakfast or casual weeknight dinners. Our kids are finally big enough to sit without a high chair and they feel so grown up to sit with mommy and daddy at the table!

Kitchen

Lights above Island: Restoration Hardware | Bar stools: custom in Miami {New Design Furniture} | Breakfast Table Chairs: Modani | Breakfast table: custom in Miami {New Design Furniture} | Cake Stands: Juliska, Crate & Barrel | Mixers: Le Creuset

Dining Room

Table: J Alexander LA | Chairs: custom in Miami {New Design Furniture} | Buffet: J Alexander LA | Mirror: Checquers Aspen, Co | Light Fixture: Circa Lighting | Sconces: Circa Lighting

My bedroom is such an elegant, meets tranquil, meets cozy, space. The bed from my chic nest is so elegant while the bedding from Boll and Branch could not be cozier (I love that it’s organic!).

Then I love how I have chairs by the window to read or browse emails on the weekend.

Bedroom

Bed: My Chic Nest |Bedding: Boll & Branch | Bedside Tables: Bungalow5 | Bedside Table Lamps: Z Gallerie | Gold Shelf: Kathy Kuo Home | Lamps near window: Restoration Hardware | Blue Suede Chairs: OROA Miami

Our patio is basically our second family room. From days spent swimming in our pool to BBQ dinners (which lately has been every weekend) I love that the couch and chairs are so comfy and cushiony while being outdoor resistant (and let me tell you, that Miami heat is no joke!).
I hope you loved our home tour and stay tuned on FashionableHostess.com where I continue to update pillows, throws, and decorations with each season

Outdoor Patio

Furniture: Frontgate | Light Fixtures: Circa Lighting

Photography: Simply Lively | Home of: The Fashionable Hostess

12 Back to School Backpack Bags for Big Girls

Remember the days of patch-adorned backpacks? The more you had, the cooler you were. At least up until freshman year when style wasn’t quite strong on the radar yet. Now, backpacks are as chic as they come and patches are traded for tassels, leather and gold zippers galore. Would you trade your bag for one of these backpack beauties? See the full roundup here!

12 Back to School Backpack Bags for Big Girls
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12 Back to School Backpack Bags for Big Girls
View Slideshow

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The perfect running-late faux blow out!

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