I don’t know about you but I’m ready to wine and dine outside! The temps and our hemlines are rising and everything has a bit more sparkle. Pull out those picnic tables and get ready for an afternoon of outdoor fun and festivities with these wedding registry must-haves for your next backyard BBQ!
Cliffnotes for a Killer Party | Host + Guests Enjoyment Tips | Entertaining with Abby
This sweet day planned by COJ Events is everything you want your wedding to be. Totally romantic, overflowing with stunning details and a fun-filled party with your nearest and dearest dancing the night away. But the best part? The love bursting from every moment captured beautifully by Hoo Films. Oh, and the groom moonwalks. (!!!) Press play for some serious happy.
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From Hoo Films… When your friends get in front of all the people you love and say the same thing about you, it must be more than true. There was once sentence flying around over and over at Sara + Chris’ wedding – that these two light up a room. In this case, they lit up the entire starry night at the Hideaway in La Quinta, where their friends and family danced all night long in celebration. Sara and Chris have a zest for life that is contagious and we, too, couldn’t help but laugh and smile all day with them. Enjoy this beautiful trailer from their destination wedding and once again, a surprise dance you don’t want to miss! This time, it might involve the moonwalk…
Photography: Zoom Theory | Cinematography: Hoo Films | Event Planning: COJ Events | Floral Design: Jensen's Florist | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Band: DeBois Entertainment | Venue: Hideaway Golf Club | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Planks And Patina
When this bride’s Nana surprised her with a pre-wedding gift that included a pearl necklace and blue garter, she was overjoyed. But when the bride learned these two pieces were worn by both her Nana and mother on their wedding days, it made them all the more special. Thanks to Sweetlife Photography for a peek inside this classic Portland “I do” chock-full of beautiful moments.
From The Bride…Garrett and I are originally both from Corvallis, OR. Funny enough, we attended the same high school but our paths never really crossed. We knew of each other but didn’t have any interaction since our groups of friends were different. I ended up going to Oregon State University and studied Industrial Engineering, and Garrett attended the United States Air Force Academy where he is currently training to become a pilot. We ended up meeting in college when my roommate at the time had her older sister and some of her friends over to our house. Garrett was there and I thought he was so cute! He ended up asking me out and from that point on, we dated long distance. We were actually long distance our entire relationship until we got married.
When planning our wedding, we knew Garrett would have a narrow window of availability because leave is hard to get approved once pilot training starts. This led us to pick a winter date—we knew he would have the most time off then. We really wanted our wedding to have a sophisticated winter feel while staying away from the classic red and green Christmas theme. We had the guys wear black tuxedos and chose bridesmaids dresses that were a soft color next to mine so they would stand out without having a stark contrast. One of my ultimate favorite floral elements is dusty miller so I knew I wanted to incorporate that into the arrangements (this is also the color I picked for my bridesmaids’ dresses). To compliment the dusty miller, we added white hydrangeas, blush garden roses, and dark purple calla lilies to keep things wintery. In addition to this, some of my favorite decorations were the white birch trees lit with twinkle lights that we scattered around the art gallery where we had our reception, which gave a warm winter feel.
To me, some of the most beautiful aspects of our wedding were the personal touches that we were able to incorporate. In particular, the day after Garrett and I got engaged, my grandma (who I call “Nana”) gave me a present—a garter and a pearl necklace. I was overjoyed by the gift but did not understand the true significance of it at first. Nana went on to explain that she and my mother both wore these items on their wedding days. It is honestly amazing that she was able to save these things for me and bless me with the honor of wearing them at my own wedding! My family is very small and we are all very close, and the fact that she wanted me to wear these accessories meant so much to me.
We tried to tie aspects of both our families into the wedding. Although Garrett is in the military, we didn’t want a strictly military wedding. However, we did want to include aspects of this part of our life so we had a saber arch at our wedding ceremony and cut the wedding cake with an Air Force saber (Garrett loved that part!). Another aspect of our wedding that had great meaning for us both was lighting candles during our ceremony in memory of Garrett’s dad. He was unexpectedly diagnosed with lung cancer in April and passed away soon after, just months before our wedding. This impacted Garrett and I greatly and was something we definitely wanted to acknowledge during the ceremony. The memory of Garrett’s dad was also honored throughout the toasts at our reception. So many heartfelt words were spoken that moved the whole room to tears.
Our reception was held in an art gallery, and they were amazing because they allowed us to pick which art pieces we would like displayed. Garrett and I had our first dance to Make You Feel My Love by Adele, which was simply perfect for us. We also had a photo booth to keep our guests entertained, ice cream sandwiches from Ruby Jewel (our favorite ice cream place in Portland), and a late night taco bar which all made for a very special night full of fun and dancing. Overall, our day was filled with endless laughter, love, and wonderful family which we are so grateful for.
Photography: Sweetlife Photography | Coordination: Your Perfect Bridesmaid | Floral Design: Swoon Floral Design | Ceremony Venue: St. Patrick Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Gallery 903 | Bride's Shoes: Valentino | Rings: Packouz Jewelers | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Pearl Catering | Hair + Makeup: Brenna From Epic Day Spa | DJ: Kenneth Poirier | Groomsmen Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Bridal Boutique: Anna's Bridal | Film Processing: The Find Lab | Getting Ready Venue: Sentinel Hotel | Invitations + Stationery: Hannah McCarty | Rentals: Something Borrowed Portland | Rentals: The Party Place | Wedding Dress + Veil: JLM Couture, Inc
If you’ve been dreaming of a rustic wedding since you were a little girl, then this Georgia wedding is for you. From JL Designs‘ bouquet masterpiece filled with ranunculus, astilbe, roses and eucalyptus to the romantic ceremony in the woods, this Bride and Groom’s big day is rustic perfection. See it all from Expressions By Brandy in The Vault!
From The Bride…Our wedding theme was Southern, natural, and a lot of cotton. Most ideas came from Pinterest.
Jacob and I both work at Walton EMC. I noticed him several years earlier but we never spoke. Jacob sent me a friend request through FB. We began talking as friends. We had the same beliefs in Christ, how children should be raised, and life in general. After a few months, he asked me on a date. I was excited and said absolutely! Our first date was at Longhorn’s Steakhouse in Athens, GA. We didn’t speak much. I think the shift from friend to date made us both a little nervous. After that I could tell we were both excited about each other. We continued to go on dates every week and decided we would not date anyone else.
On May 3rd 2015, Jacob asked me were I’d like to eat for my birthday. Since we normally eat dinner with friends for our birthdays, I wasn’t suspicious AT ALL! I picked Shokitini’s in Athens, GA. The sushi is amazing!!!! We had a group of about 10 people. They all knew that Jacob may ask me to marry him. Looking back now I can see how overly happy everyone was but at the time I thought nothing of it. During our dinner I got up to use the ladies room. When I got back Jacob had left the table and everyone was rearranged so that I was on the outside instead of the inside of the table. As Jacob walked back toward the table, he quickly got on his knees and back up before I realized he said “Will you marry me”!!!! When I looked down I saw a beautiful diamond and realized what he asked me! I started crying and said YES!
Photography: Expressions By Brandy | Floral Design: JL Designs | Cupcakes: Bruce's Sweet Sensations | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Engagement Ring: Kay Jewelers | Rings: Tena's | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Catering: Shane's Rib Shack | Venue: The Corry House | Bridal Boutique: David's Bridal
Amy Osaba, you sure know the quickest way to our floral loving hearts. For this handful of blooming heaven? Downright dreamy. Bright layers of creamy garden roses paired with rustic spotted greenery, this is one posy that is sure to find it’s way to our Pinterest boards, PRONTO. See the bouquet breakdown below!
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From Amy Osaba… I was honored to have the opportunity to work with Jessica Sloane and Rylee Hitchner on this amazing shoot. Jessica sent out a mood board that was very European and Parisian, and I sought to include blooms that embodied the elegance, sophistication, and romance of such a beautiful city. I wanted a “hand-picked” feel for the bouquet, so I foraged a lot of the blooms and greens from my mother’s garden. Garden roses and lisianthus created elegance and romance, while oakleaf hydrangea, scabiosa, and statice added depth and texture and allowed the bouquet to feel light and airy. Using greens such as bayleaf, dusty miller, and elaeagnus added movement to the bouquet and maintained that “organic, hand-picked” look I was going for. I purchased a few majolicas, snow on the mountain, and a bit of tweedia to add the finishing touches to this bouquet!
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Floral Design: Amy Osaba | Photography: Rylee Hitchner
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This watercolor portrait from our gal Jess Blazejewski is near and dear to my heart. That sweet little cape house happens to be where my crazy clan calls home. And while it looks about a million times more charming through the beautiful brush strokes of Jess, it’s still the perfect keepsake of our first home. And bonus, a fabulous Father’s Day gift for my husband.
For the dad that has everything, it totally works. Plus it’s the sweetest reminder of the spot you call home. Check out The Littlest House Shop for so much more and infuse your gallery wall with a little slice of home sweet home!
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Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Custom Frame: Framebridge | Watercolor House Portrait: The Littlest House Shop
Invitations have power – they set the tone for the whole wedding! To get started, you’ll need to decide between pre-made or custom design; but how do you know what’s the best fit for you? That’s where Courtney Khail comes to the rescue! This stationery designer knows the 411 and as someone who creates one-of-a-kind watercolor and ink paintings for her clients, combined with text, for a super personalized suite, she knows the value in custom creations – read on for why these may be the right choice for YOU!
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Couples who choose custom invitations want something one-of-a-kind, that truly represents them, and that no one else has ever seen before. Given the amount of energy couples devote to making their weddings personalized, they want invitations that exhibit the same amount of meaningfulness and detail. By choosing custom invitations, couples are not only able to have an invitation suite that thrills and excites their guests, but also a beautiful and unique keepsake created especially for them. (And it’s not always just the couple who keeps the invitations. One of the most rewarding emails I have ever received was from a client telling me a guest loved the the invitation artwork I’d created so much, she framed it!)
Working with a custom stationer means working directly with the artist or designer responsible for your final product. This is an entirely different experience than clicking through a website or flipping pages of an invitation book – you experience firsthand the passion and excitement the designer has for their work. It’s similar to the difference between buying food from a grocery store versus a farmer’s market. You may pay a little more at the farmer’s market, but you get the best product, you see where the product comes from, and the vendors go above and beyond for their customers. Similarly, when you work with a custom stationer, you don’t just get one-of-a-kind invitations. They get to know you, brainstorm creative solutions and ideas, they provide expertise (so you never have to worry about things like printing methods or envelope etiquette) and so much more.
All that being said, do keep in mind that just like any other wedding vendor, no two designers are exactly alike. Therefore it’s incredibly important to choose someone you trust, are comfortable with, and whose style you really love.
From Save the Dates to escort cards, going the custom route means being able to choose more than just color palettes and fonts. Materials, artwork, envelopes, writing styles, enclosures, printing methods, embellishments, packaging – (almost) anything is possible with custom work!
For a seemingly simple item, invitations tell your guests everything they will need to know about your wedding, both directly and indirectly. The order in which the names appear, the time of the event, word choices, the type of paper, the printing method – all of these details (and more) tell your guests what to expect from your wedding. Working with a custom stationer means having an expert on hand who will guarantee that your invitations say exactly what you want them to say (and only what you want them to say!) They can also answer any questions you may have about etiquette, how to address envelopes (if they don’t do that for you already) postage, when to mail wedding stationery, et cetera.
Most people do not think of custom when they are on a budget, but like any other wedding vendor, there are options available in a variety of price ranges. Also, because they have complete control over the design, many custom stationers can tailor invitation suites to a couples’ budget with simple changes such as changing invitation sizes, eliminating the number of enclosure cards, or changing the printing method.
Intrigued by Courtney’s work and wise words? Check out examples of her work below!
ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…
We’re excited to share that Shine invitations is currently offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $500 (US orders only) as well as a free sample kit featuring the invitation of your choice, color charts, paper samples, and an example Save the Date! Don’t miss out!
THIS WEEK’S DISCOUNTS…
For our California Brides… Discounts from The Ranch at Laguna Beach and Weddings by Susan Dunne
For our Tri-state Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design
For our Destination Brides… Discount from Hitch’d Weddings & Events
Photography: Elle Golden Photography | Photography: courtney khail watercolors | Photography: chennergy | Invitations Advice: courtney khail watercolors
Earlier this week we took our readers on a tour of Hacienda El Carmen (here, here and here!) host to the inspiring Jose Villa Workshops for the past ten years. It’s where last fall, photographers eager to learn from the best of the best, Jose Villa himself, joined together with top notch vendors to shoot scenes that I continue to pour over six months later. So for this special edition of our Must See LBB moments we’re looking at some of the all star LBB members who played a part in all the perfection that took place.
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Featured Vendors: Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Wedding Dress: Temperley London | Wedding Dress: Inbal Dror | Cake: Maggie Austin Cake | Engagement Ring: Trumpet and Horn | Hair + Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Calligraphy: Anne Robin Calligraphy | Venue: Hacienda El Carmen | Candles: Creative Candles| Custom Artwork: Karina Puente | Custom Wax Seals: Written Word Calligraphy | Dress Bust:Found Rentals | Film Maker + Photography: Joel Serrato | Fine Catering + Welcome Gift Snacks: Paula LeDuc Fine Catering | Floral + Design: Mindy Rice | Floral + Design: Studio by Fleur | Floral Assistant: La Musa de las Flores | Food Styling: Diana Perrin | Food Styling Backdrops: The Surface Library | On-site Wardrobe: Summer Watkins | Paper + Design: Amber Moon | Planning + Design: Easton Events | Printed Paper: Czar Press | Table Cloths: Designing Linens | Table Rentals: Classic Party Rentals – Santa Barbara | Tabletop Rentals: Casa de Perrin | Wardrobe Stylist: Geraldine Magazine | Welcome Party Napkins: Jan Barboglio
Modern brides have the advantage of so many amazing social media platforms at their fingertips. From Pinterest to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so many more, it’s never been easier to involve your people in the planning journey, but that also comes with the question of, “How much is too much?” We’re here to help you navigate the murky waters of wedding planning oversharing and be the cool bride who totally gets it right.
If you’re the type of bride who feels compelled to regularly post about your wedding more than once a day, take some time to set a few boundaries. Maybe it’s only posting on #WeddingWednesday or spacing out those amazing dress shopping photos over a few weeks vs. all at once. Trust us, your friends and family will totally thank you.
Not all social media platforms are created equally, so be thoughtful about what you post where. For example, save Instagram for those beautifully curated highlights, Snapchat for more off-the-cuff moments like bachelorette party pics, and Facebook for the full wedding album.
It can be tempting to have your followers weigh in on each and every wedding details, but we suggest emailing your closest crew instead. Keeping the major details as a surprise reveal will be fun, and even appreciated by your guests.
You know who we’re talking about. The bride who regularly posts, “I can’t believe this is my life!” kind of updates with a #blessed for good measure. If you’re feeling thankful, tell those you love in person and avoid the not-so-humble status.
We get it, you love your soon-to-be. Of course you do! But be conscious if you’re the girl posting Every. Single. Day. and perhaps unintentionally causing eye rolls everywhere.
Pro tip: avoid creating a #DanandKimSayIDoInUtah sort of tag the very second you get engaged. Now this one isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, per se, but it’s always best to play it cool and let the big news settle before breaking out the custom hashtag.
There’s nothing more frustrating than a bad vendor experience but your Facebook status isn’t the place to vent. If you’re having a conflict with your wedding planner or florist email, or even better, talk face-to-face and you’re likely to have a much smoother experience.
Sharing the major milestones are one thing, but does everyone want to know it’s 95 days, 6 hours and 2 minutes until your wedding? Nope, they do not. Keep the countdown in check and you’ll have happier friends and family when the day does roll around.
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This couple’s matchmaker? Just a little organization called the NFL. He, a Buffalo Bills football player and she, a cheerleader for the team met, began dating, and the rest is history. Their rustic, outdoor wedding day (with a color palette inspired by the bride’s engagement ring!) is one for the books featuring blooms by Bows and Arrows and photography by Apryl Ann. Lots more right this way!
From The Bride…The two of us met for the first time our first year in the NFL. Andy was beginning his professional career with the Buffalo Bills & Katie was cheerleading for the team. We crossed paths at a Christmas charity event and remained friendly for the next 2 years. In summer of 2011, Andy walked into the bar Katie was working at during college and it was something like love at second sight. We dated for a little less than two years before we were engaged. Andy asked Katie to marry him in his hometown & our off-season home of Santa Cruz, California. We decided to marry on the 4th of July, 2015 because it was a perfect time in the NFL off-season to have a wedding and still fit in a two-week honeymoon in Bora Bora. We took a big risk by having the wedding completely outdoors outside of Buffalo, New York. The weather is always unpredictable in western New York, but we were blessed with 70 degrees and sun!
The inspiration for the wedding actually started with Katie’s love for her yellow diamond engagement ring. Yellow was a perfect color for summer in our minds and we always knew we wanted a mix of outdoor rustic and subtle glamour. We told our guests to envision & dress along with a summer garden party theme. It was refreshing to see guests relaxed with a more casual attitude and dress. The decision to marry at Spring Lake Winery was a no brainer. We love us some wine & the people at the beautiful vineyard allowed us to bring in all of our own vendors and let us run with our vision. We didn’t have a religious ceremony, so we asked our dear friend, a classic rock radio DJ & announcer for the Buffalo Bills, John “JP” Piccillo to become ordained and marry us. We wanted to make the ceremony short but full of meaning. Katie wrote the ceremony script from scratch & included space for us to read a couple of words we wrote to share with one another. Andy has a fear of public speaking, so when he beautifully spoke in his own words about how he felt about Katie, there was hardly a dry eye in the crowd.
Although we don’t consider ourselves traditional by any stretch of the imagination, we included some traditions we found really special. Katie wore a veil over her face so that “Andy was the first one to see her face at the end of the aisle”. Katie’s something old & borrowed was a 200-year-old handkerchief from her mother’s side of the family, her something blue was a ring from her late grandmother & something new was a beautiful tennis bracelet from the groom. Andy walked both his and Katie’s mom down the aisle & our flower girls & ring bearers walked our beloved French Bulldogs Titan & Olive. We kept the traditions of the formal dances, toasts and cake cutting. It was important for us to honor our loved ones who couldn’t be there with us, so we had a table with photos and candles dedicated to those that had passed on. Katie’s best friend Shawn passed away the year before, so instead of wedding favors, we decided to donate to a drug rehabilitation center in his honor.
Our main objective for the reception was having enough things to do so no one had to dance if they didn’t want to. The decision, inspired by Andy’s dislike for the dance floor, shaped our entire night for the better! We filled our reception with great food, Motown music & fun activities. We are big eaters! Andy is a lineman and Katie loves to cook, so together we decided food should be our focus. We thought of our reception as more of a 4th of July BBQ. For the cocktail hour, we served several different types of pizza, Buffalo wings (of course!), French fries, sliders, grilled cheese with tomato soup & milk and cookies. For dinner, we had stations of Italian food, Mexican food, fresh-rolled sushi & Japanese food & Mediterranean food. Some of the highlights were stuffed banana peppers, meatballs, spicy tuna rolls, calamari, fish tacos and falafel. For dessert, we had 5 different flavored cakes: strawberry shortcake, carrot cake, red velvet, chocolate & peanut butter and cassata cake.
We also had our friends at Lake Effect Ice Cream create an ice cream sundae bar with 4 flavors, tons of toppings, ice cream sandwiches & a flavor named “Levitre Land.” We also had a s’mores station with a small fire pit. At night, we had a taco truck show up for some late night burritos, nachos, and tacos. That was definitely a hit with the crew that stuck around until 1am! We had 3 full bars at the wedding & different stations for wine, whiskey, and beer tastings & cigar rolling. The 21 and older crowd enjoyed our beer pong and flip cup tables along with games of corn hole.
Perhaps our favorite moment of the night, besides the “I do’s” was the few minutes we had completely alone watching the firework show over the vineyard’s private lake. We received the great advice to take a moment to be together to really soak in the moment and we’re so happy we did. Another great piece of advice was to prepare ourselves for something to go wrong. Luckily, the big stuff, like the weather and ceremony were perfect…but there was definitely A LOT of hiccups along the road. The funny part about all of the “mistakes,” was that no one noticed them but us. So, with that in mind, we would tell all brides and grooms to always remember that this day is about YOU. Prepare the best you can to have your dream wedding, but if the wedding can’t be perfect, just focus on the beauty of your marriage.
Photography: Apryl Ann Photography | Cinematography: Phenomenon Events | Event Planning: KC You There | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Wedding Dress: Pnina Tornai | Cake: Panaro's | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Engagement Ring: Henri Daussi | Catering: Bada Bing | Catering: Amici's | Catering: Mezza | Catering: Encore | Catering: Aguacates | Makeup: Stephanie Signorelli | Hair: Cielo Salon | Band: Nu-Cullers Entertainment | Ceremony Music: Gig Masters - PartyPosh | Venue: Spring Lake Winery | Beer Tasting: Resurgence Brewery | Chalkboard Calligrapher: Daniel Ortiz | Cigar Rolling: Santiago Cigar Factory | Dog Sitters: Outta The Doghouse | Ice Cream Ba: Lake Effect Ice Cream | Luxury restroom trailer: Arwood Waste | Rentals: McCarthy Tents & Events | Rolls Royce: Advantage | Save the dates: Wedding Paper Divas | Transportaton: AYR Coach | Wedding Suite: Invitations By Dawn | Whiskey Tasting: Shane Moore | Wine Tasting: Spring Lake Winery | Wooden directional signs: Sweet Carolina Collective | fireworks: Skylighters Fireworks
When it comes to bridesmaids’ style, there’s nothing I find chicer than a little white dress. And with her bridesmaids in white complementing her own lace gown, this gorgeous Bride’s wedding style is on point. From the fashion to the loose, romantic flowers to the rustic-meets-boho reception, this Malibu wedding is a California dream. See it all from Mariel Hannah in The Vault!
From The Bride…It was important that our wedding day embodied an intimate, down to earth reflection of our personalities and interests. We stumbled upon the Malibu Phoenix wedding location online. After one short visit, we knew right away that this setting, lush in green and complete with a sense of utter calm was exactly where we needed to be! It was our first and only site visit! In planning, we focused on embracing the natural beauty of the Latigo Canyon surroundings with a romantic, rustic touch.
There were so many special moments that day. One of my favorites included our pre-ceremony bride and groom first look and portrait session. We enjoy spending our free time exploring nature, therefore the Sycamore Tree forest seemed to be a perfect back drop for this intimate shoot.
Our garden ceremony included an acoustic Beatles cover of “Here Comes The Sun,” Native American sage blessing and vows that involved our guests promising to support us through our new journey. It was an incredibly special moment!
For cocktail hour our guests sipped homemade craft brew while Flamenco guitarist, El Javi’s melodies rang through the canyon’s naturally acoustic garden setting. The reception was extremely beautiful with wooden farm tables, green garland, succulents and florals, twinkly lights, candles and delicious food!
As the evening was winding down and dancing coming to a close, our DJ requested that we form a circle with our guests. We held hands, sang and danced to our last song of the evening. It was lovely to look around our circle of friends and family and to share that moment together. It was truly a night that we will never forget!
The entire day was much more beautiful than we could have ever hoped. We were extremely fortunate to have found our group of incredibly talented individuals that turned our dreams and visions in to a stunningly beautiful and super fun reality and with only three months of planning!
Photography: Mariel Hannah | Floral Design: Mint Design | Wedding Dress: Dreamers & Lovers | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Bride's Shoes: Michael Kors | Ring: Blue Nile | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Free People | Catering: The Latigo Kid | Makeup: Genuine Beauty Artistry | Hair: Nicole Johnson | DJ: Creative Bliss Events | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Malibu Phoneix | Desserts: Bake U Happy | Guitarist: El Javi | Musician: Ben McCart | Rentals: Amigo Party Rentals
Have you heard? There’s a new metallic on the block and its name is copper. Think just as pretty + elegant as gold, but with a little kick that has us completely obsessed. So today we’re turning to Williams-Sonoma to count down our top reasons why this new trend NEEDS to make an appearance on your registry. I mean, adding a little spice to your everyday living? We are sooo on board with that.
Need even more copper-centric inspiration? Head to Williams-Sonoma’s Instagram for the latest and greatest in copper products. Your registry (and home!) will thank you, loves… you can count on that.
If you’ve ever dreamed of throwing a destination birthday, this Tulum inspired party is next best thing. And it’s totally attainable. Pick your dream locale and infuse that into your very own backyard just like Tamara of Champagne + Macaroons. She threw a pineapple cocktail and taco boho party reminiscent of the beaches of Mexico. Psst… get inspired with even more imagery by Kate Becker in the VAULT.
Imagine sitting in your backyard on an 80-degree day in April surrounded by 10 of your closest girlfriends for an afternoon filled with beauty and giving back to the ones who have given you so much – the gift of friendship.
I woke up one morning and said out loud I am going to host my own birthday party and make it all about my girlfriends and an afternoon of being together. When I reached out to Kelly from Maven Styling she said she was in, and loved everything about it. So we were off to plan and dream together.
Our vision was to create a backyard haven filled with reminders of Mexico and subtle touches of the ocean and plant life which couldn’t have come together more perfectly!
The team along with fabulous weather made for a breathtaking afternoon. From the invitations to the menu card every detail went off without a hitch and the vendors involved made this birthday girl feel more than celebrated.
Food was out of this world with a local vendor who is near and dear to me, Local Crate provided a beautiful & tasty Mexican themed menu for family style sharing under string lights and a low lying rustic table setting.
Complete with pillows, rugs, decor and fur babies. The day quickly turned into the night and we spent the entire day talking, laughing and enjoying good food & good friends.
Kate our photographer could not have captured this day more beautifully, I will cherish the gift of these images forever.
Photographer: Kate Becker Photography | Styling: Maven | Food: Local Crate | Baker: Farina Bakeshop | Blogger/Hostess: Tamara Waterston | Champagne + Macaroons | Custom Tans: goGLOW | Fresh Pressed Juice: Zula Juice | Furniture + Rentals: Maven | Paper Goods: Champagne Press | Signature Cocktail: Tattersall Distilling | Tabletop Decor: Witt + Bliss
It’s decided, this couple has the cutest history ever. For their first meeting? In the church nursery as babies. And the celebration that followed years later? Monumental. A day filled with elegance, raindrops, and endless love, When He Found Her and Paperback Films captured it all to share. See it all in The Vault!
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From The Bride…Anthony and I met each other in high school although, as my parents remind us, our first official meeting was in the church nursery as babies. While we dated in high school, it wasn’t until we reconnected as adults, that we knew it would be forever. Family means everything to Anthony and I, and when he chose to propose in my childhood kitchen, with my parents and siblings all around us, I couldn’t have been happier. From the beginning of our engagement, we knew we wanted to have an outdoor wedding. I loved the contrast between a natural rustic setting, intertwined with elegant elements such as chandeliers and lush florals. Unfortunately, neither of us are particularly creative, and we quickly became overwhelmed with options for décor. We were so thankful to find our planner, Alexandra of Forever Wildfield. She understood, often intuitively, what we wanted and brought our vision to life. For our colour scheme, we settled on shades of nudes and pastels. When our planner, who was also our florist, suggested Café au Lait Dahlias for our September wedding date, I fell in love with their soft, romantic blooms. These flowers became even more special when Alexandra, who shares our values of sustainability, was able to grow a lot go them in her own wedding garden! For my own attire, I was never much of a believer in the notion that once you found the right dress you would ‘feel it’, but my experience ended up being exactly that. I tried on at least 40 dresses and, although I loved all of them, I always felt as though I needed to keep looking “just in case”. When I found my Lazaro gown, I knew instantly that I had found my dress. I loved the uniqueness of the ruffles and how the beading sparkled but didn’t overwhelm the dress. When I was told that the designer could customize the bodice, to create a strapless version, I knew it was the one. As quickly as we planned our wedding details with Alexandra, our wedding date approached and then it was here! My most vivid memory of the entire wedding day was watching our bridesmaids walk into the ceremony. So much of our day had been based around sunny, warm weather, so when Mother Nature dealt us unseasonably cold temperatures and a consistent downpour the entire day, she threw a wrench into many of our plans. My parents and I stood for the bridal procession, hands linked, watching each bridesmaid step out into the rain, helpers doing their best to keep water off of them as they walked towards the marquee tent, the umbrellas kept catching in the twinkle lights strung in the trees above and the girls were slipping around in their heels on the wet walkway. Yet, despite the chaos, everyone was smiling and laughing hysterically. In a moment filled with so much anticipation and significance, it was truly magical to laugh with the people I love the most. If I had to offer words of wisdom to other brides, it would be that, no matter how much planning you put into your day, there will likely always be something that doesn’t go exactly according to plan. But, as we learned first hand, there is a beauty in these moments and they can create some of the most treasured memories of the day.
Photography: Will Reid Photography | Cinematography: Paperback Films | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Patricia's Cake Creations | Stationery: The Invitation Place | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Makeup: Mar Gordon | Calligraphy: The Lettering Studio | Band: Parkside Drive | Hotel: 124 on Queen Hotel and Spa | Venue: At Home | Bridal Boutique: Dina Alonzi Bridal | Door Rentals: Simply Beautiful Decor | Event Planning, Event Design + Floral Design: Forever Wildfield | Slow Motion Video Booth: 2dhouse | Tabletop Rentals: Plate Occasions
I’m fairly confident in saying that every wedding should now include a Dimitri Olive Oil bar. And this Greek inspired affair? Totally started the trend. With Abby Jiu and Monachetti capturing it all to share, we’ve got a day filled with cultural meaning and Laura Hooper Calligraphy, it just doesn’t get any better. See it all in The Vault!
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From Abby Jiu…Anna and Jim wanted to have their wedding on a romantic Greek island while indulging in local cuisine and dancing the night away with family friends. When they quickly realized that would be quite a bit to plan and ask of guests, they decided to have their wedding stateside. They would bring Greece to the US! Anna, a chemist, and Jim, an intellectual property attorney, both from the Peloponnese, wanted their heritage and love of Mediterranean cuisine to be reflected throughout their wedding, so they hired Stephanie Economides with Lauryn Prattes Styling and Events to design a wedding that had the feel of home. From the invitation suite, to the Greek Church, to the late night Loukoumades (Greek Doughnuts), no detail was missed.
The invitation suite, designed by Winifred Paper, truly set the tone for Anna and Jim’s romantic, Grecian inspired affair. Anna and Jim have many family members that do not read or speak English, so a velum overlay with Greek wording was designed to lay over top of English wording. The invitation featured rose gold letterpress with olive branch details blind embossed onto the paper. It was wrapped together with gold threading and sealed with a rose gold wax seal featuring the couples monogram. To incorporate their strong faith and heritage, a “coat of arms” was created and included Poseidon’s Trident.
The ceremony, held at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, was rich in culture and tradition. During the service, Anna and Jim held two lit candles, called “Lambades.” These candles, lit be the Priest, signify that Christ, the Light of the World, will light the way for the couple’s new life together. To modernize the style of these, Amaryllis adorned the lambades with olive branches, blush roses and ivory silk ribbon. When the service concluded, guests received traditional Greek favors, “Koufeta.” Seven rose gold Jordan almonds, an odd number not divisible by 2, representing the idea that the couple will never separate or break up.
Anna and Jim hosted the reception at Congressional Country Club. They wanted to guest to eat and drink just as if they were on a Greek Island! All Greeks love their ouzo, so to kick off the party, trays of a lemon-infused ouzo mint spritzers were passed around on coasters with Greek terms of endearment (written in both Greek and English). The patio at Congressional Country club has a Mediterranean vibe, so this was a perfect fit for cocktail hour. Underneath the pergola, a lounge was set up… just as if they were to be on the beach! While sipping on ouzo, guests enjoyed flavored olive oils and olives imported from the footsteps of Mt. Taygetos in Greece!
The ballroom was transformed into a romantic, Mediterranean oasis, wrapped in soft white sheer drapes. A floral installation hung above the head table and included ivory and blush roses and olive branches. Clusters of candles and candelabras sat on top of the mirror-topped head table to create the style and feel that they couple sought after.
While dancing the night away to Greek tunes played by Apollonia Band, guests enjoyed late night Greek Doughnuts, also known as “loukoumades” that were brought in from Mike Isabella Concepts. Loukoumades are a traditional Greek dessert that are soaked in honey syrup and topped with cinnamon and nuts and served hot out of the fryer.
Photography: Abby Jiu Photography | Cinematography: Monachetti | Event Planning: Lauryn Prattes Styling and Events | Floral Design: Amaryllis | Stationery: Winifred Paper | Ceremony Venue: St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral | Reception Venue: Congressional Country Club | Hair + Makeup: Georgetown Bride | Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Lighting: Summit Event Pros | Band: Apollonia Band | Greek Doughnuts: MIC Events | Linen Rentals: Nuage Designs | Linen Rentals: DC Rental | Olive Oil: Dimitri Olive Oil
After a year of wedding planning, this gorgeous Bride and Groom promised each other that on their big day, they wouldn’t let the other out of their sight. From the romantic ceremony in one of Royal Sonesta Boston‘s beautiful ballrooms to dancing the night away to the tunes of Radiance, this Bride and Groom remained attached at the hip, celebrating their big day together. See it all from Zev Fisher Photography and Fade And Focus in The Vault!
From The Bride…Alex and I met in college at the University of Michigan, where some of our fondest memories to date were formed. We were set up for a date party – in typical fraternity-sorority fashion – and instantly hit it off. Soon after that night, our affinity for each other grew into more and we spent the remainder of college falling in love with each other and the city of Ann Arbor, where three years after graduating, we returned with friends for an alumni weekend and Alex popped the question.
When we got engaged, we knew right away we wanted our wedding to be in Boston (where I grew up) both because we love the city and because we wanted to provide our many friends and family from New York with an easy Labor Day weekend getaway. We looked at eleven (yes, eleven!) venues in one weekend and quickly decided on the Royal Sonesta Boston Hotel in Cambridge. We loved its beautiful views of Boston and its gorgeous setting directly on the Charles River. We also loved its boutique style and the contemporary art collection that permeated the space. Above all else, we cared most about our wedding feeling like us, and we felt the Royal Sonesta’s effortless vibe did exactly that.
The idea of the wedding feeling like us was our number one inspiration in the planning process. We knew it was going to be a big wedding no matter what (a whopping 260) so we focused on making it as personal and intimate as possible. We wanted it to feel warm, romantic, and inviting and accomplished just that by focusing on the details.
We used this concept to inform our choice of a summery color-pallet filled with blush, lavender, and soft grey. My eight bridesmaids wore those three colors in Monique Lhuillier’s tulle collection to achieve the romantic look we were going for. To complement my lace-detailed Pronovias gown, I wore the same veil my sister (and Matron of Honor) wore when she walked down the aisle a few years prior, which felt so special and personal to me. Alex wore a charcoal grey Hugo Boss tux, which was the perfect way for him to just ever-so-subtly stand out next to his groomsmen wearing black.
To continue with our vision of warmth and romance, we wanted the flowers to be loose and whispery and our florist did an incredible job helping us to achieve this look. Our chuppah was constructed of curly willow and lavender limonium for a full yet simple feel. In the ballroom, wooden boxes and delicate vases showcased dreamy floral arrangements filled with stunning flowers like white hydrangeas, faith roses, and seeded eucalyptus. Mercury votives and floating candles complimented the flowers on each table, and a combination of sheer fabric and bee-lighting draped from the ceiling to create an elegant look. We also decided to bring in long, wooden farm tables that lined the dance floor to help create a more intimate feel in the room.
From our wedding invitations, programs, and menus we helped to custom design, to our homemade hotel welcome bags filled with our favorite goodies, to UMichigan paraphernalia incorporated throughout the wedding night, we infused the wedding with personal touches. Our vanilla-mocha wedding cake was topped with a Michigan Wolverine bride and groom, baby pictures of us hung on each bathroom door, and wooden feathers I found from my favorite Cape Cod home-décor shop were used to enhance our cards and gift table.
On the night before the wedding, Alex and I made a pact with each other (thanks to advice from very wise friends!) that we wouldn’t let each other out of our sights on our wedding night. Though we had planned our wedding together all year long, this plan was undoubtedly the best one of them all. When I look back to the wedding, it was everything we could have possibly dreamed of and more—the love in the room, the warm speeches and remarks made throughout the night, and the infectious energy was beyond our wildest imagination. But in the end, being attached at the hip throughout the night proved to be the best possible way we could have celebrated, and was inevitably the most perfect way for the wedding to feel like us. My advice to brides-to-be would be to spend your wedding night side-by-side with your new spouse. It is so easy to get sidetracked by all the love your friends and family will have for you on your wedding night, but experiencing that incredible feeling in tandem with the best friend you just MARRIED is truly what you’ll remember forever.
Photography: Zev Fisher Photography | Cinematography: Fade And Focus | Floral Design: Charlotte Design Flower Boutique | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Invitations: Paula Winicur Design | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Catering: Catering by Andrew | Lighting: DesignLightCo. | Band: Wilson Stevens | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Officiant: Rabbi Marc Baker | Ceremony Music: Berach Orchestra | Venue: Royal Sonesta New Orleans | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited
Looking for the most perfect day ever!? It’s all right here – from one adorably grumpy pup to boho chic ensembles, a beautiful bouquet and a couple madly in love. Oh and just place all this perfection on a gorgeous beach. This is my dream world. Jen Rodriguez captured it all in our Vault so we can continue to imagine ourselves right here for the rest of today… the week… and beyond…
From Jen Rodriguez Photography… Beautiful blooms, a sweet pup, and a breathtaking beach location, this shoot pretty much has everything to make you swoon and then some! With Noonan’s Designs creating the flower gorgeousness, Rosey Calligraphy bringing the wow factor with custom pieces that will stop you in your tracks, all styled and beautifully captured by Jen Rodriguez, this utterly romantic session, full of thoughtful details, will have your heart skipping a beat in no time.
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Photography: Jen Rodriguez Photography | Floral Design: Noonan's Designs | Hair + Makeup: The Queens Bees | Venue: Avila Beach | Blue Skirt: Urban Outfitters | Blush Dress: Free People | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic | Save The Dates + Calligraphy Banner: Rosey Calligraphy
Braids are a summertime staple. They add a little boho flair without a ton of effort. And I swear they take ten years off. Try adding this fun side braid to your next beach waves endeavor and I promise you will never go back to unbraided hair again. This is a look that will take you from poolside to BBQ and even a chic cocktail party if you want. Grab the steps from Facetime Beauty below!
Prep the hair by making beachy waves throughout
Run fingers thru hair to shake out perfect curls so curls look more natural.
Take a section from the front, about an inch and a half thick and split the section into three parts.
Begin to create the “inside out braid”. Instead of crossing over on top, always cross under the center section and with each crossover grab and add in a little of the surrounding hair. This simple technique will make the braid “inside out”.
Secure the end of the braid with a few bobbie pins and cover that area with the hair on top of head.
Fix flyaways and style front as desired.
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Photography: You Look Lovely Photography | Hair Styling and Beauty: Face Time Beauty Concierge
I think every wedding needs a WOW moment, and this Atlanta “I do” totally delivered in that department. One look at their candle-covered ceremony backdrop and you’ll be inspired to create a dreamy design focal point of your own. Kendra Elise photographed, Imagine Video Productions filmed, and there’s even more to see inside The Vault!
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From Kendra Elise… Jasmine & Jon married on April 1, 2016 at the beautiful Summerour Studio in Atlanta. The couple recently moved to Atlanta from New York City. Growing up just a few blocks away from each other in New York City. They are huge foodies and love to travel! The wedding was classic & elegant with family joining the couple from NYC, Haiti, & beyond. The perfect touches of elegance with flowing flowers, romantic ceremony with a staircase full of candles.
From The Bride…We wanted to keep true to the garden theme. Our venue was a refurbished warehouse with a courtyard that resembles a Tuscan villa, so we played on that. We made sure to keep the color palette muted with tons of neutral tones, including soft gray, taupe, champagne, and ivory. We brought in some shimmer with mixed metal elements: candles, chandeliers, and accessories. Even our decorative pillows kept true to the color scheme!
I would describe our style vision to be a mixture of romantic, earthy and bohemian chic. The keyword for all design aspects was “flowy.” From the styling of our event drapery to the hairstyles my bridesmaids wore, we kept true to our vision.
My favorite detail was our altar and staircase decor. With rain looming over the weather forecast the week leading up to the big day; the decision to have our wedding ceremony inside versus the outdoor courtyard became final 5 hours before we walked down the aisle. Our floral designer was up for the challenge and completely delivered. We stood under a floral halo with dripping garden roses, amaranthus, and hydrangeas. Truly breathtaking and everyone agreed!
The theme for our flowers was lush green foliage. Once I started planning my wedding, I knew the typical wedding centerpieces were not going to cut it. I tasked my floral designer to use more greenery than flowers and to pile on the texture. Some of our arrangement favorites included: peonies, ranunculus, and succulents. We use over 300 candles to convey layers of light!
My advice for other brides is wedding coordinators and planners are essential, especially if you have a lot of DIY and individual touches! Also, make sure you hire a planner who seems to mesh and align with your vision from the beginning. It makes design meetings so much smoother.
Photography: Kendra Elise Photography | Cinematography: Imagine Video Production | Event Design: Crush Event Rentals | Event Planning: Kate And Campbell Weddings | Floral Design: Unique Floral Expressions | Wedding Dress: Kleinfeld Kollection - Alita Graham | Cake: Eileen Carter Creations | Stationery: Paper Daisies Stationery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: twobirds Bridesmaid | Catering: Endive Publik House | Hair + Makeup: Blend Beauty Group | DJ: Mark Adams | Groom's Attire: Musika Frere | Officiant: Reverend Dawn | Harpist: Atlanta Harpist | Transportation: Special Day Limos | Venue: Summerour Studio | Bridal Boutique: Kleinfeld Kollection - Alita Graham | Film Processing: The Find Lab | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Photography - Assistance: kate lamb
This beautiful Bride and Groom had a vision for their wedding day that married “a romantic garden wedding with a touch of gilded art deco detail, and a dash of old-school soul.” With a focus on the details — like the Bride’s Pronovias lace dress and classic Chevrolet — they captured their “Jane Austin’s garden meets Jay Gatsby’s mansion” feel. See it all from Alexandra Meseke Photography in The Vault!
From The Bride…Chris and I are unapologetically old-school romantics. He continues to open car doors for me, pull out my chair at dinner, and surprise me with fresh-cut hydrangeas from our yard – one of the only plants we can keep alive in our tiny excuse for a garden! We have always been drawn to the styles, music, and culture of another era – we always say we should have been born 100 years ago.
In a few words, our vision for our wedding day was a romantic garden wedding with a touch of gilded art deco detail, and a dash of old-school soul. We wanted our guests to feel like they were stepping back in time. Yet we didn’t want it to become a costume party. It was important for me to chose colors, themes and details reminiscent of a time long ago, while still remaining fresh, simple, and modern.
We also both love spending time outdoors together in the woods, lakes, and parks in the Rochester and Finger Lakes area, so we knew an outdoor ceremony would be magical. Our hometown of Rochester, NY is overflowing with rich history and was the perfect setting to bring this vision to life while paying tribute to the place we grew up and met. When we were dating and I lived in an old city mansion-turned- apartment in the Park Avenue neighborhood, we loved to take walks and explore the city streets, admiring the beautiful old homes and architecture, and imagining a time when things were so much simpler, yet so much more grand and opulent at the same time. Just blocks away from my old apartment was the George Eastman House, the historic home and gardens of Kodak founder George Eastman and now an international museum of photography. It’s always been a favorite spot for us to visit. Think: Jane Austin’s garden meets Jay Gatsby’s mansion – to me, it really doesn’t get any better than that! Shortly after we were engaged, we knew this was our spot, and we couldn’t imagine saying our vows anywhere else.
We both come from large, tight-knit Italian families, so we knew there was no getting around a big wedding – and we wouldn’t want it any other way! But we also wanted something that felt intimate and special. The seclusion of the garden tucked away in the middle of the city felt like we were letting our closest friends and family in on a special secret as we took our vows. We were so touched to be able to share these few moments with everyone in the world who means the world to us, all in the same place at the same time.
Incorporating small but meaningful mementos to honor important family was something I felt strongly about. To honor my dad who passed away when I was a teenager, I carried an antique locket with his photo and mine on my bouquet, so he was close to my heart as I walked down the aisle. I also borrowed a silver beaded clutch that belongs to my mother, and inside, carried a handkerchief that belonged to Chris’ grandmother.
One of my favorite parts of the day was riding in the rumble seat of a 1931 classic Chevrolet Coupe along historic East Avenue from the ceremony to our reception. Aside from taking in the gorgeous view of the old homes and architecture, it was so special for Chris and I to be able to take this moment alone together (along with our family friend in the driver’s seat!) and bask in the glow of our recent vows and look forward to the party ahead. We couldn’t resist snapping a few selfies!
After the ceremony, we continued the celebration at another historic Rochester venue, Inn on Broadway, for dinner and dancing with our bridal party and guests. We both love to dance, and wanted our guests not only to remember a great wedding, but to remember a great party. Music for me was key to creating the perfect soundtrack to transport our guests back to a time of roaring jazz music, and free-flowing cocktails and champagne. A 5-piece jazz band set the scene at our cocktail hour, along with signature drinks “The Flapper” and “The Philosopher” – a champagne cocktail, and a whiskey-ginger. A cigar bar staged to look like a man’s prohibition-era suitcase and dressing table was filled with vintage photos, postcards, newspapers, and liquor bottles from the time, curated from local antique shops and Etsy stores.
Then our amazing DJ carried us into the wee hours of the night, playing a healthy mix of everything from Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and James Brown (some of our all-time favorites to listen to at home) to Beyonce, Fergie, and Coldplay.
A big part of our life is centered around cooking and eating good food with the ones we love, so it was important to us for the day to reflect that. Tournedo’s Steakhouse at the Inn on Broadway prepared an exquisite, seasonal menu, and Gourmet Goodies created a gorgeous cake and pastry display overflowing with creative mini-desserts and traditional Italian wedding cookies and pastries. At the same time, it was important to us to give back, and sharing food is one of the best ways I know how. For this reason, we skipped wedding favors in lieu of a more meaningful contribution to a local food bank in honor of our guests.
We were so lucky to find Alexandra and Michael as our photographers – the moment we met Alexandra, we knew she would be able to beautifully capture our day aesthetically, as well as emotionally. The two of them together are a breath of fresh air. They put our entire bridal party at ease, and made a long day of wedding photos feel effortless.
It was important to us to choose vendors that were not only able to turn our vision into reality, but who were also just kind, genuine people who we knew would be there for us every step of the way. We also wanted to work with as many local vendors with ties to the Rochester community as we possibly could. We couldn’t have gotten through the day without this amazing group of people that we were so blessed to work with – everyone from our amazing photographers, Alexandra and Michael Meseke, to my lovely hair and makeup stylists who not only made me camera-ready but also calmed my jitters, to the meticulous event coordinators at the George Eastman House and Inn on Broadway, to our hugely talented florist and show-stopping band and DJ. Because of them, each detail came together without a hitch, and Chris and I were overwhelmed with gratitude and joy when we saw our vision brought to life.
Photography: Alexandra Meseke Photography | Floral Design: Kittleberger Florist | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Gourmet Goodies | Ceremony Venue: George Eastman House | Reception Venue: Inn On Broadway | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Watters Wtoo | Makeup: Blush, Brush And Bronze | Hair: Cori Palazzolo with Scott Miller | Band: Showcase Sound | Bridal Boutique: Juliana's Bridal | Flower Girl Dress: Seahorse by Watters
