Oh the joys of wedding planning! Picking out your bouquet, your dress, the food tastings and more! But oh, who’s that Debbie Downer knocking on the door? The oh so unpleasant budget. But fret not my friends, because Marisa Nicole of Marisa Nicole Events is here to help us sort through that stress, so that you can focus on those flowers instead of the dreaded finances.

Step 1: Determine Your Total Wedding Budget

You’re engaged, congrats! After the champagne has been poured and the well wishes have been bestowed, before you make a single plan for your day, you need to connect with the people who will be helping you throw this shin-dig to find out how much money you have to work with. It is super important that you have a firm idea of what your total budget is for this celebration prior to creating your guest list, determining your venue, or booking any vendors.

Step 2: Create a Working Budget Utilizing our Marisa Nicole Events Percentage System

You have a number (or at least a range) of how much you and/or your families are able to contribute to your wedding. Huzzah! But once again, hold off on booking anything just yet! Take your overall budget and apply the guide below to your finances to determine how much you should plan to spend in each area. You will notice that we are giving you percentage ranges, not hard numbers, so this guide can be applied to any sum amount. (In our system, our base numbers do equal 100%).

Hair + Makeup: 2-3%
Transportation: 2-3%
Cake/Dessert: 2-3%
Lighting + Sound: 4-5%
Dress + Accessories: 5-7%
Tipping: 5-7%
Venue Rental: 5-10%
Entertainment: 5-10%
Video + Photo: 8-12%
Stationery Suite + Signage + Paper Goods: 5-10%
Flowers, Linens, Decor: 10-15%
Planning, Design, Coordination: 10-15%
Food, Beverage, + Functional Rentals: 40-50%
Extra Cushion: 2-3%

Step 3: Pick a Venue That Fits Your Budget

To pick a venue that fits within your budget, we encourage you to combine the total costs of the venue location fee with your potential food, beverages, and rentals cost (if the venues you’re considering provide those items). If your estimate for all these items amount to less than or equal to about 50% of your budget, then having a wedding at the location are you considering is a viable option for your budget. It is really important that before you book, you get a solid understanding of what these items are likely to cost based on what your venue does and does not provide so that you can determine if this venue is in or out of your budget. Once you have selected a venue and evaluated these costs, you will be ready to create a more detailed, line-item budget for the rest of your wedding pieces.

Step 4: Choosing Vendors that Fit Your Budget

Once you have your venue, you can get into the business of determining the rest of your vendors. As you go through the process of choosing your vendors, it is extremely important to keep each price point within the percentages you have already laid out. We suggest not even flirting with companies that are outside of your budget for that vendor type. It only takes spending more than planned in a few areas to throw your whole wedding costs off-course in a way that will be difficult to recover from.

Step 5: Moving Percentages

With that being said, we know that every couple is distinct and will choose to value certain sections of their wedding more than others. It is for this reason that we have kept our breakdown fluid, so that you can choose to spend more or less in an area depending on where that section lands in your hierarchy of wedding priorities. If you have decided that music is the most important to you, then feel free to splurge on that live band that you just had to have. But, realize that by doing so, you will have to take a portion of a percentage away from another area in order to stay in budget.

Wedding Planning Secrets

View Slideshow

Wedding Planning Secrets

View Slideshow

ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

Minted
Fab.com
Kitchenaid

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 and don’t miss Grace Loves Lace’s Concierge Events (April 19 – 25) going on now!

For our Destination Brides… Discount from Hitch’d Weddings & Events and promotion from Round Hill!

For our Southeast Brides… Discount from Cassidy Carson Photography

For our Southwest Brides…. Don’t miss Grace Loves Lace’s Concierge Events (April 29 – May 2)!

OUR WINNERS:

Congratulations to our WED School winner Juliana and our twobirds Bridesmaid winner Nicole Gumpel!

Event Planning Advice: Marisa Nicole Events

I’ll admit, there is something romantic about the traditional act of being whisked away from your reception in a vintage car, headed for the airport. But it’s 2016 and it’s more than okay to shake things up a bit for the modern couple! My husband and I waited to begin planning our honeymoon until weeks after the wedding and here’s why you might just love it, too.

Why It's Worth Waiting on the Honeymoon

View Slideshow

Why It's Worth Waiting on the Honeymoon

View Slideshow

[dotted]

Planning the perfect Honeymoon? Find your inspiration below!

Italy here we come! | Bora Bora is Calling | How to pack everything in a carry on

April showers may bring May flowers, but this month has been far from rainy around these parts. From sweet cakes to blooms that take our breath away, our LBBers, per usual, are raising the stakes when it comes to pretty darn fantastic inspiration. See some of our fav moments of this past week below!

Must-See LBB Moments

View Slideshow

Must-See LBB Moments

View Slideshow

[dotted]

Start planning your wedding with the Little Black Book!

[dotted]

Featured Members: Photography: Hannah Suh Photography | Paper Goods: Roseville Designs | Photography: Kayla Barker Fine Art Photography | Floral Design: Bows And Arrows | Photography: Vasia Photography | Rentals: Casa De Perrin | Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Makeup: TEAM Hair And Makeup | Photography: Abby Jiu Photography | Floral Design: Holly Chapple Flowers | Photography: Jess Barfield | Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets

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

Florals

Bows and Arrows

View Portfolio

This bride wanted a dress that was anything but ordinary, and we’re giving her the official job well done. She opted for a halter neck, tulle skirt Tara Keely customized it to fit all her dress dreams. It was the perfect attire for a classic Floria wedding, and thanks to Kallima Photography we’re getting an inside look at the big day, fashion moments and all.

From The Bride…Rob and I were married at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. From the moment we began planning our wedding, there was one thing Rob and I immediately agreed on…we wanted our wedding weekend to be as memorable for our guests as it would be for us.

We chose St. Pete as the location with this in mind, everyone could be in walking distance from each other and from all the venues all weekend long. Our reception was held at the Museum of Fine Arts, located in the middle of downtown right along the water, with the most beautiful views of Tampa Bay.

In searching for my dress, I knew I wanted a look that had some kind of sleeves or straps, as I am not one for anything strapless, but I didn’t quite know what that look was. I also envisioned my dress incorporating tulle, I’ve always thought tulle skirts give off an airy, lighthearted and romantic feel. When I tried on the Tara Keely gown, it felt as if it was made for me, and my seamstress Rita was able to customize it so that it truly was. She worked so the bodice of the dress fit seamlessly and also customized the back by adding thin straps – just what it needed.

The lace bodice of the dress had scalloped edges and was exactly the right amount of classic bridal I wanted in my look. The skirt was perfectly airy and light, yet still fitted below the layers of tulle, adding in the slightest hint of a contemporary feel. The finishing touch was wearing my sister’s veil that matched the tulle in my skirt perfectly.

The months of planning and attention to details led to our wedding day exceeding my expectations in every way possible. Most of all, it was so unbelievably special to have all of our favorite people that mean so much to Rob and I in one place to share in our love and commitment to each other.

Photography: Kallima Photography | Coordination: Olympia Catering | Floral Design: Redman Steele Florist | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Ceremony Venue: First Presbyterian Church St. Petersburg | Reception: Museum Of Fine Arts | Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Jewelry: Beard's Jewelry | Catering: Olympia Catering | Hair + Makeup: Jess Waldrop | Band: Bay Kings Band | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein

[dotted]

See Why This Real Bride is SO On Trend!

Spring 2017 Trend Alert: Halter Necklines

View Slideshow

Spring 2017 Trend Alert: Halter Necklines

View Slideshow

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

Bay Kings Band

View Portfolio

When you receive an invite to attend Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week in, you know, Spain, you go. Which is why we’re breaking out the bubbly and hopping on the first plane to Europe for six full days of total glamour + insanely gorgeous gowns.  We’re beyond excited, loves, and you know we’ll be reporting on all of the stunning trends hitting the runways this season.  Let’s take a look at what’s in store.

Setting the benchmark for bridal fashions worldwide, Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week is one of THE most important events in bridal fashion all year.  Think prêt-à-couture and haute couture, 500 seriously stunning outfits and over 20,000 wedding products in a trade fair that is as awesome as it sounds. (Read: wedding dresses, groom’s attire, ceremony dresses and accessories galore.)  That’s 21 talented designers hitting the catwalk, including Rosa Clara, Cristina Tamborero and Justin Alexander… just to name a few. There’s even a Barcelona Bridal Night event featuring Naeem Khan. Awesome.

We’re jetting off to Spain for the fashion week of the bridal universe on April 26th, but if you won’t be attending the festivities along with us, no worries.  We’ll be filling our Instagram with crazy beautiful updates AND giving you the full rundown when we return.  Pinch us, loves.  This is going to be sooo beautiful and sooo fun.

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

Who doesn’t love a good celebrity wedding? The glitz, the glam, and, of course, the dress. And with so many of our favorite Hollywood stars sporting (sizable) rocks on their fingers, we couldn’t help but envision them in each and every dress we saw come down the runway at Bridal Week. From over-the-top glam for Mariah Carey to laid-back boho for Lauren Bushnell, these are the dresses we’d dress your favorite celebs in for their big day!

Celebrity Wedding Dress Predictions

View Slideshow

Celebrity Wedding Dress Predictions

View Slideshow

[dotted]

Plus, The Biggest Celebrity Weddings Ever

[dotted]

Celebrity Wedding Dresses To-Die-For

Allison Williams | Whitney Port | Nicky Hilton | Bar Refaeli

Here comes the sun and with it an overhaul of your closet staples. The ladies of Beijos Events recently teamed up with Trina Turk, a woman who knows resort wear like no one else, for a behind the scenes look + tips for infusing your wardrobe with bright, happy, totally on vacation vibes. Oh and the best little nugget of all? Trina is giving away $500 shopping spree to one very lucky lady. Get to know the woman behind our favorite summer clothes and get details on that fab giveaway right here!

Trina Turk is such a quintessential Palm Springs shop, tell us about the importance of having a boutique in that city?

Although we live and work in Los Angeles, Trina Turk has become closely associated with the “cocktails by the pool” and mid-century modern lifestyle of Palm Springs.

We have been fortunate to ride the wave of the renaissance of Palm Springs since we opened our boutique there in 2002.
Trina Turk and Mr Turk are often mentioned in press regarding the city, and the connection between our brands and Palm Springs has taken on a life of it’s own.

The design of the shop is so gorgeous, talk to us about it and what influenced it…

The original boutique—now the Trina Turk shop—was designed by Kelly Wearstler. We channeled the swanky vibe of Palm Springs in the early 70’s, using reflective surfaces like foil wallpaper, mirror tile, chrome and lucite with a pop of acid yellow. Our wallpapered dressing rooms have become a favorite instagram stop. The swim shop, the Mr Turk shop, and Trina Turk Residential were designed by Barbara Bestor in a store expansion a few years ago. The design is clean and modern with a nod to Albert Frey, the architect of the building which houses our shops. He also designed many other Palm Springs landmarks, including City Hall and the winged Visitor’s Center at the north end of town.

How does the city of Palm Springs inspire the Trina Turk collection?

The desert is a place where it feels right to wear color because of the strong clear light, so the climate and landscape have a lot to do with the inspiration.  It’s a resort destination which encourages wearing something more fun, more colorful, more vivid than you might wear at home.   The architecture is also an inspiration—what would you like to wear by the pool of a beautiful architectural home?  

In three words, describe Trina Turk’s style…

Optimistic, California, Vibrant

What are your favorite trends for Spring/Summer 2016?

I naturally love all the prints, bright color, print mixing, mixed media and bohemian influences.  I also love head to toe white.

[dotted]

 Must Have Warm Weather Essentials

[dotted]

Always invest in a great pair of sunglasses, they are THE key accessory for the Summer!  We are really feeling the pink and opaque frames we have been seeing this season and love the ones we wore by Raen Sunglasses for this shoot!

Don’t be afraid to wear bright prints, Summer style is all about having fun and not being afraid to try something different and eye catching.  You can wear them head to toe or even mix with a basic color, like a fresh Summer white!  We loved all of the fun prints at Trina Turk we found, they make us happy and ready for a fun Summer vacation!!

Try a kaftan!!  They are back and amazing, a little bit retro and a little bit bohemian, plus the comfort of them in the warm Summer heat is amazing!  You can wear them casually at the pool or dress them up for a warm summer evening out.

It’s Summer, don’t be afraid to show some leg with a good pair of statement shorts!  Trina Turk has the most flattering shorts, they aren’t too short or tight and hug in all the right places.  We also love how you can dress them up or down!  We love switching it up and having a bright colored or printed pair of shorts be the statement piece in our outfit!

For shoes we really love a good nude colored lace up sandal, it goes with everything and adds a little boho to it being laced up… You can pair with dresses; maxi or mini, denim, shorts, whatever!  It literally goes with everything, and is the perfect Summer staple!

[dotted]

Click here for Trina Turk’s $500 Shopping Spree details

Photography: Megan Welker Photography | Styling : Beijos Events | Makeup: Nancy Z Beauty | Hair: Marilyn Nunez | Hair: Jen Plus Colour | Boutique: Trina Turk | Clothing: Trina Turk | Pool: The Sycamore House | Sunglasses: Raen

Every wedding is a party, but this beautiful Bride and handsome Groom made sure their wedding was the “biggest and best Friday night dance party you could imagine.” From the handpicked playlist to the beer (note, not Champagne) toast, this wedding was full of party! Relive all the fun for yourself, thanks to Michael + Anna Costa Photography and The SB Video Crew, in The Vault!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From The Bride…Our engagement happened on February 15th, 2014 at the Thompson Hotel in Toronto, Canada. For me it was the perfect proposal, a dream really. My entire family including my Mom, Dad, two sisters, were all in on the surprise, and I was COMPLETELY surprised. After Brian popped the question in our hotel room overlooking the lake, champagne, flowers, family and happiness overwhelmed us and from there, each moment in the night got better and better. Brian not only planned to have my family there, but he also arranged to have my life-long friend and her husband meet us to celebrate by flying them in from Chicago. It was magical and kicked-off the festivities with the best of the best vibes.

Wedding planning and everything that came with it was surreal. We are so lucky to have the most amazing family and friends who made each step in the process beautiful. When it came to the actual wedding, our main goal was really to throw a party. We wanted everyone to have fun and for it to truly represent who we are as a couple down to the small details. Santa Barbara has always held a sweet spot in our hearts because we met there, and did a lot of growing up there, and so it was the natural choice for us to pick as our location to celebrate the big day. We knew we wanted the party to be outside, and the SB Historical Museum was the first venue we looked at. After that, nothing could compare. We locked in the venue about a year before our big day, and started to plan out the biggest and best Friday night dance party you could imagine.

We can both honestly say that without a doubt, our wedding day was the best day of our lives. It’s cliche, but it is so true. When the day arrived, I was calm, cool and collected. My mom and her boyfriend had rented an amazing house overlooking the Santa Barbara hills, and this is where my stunning bridesmaids and my mother and mother-in law all got ready together. The views were to die for. Brian and his boys had a house in downtown Santa Barbara, and they got ready together there. Brian and I decided to do our first look on the beautiful Santa Barbara State Beach, and then got to the venue for pictures with the rest of our family and wedding party.

The day went by so fast, but we both tried to feel every moment and internalize what was happening. We had a friend officiate the wedding for us, and the three of us wrote our entire ceremony together. That was such an amazing experience, and a way to make our wedding ours. The ceremony was the right mix of funny, thoughtful and most importantly full of love. I still remember looking out into the crowd and seeing both sets of our parents so happy. I am so happy our photographer, Anna Costa, captured so many of these special moments so beautifully throughout the day.

The night then went into a fun cocktail hour, complete with our signature drink, “The Bunny Gimlet”. From there, we sat down to an amazing meal that we designed with the fabulous Cassie from Omni Catering. Food and drink are both very important to Brian and I, so we wanted to treat our guests. The SB Historical Museum looked incredible thanks to Tenley Young and her floral and design skills. A friend at work once made fun of me for calling our wedding, “Rustic Chic,” but our vendors helped us capture this description so perfectly, and brought our vision of Santa Barbara glam to life. My absolute favorite part, though, was the music. Brian and I hand-picked every song we wanted played and worked with Gavin Roy Presents and his team to bring our playlist to fruition. A standout moment of the night for us was the beer toast (instead of a champagne toast) followed by the limbo contest. Spencer, our MC, brought our crowd to their feet time and time again, and our dance party happened flawlessly. Our 104 guests stayed until 10 pm, and then the entire party , including my grandparents, went on to our after-party, filled with light sticks, pizza and even more music. It was exactly what we could have hoped for.

Brian and I smiled the entire day. I was quite literally screaming with happiness, laughing and just smiling. You can see it in the pictures and in the video the SB Video Crew made for us. It was just the best.

Photography: MICHAEL + ANNA COSTA PHOTOGRAPHY | Cinematography: The SB Video Crew | Floral Design: Tenley Erin Young Floral | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Crushcakes | Bride's Shoes: Valentino | Hair + Makeup: LunaBella Make-up and Hair | Lighting: Bella Vista Designs, Inc | DJ: Gavin Roy | Venue: Santa Barbara Historical Museum | Coordination + Catering: Omni Fresco Catering | Rentals: Ventura Party Rentals

Whether you’re patiently waiting (on pins and needles?) to find out baby’s gender or you simply want a neutral space for your new bundle of joy, you can’t go wrong with a calming white nursery. From subtle themes like safari friends to boho beachy, your babe will be welcomed into the world in serious style. Click below to see even more!

Gender Neutral Nursery? Let These All-White Looks Inspire Your Design!

View Slideshow

Gender Neutral Nursery? Let These All-White Looks Inspire Your Design!

View Slideshow

[dotted]

Create a fun calligraphy name sign for your baby’s nursery or as a decoration for your baby shower!

[dotted]

See all of our featured Nursery Designs here!

Ask anyone who works in the wedding industry, when it comes to planning your own big day, there’s a lot of pressure to make it perfect. But this beautiful wedding planner Bride handled that pressure with grace and it led to one gorgeous outdoor wedding. Don’t miss any of the pretty, captured by Simply Lace Photography and Am Motion, in The Vault!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/137733603 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From The Bride…As a wedding planner you are always inspired by the latest trends etc. However, for me I have always wanted an outdoor wedding. I like how you can turn simple things into beautiful things. Luckily, I was blessed to have a met my husband now, who also shared the same views. It was also important that our son wasn’t left out of the moment. A southern-rustic feel is what we wanted. Come casual, eat great BBQ and just enjoy in our moment.

With the cultural background that I am from, I wanted something that has yet to be done. We decided on a space that allowed everything to happen in one place. From ceremony, to cocktail to reception. Also the venue being historical site gave us a sense of re-living in old Ontario which was a big thing for us. We liked the rustic-ness of the place. It was opened and airy. Again, simple!!

My favorite wedding moment was the exchange of vows. Funny thing is I’ve always known how my husband felt about me. But in the moment, hearing him profess it not only to me, but God, our families and friends and most important our son just validated it. I felt a sense of rush that I felt the first time we met. 

My advice to engaged couples is that once you know the answers to these questions: (1) what kind of wedding do you want (2) who you want to invite (3) When & where you want to get married (4) what is important to you, hire a wedding planner or wedding coordinator. It makes a big difference. It will save you time and stress.

Photography: Simply Lace Photography | Cinematography: Am Motion | Event Planning: Love Laced Weddings | Floral Design: Plush Flowers | Cake: Cakes by Mavis | Catering: Bbq Gourmet | Makeup: Beauty By Phillipa | Calligraphy: Sunkissed Letters | Groom's Attire: Eaden Myles | Venue: Markham Museum | Chairs: Detailz Chair Couture | Day of Coordination: As You Wish Weddings | Decor: Mashed Events

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

The mastermind behind this pretty was none other than A Very Beloved Wedding and can we just call out that some major life goals are happening in this gallery. For example? A crowned pug puppy. I mean, how cute is that?! Complete with Dilekerei cakes and the ever-so-talented Ashley Ludaescher behind the lens, we’ve got it all waiting for you in The Vault!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/156737788 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From A Very Beloved Wedding… This couple shoot is inspired on classic Vienna, one of the most romantic cities in the world. It is inspired on the abundance of architectural beauty, classic interior design, interesting history, Marie Antoinette, great patisserie, champagne and love. In this city all you can do as a couple is being Princess and Prince Charming to one another.

Robert Browning, English poet wrote to his beloved princess Elizabeth Barrett on the morning of their wedding day:

“Words can never tell you…how perfectly dear you are to me – perfectly dear to my heart and soul…I am all gratitude – and all pride…that my life has been so crowned by you.” 12 September 1846

It is all about joy, beauty, laughter, love and having fun during your wedding day…and taking life just simply as it is: an amazing journey full of surprises, dreams and fairy tales that come true.

Photography: Ashley Ludaescher Photography | Cinematography: Ashley Ludaescher Photography | Floral Design: A Very Beloved Bloom | Stationery: Post Calligraphy | Hair + Makeup: Julia Mikulitsch | Hotel: Imperial | Wedding Venue: Palais Liechtenstein | Cake + Sweets: dilekerei | Cape + Robe: Eva Poleschinski | Dresses: Lena Hoschek | Production, Creative Direction, Design + Styling: A Very Beloved Wedding | Rentals: Föhr

Take a breathtaking traditional setting like the Evergreen Museum And Library and add in a rich color palette of red and blues with just a touch of golden glitter and the results are insanely pretty.  Think lush blooms crafted by Scentsational Florals, the beauty stylings of JKW Beauty and a bride and groom who are the definition of sweet.  See it all captured by Natalie Franke in THE VAULT, lovelies.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Natalie Franke… These two are the epitome of soulmates and their relationship, spanning over a decade, is truly one of the most genuinely inspiring pairings you can imagine!

Greer wore a gorgeous wedding gown and carried her grandmother’s earrings on her bouquet. They walked arm in arm around the museum counting down the minutes until the reverend would declare them husband and wife. Everything about this wedding was incredible! The venue is a historic Museum just north of Baltimore that overlooks exquisite gardens and hidden brick archways.

Photography: Natalie Franke | Floral Design: Scentsational Florals | Wedding Dress: Love Couture Bridal | Cake: Kupcakes And Co | Catering: Zeffert And Gold | Makeup: JKW Beauty | DJ: Evan Reitmeyer | Venue: Evergreen Museum And Library | Photography - Assistance: Kate Ann Photo | Rentals: 2Hands Studios Events

When the Bride is an editor at Real Simple, looking at pretty things all day, it’s no surprise her Vermont Riverside Farms day is a rustic wedding dream come true. From the Plum Pretty Sugar robes to the s’mores bar to the Photobooth Planet Vermont fun, this day has all the makings of a perfect wedding. See it all from Stacey Hedman, assisted by Alanna Scully, and Paperweight Films in The Vault!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/138895792 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From The Bride…Stephen was the second person I met after joining a dating site for the first time—and, unbeknownst to either of us, we happened to grow up in the same town. Though somehow we’d never crossed paths, it turned out that not only were we from the same town, but Stephen also grew up across the street from my aunt, was very good friends with one of my neighbors, and grew up skiing in the same town my family frequented, too. It all felt very serendipitous to both of us and opened the doors for an instant trust and connection between us. Six months later, I was moving out of Manhattan and back to New Jersey to live with him. A year after that, we were engaged. And we were married almost a year to the date after that!

We knew Riverside Farm was the place for us, when we felt that same instant connection with the place. We were looking for a place where our guests could join us for a weekend of fun by staying on the property. Riverside had that—and so much more. The property, which includes three barns, a bridal cabin, a groom’s cabin, two additional lodging cabins, and a nearby bed and breakfast, is nestled between two gorgeous rolling green mountains and all the buildings are filled with the most unique antiques. It’s stunningly rustic chic—the kind of place where you just look around and think: “wow!” We knew our family and friends would love it as much as we did.

Since the setting itself was so beautiful (and one of our favorite things about the place), we kept the color palette simple with dove gray, white, and green in order to let the scenery speak for itself. From the moment the save-the-dates went out, I wanted people to get that soft and elegant, but also fun vibe we were going for.

To set the tone of the event, Swiss Cottage Designs drew a custom picture for us of a couple under the covered bridge at Riverside (the guests didn’t know it yet, but the female figure in the drawing wore the same silhouette my dress would have!) for our save-the-date. She continued that color palette in the rest of our suite with invitations that were white with green lettering, silver foil, and botanical details. Other items in the stationery suite, like the response cards were the reverse: green with white lettering and botanical details.

All of our flowers (locally grown and picked by the owner of the town’s garden center) were white and green, with occasional pops of dusty pink or lavender. In keeping with the natural feel, we kept them all asymmetrical rather than polished and tight. Some of the biggest wow moments with the flowers were at the reception. Instead of traditional place cards, we filled apothecary jars with wildflowers and used silver flecked twine to attach each person’s name and seat to their very own vase of flowers. There was also a pair of beautiful dove gray curtains draped in a floral garland that was kept closed to “hide” the reception until we were ready to welcome guests in. Once the curtains opened, the first thing guests saw was a gorgeous head table set for nearly 40 (to accommodate that huge bridal party of ours!) with the most ethereal garland decked out in flowers, different tiers of candles, and Hauck wine (my maiden name).

Peppered throughout the day were both purchased (personalized cocktail hour signs, wooden table numbers, a handcrafted wooden bench to serve as our guestbook) and homemade details (200 jars of jam made by me for the welcome bags, handmade cornhole and giant Jenga sets made by the groom and painted by me) to match the vibe of Riverside. It took months for the whole vision to come together, but we had some tireless, extremely talented, and, perhaps most importantly, kind vendors who helped us bring our vision to life in a way that was even more perfect than we could have imagined.

The wedding day was supposed to downpour, but something about that mountain air: The beautiful blue sky held out and we got the outdoor wedding of our dreams. Moods all around—bridal party, guests, vendors—were as sunny as the sky was. Perhaps thanks to the utterly phenomenal locally sourced food that seemingly never ended (really, people are still talking about it) and the amazing band that drove up from New York who had the dance floor going all night. Or, maybe it was the old school VW bus that had our photo booth inside. Guests not only loved taking pictures inside of it, but also outside of it. And, of course, Stephen and I made it our last stop of the night before our romantic sparkler exit.

But, for Stephen and I, one of the most magical moments of the whole event was when one of the groomsmen sung “Over the Rainbow” on the ukulele for my father and my first dance. My husband and, of course, my dad say it was their favorite part of the whole night. Pure happiness all around.

From start to finish, we both say we would do it all over again…not to change anything, but simply to relive the complete wonder and beauty of it all.

Photography: Stacey Hedman | Cinematography: Paperweight Films | Floral Design: Bloom for Life | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Cake: Irene's Cakes By Design | Invitations: Swiss Cottage Designs | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Vermont Farms Catering | Makeup: Flawless Cosmetic Design | Hair: Formal Hair Design By Kerry | Band: Kazz Music Orchestra | Groom's Attire: My Suit | Venue: Riverside Farm | Bride's Pajamas: Daughters Of Simone | Groomsmen Bags: Hudson Sutler | Linen Rentals: The Linen Shop | Photo Booth: Photobooth Planet | Photography - Assistance: Alanna Scully | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar

There simply isn’t enough space on this one page to house all the delightful details included in this beautiful blue and white wedding (thank goodness we got our Vault to hold every pic!) Strawberry Milk Events led the team and thanks to Katie Stoops we don’t miss one preppy piece of this party – so pop open Pinterest and getting ready to pin to your heart’s content because it all really is that good.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… Being a designer who had helped many brides realize their own unique wedding visions, I approached our wedding day planning with lots of ideas for the look and feel that I wanted to create. We wanted a wedding that reflected us as a couple, traditional, yet fun, and definitely near a body of water. The Inn at Perry Cabin embodied the beauty and historical feel that we were hoping for. Andrew proposed to me with a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring and that, along with our venue choice, with its lovely water views, lead to our delft blue-inspired romantic theme.

At the time of our engagement we were stationed in Washington, DC so the proximity to the Inn, located in St. Michael’s, Maryland, was manageable during planning. That was important to us as I was deep into my MFA thesis during the process and yet I still wanted to design as many of the details as I could manage in order to personalize our special occasion. There were many hours spent in the weeks prior the big event making sure those welcome bags were perfectly put together and the escort card tassels were the correct shade of blue. I focused so much of my energy leading up to the wedding on those small details because, to me, they mattered. It seemed important that there be continuity of design throughout all of the weekend’s events. I custom designed our letterpress save the dates and wedding invitations. For our guests, these set the tone for the entire weekend. I also hand-designed all of the other welcome materials and paper goods, from escort and menu cards to welcome maps and bags of goodies. Needless to say, I was busy but the finished product was well worth the effort. I had so much fun watching everything come together and, in the end, it was just beautiful. Julie, my planner from Strawberry Milk Events, helped to harmonize our look through venue décor, tenting, linens and table arrangements. She also kept us on track the day of. Lauren and Rachel from Sweet Root Village designed those stunning floral arrangements and the greenery canopy over the dance floor. The exquisite results blew me away. Lastly, Katie Stoops Photography helped us capture all the special moments and details of the day in the most beautiful way possible.

One of my favorite memories from that day was surprising Andrew by walking down the aisle with my Dad to an electric violin version of a Dave Matthews song. Andrew loves Dave Matthews Band, and the surprise was of special significance for the two of us. Seeing the big grin on his face when he realized what song was playing as I walked towards him reminded us that this was a special moment between the two of us, even as it was being witness by all of our family and friends. Those friends and family being there meant so much to us as we have moved many times over the years due to our careers. Finding the right balance between entertaining and enjoying your guests and taking the time to appreciate the moment with your spouse is really important.

What I would say is… the day goes by so quickly and we made an effort to enjoy our “moments” together. You are throwing a really big party and you, as a couple, are the center of attention. We wanted to remember what the event was about… our love and future together. It is important to take time to remember throughout the day how, and why, we were celebrating our love.
[dotted]

Peruse more Maryland weddings here!

Photography: Katie Stoops Photography | Event Design: Strawberry Milk Events | Floral Design: Sweet Root Village | Wedding Dress: Enzoani | Stationery: Danielle Herrold Design | Wedding Shoes: Kate Spade | Engagement Ring: Lauren B Jewelry | Jewelry: Kate Spade | Wedding Venue: The Inn At Perry Cabin | Ceremony Music (Electric Violin, Harp): Music By Gigi | Paper Goods: Danielle Herrold Design | Reception Band: Ebe Amsterdam | Reception Dress: Jesus Peiro | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Table Decor: DC Rental | Welcome Bags: Danielle Herrold Design

Bun aficionados, this goes out to you. It’s a style that’s all at once unfussy yet totally polished. The kind of bun that doesn’t say I rolled out of bed 5 minutes ago even if it only takes 5 minutes to whip together. It screams chic and is officially being declared the new It Bun on the Block. Get the how-to from Face Time Beauty and You Look Lovely Photography below.

Split hair into two sections. Take the top section and create a ponytail high up on your crown.

Back comb bottom half of hair with fingers to add texture.

Pull up rest of hair hair and cover first ponytail with second ponytail with loop at top.

Wrap ponytail around loop and tie with a hair tie.

Wrap the hair to your liking and hairspray.

[dotted]

More hairstyles to snag…

3 Ways to Style a Lob

5 Minutes to Perfect Party Hair

Romantic Side Braid

Photography: You Look Lovely Photography | Hair Styling and Beauty: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Robe: Plum Pretty Sugar

Sentimental venue? Her father’s personal estate. Gorgeous backdrop? The Blueridge Mountains. Unique ceremony location? A staircase adorned with Holly Chapple Flowers garland and a fox statue for good measure. Carrying the fox motif throughout the day with Laura Hooper Calligraphy and escort cards, this is one coral capped celebration from Abby Jiu that you have to see in The Vault!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Abby Jiu Photography…On a gorgeous spring day, Jennifer and Jeffrey were married on her father’s personal estate, Jessamine Farm, near the Little Inn of Washington in Washington, VA. The 75 acre estate offered beautiful views of the Blueridge Mountains, and the property itself simply accentuated the natural beauty around them. The ceremony was held on the front porch which had a long staircase that was adorned with green garland and a beautiful statement of peonies and roses. A fox statue at the bottom of the staircase, adorned with a flower wreath, played to the farm background of the property and the fox motif was carried throughout the invitations and escort cards. Jennifer and her father were brought to the ceremony on a horse-drawn carriage, which Jennifer and Jeff later exited on as husband and wife.

Guests were greeted with watermelon quenchers as they arrived, and cocktails were later served on the back veranda where guests could mingle or explore the historic property and gardens. The reception was held under a cloth tent, which was decorated with lush greenery and bright coral and pink flowers. The guests danced the night away with laughter and smiles. Desserts were later served poolside before the couple exited under a canopy of sparklers.

Photography: Abby Jiu Photography | Floral Design: Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD | Wedding Dress: Liancarlo | Cake: Fluffy Thoughts Bakery | Invitations: Haute Papier | Catering: Design Cuisine | Hair + Makeup: Alison Harper and Company | Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Venue: At Home | Bridal Boutique: Carine's Bridal Atelier | Coordination + Design: Atrendy Wedding

Nothing says “I’m getting MARRIED” quite like picking out your invitation suite together. And while styles have come and gone, there are a few that stood the style-test of time. Perfect example? Gilded paper goods. We’ve rounded up a few for you to fancy and we won’t be surprised if you happen to favorite a few. Click below to see a preview of all the pretty that awaits you in The Vault!

Gold Invitation Suites

View Slideshow

Gold Invitation Suites

View Slideshow

Addressing your own invites? Don’t miss our tips below!

Truth be told, you don’t just want any invitation suite for your Big Day. Oh no, you want it to be special. Which is why we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite unique ways to add your own signature to that styled suite, pronto. Click below for more and find even more invitation inspiration in The Vault!

Invitation Suite Inspiration

View Slideshow

Invitation Suite Inspiration

View Slideshow

Addressing your own invites? Don’t miss our tips below!

As a Midwestern bride myself, I totally get the need to bring a little extra oomph to a not-so-exotic location. And armed with a Palm Springs-inspired wedding vision, this bride did just that. She brought on the fiercely talented ladies of Munster Rose to incorporate bright pops of color and palm leaves into the floral design, that paired beautifully with the modern setting at Calhoun Beach Club. Go see how it all turned out in the full gallery from Geneoh.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From The Bride… While planning my wedding, I found myself inspired by the looks of Palm Springs weddings, despite getting married in pretty much the opposite place–Minnesota. I loved the idea of incorporating palm leaves and really saturated pinks. Our venue’s aesthetic was clean and sophisticated, so I wanted florals that complemented it.

When it came to meeting with Munster Rose, I was a bit nervous I’d be laughed out of the room for proposing palms for Minnesota wedding. To my delight, Jackie and her team not only were excited about the idea but also expanded on it in brilliant ways–including actual palm trees in our ceremony! It was a real treat watching Munster Rose do their magic setting up the florals on the day of the wedding. I loved them so much more than I ever imagined.

Moreover, I was so impressed by how sweet and personable the whole Munster Rose team was. They do many weddings each year, but they still made mine feel unique and special.

Photography: Geneoh | Event Planning: Denae Brennan Events | Floral Design: Munster Rose | Wedding Dress: Lovely Bridal Shop | Invitations: Bay & Boardwalk | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Hair + Makeup: Creative Beaute Agency | Venue: Calhoun Beach Club

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

Denae Brennan Events

View Portfolio

Hey, Style Me Pretty readers. Jessica of The Budget Savvy Bride here. I’ve spent the last 8 years sharing ideas, tips, and tricks to help brides save money on their big day, but it’s not just the happy couples that are looking to cut costs. Whether you’re invited as a guest to half a dozen weddings this season or are performing bridesmaid duties at multiple events, you may be looking for some money-saving tips for yourself. Allow me to share some of my budget-savvy wisdom to help you get through wedding season without losing your mind (or all your money.)

[dotted]

Travel

Whether the weddings you’re attending are near or far, there will likely be costs involved. If you’re within driving distance, consider carpooling with friends (or splitting an Uber if none of you feels like acting as the designated driver.) Gotta stay overnight? Check out last minute discounts from handy apps like HotelTonight or book a night in an AirBNB instead of a swanky hotel. Flying? Book earlier rather than later and search discount airlines like JetBlue and Spirit. 

[dotted]

Attire

When it comes to wedding fashion, you probably want to avoid making a faux pas by repeating the same outfit at multiple events. To save money on your wedding garb, try shopping your friends’ closets to mix things up. Or if you’re headed to a black tie wedding consider renting a designer dress for less with Rent the Runway. Choose simple jewelry and an amazing pair of shoes that can be worn with different dresses so you don’t have to buy new accessories for each event.

[dotted]

Gifts

One wedding expense that adds up fast is all the gifts for all the different events. Make sure to check for retailer coupons, discounts or sales before purchasing off the couple’s registry – I’m personally a huge fan of Ebates and love earning cash back when I shop online. When ordering wedding gifts online you can usually avoid shipping fees, and if you have your gift sent directly to the couple you won’t have to worry about the extra expense of gift wrap. Another great tip is to go in on a gift with a group of friends, getting the couple a higher dollar item that they really want while allowing each person to contribute what they’re able towards the gift.

Be sure to make a budget for wedding season based on your savings and the number of events you’ll be attending. If you’re feeling extra strapped and it comes down to it, you can always politely decline invitations in order to save your sanity (and wallet.) Happy celebrating and saving!
[dotted]

P.S. How to Save Your Bridesmaids Money (+Be the Best Bride EVER)

[dotted]