Whisk me away to the mountains of Austria! This magical land must hold some sort of superpower because I don’t think I’ve ever seen such beauty. Manuela Kalupar captured it all, thanks to the talents of A Very Beloved Wedding who created the scene before us, inspired by the bridal tradition of including “something blue” on your special day. And what a special day this was – see it all in our Vault here!

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From A Very Beloved Wedding… This couple’s shoot is inspired by the wedding tradition of “something blue”, which stands for purity, love and fidelity. We find purity in the white snow, love between the couple and the reason for getting married and trust, fidelity in the color blue and in the longevity of a traditional place like Tirol in Austria.

We have different blues, gold and white with some other color details in the flowers. We presented three different types of wedding gowns: the classic white like snow, the dark blue like a romantic sky at night and a golden typical Austrian gown called “Dirndl.” The flower crown (headpieces) provide different color touches as well. The stationery is fine letterpress and the paper has the same structure as wood, an element we find all around this location.

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Find more Austrian wedding inspiration here!

Photography: Manuela Kalupar | Floral Design: A Very Beloved Bloom | Wedding Dresses: Lena Hoschek | Cake: Kuchen Mit Stil | Stationery: Herz&Co | Hair + Makeup: Lisa Buchner | Venue: Maierl Alm & Chalets | Creative Direction, Production, Design + Styling: A Very Beloved Wedding | Hair Accessories: Miss Lillys Hats | Props: A Very Beloved Wedding

With family spread across 17 different countries, this couple knew a destination wedding was a perfect way to organize the chaos. They chose the beaches of Cabo San Lucas and set out to plan their sleek and chic nuptials with a sexy Baja vibe. From the hair and makeup by Suzanne Morel to entire floral and event design perfected by Elena Damy, there’s so much inspiration to steal and thanks to Ashley Bosnick we’ve got it all inside The Vault!

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From The Bride…“Why Mexico?” everyone asked. “Why not?!” I said with a big smile. Douglas is Swedish, I’m from Chicago and we have family and friends spread over 17 countries. We loved the idea of all our friends and family being in the same country (let alone the same hotel) for five days to celebrate with us. And the added bonus of sun and sand for the albeit beautiful but rather pale Swedes made for an easy decision.

We began the festivities on Wednesday evening with a fabulous salsa beach party and ended with a barely able to stand Sunday brunch. It was important to us that everyone have the holiday of a lifetime, endless margaritas, late night tacos, sketchy “high-school spring-break” clubbing, and epic salsa dancing from my mother made the weekend just that – absolutely unforgettable.

Our wedding had a neutral palette with a European vibe and was held at The Resort at Pedregal with the reception held at a private villa in the cliffs of Pedregal. The day was everything we could have hoped for – surrounded by family and friends in a gorgeous place to exchange our vows and celebrate our marriage.

From Elena Damy Destination Weddings… As you can see from the breathtaking photos from Ashley Bosnick, Nina and Douglas’ wedding was the perfect blend of European elegance and modern Mexico. The bride and groom worked closely with our wedding planner, Claudia Morales, to carefully plan each aspect of the wedding weekend.

When it came time to create the event design, Elena Damy, our Creative Director and Lead Floral Designer, was inspired by the couple’s worldly, sophisticated style and playful, down-to-earth charm. Without a doubt, it was easy to bring their graceful tone into the already warm, rustic refinement of Pedregal. For the ceremony, Elena designed a natural wooden structure with an abstract display of cream and white flowers blended with twirling vines and greens. Lining the aisle were tall contemporary glass hurricanes, each holding a single open rose.

The bride’s bouquet mirrored the ceremony flowers, with open garden roses mixed with organic greens loosely cascading for a natural Baja feel. For the reception at Casa Turquesa, Elena layered classic table settings with neutral linens, natural woods, weathered metallic candles, and low, lush flowers for an intimate, family dinner. Subtle wooden Bride and Groom signs were hung on the back of the bride and groom’s chairs, and loosely strung flowers, crystal drops and organic vines hung from the chandeliers overhead.

Nina changed into another gorgeous wedding gown for their cake cutting and dancing into the wee hours! Bright, rich reds and sexy dance tunes put the finishing touches on Nina and Douglas’ amazing wedding weekend!

Photography: Ashley Bosnick Photography | Cinematography: Flicker Shack Films | Wedding Planning + Design: ELENA DAMY Destination Wedding Planners, Floral & Event Designers | Floral Design: ELENA DAMY Destination Wedding Planners, Floral & Event Designers | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Ceremony Venue: The Resort At Pedregal | Reception Venue: Villa Belle Etoile | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Catering: The Major Catering Los Cabos | Hair + Makeup: Suzanne Morel Face and Body Care | Calligraphy: Wondrous Whimsy | DJ: DJ Mijares | Groom's Attire: Bespoke Suits | String Quartet: Violetta Poletek | Maid Of Honor Dress: Alice & Olivia

Crazy gorgeous home tours are amazing and all but what really gets our engines purring is hearing the details on how to score the beautiful looks tucked inside. And if those details are budget -friendly? Well that’s pretty much a slam dunk. Helena of Brooklyn Blonde has a seriously stylish space, made even better with the help of Homepolish and HomeGoods. Using a mix of already owned and new items, this Brooklyn abode got a style refresh and it’s just in time for her sweet little bebe on the way.

Personalizing Your Space on a Budget

Rethink your layout to make older pieces feel like new.

For Helena’s living room, a more open layout was key to space feel finished and complete for her husband and baby on the way! She actually wanted to get rid of the couch in this photo originally, but by moving it to the other side of the room and adding some colorful pillows and throws from HomeGoods, the whole room feels completely fresh and airy without the investment of a new furniture piece.

Get creative with art placement

We had the idea to move Helena’s antique mirrors (a collection of flea market finds and family heirlooms) from the wall near the door and instead distribute them across the corner under her staircase. Spreading them across the whole corner vs. keeping them all on one wall makes the desk corner feel like its own little office section.

Gold is always in style

With an ability to double as an accent hue or neutral, gold is one of the most desired hues for ornamenting a space. Helena wanted to keep her home décor relatively monochromatic – similar to her fashion style – as you’ll see, we used a lot of gold as accents, which automatically look luxe and expensive! These marble and gold side tables were only $99 from Homegoods, a fraction of what a designer piece would cost!

Use mirrors to maximize

Mirrors are my go-to piece in order to make a space look larger and feel more upscale. We even hung mirrors behind Helena’s existing bookshelves – they help add so much dimension, and you don’t even notice they are there when you first look!

Be smart about where you splurge

In the dining room, Helena knew she wanted a large farm table so invested in custom a custom piece made from scaffolding from a New York City building. (She and her husband are born and bred New Yorkers, so love this tie to their roots!) This was definitely somewhere where they ‘splurged’ in their home, so we balanced it out with quality, yet affordable dishware from HomeGoods – plates started at $3.99.

Work with what you have

Tiny tweaks can go a long way to make pieces you already have feel like new. Helena owned these mirrored bedroom nightstands for years and was so ready to get rid of them, but instead we swapped out the handles with new edged drawer pulls (from HomeGoods) – and it made a world of difference! Also, Helena’s husband has a green thumb so they have tons of plants all over the house. This cactus actually belonged to her husband’s grandfather. To show off her plants with an updated look, we swapped out the pots with pretty ceramic ones for a fresh take, and flipped over this wire trash can for an impromptu plant stand, which we picked up at HomeGoods for under $10!

Lighting makes all the difference

As a designer, I feel that lighting can transform any room. In the bedroom, we swapped out the lamps on Helena’s side tables with these geometric marble fixtures from HomeGoods. Then, Helena’s husband Keith jumped in and helped us out by replacing the old light fixture – which dated back to the late 1920’s when the house was originally built – with this new, modern piece. We quickly discovered that the ceiling area around the fixture was old and crumbling, so for a quick fix we bought a medallion at Helena’s local hardware store for super cheap – instantly adding a layer of glam to the whole space.

The nursery should be your style, too!

The number one thing to think about when decorating a nursery is that it’s an extension of your home – so approach it that way! Helena and her husband have a sleek, clean aesthetic and so I wanted to make sure that this room stayed true to them. They’re going to be spending a LOT of time in this room in the coming months, so I wanted it to feel like a sanctuary that reflects their personalities. Storage was key in this room, as you can see from these hanging baskets to display books and cute stuffed animals, and oversized trunks to store away the bigger, bolder-looking toys. It keeps the room looking clean and sleek – and also helps that Helena won’t be tripping over toys all the time!

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For more budget savvy decor ideas check out…

Best Ever Home DIYs and Hacks
Ways to Tranform a Home for under $100
DIY Removable Wallpaper

Photography: Matt Harrington | Decor: Home Goods | Home Of : Brooklyn Blonde | Interior Design: Homepolish

Effortlessly elegant and beautifully captured by Carolina Rivera Photography, this Willowwood Arboretum wedding truly is gorgeous at its core. Every image paints a picture of a day that you can just tell was treasured by everyone in attendance, and you can get lost in all that loveliness here.

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From Carolina Rivera Photography…Colleen and Bill’s wedding was set with the beautiful landscape of New Jersey’s luscious greens, at Willowwood Arboretum in Chester, NJ. That’s one of the things I love about New Jersey, is the variety and depth of locations, that can go from rural, to city, to beach, to mountain, but back to this wedding! – Set amongst the tall grasses, the beautiful flowers and trees in season, so many places to stimulate the senses, and an all outdoor wedding in the summer is just perfect. The in-season food, the subtle decorations to compliment the already existing natural ones, the farm to table look to go with nature, and the crazy live band was a perfect combination for an amazing night. The bride and the groom were also both crossfitters, so their hashtag #starcrossfitlovers was appropriately named for these two, who dropped down in the middle of the dance floor to do push ups together.

Photography: Carolina Rivera Photographer | Cinematography: Creative Unlimited | Catering: Landmark Hospitality | Makeup: My Makeup Artist Victoria | Hair: Designs By Diana | Band: Groove Entertainment | Ceremony Music: Ambrosia Ensembles | Transportation: A 1 Limo | Venue: The Willowwood Arboretum | Tent Rentals, Rentals + Lights: Prestige Party Rentals

One of my favorite guilty pleasures (that I don’t actually feel that guilty about) is staying up-to-date on the latest celebrity gossip, and my favorite kind of celebrity gossip? The wedding kind, especially, what the bride is going to wear. And I know I’m not the only one. So today, bridal expert and stylist Annie Cavallo is breaking down your favorite celebrity wedding day looks so you can get the look and be the star of your own big day.

Get Celeb's Wedding Day Look

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Get Celeb's Wedding Day Look

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Plus, The Biggest Celebrity Weddings Ever

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Celebrity Wedding Dresses To-Die-For

Allison Williams | Whitney Port | Nicky Hilton | Bar Refaeli

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

Petit Bouquet

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This bright and happy Nashville home designed by Pencil & Paper Co. is still running strong as one of our favorites of all time. Every room is just so good. From patio to breakfast nook, we’ve rounded up 5 show stopping pieces that call this spot home. Shop the look here…

5 Show-Stopping Pieces You Can Buy from this Gorgeous Home

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5 Show-Stopping Pieces You Can Buy from this Gorgeous Home

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Whether you’re planning a glamorous New Year’s Eve black-tie bash or a laid-back beach affair, it’s the details that will bring your wedding vision come to life. And if you’ve always dreamt of a rustic day, you’re in luck, because today, bridal designer Sarah Janks is sharing all the must-haves for the perfect rustic wedding. Read on for her tips, and then head to The Vault for even more inspiration!

THE DRESS

The wedding dress will always be one of the hottest topics of the day.  Because it’s kept under wraps, everyone wants to see what the bride is wearing. Embrace your natural style and work with what you have. Your dress choice will be influenced by the venue, indoors or outdoor options and weather.  So, once you have the venue and destination locked in, it makes choosing a dress that much easier.

If your rustic wedding takes place out in the sunlight, choose a dress choice that photographs well in the natural light. Remember that different fabrics reflect light differently — heavy silks and crepes are fluid and move with the body, giving a svelte, sophisticated overall effect. Whereas, floatier choices such as silk georgette and chiffons lend a more ethereal feel to the look. Add a single tier veil for a magical effect or keep it natural with flowers in your hair.

When you put on your gown, you should feel like a million dollars and head out with confidence, focusing on the days celebrations, knowing you look fabulous.

THE VENUE

There’s a wonderful Italian word – sprezzatura – which means style and elegance executed with a certain nonchalance. That is really the rustic feeling for me– seamless, effortless grace and beauty, complemented by a beautiful natural venue and décor.

Every bride has a unique idea of how their wedding should come together and different venues can satisfy these out of the box ideas while still incorporating rustic elements such as:

• Resorts with a rustic twang
• Floral gardens with natural beauty
• A country lodge
• Vineyard/ Winery
• The backyard of a sentimental place

THE DECOR

I love white flowers in a rustic setting! It’s similar to the single tier veil – a nod to tradition, but a modern take thereon. Here are some of my favorite rustic décor ideas to incorporate into your own wedding:

• Use flowers in unconventional ways: weave florals or crystal adornment into the hair rather than a typical flower crown and create a whimsical feel with a flower canopy draped over your aisle/reception. Keep lighting soft and natural
• Reinvent the Mason Jar: use it as a wishing well and give each guest a piece of paper, have them write a tip for marriage or a well-wish and place it in one of the jars. Or, use the jars as photo frames: Pictures of you and your soon-to-be hubby in each, These could be engagement photos or candids from over the years!

CALLING THE SHOTS

Outdoors or indoors, photos are of the utmost importance- especially with a beautiful rustic atmosphere. Choose your photographer wisely – look through their portfolio and find someone who has the look you’re after and you feel comfortable working with. Map out your day in advance and create a shot list for the photographer. This can include pictures and creative angles with your gals while getting ready to special moments during the reception like the father-daughter dance. My favorite moments are often the candids though– shots taken of the bride and groom or guests that are unaware a photo is being taken. The emotion is so genuine! With that said not all pictures need to be posed. Let your photographer leave your side and don’t panic, candids many times speak louder than staged photos.

With April’s arrival, there’s no denying spring is on its way! It’s time to surround ourselves with those pretty pastels once again and what better way to get the party started than with this shoot inspired by artists we all admire. With dresses that Monet and Renoir would have gone gaga over and soft hair and makeup thanks to Face Time Beauty, Bespoke Only created the scene before us, showing off exactly why we love spring so much. See every blissful bit in our Vault thanks to Judy Pak right this way!

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From Judy Pak… Inspired by Paul Cézanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and the one and only Claude Monet, the creative concept started by borrowing the unique nuanced approach of Impressionism artworks, to blend, mingle, whisk a subdued color palette to achieve a dreamy painterly effect, or “impression” – that is every bit romantic, but also rich and full of vibrancy.

Being set in a luminous glass farmhouse, a fluid color movement is unfolded in intriguing layers of subdued tints merged with a common transparency given by the softly veiled natural light. An unclothed farm table is a canvas itself for this textured painting made of a mix of hues of pale blush, soft yellow and periwinkle – dots of colors intermingle with one another on layered semi-sheer linen and tulle sequin; matte and glossy hand blown ceramics; unexpected blooms and foraged kumquats; illuminated crystal cut glass and candlesticks all together form a harmonious play. A rich sensory is revealed in the juxtaposition between the delicacy of floral gowns and the rather sparse farmhouse surrounding; nostalgia in the oil paintings and an otherwise modern decor.

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Peruse more romantic inspiration here!

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Event Design + Styling: Bespoke Only | Floral Design: Peartree Flowers | Cake: Nine Cakes | Hair + Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Dress 1: Houghton Bride | Dress 2: Sarah Seven | Rentals: Patina

As someone who knows from firsthand experience, the options available when choosing your registry items is overwhelming to say the least (we’re talking 20+ flatware choices here people). Don’t fret, we’re here to help you sort through them all. You want your home to represent your personality as a twosome so let’s tap into your special style. Whether you be a traditionalist or a lover of all these modern and sleek, we’ve got the questions to find your answers so you can approach the registry hunt with a vision.

We’ve all had the days where 5pm rolls around and the question arises: “What are we going to eat for dinner tonight?” The fridge is empty and the belly rumbles set in, inducing further panic. And then you find yourself in the grocery store at 5:45pm, iPhone in hand searching for the perfect recipe. Say goodbye to those moments of stress and say hello to the ultimate meal planning guide that will make your life infinitely easier!

The Weekly Meal Planning Guide that Will Change Your Life

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The Weekly Meal Planning Guide that Will Change Your Life

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Pizza Night!

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More Tastebud-Happy Inspo this way!

10 Easy Weeknight Meals
Breakfast Ideas to Start the Day Off Right!
14 Amazing Mother’s Day Recipes

What’s better than a bouquet filled with fragrant blush roses? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Just ask Finch and Thistle and they’ll tell you the same, because this pretty lil’ handful of heaven is what dreams are made of. Bursting with a combination of colors and lush layers, it’s the perfect pale posy that you’re sure to go wild for. See the breakdown below!

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Marie Antoinette-Inspired Washington Farm Wedding

• 3 stems romantic antique garden roses
• 4 stems patience garden roses
• 6 stems cream roses
• 3 stems pale taupe roses
• 3 stems juliet garden roses
• 3 stems pee gee hydrangea
• 3 stems blush dahlias
• 3 stems pink majolica spray roses
• 5 stems white veronica
• 3 stems fruiting blueberries
• 7 stems white scabiosa
• 10 stems sage
• 5 stems kent beauty oregano

From Finch and Thistle…This wedding took place on a farm on the Olympic Peninsula and the bride wanted to embrace the outdoor ceremony location and yet keep the flowers and décor very soft and feminine. The reception took place in a barn but had a Marie Antoinette theme and I loved the idea of contrasting the rustic farm venue with a gilded, ballroom design scheme- a fun and elegant twist on your typical barn wedding décor!

Our florals are known for their lush, organic style and I think this bouquet reflects that very well. I’m an avid gardener so my work is very much influenced by how flowers grow in nature – I love to play around with different color combinations and layers, and include unusual parts of the plant such as seed heads, fruits and buds. For this bouquet, I kept the palette soft and pretty with the pale blushes, creams and peach garden roses and added the herbs and the fruiting blueberries for an unexpected and interesting texture.

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Floral Design: Finch and Thistle | Photography: Coco Tran

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If gluten-free and sprinkles had a love child, this ricotta cookie would be it. And by the looks of them, they’re delicious enough to pass for the real thing. A.K.A. even gluten connoisseurs will approve. Find the recipe from baker and gluten free maven Kait Hanson below and when in doubt, just know that sprinkles are always a good idea.

When I was diagnosed with a gluten allergy, I was devastated thinking I would never be able to eat my mom’s famous ricotta cookies again. Thanks to a couple tweaks, I can happily enjoy them again! These are a family favorite and everyone always wants to know — how do you get them so moist? What’s your secret?! I always tell them — CHEESE! And sometimes they get freaked out. I promise these cookies will be a real treat at your next get together and by using Cup 4 Cup (a literal cup for cup replacement for regular flour), you won’t have to worry about gluten allergies.

Erin LepperdGluten Free Ricotta Sprinkle Cookies

prep time 30 Minute/s

cook time 10 Minute/s

total time 40 Minute/s

Serves 0Ingredients

• ½ pound butter
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 pound ricotta cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 ½ cups Cup 4 Cup flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• ¼ cup butter
• ½ teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together confectioners sugar, ¼ cup butter and ½ teaspoon vanilla for frosting and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine ½ pound butter, 2 cups granulated sugar and salt.
4. Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix well.
5. Fold in the ricotta cheese.
6. Sift in flour, baking powder and baking soda.
7. Place small dough balls on a greased cookie sheet about an inch apart.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Wait until cookies are cool to frost and sprinkle liberally with your favorite colorful sprinkles!

The Sweetest Rainbow Sprinkle Treats

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The Sweetest Rainbow Sprinkle Treats

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Photography: Cait Schlabach Photography | Book: Billy Holiday | Culinary Creation: Kait Hanson

There were songs heard at every wedding I attended last summer (shout outs to T.Swift and Bruno) and I can’t wait to see what tunes top the dance floors this year. But why wait? We have Downbeat LA here giving us an inside scoop on new trends for the upcoming season and the classics that we love, that will never, ever go out of style. Having performed at over 500 weddings and events across the country, their entertainment experience isn’t to be taken lightly! Kick off your shoes and let’s get this going!

Band or DJ? Get Both!

In recent years, DJs have been responsible for churning out music’s biggest hits, which is exactly what couples want to incorporate into their big day. Make it a nonstop party by adding in a live band that can play to any crowd and whose players bring the energy to get the dance floor packed for the perfect entertainment combo every time.

Pick a Finale Song

After you’ve chosen the all-important first dance song, don’t forget to also decide on the last song of the night! This is your wedding finale, a moment for you and your guests to remember and enjoy. Whether you choose to have an intimate and slow closing moment or a wild jump-up-and-down scene, make the selection that’s right for you.

Big Band Horns

Artists like Bruno Mars, who are notorious for integrating horns into live performances, know exactly what they’re doing! The big band sound that comes from the addition of a horn section creates a livelier event atmosphere and is a guaranteed talking point among guests.

Special Song Selections

Selecting individual songs for each important moment during the reception can seem overwhelming, but remember to have fun with it! For the first dance, keep it current and meaningful to the timeline of your relationship. For the parent dances, choose a more timeless, classic song and keep it a surprise to make the moment even more special.

Downbeat LA’s picks for…

First Dance Songs for 2016

“I Was Made for Loving You” by Tori Kelly
“Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Meghan Trainor
“One Call Away” (Acoustic) by Charlie Puth
“XO” by John Mayer (Beyonce Cover)
“Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding

Father-Daughter Dance Songs

“Father and Daughter” by Paul Simon
“My Girl” by The Temptations
“Daddy’s Little Girl” by Michael Bolton
“Isn’t She Lovely” by  Stevie Wonder
“Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel

Mother-Son Dance Songs

“Forever Young” by Rod Stewart
“You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder
“A Song For Mama” by Boys II Men
“My Wish” by Rascal Flatts
“How Sweet It Is” by Marvin Gaye

Last Dance Finale Songs

The Ultimate Crowd Pleaser: “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
The 90’s Throwback: “All My Life” by KC & JoJo
The Sing-Along: “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” by Journey
The Modern Dance Hit: “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon
The Bounce: “Ignition” (Remix) by R. Kelly

50 Amazing Emotional Moments

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50 Amazing Emotional Moments

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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

Minted
Zola
Casper
Bloomingdale’s Registry 

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, Brideside, and giveaways from Magnolia Weddings and WED School!

For our Tri-state Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design and don’t miss Grace Loves Lace’s Concierge Events (April 19 – 25)!

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)!

For our Midwest Brides… Don’t miss the upcoming Jstyle Weddings Bridal Event!

For our Australia Brides… Don’t miss Victoria Park’s Annual Wedding Open Night!

OUR WINNERS:

Congratulations to our twobirds bridemaid winner Janiece!

Congratulations to our Jstyle Bridal Event giveaway winner Melissa Adell!

Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations | Entertainment Advice: Downbeat La

Today may be a day for tomfoolery and silly tricks, but I don’t joke around when it comes to my daily dose of pretty. And here at SMP we proudly deliver that inspiration thanks to our LBBers who never ever fail to fascinate and impress us all – and so, enough with the babbling. Let’s just dive into some of the special highlights from this past week because that’s what we’re all here for anyways, right?

Must-See LBB Moments

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Must-See LBB Moments

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Start planning your wedding with the Little Black Book!

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Featured Members: Photography: Koby & Terilyn Brown, Archetype Studio | Cake: Melissa’s Fine Pastries | Photography: Graham Terhune | Event Planning: Weddings With Tara | Photography: Lauren Fair Photography | Hair + Makeup: Janelle On Location | Photography: Lane Dittoe | Coordination: Love This Day Events | Floral Design: Yonder Floral And Decor House | Photography: Megan Braemore Photography | Invitations: Amanda Day Rose Paperie

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

Photography

Lauren Fair Photography

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In my perfect world, every day would include an arrangement of blooms like these, but since that’s not always the case I’ll be pinning these pretties for safe keeping. They’re what set the scene for this bridal shower shoot designed by A Charming Fete and photographed by Lauren Gabrielle. Bridesmaids, consider this your visual guide to planning the ultimate pre-wedding celebration.

From A Charming Fete… We wanted to create an elegant feminine vibe within this rustic stone and reclaimed wood tavern. The patio enclosed with steel frame windows showcased a massive stone hearth, creating the perfect focal point when we draped twelve foot long southern smilax vines over its mantle.

We dressed the tables in organic charcoal and white ticking linens with beautiful blush tone napkins. Menu cards were placed over scalloped plates and mini clear boxes filled with champagne bubbles (gummies) were set at each place setting and topped with custom monogram sticker.

The dessert table was a feast of beautiful treats with a variety of French macarons and two pink meringue towers. The chocolate salted caramel cake topped with blush buttercream and intricate sugar flower anemone detail was as pretty as it was delicious. What a gorgeous and perfect day for our lovely bride and groom!

Photography: Lauren Gabrielle Photography | Dessert Table Linen + Plates: Event Source | Desserts: Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes | Floral Design + Event Design: A Charming Fete | Linen Rentals + Napkins: BBJ La Tavola | Stationery + Stickers: Minted

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P.S. 15 Perfectly Girly Bridal Shower Details

Bridal Shower Details

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Bridal Shower Details

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You know Greg Finck as the French photographer behind some of our favorite weddings on SMP, and today he’s taking us to the gardens of the Rodin Museum for a day that’s every fashion lover’s dream. It’s a destination wedding featuring an Iowa couple (shout out to my home state!) who brought their style A-game to the streets of Paris with a celebration their guests will never forget. Madame Artisan Fleuriste designed the floral pretties, and you can pin each bouquet, dress and city shot inside The Vault.

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From Greg Finck… Shannon and Garrett are both from Iowa and had decided to tie the knot in the City of love. Being a photographer, photography was really important to Shannon and she first contacted me more than a year ago explaining that she wanted to get married in the gardens of the Rodin Museum in Paris. I was immediately seduced by the project as this place is so full of history and magic. This place, tribute to the famous sculptor, is usually used for fashion shows and it was a dream for me to shoot a wedding there.

Shannon and Garrett hired Fete in France for the design and planning, as these girls definitely are the best out there for beautiful weddings in Paris. An elegant ceremony setup took place in the gardens including floral arrangements designed by Madame Artisan Fleuriste, and a few chairs for the 25 guests, including the couple’s close family and friends.

After exchanging vows, it was the time of a photoshoot in the city’s most scenic locations, including a stunning view on the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Alexander III Bridge. Our driver took us to Bagatelle Gardens for a garden cocktail hour and an indoor reception for the perfect night.

What a beautiful Parisian day spent with this lovely American couple!

Photography: Greg Finck Photography | Event Planning: Fete in France | Floral Design: MADAME Artisan Fleuriste | Wedding Dress: Lis Simon | Cake: Synies | Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Hair + Makeup: Modern Beauties | Restaurant: Les Jardins De Bagatelle

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Fete in France

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My husband is on the team of let’s put something (anything) on the walls if they are blank. Me? I like to take time to think about the pieces I want to represent my style for the long run. And I get it, sometimes it just doesn’t come to you as quickly. So if you’re in the same boat, let this round up spark your inspiration taste buds and give your walls a makeover!

Blank Walls? 20 Things You Can Do To Jazz Them Up!

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Blank Walls? 20 Things You Can Do To Jazz Them Up!

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More Inspiration for Your Abode!

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With a fabulous art deco vibe and superb planning by Bliss Events, this glamorous US Grant Hotel wedding is an affair that would make Gatsby proud. Layer in all the delicious desserts from Sweet Lydia’s Of San Diego, sweet signage from Love Notes Stationery and artful photography by Laura Christin Photograph, and this gallery is one fabulous nod to the roaring 20s. More in the VAULT.

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From Bliss Events…The historic US Grant Hotel located in the heart of Downtown San Diego is the essence of romance. When Leah and Jacob first walked into the hotel, their wedding vision fell into place. The venue boasts of history and class in the bustling downtown of their favorite city. Leah was all about style in her art deco 1920’s inspiration complete with black and gold colors with feathers and sparkle throughout every element. The US Grant lit up the city skyline that night with gold lighting around the perimeter of the property in honor of the bride and groom.

Special consideration was given to Leah and Jacob to be photographed on the otherwise exclusive and private terrace for their first look which made for a dramatic background for Laura Christin Photography to capture the romance perfectly beneath the San Diego skyline.

The late afternoon intimate ceremony of 65 guests inside the gold and black-checkered floor lobby was held under the hotel’s magnificent chandelier. With draping elements provided by Concepts Event Design and adorned with candlelight and florals from Organic Elements, the ceremony was intimate and warm.

The dazzling reception was held in the spectacular Crystal Ballroom filled with white feathers and florals among gold-beaded charger plates and crystals. The centerpieces by Organic Elements brought out the theme on the tables perfectly with low gold vases holding a lush array of ivory roses, ivory dahlias, ivory spray roses, gold succulents and ivory hydrangeas. Sweet Lydia’s designed a cake fitting for a roaring 20’s dancing queen made up of almond cake with sweetened mascarpone and belgian milk chocolate ganache. The mother of the bride made edible flowers for the cake and the bride and her mom placed the flowers on together as a favorite childhood past time. The cake was surrounded with exquisite desserts displayed on beautiful black stands such as salted caramel French macarons, flourless chocolate cake bites, snickerdoodle cookies, mini devils food cupcakes with salted caramel buttercream in gold liners, vanilla panna cotta verrines with mini passionfruit macaron and mini whisky cake cupcakes with cinnamon caramel buttercream. JD Musik kept the dance floor packed and the couple danced the night away. Starlight Photo Booth captured the event’s playfulness filled with props and feather boas.

This dazzling wedding was a unique and memorable celebration of Leah and Jacob’s love!

Photography: Dove Blakes Home | Coordination: Bliss Events | Floral Design: Organic Elements | Wedding Dress: Cristiano Lucci | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Hair + Makeup: Clairestyle | DJ: JD Musik | Groom's Attire: Friar Tux | Venue: The US Grant Hotel | Cake + Desserts: Sweet Lydia's | Graphic Design: Love Notes Stationery | Maid Of Honor Dress: Vera Wang | Photo Booth: Starlight Photobooth | Rentals: Concepts Event Design

According to this gorgeous Bride, she and her new hubs “wouldn’t change a thing about our Chicago wedding in late November 2015.” And honestly? Neither would we, because every detail — from the lovely white bouquets to the gray and gold color palette — makes us feel as happy as this guy. So, do yourself a favor and head to The Vault for all kinds of pretty, thanks to Winsome and Wright!

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From The Bride…To be fully honest, we wouldn’t change a thing about our Chicago wedding in late November 2015. From having all of our family and friends in one place at one time to every single vendor making this “Type A” bride as calm and happy as could be, the day truly was the best ever. The big decisions for the wedding came easily – the venue, the caterer, the DJ, the florist, the photographer – because we fell in love with each one as soon as we met them!

Our favorite part of the day was all of the personal touches we were able to put on our wedding day: Our friend, Wyatt, and Ryan’s cousin, Joni, played guitar and sang at our ceremony. Not a guest in the room had a dry eye at the end of their version of Better Together! Anna’s coworker and friend, Angela, read a personalized piece at our ceremony that epitomized us. Faith from Winsome + Wright, as you can see, took our breath away with how flawlessly she captured our big day. Ryan’s uncle, Gary, performed our ceremony and made it so personal for us by integrating our family into our vows to each other. Anna’s bridesmaid, Kendall, made all 20 of the individual, absolutely delicious, table cakes. She’s a champ. Ryan’s groomsman, Jason, and a family friend, Jerry Rumler, home-brewed, personalized craft beer for our cocktail hour and reception that were huge hits! Tiffany from Foraged Floral is a dear friend that flew across the country to provide florals for our big day that couldn’t have been more beautiful.

We hand-wrote personalized place-setting notes for each of the 140 guests to emphasize how important each guest was to us! We wanted each guest to know how truly thankful we were to have them there with us to celebrate our forever commitment to each other. We not only hope that our guests had a great time that day, but that they’ll also remember us and our love for each other for a very long time. We know we will never forget them and our perfect wedding day!

Photography: Winsome And Wright | Floral Design: Foraged Floral | Wedding Dress: J.Crew | Invitations: Minted | Bride's Shoes: J.Crew | Hair + Makeup: Brides By Kelly | Calligraphy: Layers Of Loveliness | Groom's Attire: De Louice Custom Tailors | Venue: Room 1520

Melissa & Patrick pretty much had the best engagement session ever. A romantic waterfront stroll that has got style for days? Perfection. Just as Alysia & Jayson Photography and they’ll show you first hand what newly engaged bliss looks like because they’ve captured it all to share in The Vault!

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From Alysia & Jayson Photography… What we thought was going to be a very cloudy and dreary day on the water in Maryland, turned out to be one of the most beautiful weather combinations for a photo session we’ve ever seen…soft cloud cover with peeks of warm sun followed by a sunset that lit up the sky! We met Melissa & Patrick at the local marina in the quaint town of Havre de Grace on the Susquehanna river for a cozy shoot near the venue where they will be married this year! These two met through mutual friends and their connection and love for one another is unmistakable. We are thrilled to be photographing their upcoming Maryland wedding!

Photography: Alysia & Jayson Photography