Style Me Pretty: Wedding Blog for the Style-Obsessed Bride

A Limoncello Inspired Welcome Dinner and Tuscan Wedding That Will Have You Dreaming of Italian Summers

Oh Italy, how we miss you so. Until we meet again, we’re living vicariously through this dreamy Tuscan weekend captured by Anya Kernes Photography with planning by The Tuscan Wedding. From a limoncello inspired welcome dinner that’s beautiful enough to be the actual wedding, to a fairytale ceremony and ballroom reception decorated in blooms from Flowers Living. The entire gallery will leave you feeling inspired and dreaming of those perfect Italian summer nights.

About the Welcome Dinner…

From the Bride… Shortly after deciding upon a destination wedding in Florence, we knew we wanted to host more than just a wedding ceremony and reception, so we could treat our friends and family to multiple events and celebrations — after all they were traveling great distances to celebrate our special day, and we wanted to maximize our time with them! Therefore, in lieu of a traditional “rehearsal dinner,” we decided early on that we would have an all-guests Welcome Dinner the Thursday before our wedding to welcome guests, break the ice among those that didn’t know each other, and welcome our loved ones to Tuscany, with a night filled with everything that we loved about it in the first place: hand-made pizza, flowing wine, views of rolling hills, Italian hospitality, and of course… the wonderful early spring weather under the Tuscan Sun!

With the help of our lovely wedding planner, Dani of The Tuscan Wedding, we discovered Villa Medicea di Lilliano — a XVII century villa and former retreat of the Medici rulers of Tuscany (talk about history!) turned family owned wine and olive oil estate! We visited the Villa on a bitter cold and rainy February day in 2018, but even then we were instantly enchanted with the Villa’s breathtaking views and charm. We knew that the Villa’s wonderful outdoor garden and stunning views would be the perfect location to kick off our Italian Wedding Weekend!

Color Palette/Design Aesthetic:
We were torn between a “true-to-Tuscany rustic and natural” aesthetic versus “classic-elegant-Duomo” inspired aesthetic for our wedding, and felt lucky that we could have both — the former for the Welcome Dinner in Villa Medicea di Lilliano, and the latter for the Wedding at Villa Cora. For the Welcome Dinner we wanted to lean into all-things-Tuscany, embrace the beautiful outdoor setting of VML, and pay homage to the natural vineyard, olive grove, and abundant lemon plants. We let the natural surrounding and Tuscan vibe inspire every inch of our Welcome Dinner.

Because we were doing a more traditional color palette for the Wedding, we wanted to have “a little fun” with the Welcome Dinner. We decided on a lemon yellow and blue-and-white porcelain design for the table setting, with royal blue wine glasses for a pop of color. We’d always dreamed of a dinner under twinkly lights at a long table with all of our loved ones, and brought this dream to life with a stunning never ending table in the VML garden for dinner. We had the idea early on to work lemons and wine bottles (both nods of admiration to VML) into our décor and aesthetic, and worked with Dani to create Lemon Leaf name cards and Wine Bottle Table numbers — two small touches that made all the difference! Those touches, accompanied by eucalyptus and airy linens as a runner made for the perfect never-ending table.

Unique Elements:

· Ice Cream Miss 500 Car: What’s Italy without Gelato? And of course it must be served in an Italian Fiat – no? Italy is synonymous with great food, and Ben and I fell in love with the Gelato that Florence had to offer during our first trip together. We knew we wanted to serve our guests Gelato at some point, and to be able to do it in such a charming and fun way was a plus! We were able to select 4 flavor for our guests to enjoy, and heard later that many of our guests tried all 4 (can you blame them?): coffee, pistachio, lemon (duh!), and straciatella.

· Charming Signs: In addition to the beautiful rattan lounging furniture, twinkly lights, and seemingly endless dinner table, we wanted to work in some personalized whimsical decorative signs. Dani worked with a local shop to create one that we had read the essentials of the night: Saghar & Ben, Pizza, Vino, Formaggio, & Spritz. We also had an olive oil tasting station set up with various olive oils from the Villa, and a matching signed that described each one. We wanted to provide as many little Tuscan and VML touches as possible, so our guests could fall in love with Italy as we had.

· Limoncello to Go: We knew we wanted to serve small take-away gifts for our guests, and decided small Limoncello bottles to go were the perfect touch. We worked with Dani and our Florist (Flowers Living) to create a charming sign that read “When Life Gives You Lemons Make Limoncello.” My parents still have a bottle in their kitchen!

Bride’s Dress:
I knew I wanted a long sleeves lace dress for the big day, so I wanted to go in an entirely opposite direction for the Welcome Dinner. I knew I wanted to incorporate an open back, a high neck line, and white satin — so I worked with my mom’s friend (&seamstress) to custom make my dress for the welcome dinner. Satin can be stubborn, so it took several fittings, but the end result was worth it! I wore my grandmothers pearl earrings and matching bracelet to the Welcome Dinner — it was very special to be able to include her in that special moment.

The end result was an unforgettable night filled with happy tears, full stomachs, wine-stained teeth, and belly laughs. We remembering saying to each other then that if nothing else goes right the rest of the weekend, this will already have been the best night of our lives. It was truly special to enjoy what Italy has to offer in a beautiful Villa with our closest family and loved ones. The night ended with shuttles into town while cheers-ing our Limoncello’s and hitting up a Whiskey bar in the Florence with our close friends until 4 AM (this is why we did the event 2 nights before the wedding, not the night before!). It was the perfect start to the perfect week!

About the Wedding…

Why Italy?

Ben and I had been dating for 2 years, when we visited Italy for the first time together in August of 2015 for my “Bar Exam Trip” (typically, law student graduates go on a trip after spending grueling months studying for the bar exam). We were fortunate to travel all over Italy and enjoy every minute of it… But Florence, was definitely a highlight. One night during our trip, we were enjoying take-away wine while sitting in the Piazza Santo Spirito when we casually mentioned how lovely it would be to come back to Florence with our closest friends and family.. Perhaps a destination wedding one day? Fast forward 3 years later, Ben proposed on Valentines Day in our favorite neighborhood restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and within a week we scheduled a quick trip to Florence to look at venues. After consulting with family and close friends, we were determined to pull off a dream wedding weekender in Firenze!

Before our venue-hunting trip in Florence, we quickly interviewed a handful of wedding planners via Skype (thank goodness for technology!). After interviews and research, we trusted Dani of The Tuscan Wedding to help us put together our dream wedding! Dani was an easy pick, because she was very responsive and even put together an itinerary for venue hunting without our asking. Having a wedding planner with boots on the ground, and one who was fluent in English and Italian, was absolutely essential to our planning process. Halfway through planning, Ben and I moved from NYC to LA, which made the time difference with Italy even more challenging (read: many early morning wedding planning conference calls), but with the help of technology, a very responsive wedding planning team, and bride-groom team work we were able to pull off long distance planning, and have fun doing it.

Ben and I were fortunate to be able to make two trips to Florence during the planning process — one to venue hunt and a second trip with our parents during Thanksgiving, which we called wedding-planning-bootcamp. During that trip we did what many couples do over a span of months in 4 business days: food/wine tastings, cake tasting, venue re-visits and walk throughs, florist appointments, etc (but don’t feel too sorry for us, pasta-tasting isn’t too tortuous). It was very important to us to see/meet with as many vendors as possible during this trip, and to give our parents a preview of what was to come. The trip was not only extremely productive, but became a memory for our families that we now treasure.

For two type A attorney’s this part was difficult, but we couldn’t recommend rolling with the punches and being flexible more! When your wedding is in a distant location, there are inevitably many features and details you won’t be able to inspect or witness first hand before the big day (even if you make two trips!). We decided early on, that while we had a certain vision and aesthetic, we vowed to be flexible on some of “small stuff” and to roll with punches and trust Dani.

Invites:
We wanted to get our guests pumped up about visiting Florence from the jump, and decided to work with Jolly Edition to create a custom wedding suite that laid out what the weekend would look like, and incorporated imagery from Florence. Laura of Jolly Edition hand painted the Duomo and Florence landscape on the inside of the wedding envelopes, created a map of Italy that featured our selected venues, and even created a custom crest of our initials! It took a few questionnaires, a couple of conversations, and collaborations — but we were so happy we decided to go the custom route for invites and make them extra special and individualized. (We also ordered vintage stamps for the envelopes which was a romantic touch many guests noticed).

Design & Aesthetic:
We knew we wanted the overall feel and design for the big day to be: classic, timeless, and formal BUT above all fun. And, importantly, we wanted to work in as many personal details and homages to Florence as possible — so when it came to color scheme, we drew inspiration from the Duomo di Firenze, and decided our colors would be off-white, eucalyptus green, peachy pink, and a touch of gold. We worked these colors into our black-tie affair by incorporating them in every detail and aspect of the wedding: invites, floral arrangement, signs and decor, dinner menu, napkins, etc. We also wanted to compliment the venue’s historic and timeless feel.

Venue:
Dani introduced us to Villa Cora during our trip to Florence, and we were immediately taken aback by this stunning property. Villa Cora — a stunning modern-day luxury hotel built in 1868 by Baron Oppenheim as a gesture of love for his bride Eugenia Fenzi — was everything we had dreamed of for our Florentine wedding and more: stunning indoor and out door spaces, unparalleled hospitality, unforgettable Italian cuisine, AND A HEATED POOL (IN FLORENCE!). We knew Villa Cora would be the perfect back drop for the elegant and intimate affair we were planning.

We were slightly obsessed with details! We wanted to individualize the wedding week as much as possible, and have our guests fall in love with Florence the way we did.

Dress & Tuxedo:
When thinking about our wedding day, I knew I wanted to look as timeless and classic as possible, and quickly entrusted Oscar de La Renta for my wedding gown. I had a vision of long-sleeves and lace, and knew immediately that my dress was the one, when I put it on the first time. I wanted my hair and makeup to be subtle, natural, and compliment the gown. Most of all I wanted to look like myself that day — nothing too drastic or different. Ben wore a bespoke tuxedo and shirt designed by Johnathan Behr in his shop in the Miracle Mile area of Los Angeles. The Jacket was white, shawl-collared, with a delicate floral pattern stitched into the fabric. We had our groomsmen in tuxedos, and bridesmaids in different black satin-back crepe gowns — all tying into our black tie and classic feel.

Otter Napkin & Cuff Links:
Because the wedding was going to be Italy, our favorite four legged friend and rescue pup Otter could not be there. Ben has had Otter since he was a puppy, and he is truly a part of our relationship, so we wanted to include and honor him on our special day. We worked with an Etsy Shop, The Emerald Hound, who created a custom portrait of Otter for napkins and cocktail sitters to be used during cocktail hour, and we decided to go with a punny slogan, “I’ll Have an-Otter.” Being an intimate wedding, most of our guests know and love Otter, and loved the napkins! I also had pictures of Otter incorporated into custom cuff links for Ben, which I gave to him as a gift on our wedding day.

Champagne Scrolls:
We wanted the place cards to have an added double feature — champagne for toasts! So we had Champagne Name Scrolls created for each guest which they picked up after cocktail hour, right before dinner, to keep the energy going. They turned out beautifully and were a lovely elegant touch.

Italian Beverages During Cocktail Hour.
We kept the nods to Italy going with two of our favorite drinks during cocktail hour: Sposi (Bride): Aperol Spritz, and Sposa (Groom): Negroni. We also had a three piece Italian folk trio (accordion, guitar, and violin) play traditional Italian songs during the cocktail hour, which led to dancing early in the day! We also incorporated little signs during the cocktail hour which said Cheers in the three relevant languages: English, Farsi, and Italian.

Persian Ceremony:
I am Iranian-American, so Ben and I knew early on we wanted to do a traditional Persian Ceremony — one that is culturally rich, filled with symbolic gestures and decor, and ancient in historic precedent. One of my dad’s best friends conducted the ceremony, and we wrote personal vows which we exchanged for the first time during the ceremony.

Favorite Aspects

Quality Time With Guests:
We felt so fortunate that we were able to celebrate our wedding by celebrating on multiple days, and maximizing our time with our closest family and friends. Some of our favorite memories of that week are the days leading up to the wedding where we laid pool side at Villa Cora with our best friends, ate pizza and drank wine in the Piazza Santo Spirito with our guests, and celebrated at VML while enjoying views of the rolling hills of Tuscany. Being able to spend quality time with our guests in the days leading up to wedding, reduced a lot of the stress of “hosting” on the big day. Ben and I never made formal rounds to the guests at dinner during the wedding, because by then we had already chatted with everyone multiple times – this was great!

Amazing Music:
Another memorable highlight from the wedding was the music! We entrusted DJ Sam Young, Deji Carr, and Ben the Saxman (all hailing from London), to create a unique music ensemble — DJing our favorite hip hop and pop tunes with live Saxophone and drumming. Our guests were blown away from the music, and it felt like we were at our favorite dance party.

International Affair:
Our wedding was truly a reflection of our diverse and international relationship: held in Florence, Italian food, guests from America/Iran/Turkey, music from England, Sofreh decor from Iran… All made for a memories we will cherish!

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The Tuscan Wedding

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An Italian Destination Wedding in an 8th-Century Abbey Nestled in the Umbrian Mountains

I don’t think I’ve come across a wedding where I’ve said “oh my” out loud so many times when scrolling through the gallery – it’s just so insanely breathtaking in so many ways… the bridesmaid dresses, the stunning images from CHYMO & MORE Photography, the venue, the atmosphere… it’s all too much to handle. My Umbrian Wedding planned every last detail of this unforgettable fête, see all the inspiring moments at the full gallery!

From CHYMO & MORE Photography… Jenny & Lino held their gorgeous Italian destination wedding in an 8th-century abbey Abbazia San Pietro in Valle nestled in the mountains in Umbria, Italy. The couple chose this venue during a month-long road-trip throughout Italy one year prior to their wedding. When they saw this historical abbey nestled in the mountains they knew immediately this was the one. Before heading to the chapel, they played door games and did tea ceremony as Jenny’s family are from Hong Kong. They both dressed up in traditional Chinese costumes and followed through this amazing ritual. One of my most memorable moments was when the couple exchanged vows in the chapel. Lino had just finished his vow. Jenny suddenly broke into tears when it was her turn and couldn’t stop sobbing for a minute. It was so touching to watch and photograph. As a photographer, this wedding is everything I personally dream about. Madly in love, full of emotions, beautiful details, stylish aesthetics, and a mix of different cultures. Jenny & Lino really pulled off an unforgettable and it was my absolute honor to be part of it.

What did you envision your wedding being prior to planning?

From the Bride… My wedding was exactly what I envisioned. It really couldn’t have been any better ♥️

What was your color palette and your style vision?

I mainly had a lot of nude, pale pink, peachy tones with a touch of red and burgundy. I wanted it to go with the beautiful stone colours of the cloister at the venue.

What unique elements or DIY details did you include?

We found a beautiful wedding invitation and menu design online that complimented the lush green of the Umbrian region in Italy. We also had a guestbook corner with a Polaroid camera for guests to take selfies. We kept the seating plan simple.

What was your favorite moment? Your favorite crafted detail?

My favourite moment was definitely the beautiful speech given by our priest at the church during the ceremony and how I then bursted into tears (embarrassingly, after I told my bridesmaids that I think my husband Lino will cry before me).

Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors, your cake, etc.

My gown was very simple with an a line cutting and an open back (with a bow) ♥️ I couldn’t have found a better dress. It was exactly what I was looking for, simple but elegant and sexy. It is a Spanish designer Jesus Piero. Our wedding cake was an authentic Italian millefoglie, we invited the chef to make it in front of all the guests and they asked my husband and I to add the fruit on top as a personal touch. It was such a fun and authentic moment that I got to share with all my loved ones, it helped that it tasted amazing too!

What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be?

Don’t panic, relax and enjoy the day.

A Stylish and Effortlessly Glamorous Wedding Tucked Away on a Private Island

Today’s wedding planned by Always Yours Events has us day dreaming of warm summer days on the Cape. The gorgeous couple exchanged vows under a sprawling sailcloth tent overlooking the ocean at golden hour. Later, guests danced the night away and enjoyed classic New England fare, surrounded by floral chandeliers lush garden arrangements from The Wild Dahlia. Elizabeth LaDuca captured every memorable moment, check out the full gallery to see it all!

From Keri of Always Yours Events… Tory and Ugo DiBiase’s wedding was an effortlessly glamorous and modern romantic garden-inspired celebration hosted on a private island tucked away off of Cape Cod called Amrita Island. The couple made their wedding into a long, festive Labor Day wedding weekend on the Cape, kicking off with boating excursions and a night at their favorite Cape Cod restaurant called the Chart Room, followed by the tented wedding at the Jones family home and a farewell brunch to close the weekend. The bride and groom envisioned a unique twist on a black tie Cape Cod wedding – upscale, modern, clean and refined married with romantic lush garden inspiration. The color palette worked seamlessly with this floral forward aesthetic, including cement gray, oyster gray, crisp white, various shades of green, barely blush (white with the tiniest hint of blush) and a pop of onyx black.

Some of their favorite personalized details included a custom minimalist invitation suite with a vellum wrap and floral stamps, a bloom forward ceremony with a flower lined aisle, mixed crystal chandeliers through floral rings throughout the tent, overflowing centerpieces in cement compotes, and Tory’s stunning cut out Oscar de la Renta wedding dress completed with a white dahlia bouquet. The DiBiases’ ceremony took place in a sailcloth tent overlooking the ocean at golden hour, which also happened to be the same exact spot where Ugo proposed to Tory the year before. The aisle was lined with floral boxes filled with white and barely blush florals of many varieties for texture and fullness that created the most romantic walk down the aisle for Tory and her father, Clayton. At the end of the aisle were two oversized white urns overflowing with white hydrangea, roses, dahlias and greenery. Ugo wore a dapper custom tuxedo with a sleek collar and cut.

Tory with flowers in her hair wore an Oscar de la Renta in a simple a-line cut with an unexpected cut out feature in the bodice for a bridal look that “wowed.” Despite the level of formality, Tory wanted to be comfortable on her wedding and as close to barefoot as possible, and so she selected a pair of white Rothy’s, channeling that effortless glamorous look. Tory and Ugo’s ceremony was officiated by Tory’s younger brother Ben, and the couple shared their vows in front of 140 of their family and friends. All of the main trees on the estate were covered in lights and the trees just outside the tent featured hanging glass orbs with candles inside. After an extended cocktail hour with panoramic views of the bay, guests walked through the aglow trees to the dinner reception at dusk, and were greeted at the entrance of the reception tent by a display of oyster shell escort cards and two oversized floral arrangements at the main entry to the tent. When guests walked in, their view was an array of mixed and matched crystal chandeliers, with the two primary chandeliers over the dance floor draped with greenery and florals. The head table was a statement piece with seats for the bridal party and their dates to sit with Tory and Ugo– enough seats for 30. Guests dined in acrylic ballroom chairs at tables covered in pale gray linens and two different floral stories at each table. Florals were in cement urns and surrounded by candlelight for a clean garden inspired centerpieces.

Place settings featured a modern and minimalist coupe charger set with a napkin and chic black typography menu card atop. The table numbers at the table were acrylic in a black holder (for that pop of black that tied into the menu cards) for a modern feel juxtaposed next to the overflowing blooms in cement vessels. The bars were white mirrored bars with shelved back bars filled with blooms and glassware. Trophy bowls atop the bars were filled with Veuve Cliquot. The Boston Common Band and ECFS DJs was featured in the center of the tent on a stage that was surrounded by florals to create an impactful view from guests’ seats. Guests enjoyed a delicious three course menu from Morins Catering while listening to toasts from Tory’s father, her sisters (including Tory’s twin) and Ugo’s best friend and best man. They danced the night away to the sounds of Boston Common Band with late night bites and a dessert of a trio of ice cream scoops from the couple’s favorite local creamery and funfetti cake. Tory and Ugo’s remarkable wedding could not have been more magical — it was a celebration that exuded their love and story through and through. A huge thank you to Tory and Ugo for being a dream couple, and to their vendors who brought this day to life alongside the AYE Team including Elizabeth Laduca Photography (who captured their day perfectly), Caleb at Stop Go Love (who also captured their day perfectly!), Morins Catering, Sperry Tents, the Wild Dahlia, Jennifer Tawa Hair Design, Natalie Lelless of Your Makeup Face, Boston Common Band and ECF Entertainment, PEAK Event Services, L’Elite and Atlantic Parking.

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Bands

Boston Common Band

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The Wild Dahlia

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These Are the Floral Bridesmaids Dresses That Are About to Takeover 2020 Weddings

A ceremony by the water, a romantic tented reception under the Spanish moss, and the most beautiful floral bridesmaids dresses we’ve ever laid eyes on… those are just a few things you can prepare to fall in love with from today’s stunning Charleston affair planned by The Petal Report. Don’t forget to check out the full gallery of inspiring details, including an abundance of classic, lush blooms from Petaloso – all captured by The Happy Bloom!

From the wedding planner, The Petal Report… The timing was never right, so Rachel and Jason thought. From being in other relationships, to not knowing how the other felt, it was constant back and forth for years. Until one day, Rachel coincidentally hopped on one of Jason’s fishing charters and it was history from there. “He jumped right in our family, with zero hesitation” Rachel’s dad, Joe, say. “From the moment that we met Jason, just after enjoying a casual beer in our backyard, we knew he was the one for our girl. A match made in heaven.”

It was only fitting that Rachel and Jason wanted to share their nuptials by the water, as that is where their love story began! Lowndes Grove in Charleston, South Carolina was the perfect backdrop with their lush gardens and classic white plantation house, settled right along the Ashley River. Our sweet couple exchanged their vows under a custom arbor adorned with all kinds of dusty pink garden roses, varying greens and pops of anemones. There was not a detail missed! From a custom monogrammed bottle of Moet, the neutral, floral patterned gowns of her nine bridesmaids, to the dripping floral chandelier created by Petaloso, it all culminated together to create a true, classic southern soiree!

How was your wedding perfectly “Southern”?

From the Bride… Since Lowndes Grove was the location of our wedding, I think that really starts off the Southern Charm Vibes! There is nothing more charming then arriving to a plantation home in a trolley with a ceremony on the front lawn with large Oak trees and Spanish moss dripping off them next to the water. To keep it going we of course had chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits on the menu. Lastly, to tie everything in our color theme was light and airy, a huge floral chandelier over the dance floor, and we cannot forget about the bed swing off the Oak tree out back.

What was your vision for your wedding day? What made you choose certain colors or decor?

We were really going for the light and airy vibes on the style which led us to the neutral colors, but the theme of the entire wedding was truly just to party rock! We had the most fabulous planner Emma from The Petal Report and she found us the best vendors in the industry. She took out vision from our heads and made the entire day magical. It really was the most perfect day and the sunset during cocktail hour couldn’t have been more beautiful.

What is the moment you remember most about your wedding day?

Our first dance 100% I remember at one point looking my husband in the eyes and then looking around at all the people who love us and here to celebrate us thinking wow this has to be the best feeling in the world.

What’s next for you and your husband?

We are loving married life so far and truly are enjoying each day that goes by! Starting a family is our next chapter which is super exciting and crazy all at once!

How to Keep Your Wedding Special Even If It’s Been Scaled Down Due to COVID-19

To start off, please know that we are absolutely devastated by COVID-19 and the havoc it has wreaked on soonlyweds and their upcoming special days. It’s truly something we’ve never seen before – nor hope to ever see again (once the pandemic runs its course and peaces out for good). That said, if there’s any silver lining in any of this, it’s that – against all odds – love and commitment are triumphing. A global outbreak is hardly what one would call a ‘hiccup,’ those of you who’ve been planning 2020 weddings are more than handling it. Even if it means scaling down the size of your celebrations to meet CDC social gathering guidelines and respective state ordinances.

Whether you’ll be postponing the entire wedding for some time later this year or next, enjoying a much smaller reception now and then blowing it out with an epic party once guests are able [to come], or taking all of the craziness as a sign to simplify to #justyoutwo, your day dooesn’t have to suffer with a smaller guest list. You can even have the best of both worlds if you want to make things official right now, with just each other and/or a few extra close family and friends, and then go BIG when the powers that be give you the green light.

Luckily, our Style Me Pretty Collection wasn’t envisioned with any big or small wedding size criteria in mind. So, if you find yourself wanting to throw out Plan A for something private with your mister or missus, or if you think you can be cool with a Zoom wedding that rivals John Krasinski’s-officiated affair this week (that’s a tall order, BTW), then we’ve got you! Check out some ideas we have for a scaled-down nuptials soiree, along with a few must-haves to make the occasion all the more meaningful.

… Oh, and yes, you’ll notice that so many of the sweetest, most enduring memories of your wedding don’t need an audience…

Choose a meaningful locale.

Life as we know it is still pretty standstill at this point, so if you can’t say I Do in the venue you originally wanted, then find something even closer to home (we mean that figuratively and literally #embracethebackyardwedding). Consider the landmark where you might have said ‘I Love You’ for the first time, or the restaurant where you ate together and then went home and told your mamas that he or she was ‘The One. Ask one of your closest friends or family members to officiate, inquire with your photographer about whether he or she would feel comfortable shooting your lowkey wedding, order some curbside takeout from said restaurant, light some candles, and remember that your wedding is yours, and only yours, to create.

Write your own vows.

This is an activity that always makes a ceremony more special. Not to mention, if you’ll be exchanging vows in the privacy of your own home, the woods, or another remote, yet personal place, by yourselves or with a small sampling of witnesses, you might even feel more inclined to pour your hearts out to each other.

Get ready together OR consider a first look.

If you’re sheltering in place together, why not get ready together? We’ve seen so many beautiful photos – in color and in black and white – of couples helping each other into their wedding ensems (him helping with the covered buttons on her gown, her making sure his bowtie is on straight, etc.) and it’s the sweetest thing. Alternately, a first look can be special, as well, to make sure all those happy tears are flowing ahead of the rest of the day. COVID-19 has made every day feel like Groundhog’s Day IRL, so a first look could be just the thing to throw some spontaneity, surprise, and anticipation back into the daily grind for any bride or groom.

Rebecca Yale Photography

We actually think it’d be a super cute keepsake to write notes (with fine-tipped fabric pens) to each other on the back of a commemorative handkerchief, especially if you plan to swap gifts. You can have them framed after the wedding / once craft or hobby stores are open to remember the year COVID-19 almost cancelled your wedding, but didn’t get the chance!

If you’ll be having guests (in limited numbers, of course), here are a few things you can do to involve them in your event. *Note, you will need to cross reference with your specific state and county cadences on #s permitted to convene at one time, as these orders may be more or less strict in greater or lesser COVID-19-affected areas.

Welcome your nearest and dearest with something a little more beyond.

Not going to lie, putting together guest gift bags is daunting when you’re expecting a gigantic group of people. If the list is shaved down, though, splurging (and it doesn’t even have to be that excessive) on legit welcome provisions isn’t as much a problem as it is a privilege to treat your wedding hype people! Consider a welcome bag filled with thoughtful goodies, and personalized thank you cards as your favor, maybe just a bit more full-bodied (if mini bottles of wine end up in there, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world 🍷😉).

Invite your inner circle to be part of the ceremony.

Dad can still walk you down the aisle, maybe one of your songstressy-sounding sisters can sing, or one of your best friends can do a particularly resonant reading. And then when you say your vows, everyone can encircle you (flower circles are huge trends, so why not do it with your friends?).

Seat guests at one long table for dinner.

Did you love that long, farm table look? Did you worry with your fiancé about where you’d sit at your reception? At a sweetheart table or with your bridal party? If you’ll be having just enough guests to fill out one long table, then definitely dine together – with place cards to maintain the festiveness or formality of the fete. Keep each other’s minds off of the manic state of the world right now and toast, toast, toast to each other, family, friends, and forever.

Clear Place Card Holder

Encourage your crew to leave you a note for later.

Signatures and well wishes or it didn’t happen! Kidding, that’s not the right sentiment for weddings these days, what with social distancing firmly in effect. But we think it’s a great way to honor tradition and have something to look back on and re-read once the wedding is over. If you’re planning on having a second, larger wedding later on, you can always bring your guest book back out and have the rest of your guests leave you with words of advice or congratulatory inscriptions they’ve been waiting to share.

Whether you’ve just gotten engaged or become completely overwhelmed and perplexed about what your wedding plans will eventually look like, you’ll definitely want to start writing some notes down and collecting your research, contact info, etc. in one dedicated place. Hey! Maybe you will end up saying that a smaller setup makes more sense for you, but we’d wager a guess that you’d never say that all the extra [pretty] pages in your bridal planner – for wordsmithing your vows or putting together Plan B, Plan C, or Plan D – were more than you needed!

Congratulations, we really can’t wait to start or keep planning with you. Shop the Style Me Pretty Collection on site now! #loveispatientloveiskindloveneverfails.

Danielle Halibey is a writer, editor, and publicist living in New Jersey. She has been immersed in the world of weddings since planning her own whimsical, romantic affair in 2014. And isn’t that what they always say, “those who can’t do, teach?” Well, once her nuptials were over, she still had stuff in the ‘I Do’ industry to do. She writes regularly for top wedding blogs including Style Me Pretty and Wedding Chicks, and has garnered millions of press impressions for brands in the wedding space: fashion, beauty, wedding talent+tastemakers and more.

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Photography

Jen Huang Photography

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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This William Aiken House Wedding Is the Epitome of Southern Charm

If this wedding doesn’t scream southern charm, we don’t know what does! The historic William Aiken House was the perfect place for this adorable couple to say their “I do’s”, in the city where their love story began. Pure Luxe Bride went above and beyond making their dream, classic wedding a reality – with the help of an all star vendor team! Petaloso created the most incredible rose-adorned arrangements that paired perfectly with the enchanting setting. Head on over to the full gallery, captured by Aaron and Jillian Photography to see all the sweetness unfold!

From the bride… Chase and I met in the spring of 2016 in Charleston, during my third year of medical school. We initially became friends and after a few months of flirting on and off, I asked Chase to come over and fix my bike. He asked me out a couple days later and the rest is history! Several months into our relationship. I made the difficult decision to leave Charleston and move to Chicago for my pediatrics residency.

We had a few more months together in Charleston before I moved to Chicago and we began our long-distance relationship. A few months after I moved to Chicago, Chase made a big career decision and chose to switch medical specialties. He interviewed at several anesthesiology residency programs in Chicago and was offered a position! We were ecstatic!

After almost a year of long distance, Chase moved to Chicago and we started our life together in the Windy City. Over two years after Chase fixed my bike, I said YES while riding bikes through Lincoln Park! Deciding on where to get married was pretty easy for us… Charleston was where we met and started our love story, so it felt like home to each of us. The William Aiken House is a perfect reflection of Charleston with timeless Southern charm. We wanted a classic and romantic vibe with stunning florals, and boy, did Pure Luxe Bride and our vendors deliver! What they created was beyond anything we ever envisioned. It was truly breathtaking.

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An Elegant, Chinoiserie-Chic Wedding at the Birkby House

If you’re as obsessed with chinoiserie as we are, then you’re about to fall in love with today’s stunning Southern fête at the Birkby House. Considering the bride planned and designed weddings with her wedding planner, Bright Occasions, for almost 4 years – it’s no surprise this wedding day is magical from beginning to end, complete with personalized touches at every turn. Holly Chapple Flowers made our SMP hearts flutter with her classic white and green arrangements. Head on over to the full gallery, captured by Manda Weaver Photography, for all the details!

From the Bright Occassions… Courtney included so many beautiful and thoughtful details. From the custom crest designed by Dandelion Patch to the venue drawing designed by her sister, which we included in the most beautiful wedding invitation and stationery printed by The Dandelion Patch. Courtney also sourced many of her own blue and white chinoiserie vases, including a special Virginia Tobacco jar that was a family heirloom.

The favors for the wedding also doubled as our place cards, which were blue and white coasters in a variety of prints and patterns. Holly Chapple did the flowers and kept the design classic with whites and greens, done in the garden-style she is known for. While providing a more modern architectural ceremony backdrop. We also worked with a local farmer to provide a boxwood wall, which we set the seating charts in front of and later became a perfect photo backdrop. Courtney & Mike love Margarita’s and chose to serve those as their signature cocktails. Local pizza from a Leesburg favorite was passed during cocktail hour among the other seasonal and local foods from Tuskies Catering.

From the Bride… Having planned and designed weddings with Bright Occasions for almost 4 years, I knew I wanted our wedding day to stand out – not necessarily with trendy concepts, but with heartfelt, meaningful details. The historic charm of Birkby House, nestled within quaint downtown Leesburg, was the perfect setting to share my husband’s and my love for our home state with our guests. Our chinoiserie-chic theme centered around an “Virginia” tobacco jar my mother had while growing up; this theme was carried through to our invitation suite, personalized escort coasters, bridal party attire, and reception place settings.

My very talented sister, an artist in San Francisco, hand drew the illustration of Birkby House on our invitation! From the use of my grandmother’s floral embroidered handkerchief, and pieces of both my mother’s and my mother-in-law’s wedding gowns sewn into the hem of my own dress, to the chapel-length veil I wore that was used by both of my life-long best friends, I was able to show just how special these women were to me on the most important day of my life. There was not a dry eye in the house, though, when Michael and I read our personal vows to each other. Later, my husband and I paid homage to our alma mater – Virginia Tech – by using “Enter Sandman,” the song the football team runs onto the field to, as our entrance song. The best part of the day, though, was getting to work with (as a bride this time!) the most incredible vendors I’m lucky enough to call my friends. Michael and my wedding day was absolutely perfect in every way.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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A Late September Wedding in New Hampshire Chock-Full of New England Charm

If you know, you know… there’s nothing sweeter than New England in the Fall. It’s the most romantic time of year to say your “I do’s”, surrounded by rollings hills and colorful foliage as far as the eyes can see. And today’s beautiful private home wedding in New Hampshire planned by Rebecca Rose Events is proof just that! Lance Nicoll’s gorgeous captures will transport you straight to autumnal paradise, check out the full gallery here!

From Rebecca Rose Events… Sarah and Jake exchanged vows on the rooftop of her family’s home in Lyme, New Hampshire, overlooking an incredible view of the mountains and New England’s famous changing fall foliage. Since the home is built into the side of a mountain, the roof is covered with grass, which made for the most perfect space for an outdoor ceremony.

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed tray-passed hors d’louvres, fresh locally-sourced cheeses, and an enviable collection of craft beers sourced from across the country – all chosen to represent the bride and groom’s favorites (and all the result of a behind-the-scenes effort that enabled Sarah’s mother to surprise them with this fun bar feature on the wedding day!)

After cocktail hour under an open sided sailcloth tent, guests transitioned into another sailcloth tent for a seated dinner reception, toasts, and dancing. Sarah and Jake desired to treat their guests to the very best of New England, so the wedding was scheduled around the changing fall foliage in late September. The color palette was designed to highlight copper, rose gold, auburn, and mustard tones, along with rich olive green and hints of cinnamon.

After a long search for the perfect patterned ties yielded nothing that anyone loved, we decided to create a custom pattern. Our design and production coordinator, Allison, painted a plaid pattern that incorporated the wedding palette with greenery (to mimic the smilax vine we used in the tent and on the chuppah structure) and was color matched to the bridesmaids’ cinnamon dresses. We sent the pattern to Knotty Tie Co. Who produced the fabric and made custom bow ties for the groomsmen, and Jake’s tie. We also used the pattern on the invitation suite, the menu cards, and in some of the printed materials for the welcome gift boxes.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Rebecca Rose Events

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Bria Hammel Interiors Kitchen Reveal + Tile Q&A

Anytime we can talk to an expert, we gobble it up! These people are not just knowledgable, but they take action with their work!

So today we’re in for a real treat! We got to (electronically) sit down with Bria Hammel to talk about this kitchen project while also learning some bits and bobbles about the process.

Take a read!

Q: Tell us about this STUNNING kitchen!

This kitchen really encapsulates our aesthetic at Bria Hammel Interiors – classic design with a fresh twist. We worked with our client on their new construction home to marry their traditional style and love of color and this beautiful kitchen is the product of just that. Like many can relate to, the kitchen is the heart of their home and where they spend the most of their time with their guests. We wanted to design a space that was not only extremely functional for their family but also a conversation starter and a bit of a show stopper. Who says you can’t have both?

Q: The tile is one of our favorite parts, can you tell us about it?

It’s one of our favorites too! A while back, we had the privilege of previewing Annie Selke’s collection for The Tile Shop and instantly fell in love. When we saw this Smokey Blue Artisanal Tile, we knew that it had to make its way into one of our projects. Luckily, our clients were just as in love with it as we were and went for it. We love that it had that handmade look, but the durability and longevity of a ceramic tile. Perfect for a kitchen backplash!

Q: So many people are afraid of colorful tile, what advice would you give them?

Is “JUST DO IT!” too simple? Haha! All jokes aside, we know that colorful tile can often be daunting but, when done right, it can truly be just as timeless as a white subway. For this space, we embraced a sleek, monochromatic look. Color matching the paint color on the island and the window treatment pattern to match the tile exactly. From there, we kept everything else neutral (perimeter cabinetry, light fixtures, hardware, furnishings, etc.).

Q: There are typically SO many decisions when it comes to tile selection. From grout, installation design — how do you decide what to do where?

There are many decisions when it comes to tile but the most important things we consider are what the room be used for and the size of the space. That will dictate what type of tile you’ll want to use (marble, porcelain, slate, ceramic, etc.) and the scale (we recommend smaller tiles for small spaces, like a powder bathroom, to create a full, repetitious look).

Q: Do you have a favorite tile?

Oooh, this is a hard one! Honestly, it would be near impossible to pick a favorite tile. However, we do have an installation technique that we adore. Often times, we love to select a traditional tile (i. E. White subway tile) but install it in a modern way (i. E. Stacking it straight vertically). We love a subtle, modern touch.

Q: Do you take location into account when choosing tile? Like if it’s a chic apartment in New York vs. A bright villa in South Carolina?

Yes and no! While we totally acknowledge location and it’s influence on a home’s design, we don’t think that that should box you in when it comes to your choices. If you live in the middle of Wisconsin but you want a New York loft-style home – go for it. Your home should represent your unique style and what makes you happy. However, there’s also beauty in embracing your geographic location’s style as well. Long story short, do whatever feels genuine to you!

Q: What questions should people ask before choosing a tile and its design?

We kind of went over this above, but really take into consideration how the tile is going to be used. Is it going to be walked all over on a daily basis by your dogs muddy paws? Will it be splashed by water everyday when giving your kiddo a bath? Should it be able to withstand flying pasta sauce while cooking dinner? Functionality should be the #1 concern when selecting a tile so make sure to educate yourself (or hire a designer who can do it for you!) on the different types of tiles and what they are best for. How do you match tile to the rest of the house?

Q: Do you take color into account when thinking about the rest of the rooms?

Yes! One of the biggest things a designer is tasked with is creating cohesion throughout an entire home. Making sure that each space flows effortlessly into one another. While that doesn’t necessarily mean that every room has to have the same exact color scheme, it does mean that each space pocessess a certain element or theme that ties them all together.

Photography: Spacecrafting | Architect: David Charlez Designs | Builder: Sd Custom Homes | Interior Design: Bria Hammel Interiors

You’ll Never Believe This European-Style Mansion Venue Is in Atlanta!

If you’ve never heard of the Swan House in Atlanta, then boy are you in for a treat. It’s elegant, classic, historic and overflowing with old world romance. Today’s wedding is the perfect example of the Swan House at it’s best. Heavenly white flowers from Edge Design Group, a stunning bride in a chic Oscar De La Renta dress, and the most photogenic pup we’ve ever seen grace the pages of SMP. Lucky for us, Willett Photography was there to capture every last detail, all planned by Toast Events. Check out the full gallery for more inspiration!

From Willett Photography… Who knew rollerblades and a sweet smile could make a couple last forever? Sarah and a friend went rolling into Cole’s fraternity house one summer afternoon and the rest is history!

This sweet couple were both from Atlanta and couldn’t’ have imagined a more authentic location that the Swan House.

Not only did they find the perfect location, the early spring day was quite literally the perfect day for their wedding.

Incorporating the local dogwood flower and their sweet puppy Archie, it felt even more personal than ever. Did you see Archie’s bowtie?

It was a beautiful day for a stunning couple, and we are so grateful to have captured each minute!

An Elegant Persian Wedding at Hummingbird Nest Ranch

If you ask us, incorporating traditional elements that represent your unique culture make a wedding day all the more beautiful and special. Today, we’re so excited to share Samareh and Omid’s gorgeous Persian wedding at the most classic California wedding venue – Hummingbird Nest Ranch. It was timeless and romantic from head to toe, from the bride’s incredible Ines Di Santo gown to the lush blooms by Unique Floral Designs. The Besharati Group brought the couple’s elegant wedding dreams to life, while Jessica Grazia Mangia Photography was there to capture every can’t miss moment. Head on over to full gallery to watch the magic unfold!

From Jessica Grazia Mangia Photography… The most elegant and classy Persian wedding at Hummingbird Nest Ranch blew our minds. This couple mixed beautifully all the traditions of the Persian culture with the western aesthetics, with the incredible background of a venue that speaks California at every turn. The wedding ceremony Sofreh (spread) Aghd (ceremony), was a traditional Persian ceremony spread that was decorated with many symbolic items all representing an element of marriage for their new life as husband and wife. During the Sofreh Aghd, bride and groom exchanged their wedding and marriage vows.

The Besharati Group lead by Sara Besharati created a one-of-a-kind event, and the amount of attention to the details is visible in every aspect of this wedding. When Samareh and Omid contacted Jessica Mangia Photography they were looking for someone able to capture those details, who had a soft aesthetic and could embrace the romance and paint it with light. Jessica Mangia was the perfect fin, says the bride, as she was able to perfectly capture the emotions and magic of our special day in her photography. Truly this wedding was brought to life by a dream team of vendors, Unique Floral Design, created the beautiful floral compositions and we love the very modern twist that incorporates the lush and dashing Persian wedding aesthetic with the more minimal approach of the western culture.

Thousand of twinkle lights hung above our heads were the perfect final touch that make the unforgettable reception magical and unique. Don’t let the classy and timeless color scheme or the to-die-for Ines Di Santo wedding gown fool you though, this couple and their guests know how to party hard. From the talented violinist who turn the reception into a true spectacle playing music from the traditional Persian repertoire to the Game Of Thrones theme songs, the whole party was something truly immersive. There was a very suggestive moment dedicated to the tradition of the Knife Dance ritual in which someone on the bride’s side steals the cake knife and starts dancing with it until the groom pay up to get the knife back. With all things considered this was a truly festive and emotional day, with people from all over the world coming together to celebrate the union of two amazing souls under the vast California sky.

From the bride. Omid and I have “known” of each-other years before we actually met. Our moms have been friends since we were both young and we shared many similar family friends. Omid and I are 5 1/2 years apart so it wasn’t surprising why we had not crossed paths when we were younger. When Omid and I first “officially” met, it was at his cousins going away dinner, which his cousin and sister randomly invited me to. When I arrived, there was only one seat open, and it was across from Omid. I thought to myself — hiiiii hello this guy is handsome. A few days later, we saw each other again at Omid’s cousin’s wedding, I remember feeling sooo giddy. He was playing it cool, but I could totally see him looking at me from the corner of his eyes while, I, obviously, did the same. Until finally, he asked me to dance. And the next thing we knew, everyone ELSE was looking at US from the corner of THEIR eyes with big smiles on their faces. There was something special about that moment—the moment we had our first dance together as strangers. We looked at each other with so much excitement and curiosity about one another. But I had a feeling deep down, that it wouldn’t be our last dance and that he was someone special. Well my gut was right… I soon learned that the one open seat at his cousin’s going away party was strategically and intentionally planned by his cousin and sister. Well done!!!

Every Adventure Seeking Couple Needs to See This Ranch Wedding With National Park Inspired Details

Miniature horses serving beers at cocktail hour, national park inspired table designs, elegant blooms by Plum Sage Flowers, oh… and the sweetest bride and groom ever – yup, that about sums up today’s epic Devil’s Thumb Ranch wedding! Need we say more? Head on over to the full gallery captured by Tara Bielecki to see all the outdoorsy details, perfectly planned by Revel and Bloom.

From the Bride… Chasen and I met at a concert at Red Rocks through mutual friends. We are both from Michigan, but met after we had both moved out to Colorado. We fell in love almost immediately after we started dating and have been inseparable ever since. We truly are best friends and love goofing off and being silly like kids together. We have a passion for live music and the outdoors. We love skiing, hiking, going to concerts, and going on road trips and adventures together. We especially love visiting National Parks. We have visited 25 US National Parks together and plan on visiting them all! Two of our favorite details at our wedding were the National Park seating chart and National Park table signs designed and produced by Sweet Zion Paperie.

We chose Devil’s Thumb Ranch for our wedding because it was a perfect blend of the beauty of the mountains and nature with a venue and accommodations that were both luxurious and rustic, with amazing service and outstanding food. We also loved all the outdoor activities the ranch has to offer. Another one of our favorite details and moments at the wedding were the mini horses we had carrying beers for guests at cocktail hour. Our guests loved it and were lining up to take pictures with them! The photo of Chasen and I with the mini horses is one of our favorites from the wedding. The flowers at our wedding were a dream! Plum Sage’s floral design was the perfect blend of elegant and natural, with all the right proportions of greenery and pops of color.

The flowers blended in seamlessly with the surrounding natural beauty of the mountains, but also stood out because of how gorgeous they were. I seriously couldn’t believe how beautiful the flowers were when I first saw them! I remember sitting in the bridal suite when Erin brought in the bouquets, and I was just so overjoyed with how they had turned out. We were truly blessed to have such an amazing team of vendors. Elise from Revel + Bloom is so talented at wedding planning and design. She helped us select the perfect vendors to make our dream wedding come true. Since live music is so important to us, it was really important that we have an amazing band that everyone would want to get up and dance to. I can’t tell you how many of my friends complimented Wash Park Band after our wedding. I heard from a lot of people that they were the best wedding band they’ve ever seen. I couldn’t agree more! Once the music started I was pretty much glued to the dancefloor, along with the majority of our guests! We wanted the wedding to be a party, and we partied hard!

Besides the moment Chase and I were officially married at our ceremony, my next favorite moment was probably seeing my dad for the first time on the day of the wedding before the ceremony. It was a very emotional moment for both of us (Tara Bielecki Photography captured this moment so well!). There are so many other amazing moments from that day – getting ready with our “I do crew”, our first look, seeing the flowers and reception space for the first time, our first dances, the speeches. Chase and I also loved getting away from the party for a bit at sunset to take pictures outside. Even though the photographers were with us, we truly felt it was an intimate moment together (again, Tara Bielecki and her husband are very, very good at what they do!). Our wedding was truly the best day of our lives! It could not have been more perfect. Having all our close friends and family come from near and far (mostly far) to celebrate together at such a gorgeous destination was such an amazing, unforgettable experience. It was a magical weekend filled with lots of love.

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Florals

Plum Sage Flowers

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A Romantic Spring Editorial at El Chorro for All the Desert-Loving Brides

Today’s stunning styled shoot from Leslie D Photography brought the colors of Spring to the desert at one of our fave Arizona venues – El Chorro! Sarah’s Wedding Garden absolutely blew us away with her cheerful blooms and wow-worthy floral arbor (and how about those ceremony views, huh!?) If you’re looking for the perfect recipe for bringing a major dose of romance to your Spring affair, check out the full gallery to see all the inspiring details, all planned by Mandy Marie Creative.

From Leslie D Photography… It’s felt like a really long winter and we’re ready for some warmth.

We wanted all the fresh feels spring brings and colors mixed in with this luxury green space.

The florals had romance and femininity to pair with this classic gown and all with such a clean classic vibe.

Sarah’s Wedding Garden was thrilled to add all the colorful blooms to the arch and the table. The gown name is Dixie by Wtoo (Made by Watters). This is a real couple who had just come back from France on a fun trip. And we loved adding their wonderful dynamic to the Editorial.

The 10 Essential Ingredients That Make Up The Perfect Bar

In the great words of interior designer and bar cart expert, Kendall Simmons, this is the renaissance of cocktail culture. And behind every great sips lover is a home bar cart just waiting for your next great get together. Make sure your cocktail station is stocked with essentials, 10 to be exact, and then customize and personalize accordingly. Cin, cin! For even more cocktail ideas, click here.

With the renaissance of cocktail culture, it’s no surprise that home bars have exploded in popularity. I have one of my own that I adore serving guests from! When it comes to styling your own bar, don’t overthink it. Because every bar is stocked to suite its owner’s personal tastes, there are no wrong answers. All you need are a few simple elements, customized to your liking.

ONE: Liquor

I guess this is pretty obvious, right? More specifically, select your five favorite spirits. Once you’ve found those five, keep them perpetually stocked. Add new ones as you see fit and your space permits, but always keep your core five. I personally try to keep rum, vodka, gin, and two kinds of bourbon. If you’d like to add another layer, choose a handful of secondary liquors that accent your core five. Examples of this could include things like Saint Germain, Chambord, Fireball, etc. Designer Tip: Always keep a bottle of champagne on hand. You never know when there will be something wonderful to celebrate!

TWO: Mixers

Every household has their go-to cocktail mixers, but it’s nice to have options for guests or when you’re in the mood for something different. Try to keep at least one from each of the following categories:

Soda
Juice
Tonic or Specialty Water

For example, I like to keep diet Cokes, orange or pineapple juice, and flavored sparkling water. Extra points for mixers in beautiful packaging! Designer Tip: Vary your brands and packaging colors for added visual interest! If the sparkling water you prefer comes in a green bottle, make sure that the juice you’re stocking comes in a totally different color bottle.

THREE: Glassware

Go for simple glasses that serve dual-purposes if possible, to avoid overcrowding with too many glasses. Designer Tip: Your glassware is a great way to incorporate vintage style! Consider antique pink or green depression glass, or 1960’s printed bar glasses.

FOUR: Decorative Straws

These are a personal favorite of mine. Change out the color and pattern of your straws depending on the season or the party!

FIVE: Tools

Keep it basic. A cork screw, bottle opener, jigger and shaker should be plenty! Select beautifully shaped tools that add architecture and interest.

SIX: Ice Bucket

Because there’s always something to celebrate, and you need to be ready for that champagne!

SEVEN: Cocktail Bible

Choose your book well! Keep it within easy reach so you never miss a beat when asked to make a cocktail that’s new to you.

EIGHT: Candy

No explanation needed for this. Stock your bar with some sweet treats so people have a little sweet snack when needed! Whether it’s a bowl of jellybeans or individually sized rock candies, it will add color and texture to your bar.

NINE: Coasters or Cocktail Napkins

Protect your tables in style! Agate, antique silver or letterpresses paper are my personal favorites.

TEN: Personality

Experiment with fun new spirits in crazy bottles, French sodas with pretty labels, or homemade bottle stoppers. Add fresh flowers in characterful vessels. (I’m partial to tulips). The sky’s the limit. Start with the basics and keep adding new items to your heart’s content. Happy drinking!

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Easy 3-Ingredient Cocktails

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Easy 3-Ingredient Cocktails

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Woodland Chic Baby Shower

When a wedding planner plans a baby shower, you better BELIEVE every detail is going to be perfect. This super chic woodland baby shower is picture proof that there is never too much thing as attention to detail. Take a look!

For this special day, I Do Details (mama-to-be is the owner of I Do Details) wanted this to be different than your typical baby blue boy shower. Her and her husband got married in Lake Tahoe in the summer of 2016 and figured it would be perfect to carry out a Tahoe vibe throughout the baby shower as well as his nursery.

Wanting to stray from the normal baby shower with lots of baby blues, we created a woodland chic party filled with wooden accents and lots of greenery with pops of white and shades of blue. The invitations really set the tone for the entire event. From the shade of blue and green to the watercolor bear, every detail was well thought out.

The venue is dreamy and already had a lot of blue and white accents which was perfect for a baby boy shower. As guests arrived, they mingled over “Mom-osa’s” and Bloody Mary’s. Guests took photos in front of the wooden backdrop and found their seats by finding their wooden laser etch name on checker napkins!

The mama-to-be sat at the head of the private dining room table which had a mama-to-be sign on the back of her chair. After brunch, the mama-to-be moved to a light blue velvet vintage chair to open gifts! Guests played games, watched as presents (& lots of books – we did the books instead of a card) were opened, and enjoyed the array of desserts (lemon & snickerdoodle cake, mini donuts, mini cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, and custom cookies).

A Classic Southern Wedding Complete With a Jaw-Dropping Tulip Chandelier Installation

A tulip chandelier? Yup, you read that right. This wedding is the epitome of springtime in charming Charleston, one of our favorite wedding destinations in the whole wide world. The bride and groom tied the knot with their sweet four legged friend by their side at the French Huguenot Church, followed by a tulip-adorned reception thanks to On A Limb at the timeless William Aiken House. Meredith Tanton of Sweetgrass Social planned their southern affair to perfection, complete with classic antebellum elements at every turn. Head on over to the full gallery to see it all!

1. What did you envision your wedding being prior to planning?

From the Bride… I studied Historic Preservation and Community Planning at the College of Charleston, and of course fell in love with the famous historic charm of Charleston during my time at the College. It was very important to me to incorporate those classical antebellum elements into our wedding. Naturally, the French Huguenot Church and the William Aiken House were the perfect backdrops for our wedding day.

2. What was your color palette and your style vision?

A classic southern feel with a natural color palette.

3. What unique elements or DIY details did you include?

I love how we used the watercolor wedding crest from our invitation suite and incorporated it into almost every element of the day. From the bottom of the cigar bar ashtrays, escort cards and cocktail napkins, to the showstopper dance floor with a stunning tulip chandler installation above it. And we absolutely loved that our golden retriever, Hampton got to be the star of the show. It was truly everything we could dream of. I actually designed my own rings. I took my dad’s mother’s diamond that was left to me when she passed away, and my mother’s father’s wedding band to make my engagement ring. My wedding band was my mom’s 5th anniversary ring that I added 2 diamonds to. Ron, the owner of Michael’s Jewelry in Columbia, SC made them for me.

4. What was your favorite moment? Your favorite crafted detail?

It is hard to choose just one. Meredith and her team from Sweetgrass social left no detail undone. Everything was thought of and every area had something unique to our style and it was absolutely stunning. We chose a lace fabric overlay for the dining room tables that mirrored the lace on my gown – creating a soft but formal look in the dining room. I also loved the crest on the dancefloor.

5. Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors, your cake, etc.

I am actually allergic to pretty much any strong fragrance flower – so tulips were the natural choice. They are not only my favorite flower, but also the best bloom for my allergies. Heidi from On A Limb did an amazing job creating the most beautiful cascading french tulip arrangements for an elegant addition to the dining room and the showstopping tulip chandler over the dance floor. My gown was a custom Sareh Nouri. I had so much fun working with Sareh and the Saks Bridal team in New York. We took the blush Olivie gown, created a strapless top, then added a tulle shawl bolero – with pieces of the cut out lace from the gown for a softer look. We finished the look with the Oh So Lovely Veil from Sareh’s veil collection. My Reception Dress was the Beatrice Little White Dress by Kate McDonald with a custom aline skirt. We had a welcome letter with things to do on back and filled the welcome boxes with little favors from Charleston. ‘Cheers from Hampton’ Koozies, grits with a classic southern recipe, custom cookies, Charleston Tea Plantation Tea, and water bottles with custom labels. For the wedding we had white shawls with “to have and to hold incase you get cold” tags, Cigars with a custom monogram and dated band, and match books with the watercolor wedding crest.

6. What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be?

I know everyone tells you this, and honestly I didn’t listen, but wish I would have. The day goes by in a blink of an eye, make sure you stop and take it in because it will be over before you know it.

7. Where did you purchase your wedding dress?

The Bridal Salon at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. (Sareh Nouri gown)

8. What attracted you to the dress that you chose?

The saying is true that ‘you know when you know.’ I was not originally looking for a lace or embellished gown, but when I put it on, I just knew. Sareh Nouri and the Saks Bridal Team did an amazing job capturing the perfect balance between my traditional and eclectic style.

The Cutest Mother’s Day Gifts Every MOB Will Love

Not going to lie, this Mother’s Day will probably be a strange one given the weirdness of the world right now, but that doesn’t mean that moms deserve their day any less. Staying home and social distancing certainly might [and hopefully will] keep us from our annual Mother’s Day brunches or mani – pedi appointments with our favorite ladies, but someone (actually quite a few people) famous once said “Mother and daughter never truly part, maybe in distance, but never in heart” – and the sentiment is incredibly true these days.

Of course, every daughter (and son) brings unrelenting joy to her mother on Mother’s Day and all the days before and after, but a bride giving her mama official MOB (Mother of the Bride) status is quite a special gift. That’s why an occasion like Mother’s Day is perfect for a bride to lean into her fiancée-ship and pick an on-theme present that says ‘thank you for everything, mom, now let’s go get me married!’ Not to mention, we haven’t met a mother who hasn’t wanted to jump into her new role with all the [wedding] bells and whistles that come with it.

So, even if you’ll be missing time with mom this time around – don’t worry, we all are! – you can send her a cute present … maybe even paired with a doorstep breakfast drop-off or just-add-champagne makings for mimosas, because liquor store deliveries make 😊 during lockdown! Our Style Me Pretty Collection of gifts is a great place to go for sentimental, sweet, and stage-setting somethings for the woman who raised you (and the one who raised your soulmate). Shop all the looks exclusively on site now!

Oh! And before we talk goodies, a couple things to keep in mind:

Your mom may very well be much older than the rest of your bridesmaids, but she’ll still appreciate being welcomed into your bride tribe. So, if you’re getting something for the girls, get her one too! #obligatoryMOBwiredresshanger FTW!
Just like you get excited whenever you see things with ‘bride’ branded on them, your mama does too. Seeing ‘Mother of the Bride’ on any of her things is a badge of honor!
No matter what they say, every mom can get down with a candle or set of candlesticks. Ours are really pretty, too… just an FYI!

Check out these handpicked Style Me Pretty gifts, along with a little inspo for the wording in your Mother’s Day card … P.S. several of our simple hand painted Thank Yous would work beautifully for your heartfelt holiday messages, you’ll just need to buy in bulk (that’s kind of adorable if you ask us, though, sending mom thank you notes that are JUST for her for every occasion that’s fitting 😉)

Pink Sleep Mask.
“Mom, welcome to MOB-hood! Use what’s left in quarantine to get your beauty rest, because once we can get back into wedding planning mode, I can’t promise that you won’t be getting 3AM paranoia calls!”

Floral Makeup Bag.
“You are a natural beauty, mom – you don’t need ANY help! But on my wedding day, I want you to feel like the smoke show I’ve always known you are. Get ready for a fun glam sesh, but in the meantime, I’ve already filled it up with some of my faves! Enjoy MWAH!”

Floral Makeup Bag
Ryan Ray Photography

Blush Taper Candles.
“Hold onto these, mom. I know we couldn’t celebrate Mother’s Day together this year, but once this craziness is all over, I’ve already planned a brunch at your house for all my bridesmaids and their moms! I know you love hosting, and these blush tapers will look amaze on your tables. How pretty, right?!!”

Ceramic Tealight Holder.
“They say a bride has this glow about her… well, they haven’t even seen the glow on my mama!! Seriously, you light up a room, mom, and I can’t wait to have you by my side – for my wedding day – and the rest of our lives. Light some candles, put on your slippers, and watch the rest of Little Fires Everywhere. You deserve it!

… Oh, and once you’re done using them for candles, you can always take out the tea light and use it for a jewelry dish. Look at me being all inventive, I learned from the best 😘!”

Ceramic Votive Candle
Sally Pinera

She obviously knows she lucked out with you as a daughter, but make sure she knows you know you have the best MOB on the planet! Shop the Style Me Pretty Collection exclusively on site now and give your mom a Mother’s Day she’ll always remember, even if you can’t be together.

Danielle Halibey is a writer, editor, and publicist living in New Jersey. She has been immersed in the world of weddings since planning her own whimsical, romantic affair in 2014. And isn’t that what they always say, “those who can’t do, teach?” Well, once her nuptials were over, she still had stuff in the ‘I Do’ industry to do. She writes regularly for top wedding blogs including Style Me Pretty and Wedding Chicks, and has garnered millions of press impressions for brands in the wedding space: fashion, beauty, wedding talent+tastemakers and more.

A Sweet Nursery Tour Full of Texture and Color

Editor’s Note: We love a good follow up! Getting to watch the SMP community learn and expand over the years has been so rewarding. From weddings to home tours and now NURSERY tours, we love getting to play a small role in highlighting some of your most important moments!

Today’s tour is of the sweet nursery is FULL of great inspo — enjoy!

I can’t believe it’s been just over two years since my home tour was shared on Style Me Pretty Living. That was such a fun day/week/month feeling the love of the SMP community!

Life has changed a bit for me since then, I had a baby in August! We’ve had a blast with her, and lots of fun decorating her nursery. Warmth, peace, comfort, style, texture, imagination. These are the words that inspired our nursery design for our sweet baby girl, Sienna.

There are several themes in her nursery to highlight. On top of a base of neutral, light tones, we added sunset colors, dusty rose, mauve, and peach, and a pop of water hue, deep teal. This adds the warmth and peace to the space. Despite having an unpredictable infant occupying this room, there is truly a sense of calm. Even during a meltdown, Sienna will often breathe a sigh of relief when entering her nursery.

The water hue speaks to our home’s location on a creek off of the Potomac River. Several décor elements reflect the water – the art over the dresser, the driftwood from Maine, the white pebbles from Croatia, and the pampas grass from our own backyard. There is abundant wildlife in our neighborhood even though we are just 20 minutes from DC – eagles, herons, geese, hooded mergansers (look these up, they are adorable), deer and more.

Along with the water elements, there is also a subtle bird theme in the artwork, crib sheets and decorative pieces. There are many DIY designs in the nursery such as the watercolor mural behind the rocking chair and the pampas grass wreath over the crib, but my favorite is the gold birds flying out of the painting over the dresser, it feels magical. Sienna loves looking up at this bold colorful painting, and grabbing it while we’re changing her diaper.

Yes, we’ll have to either move this piece up, or reinforce it on all sides, a new mom mistake! The gold birds are removable stickers that I spray painted gold and placed over the glass and onto the wall. We also brought in some sentimental pieces, sharing with Sienna important parts of our life pre-baby. The wine crates are from our babymoon in Portugal, pink chocolate box from a trip to Germany, kitten print from my mother’s childhood room, vases from a sabbatical trip to Croatia, artwork gifted and painted by family and a gold mirror we used in our wedding. As for the overall style of the room, it is a combination of old and new.

We have some new mid-century modern furniture and some vintage pieces. My husband likes the clean lines of the crib and dresser and I loved adding in the feminine antique loveseat and Audubon bird prints. It is a room that will always be so special to us, and even more so as Sienna’s toys and own décor start to meld in with ours. It’s been a peaceful, cozy space to spend hours on end, nursing, rocking and playing.

How to Pull off the Edgy Look While Keeping It Timeless

We love a bride who isn’t afraid to get a little edgy with her wedding décor. We’re talking tousled blooms, a moodier color scheme and a seriously intimate feel. Today’s inspiration shoot from Lauren Fair Photography, Julie Paisley and Oleander Curated captures just that, all while keeping the design completely timeless in style. Get ready for your Pinterest page to blow up after taking a peak at the full gallery of images.

From the designer, Oleander Curated…. The inspiration for this shoot was Neutrals, Smoky Blues and Greys, with touches of Aubergine & Soft Charcoal.

The wild countryside of Normandy inspired a looser, a bit more intimate, with a slightly edgy, tousled, moody look.

We focused on shooting intimate, lovely close ups with a lot of black + whites, an edgy feel to the portraits and a slightly moody approach – all while still keeping it in our signature airy, organic style. Chateau de Courtomer was our host for our workshop this week and was a truly spectacular old world setting!

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Lauren Fair Photography

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An Outdoor Fiesta Celebrating Motherhood and Philanthropy

Editor’s Note: This beautiful event was done in celebration of a truly great cause. This group of Mammas got together to celebrate and raise money for the Siestas For Fiestas Foundation that focuses on ending poverty in Cancun, Mexico. With intentional details like personalized gift boxes, mixology lessons and a well set table, how can you not feel inspired?

Take a read!

This is a story about how vendors can use their talents to make a difference in the world. The Siestas For Fiestas Foundation is focused on ending poverty in Cancun, Mexico and one of the ways we make this happen is by hosting an intimate Mama Fiesta.

As a former event planner myself I love planning this event so much because it’s such a joy to plan something meaningful. One of the things that makes this event so successful is that all vendors donate their valuable time and unique talents. Each and every vendor takes pride in that their donation will help provide a scholarship to a child living in poverty. This event isn’t your regular country club fundraiser or gold tournament. It’s an evening full of details to make these mamas feel special as they give back. That includes personal gift boxes, a mixology lesson and a mama backdrop.

A little about the evening:
Every May we gather as Mamas to celebrate motherhood and giveback. Guests arrived at the Maxwell House in Pasadena and were welcomed with a cocktail drink and live music. They mingled in the courtyard as they enjoyed a mixology demonstration. Rose Gold Heart Events designed a beautiful backdrop for the mamas to take pictures. Guests then were escorted to a Spanish inspired table where they found a gift box with their name that contained goodies from small shops. As they enjoyed their family-style meal, we shared our story of how my husband and I quit our jobs and moved to Cancun in 2015.

We met some amazing people that led us to start the Foundation. We reminded the mamas that their attendance at this event allowed us to gift another mama an academic scholarship for her child. The moms from the towns we serve dream of their children succeeding, but opportunities are limited. This night is so special because together we are able to impact a family. After enjoying their meal and learning more about the foundation, guests moved indoors for dessert.

The evening was a great success for our nonprofit and our guest enjoyed all the details our vendors put into the celebration. We are so thankful for these groups of vendors and mamas who help make a difference in our scholarship recipients life.

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ONE: Liquor

TWO: Mixers

THREE: Glassware

FOUR: Decorative Straws

FIVE: Tools

SIX: Ice Bucket

SEVEN: Cocktail Bible

EIGHT: Candy

NINE: Coasters or Cocktail Napkins

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