SUBMIT WEDDING
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A Wedding Photographer’s Intimate Monterey Wedding


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Krista and Colin’s wedding colors played on a fresh and perfect fall color palette – stormy blues, deep yellows, sage greens, and pops of pink and burgundy.

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As a wedding photographer, the bride wanted an intimate wedding so she could be fully present. Krista and Colin were so laid back throughout the whole process. You could tell they were confident and calm about their decisions – and they were ready to enjoy the day – however, it unfolded.

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Krista and Colin got engaged in Seattle in early August 2021. They were on a road trip and Colin popped the question after dinner by the Seattle waterfront right along the pier with a beautiful view of the water.

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Krista wore an Essence Of Australia wedding dress with lace and beaded detailing on the bodice. The skirt was filled with layers and tulle – and the cut accentuated her petite waist.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Colin’s mother passed away a few years ago, and he kept a pin with her photo on the inside of his jacket. [/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Krista and Colin had signature drinks named after their dogs – Shilo and Luna! The had a family style dinner that was just delicious. [/field]
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Their ceremony was held in Memory Garden in front of the blue door. Mandy’s Garden Design created a deconstructed floral arch for their ceremony. These two walked down the aisle with so much excitement in their step – Colin high-fiving guests as he made his way to wait for Krista. They exchanged personal vows – making promises of all that’s to come on their journey together. The theme of owning many, many dogs came up a few times. Their reception was filled with a fresh and perfect fall color palette – stormy blues, deep yellows, sage greens, and pops of pink and burgundy. They had an intimate wedding with petite tables holding five to eight guests. The addition of the twinkle lights in the magnolia trees made the space magical.

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Krista surprised Colin with two tiny figurines of their pups on the back of their wedding cake. I love how they incorporated Shiloh and Luna throughout the event, even though the dogs couldn’t be there. After a hilariously messy cake-cutting, Krista and Colin shared their first dance.

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]At the beginning of dinner, we all took a moment to honor the guests that couldn’t be there with them – specifically Colin’s mother. It was a touching tribute and I feel confident she was smiling down on everyone in attendance as she watched her son marry the love of his life.[/field]
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Krista is a wedding photographer herself! It was such an honor to photograph her wedding day as she married the love of her life!

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Photography: The Ganeys | Videographer: Tim Fox Weddings | Event Planning & Design: BY ALYSA MONÉT & CO. | Floral Design: Mandy's Garden Design | Cake: Sweet Rebas | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Lulu's | Catering: Wylder Space | Hair & Makeup: Raven Reed Makeup | DJ: Denon & Doyle | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Venue: Memory Garden | Bridal Boutique: Janene's Bridal | Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Dress Designer: Essence Of Australia | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Guitarist: Terrence Farrell | Invitations & Paper Goods: PaperPlum | Rentals: Illusions of Grandeur | Rentals: Chic Event Rentals | Rentals: A To Z Rentals | Styling Mat: Locust Collection | Watercolor Bar Sign: Rubi And Lib

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
How to Be the Greatest Best Man & Maid of Honor Ever

At the end of my own wedding night, my bridesman (yes, that’s right!) told me that he hadn’t realized how much of a privilege it was to be in my bridal party until the day unfolded. Cue a huge hug from me! As a best man or maid of honor, know that you’ve been honored to be a large party of the bride or groom’s core group for the wedding day and that truly should mean something to you. They could have chosen any of their friends or family members to fill the position and they chose you. To live up to the title, here’s how to be the greatest best man and maid of honor ever.

1. Always Ask How You Can Help

The bride or groom likely will need help at some point throughout their planning and especially on the wedding day. Not all couples will directly ask for help, so be sure to ask often if they need anything or what you can do to help.

2. Plan a Bachelorette/Bachelor Trip

Traditionally, the maid of honor and best man plan the bachelorette and bachelor trips, respectively. If you’re up to the task, plan a trip that the bride or groom will love. If they’re huge party people, perhaps plan a lively weekend in Vegas. If they’re more chill and prefer relaxing, you could opt for a quiet trip to Palm Springs. Bottom line, plan the trip with their interests in mind and ask for help from the other bridal party members if you need any assistance. That way the bride and groom never have to lift a finger. They’ll simply enjoy the trip and some time away from work and wedding planning.

3. Know the Wedding Timeline

I cannot stress enough how quickly the wedding day goes by and how many things the bride and groom have on their mind. On my own wedding day, I loved that I didn’t have to look at a schedule. My bridal party had it printed or saved to their phone to reference throughout the day. All I had to do was ask when something was going to happen next and they immediately could tell me! My husband’s best man had the timeline fully memorized and was wonderful at directing where he and the groomsmen would go next. It seems simple, but knowing the timeline like the back of your hand will be a huge help to the couple!

4. Organize the Getting Ready Room

Before the photographer is set to arrive, enlist all of the bridal party members in cleaning up trash, plastic water bottles, suitcases, shoes, etc. from the areas that will be photographed. This is not only greatly appreciated by the photographer but also from the couple who will love their cleaner photos!

5. Keep Bridal Party Members On Time

Again, the timeline of the wedding day is something you should know well. Know when to direct the bridal party to be at their next location and ensure they have everything they need with them like bouquets, boutonnieres, or anything else important. You don’t want the bridal party photos cut short because any of you were late for portraits, so keep them on a tight schedule!

6. Lookout for Hair and Makeup Touch Up Needs

Although hopefully the bride’s photographer has an eye for detail, you’ll want to make sure that you are looking out for stray hairs or smudged makeup on the bride in case the photographer misses it. Make sure she looks flawless throughout the day and always jump in to fix anything out of place. She’ll be so thankful!

7. Write an Incredible Toast

To give an unforgettable wedding toast, keep it to less than 4 minutes and be sure to tell guests who you are at the beginning. I find toasts that tell a story with a great flow from start to finish seem to do best with guests rather than a collection of random inside jokes. Be sure to practice your toast multiple times and have someone you trust give you feedback. Perfecting the toast not only shows you truly value the couple, but also ensures you give the best possible speech!

8. Check the Reception for Left Behind Items

At the end of the evening, the couple will be busy saying their goodbyes. Before you leave, check the reception space for any items they might have left behind. Phones, handbags, shoes, makeup, or even gifts certainly shouldn’t be left behind. It’s these little tasks that will truly make you the greatest best man or maid of honor!

Cavin Elizabeth is a wedding film photographer based in San Diego, California. Her wedding work has taken her all over the United States and abroad. In addition to being a photographer, Cavin is an educator and an avid blogger of wedding planning tips for brides and grooms. She authored the book A Bride’s Guide to a Picture Perfect Wedding, which teaches couples how to make wedding plans that are best for photography. 

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
A Charming & Intimate Black Tie Affair at The Post House Inn


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Inspired by Charleston Charm and the natural elements of the area, Betsy selected an elegant color palette of greens, reds, pinks and pearly white.

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There’s something truly divine about an intimate wedding day. The closeness of the guests, to the extra minutes to fill with deep conversations and memory making, to the exquisite personal touches added to every facet of the day. Betsy and James’ intimate black tie wedding day at The Post House Inn had all of these things and more and is a day that I’ll never forget. Each special element of the day represented something important to the couple while the weekend was filled to the brim with celebrations and shared experiences that highlighted each of their favorite things.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]It only took one date for Betsy and James to know that this was it. Drinks at a local speakeasy led to a dinner at “their” restaurant, Rank 616 in Austin, an evening filled with Ranch Waters and captivating conversation, which quickly led to the realization that they had met their forever in each other.

Fast forward to a weekend getaway trip to Charleston – James made reservations for dinner at The Post House Inn in Old Village, Mount Pleasant for their first evening in the Holy City. This darling coastal spot has more charm than most of the restaurants in the city combined, with a locally sourced menu adored by locals and tourists alike. But rather than being seated for dinner, James led Betsy up the stairs to the private Rose Room – which had been adorned with glowy candlelight and filled to the brim with flowers. It was there in that magical little spot that James asked Betsy that most important question – and without a doubt, she said yes. [/field]
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Betsy’s wedding gown, designed by Ukrainian designer, Aleena Leena Bridal, was a true show stopper – perfectly southern with the most unique textured fabric. Accented by dreamy Jimmy Choo pearl slides and an organic bouquet of fall’s best florals by Branch Design Studio, Betsy was a true bridal vision.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]With an “honorary” bridal party, Betsy’s bridesmaids selected dresses that matched their personal styles and tastes! Betsy’s maid of honor and sister, wore a simple green dress with a plunging neck line to match the green tones incorporated throughout the day. [/field]
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Guests were greeted with Champagne in coupes topped with fresh figs, drizzled with local honey. A long table filled the open air reception space and was adorned with gold rimmed and scalloped edge plates, custom menus for each guest and whimsical florals from Branch Design Studio. A cane trimmed bar offered more custom drink options – from Ranch Waters to Spritzers, each detail representing a part of Betsy and James’ journey.

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Local and seasonal florals in whites, pinks, reds and yellows elevated the overall design of the day and brought together even the smallest details. But Branch Design Studio‘s centerpiece, Betsy’s bouquet was a true showstopper and one of my favorites from the year. Adorned with anemones, garden roses and ranunculus, it accented Betsy’s gorgeous gown in the most perfect way.

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Guests were treated to the couple’s favorite deserts, prepared by The Post House Inn. An impossible choice between Key Lime Pie and Red Velvet Cake, both options were absolutely divine and enjoyed by all in attendance.

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At last, it was time for the moment they had been waiting for. Betsy and James were married in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Downtown Charleston. Consecrated in the year 1887, you could feel the significance in the moment we shared during the mass that brought this sweet couple together as husband and wife. The recessed into a tunnel of rose petals and made their way to their Post House Reception.

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Wedding Guests were the recipients of a stunning invitation suite designed by Peach Paper Design – RSVP cards with scalloped and trimmed edges, an adorable peach itinerary card for the the weekend and other beautiful papers in creams, greens, and gold, all sealed beautifully in an olive green envelope lined with a coordinating toile print.

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Betsy and James shared a sweet first look in the courtyard before we were whisked off by Low Country Valet‘s Olive Green Vintage Bus, “Jasper” and journeyed down to Charleston’s historic center. Chalmers’ cobblestone streets were the perfect backdrop for portraits with this sweet couple, their bridal party, and their families.

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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Local artist, Haigan, stood nearby, crafting a custom portrait of the night’s events while guests sat down to dine on locally sourced dinner offerings and delicious desserts. Toasts were made, laughter was shared and most of importantly, our couple celebrated just they way they had envisioned their first evening as husband and wife.[/field]
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Photography: Rebecca Sigety Photography | Event Planning: Beautiful Bride Events LLC. | Floral Design: Branch Design Studio | Wedding Dress: Alana Leena | Invitations: Peach Paper Design | Ceremony Venue: St. Patrick Church | Reception Venue: The Post House Inn | Wedding Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Jewelry: Jane Pope Jewelry | Makeup: Vanessa Broin | Hair: Brianna B Adams | Transportation: Lowcountry Valet | Event Painter: Event Painting by Haigan | Rentals: Curated Events | Social Media Assistant: AJ Social | Wedding Day Paper: Lettered by Valerie

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
Glamorous Garden Estate Vineyard Wedding Featuring The Couple’s Sweet Dog

This glamorous wedding is the perfect mix of luxurious details and sweet moments.  From the mobile bar overflowing with blooms to the couple’s pup in a doggie tuxedo, special touches were the driving force of this celebration all artfully planned by Lindsey Wise Designs.  Floral design by Luxe and Bloom was equal parts romantic and elegant, and the love of the day shines through imagery captured by Sarah Folsom Photography.  Fall in love with all the dreamy details inside the full gallery.



From Sarah Folsom PhotographyOne of the sweetest parts of Lauren and Harrison’s wedding was how they honored their beloved dog, Buck. Buck was featured on the welcome boxes as well as the bar menu, but Buck was also physically present for the entire wedding day, from the getting-ready moments to post-ceremony photos.



He donned a doggie tuxedo and watched the entire ceremony, laying next to the groomsmen. He stood and got so excited when Harrison and Lauren had their first kiss and were pronounced husband and wife. Unfortunately, sweet Buck passed away just one week after the wedding. Everyone adored Buck and he added so much joy to Lauren and Harrison’s wedding. He is very much missed and it was such a gift that he was able to be such a big part of the wedding.



From Lindsey of Lindsey Wise Designs…  When touring wedding venues Lauren and Harrison quickly fell in love with the location and outdoor beauty of The Farm at High Shoals. However, the reception space didn’t exactly match their “luxe elegance” vision. Throughout the wedding planning process, we kept this in mind and put a lot of emphasis on design and all of the little details that could help bring more elegance to the converted horse barn backdrop. Soft colors, upgraded linens, elevated arrangements and stage and dance floor rentals all helped transform the space to better align with Lauren’s initial vision.



Photography: Sarah Folsom Photography | Event Planning: Lindsey Wise Designs | Floral Design: Luxe and Bloom | Cake: Cecilia's Cake Shop | Stationery: RL Creative Co | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Catering: Hallie Jane's Catering | Hair and Makeup: Make Me Up | Band: East Coast Entertainment | Band: Ascension Party Band | Tuxedos: The Black Tux | Ceremony Music: Bella Nota Strings | Wedding Venue: The Farm at High Shoals | Art Styling Surface: Elysian Market | Bridal Boutique: Lovely Bridal Shop | Bridal Gown: Louvienne | Mobile bar: Tippy Tap Co | Rentals: Peachtree Tents & Events | Ring box: The Mrs Box | Signage: Lairsey Paper Co.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
A Swoon-Worthy Neutral Color Palette Key Largo Wedding Overlooking The Water

Be still our hearts, this Key Largo destination wedding feels like a dream come true.  The Golden Pineapple Event Company planned a day brimming with carefully curated details all done in a soft, neutral color palette.  From the lush white blooms to the scenic setting, every inch of the celebration is filled with romance.  The love and joy are elegantly captured in beautiful imagery shot by Mary McCarty, visit the full gallery for a closer look at all the lovely.



From Mary McCartySarah and Jerry’s December destination wedding in Key Largo, FL was the most beautiful venue for their friends and family to celebrate their marriage. The day was the perfect mix of happiness and love.



Sarah and Jerry’s ceremony was held on the beautiful lawn, overlooking a perfect sunset on the water. Shoes came off for the cocktail hour in the sand and dancing under the lights.



This neutral, coastal destination wedding was absolutely stunning. It was shot hybrid on film and digital, and the results are everything a bride could’ve dreamed of and more.



Photography: Mary McCarty | Cinematography: Calypso | Event Planning: The Golden Pineapple Event Company | Floral Design: Kaleidoscope | Invitations: Brandspired | DJ: Curate Entertainment | Wedding Venue: Playa Largo Resort | Backdrops: The Styled Kind | Beauty: bellelite | Rentals: Atlas Event Rentals | Rentals: The Mix Dish

A Whimsy Garden Party Inspired Wedding at Wish Well House

Today’s stunning Wish Well House wedding is the perfect combination of minimalism and whimsy! An Event To Remember brought their dream vision to life in a palette of dusty blue, blush, warm neutrals, and small pops of emerald green! Our favorite part? The hanging, cloud-like floral installation at their reception by Wild Poppy Floral Design – complete with a customized neon sign 😍 See it all at the full gallery of inspo, all captured by Victoria Trevino Photography!

From the Bride… Prior to planning, Reid and I knew we wanted our wedding to be very personalized and true to who we are as a couple. Every big and small decision we made from design to our wedding day timeline, we made sure to ask ourselves if each of these elements were true to who we were and the vision we were looking to achieve. We wanted our wedding to represent our love story, and most importantly we wanted to be surrounded by the family and friends who have supported us along the way. For us, this meant a weekend full of celebration with all of our favorite people! Our style vision was to create an environment for our guests that was sophisticated, whimsical, and romantic. The design of The Wish Well House combined each of these components flawlessly! We wanted to play off of the color palette that was already present in the Wish Well house which included shades of dusty blue, blush tones, warm neutrals, with small pops of emerald green.

I love the look of an elevated garden party, so florals and botanical details were an important design element I wanted to make sure to incorporate. My sister-in-law and I DIY’ed our pressed floral table numbers with dried florals and greenery secured between a gold floating frame. Reid and I also knew we could not have a wedding without incorporating our sweet pup Margie Mae, whom we’ve been absolutely infatuated with since the day we adopted her. One of our insanely talented family friends (@TheresaWilsonArt) painted a beautiful portrait of our little girl to display next to our cocktail menu, which featured “The Spicy Margie-rita” as one of our Signature Cocktails. It was the perfect way to showcase our spicy little gal!

My favorite moment was sharing a private last dance with my husband to Louis Armstrong’s “La Vie en Rose” at the end of the evening. We were able to truly soak in the excitement of the day and all of the emotions of finally being able to call each other husband and wife. The floating floral cloud installation above the dance floor created by Wild Poppy paired with our “The Guthries” neon sign was by far the most breathtaking design piece that tied our whole vision together. The smell of the baby’s breath that lingered on the dance floor all throughout the evening will forever be ingrained in my memory! The installation gave off such an ethereal vibe and was the focal point of our reception area.

Florals were one of our biggest priorities when implementing the “whimsical” part of the vision we had for our wedding day. Our candlelit tablescapes were adorned with minimalistic-yet-elegant bud vases, pressed floral table numbers, along with more lush floral arrangements by Wild Poppy Florals scattered throughout the tables. My bouquet was the most dreamy combination of roses, peonies, and ranunculus which created such a soft and feminine look that paired absolutely beautifully with my dress! The floral pillars designed for the ceremony quite literally took my breath away; and the floating floral cloud installation above the dance floor was what dreams were made of! I could not have imagined florals more perfect for the vision we were looking to create for our wedding day.

My dress was hands down one of my favorite parts of the whole day. I purchased my dress at Whittington Bridal in Kingwood, TX a year before our actual wedding day, and it took everything in me not to put it on every day leading up to the wedding! The dress was the Teresa gown designed by Calla Blanche, which featured the most stunning mermaid silhouette, detachable tulle shoulder pieces, sweetheart neckline, and a dramatic train. I was sold the moment I laid eyes on the 3D floral details that cover the dress, and the moment I put it on everyone in the room was sold too! The dress just felt like it was made for me and my body the second I stepped into it. One piece of advice I’d give to future brides is: focus on the things that are most important to you and your future partner on your wedding day! Don’t sweat the small things, trust your vendors, and everything will fall into place.

Photography: Victoria Trevino Photography | Cinematography: Reverent Wedding Films | Event Planning: An Event to Remember | Floral Design: Wild Poppy | Wedding Dress: Calla Blanche | Cake: Cakes by Kathy | Catering: Lily Grace Catering | DJ: Byrne Rock | Groom's Attire: Balani | Ceremony music: Castle Hill String Quartet | Wedding Venue: Wish Well House | Beauty: Luna Beauty & Bridal | Bridal Boutique: Whittington Bridal | Live Painter: A.Curtis Creations | Painter: Theresa Wilson Watercolors | Rentals: Monarch Event Rentals | Weddings Rings: Marla’s Gem Creations

When A Wedding Planner Gets Married In Aspen You Know It’s Going To Be Amazing

Aspen has rightfully earned its reputation as a luxury hotspot.  With breathtaking scenery and majestic mountainscapes, there’s only one thing that could make it better- the lead designer and planner at Calluna Events creating her own special day.  Our bride turned to Wandering Poppy Co. for floral design to help beautifully bring her vision to life, and Vanessa Tierney artfully documented each and every carefully curated detail.  You’ll love every magical moment inside the full gallery.



From … Lindsay and Ken’s relationship started under the 6 Train Subway track in The Bronx, NY with a fireball shot, a bag of lollipops and New York Yankees victory. “In May of 2018, my best friend and I went to a Yankees game, her last before she moved back to Colorado to go to law school,” Lindsay says. “After the game, she convinced me to go to Stan’s, the local pre and post-game bar for “just one drink…” and there was Ken, with his brother, his friend and a giant bag of Dum-Dum suckers.” After asking to share a table, the two struck up a conversation, exchanged numbers, a couple Dum-Dum’s and a kiss. Two years later, Lindsay & Ken moved from New York City to Lindsay’s home state of Colorado. When the pandemic hit, they didn’t get to do as much exploring as they wanted to in the first 6 months of living there but the first “mountain-town” they visited together was Aspen, Colorado and they both fell in love with its charm, culinary scene and views. When Lindsay and Ken and her family surprised her mom with a trip to Napa for her birthday, Ken decided to take advantage of their time together in Napa and propose. “I planned a family photoshoot, which is a family tradition when we travel, we treat it as our sort of souvenir,” says Lindsay. “Ken took advantage of the pre-planned “family photoshoot” and to my complete shock, got down on one knee in the most beautiful vineyard and asked me to spend the rest of our lives together. It was the most perfect morning.”

When planning their wedding, they knew there was only one place in Colorado they wanted to say “I do” and that was to head back to Aspen for a black-tie, ranch wedding surrounded by picturesque Aspen trees and views of the Maroon Bells. For their wedding, the planning came easy for Lindsay Hayden, a lead planner and designer at Calluna Events. They knew they would celebrate their wedding in Aspen, lean into an elevated black-tie celebration but since Lindsay plans weddings professionally, she immediately knew she wanted a celebration at a venue she had never planned a wedding at before. While on a site visit (for another couple) before she was engaged, she fell in love with T Lazy 7 Ranch. Its stunning views and the ability to create the entire environment from the ground up made it the perfect venue for their wedding.



“Planning your own wedding in the midst of one of the busiest wedding seasons of my career was definitely not a task for the faint of heart,” Lindsay says. “But to get to share my passion for design and give our friends and family from all over the country a glimpse into what I get to create for other families, was really special. I was so thrilled how everything turned out. It truly was our dream wedding.”

Lindsay & Ken’s weekend kicked off with a welcome party at Silver City Aspen in downtown Aspen complete with BBQ, signature old fashioned cocktails, wild west inspired florals and line dancing to Shania Twain on the jukebox before the Black-Tie celebration in the meadows of the Ranch. “We really wanted a fun, casual, welcome party with great food, great drinks and great music,” the bride says. “To see all our friends and family in our favorite place was really the best way to kick off the weekend.”

Lindsay designed the color palette to be completely neutral tones so that the venue and being surrounded by nature could really shine. “People would always ask what my color palette was and the best way to answer was it’s the lack of color,” says Lindsay. “I really wanted to keep everything white, minimal greenery and very neutral so that the landscape we were surrounded by could really shine.”

Because she is a wedding planner, Lindsay had a pretty good idea of all the vendors that she wanted to help bring her vision to life. She started by getting her Carolina Herrera gown at Little White Dress Bridal Shop. “Being a planner, I had never been the one to try on wedding dresses,” the bride says. “I had no idea what I wanted or what I would look good in but the second I put on my gown, I knew it was the one.”

The ceremony decor was simple but dramatic as Lindsay wanted to keep the focus on the stunning backdrop so she opted for an aisle full of flowers, designed by the talented ladies at Wandering Poppy Co. And two simple acrylic pedestals at the altar that complimented the ghost chairs. “We wanted to focus on the two of us, and the view so we opted to have our bridal party sit in the first row with our family.”

For the ceremony, which was officiated by the bride’s brother, they incorporated lots of references to their love of food and travel and of course baseball. “I surprised Ken with a custom calligraphy designed “home plate” for us to stand over at the altar,” says Lindsay. “One of my favorite quotes is “In baseball, as in life, all important things happen at home” and as a nod to where we met, our shared love of baseball and the importance of creating a home and life together, it was one of my favorite details of the day.”


After they walked up the aisle to New York, New York by Frank Sinatra, another nod to Yankees baseball, played live by the brass section of Taylor Pace Orchestra, guests headed to cocktail hour. Another really important feature for the couple was the food. “We really wanted to have an abundant cocktail hour featuring some of our favorite foods and things that our guests hadn’t seen at a wedding before,” says Lindsay. “One of my favorite elements was the roving burrata bar I conceptualized with Catering By Design, where our guests could create the own burrata dish featuring toppings like tomatoes, pesto, balsamic glaze, chilled asparagus and prosciutto. It was such a fun interactive element and everyone loved it!” The couple also incorporated a late night New York Cheesecake bar and New Haven “Apizza” station, a nod to the their east coast roots. Another favorite detail was the guest books where guests signed their “autograph” onto a baseball and threw it into a custom designed baseball bucket for the couple to read and display in their house. Guests also found their way to their seats from custom painted dice, a nod to a family game that’s been in the groom’s family for decades. “The only DIY element I wanted at my wedding were these custom dice,” says the bride. “When Ken and I first met, he taught me how to play his family game, simply called “dice” and so we sanded, primed and painted dice to for guests to find their seats and paired it with a sign that said “Roll Call”, it was one of my favorite details of the day.”

Underneath the sailcloth tent, the couple wanted to create simple but modern elegance. “The floral chandelier above the dance floor was one of my favorite elements. It was so unique and something I hadn’t ever seen before.” Lindsay says. It was paired with simple dinnerware, textured linens from Nuage Designs and custom menus by Scarlet Gilia Creative. Music has always been really important and nothing beats an incredible band. The couple hired Taylor Pace of the Jordan Kahn Orchestra who kept the dance floor packed the entire night. “Our friends couldn’t stop talking about the band,” says Lindsay. “They are truly one of the best entertainment bands you could have, and it was so important to keep our dance floor packed all night!”



Photography: Vanessa Tierney Photography | Photography: Vanessa Tierney Photography | Videographer: Reagan Lynn Films | Event Planning: Calluna Events | Floral Design: Wandering Poppy Co. | Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera | Cake: Milk Bar Store | Invitations: Scarlet Gilia Creative | Reception Venue: T Lazy 7 Ranch | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Catering By Design | Make-Up: Mooi Studio | Hair: Gianna Honeycomb | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Ceremony Musician: Silver City Strings | Photo Booth: Bamboo Booth | Rehearsal Dinner Florals: Aesthete Floral | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Silver City Aspen | Rentals: Nuage Designs | Rentals: Hazel Grove | Rentals: Colorado Party Rentals | Tenting: Ryan & Warren Gross | Wedding Band: jordan kahn orchestra | Wedding Dress Store: Little White Dress Bridal Shop

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The Epitome of Mountain Elegance at Beano’s Cabin

Nature-loving brides, this one’s for you! Milk Glass Productions brought elegance and a dash of Southern hospitality to the mountains of Colorado for Tabitha and Cris! The two exchanged vows in the fresh air with panoramic peak views and organic arrangements by Keep Floral that look like they could have grown straight from the ceremony grounds! Later, guests dined and danced surrounded by warm candlelight at the indoor reception. See every must-see moment from their day at the full gallery, all captured by Laura Murray Photography!

From Milk Glass Productions… Tabitha and Cris’ wedding was the epitome of mountain elegance meets Southern hospitality. The couple met while in school through Tabitha’s older sister and over the years these two separate families evolved into one close knit community. Family is at the cornerstone of their relationship and was represented in small touches throughout the big day. 

Mrs. Cormier celebrated the Irish tradition of placing a pence in the bride’s shoe for good luck. The couple’s love for Weller whiskey was present in a custom wood sign depicting their beloved dog – Weller, signature cocktail napkins, and a beautiful leatherbound Whiskey menu for guests to peruse in the curated Whiskey bar. 

The venue was incredibly generous in gifting the couple a bottle of Weller Whiskey in the spirit of celebration. Unique details were incorporated over the course of the evening including custom dinner napkins with the couple’s initials, specialty tabletop decor from Europe, and a custom fabricated seating chart to resemble a “home” which is one of the family’s businesses – homebuilding. 

A warm candlelight emitted a soft glow as guests danced the night away to the incredible music ensemble – KC FLO from Kansas City. The grand finale included a spectacular exit with a vintage Rolls Royce. Truly a night to remember!

Photography: Laura Murray Photography | Design: Milk Glass Productions | Event Planning: Milk Glass Productions | Floral Design: Keep Floral | Cake: Cornerstone Chocolates & Confections | Invitations: Papellerie | Ceremony Venue: Beano's Cabin | Reception Venue: Beano's Cabin | Makeup: Makeup Artist Liz Wegrzyn | Hair: Jade Darrough Beauty | Band: The Patrick Lentz Band | Exit Vehicle: A Advantage Limousine | Photo Booth: MiHi Entertainment | Rentals: Eclectic Hive | Rentals: Enjoue Studio | Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Signage: Papellerie | Sparktacular: DNAV

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English Garden Inspiration at Fioli Garden


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Emerald green landscape painted the hills of Filoli in this spring wedding day editorial. The European architecture of the Bowling Green room was the perfect backdrop for an English garden-inspired tablescape. Dainty pastel-colored blooms, designed by Golden Fields Floristry with creative direction from Sarah Landon, complement the natural beauty of this breathtaking location.

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]The colors that were chosen were mint green, baby pinks, and ivory. The best of spring blooms![/field]
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Located just 30 mins south of San Francisco, Filoli Garden is also known as the Bourn -Foth Estate. The estate on 654 acres and the garden itself, which is open to the public all year round, dawns 16 acres of seasonal florals. Filoli only allows a few weddings a year here making it one of the most sought-after luxury wedding venues in northern California.

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The model’s dress provided by Kinsley James Couture Bridal, designed by Paolo Sebastian, donned many beautiful layers, yet was light in weight.

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Spring’s best blooms such as pansies, sweet peas, and checkered fritilaria were each given their moment to shine in sweet individual dishes and vintage vessels. The table linen and silverware are natural in color as to let the colors of the florals shine. [/field]
[field title=”Favorite Design Element”]One of my favorite design elements were the different bouquets tied to the ceremony chairs lining the aisle tying in all the florals of the reception[/field]
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Photography: Liz Zimbelman Photography | Design: Embark Event Design | Floral Design: Golden Fields Floristry | Wedding Dress: Kinsley James Couture Bridal | Wedding Dress: Paolo Sebastian | Cake: Autumn Cake Design | Invitations: Michelle Renee Calligraphy | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Wedding Venue: Filoli Garden | Beauty: Beauty goes everywhere | Beauty: Else Where Hair | Host: Ashley Ludaescher Photography | Jewerly: Untamed Petals | Rentals: Theoni Collection

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Luxurious Neutral Toned Wedding In Mykonos

Pretty pampas grass installations and a soft, neutral color palette make this destination Greece wedding an absolute must-see.  Lily Of The Valley planned the epic celebration in Mykonos and filled it with carefully curated details and special touches that have left us spellbound.  Floral design by Studio 7 brings the couple’s love story to life and Sotiris Tsakanikas artfully captures the joy that fills every inch of the incredible day.  Fall in love with every magical moment inside the full gallery.



From the bride… From 2018 proposal to a 2022 wedding, we had 2 beautiful boys, an unexpected pandemic and a lot of delays and changes but we made it to our magical day/weekend of wedding celebrations and every minute of planning and waiting was worth it! There was no question of destination for us, we had been to Mykonos several times before and loved the magical feeling, vibrance and beauty of the island. Having Diane, Lily of the valley, to help us plan in Mykonos made the process a dream, we had a vision and she matched it perfectly to make it a reality. We had all of our closest friends and family arrive on the island for a weekend of fun celebrations that built up to our special day. We hired Villa Destiny for the weekend, a beautiful villa with a great amount of space to host a lot of our wedding guests as well as the wedding event.



The morning of the wedding the villa was transformed into a stunning set up, just as we had imagined. We kept things neutral with whites, beiges and blush pinks to compliment our wedding dress, groom’s suit, bridesmaids’ and groomsmen’s attires. Everything from the beautiful floral arrangements to the table décor, incredible cake and decorative arrangements around the villa all tied in beautifully! Our ceremony, with an incredible floral arch and sea views was intimate, perfect and a little emotional! There was brief break after for our guests to enjoy some drinks and canapés whilst we managed to sneak away and have some lovely pictures captured of the both of us, having that moment in between was definitely appreciated.



When we returned the party began. We had an incredible catering team that prepared a four course dinner. We also had an extremely fun entertaining band that had everyone on their feet before the main course was even served! It was the perfect atmosphere of love, fun and class. Looking around seeing our families and friends having an incredible time celebrating us was very special. The party continued on to the dance floor where we enjoyed our cake cutting, dazzling fireworks and dancing the night away with the people we love the most. Reflecting back to our day we only wish we could do it all again! Our day went so smooth, it was everything we dreamed it would be and more. We really appreciate our wedding planner Diane of Lily Of The Valley and her suggested vendors of flowers, cake , caterers and entertainment. Every detail of our day was personable and incredible. We also thoroughly enjoyed our chosen photographer Sotiris Tsakanikas and film creators With Heart Films that directed us so well in capturing our special moments and kept it fun and in the moment. We would go back and do it all again 100 times over if we could!



Photography: Sotiris Tsakanikas | Cinematography: With Heart Films | Event Planning: Lily of the Valley | Floral Design: Studio 7 | Wedding Dress: Milla Nova | Wedding Cake: Poulette Pastry | Invitations: Love Me Do | Makeup: Claire Kapsilami | Art de la Table: White Lilac | Bridal shoes: Jimmy Choo | Groom's Shoes: Tom Ford | Private Villa: Destiny Resort Mykonos | Rentals: Zazoo | Sound and Light: music essentials

She Wore Her Mother’s Dress For Her Romantic Wedding On Maui

This magical Maui wedding day is all sorts of romantic.  The bride wearing her mother’s wedding dress was just one of the spectacular personal touches that made the celebration so special, all artfully planned by Your Aloha Wedding Company.  Free flowing floral design by Bella Bloom brings the couple’s lovestory to life, and the joy of the day radiates through imagery captured by Dmitri & Sandra Photography.  Endless inspiration awaits you inside the full gallery.



From Dmitri & Sandra Photography … Christina and Matthew’s vision of a romantic and vintage setting for their intimate wedding ceremony found its perfect match at The Haiku Mill. They chose elements of wood, hanging crystals, and clean white linens for the setup.



The bride wore an altered version of her mother’s wedding dress while the groom wore a black and white tuxedo. The bridesmaids wore a variety of dresses in sage green, sea glass, and terracotta. The groomsmen wore black tuxedos with white shirts, black bow ties, and white pocket squares.



The bridal party carried gorgeous, organic bouquets of garden roses, ranunculus, and orchids with ample greenery in shades of sage green and white with toffee accents. The groom’s party wore boutonnieres to match.



Photography: Dmitri and Sandra Photography | Event Planning: Your Aloha Wedding Company | Floral Design: Bella Bloom Floral Boutique | Ceremony Venue: Haiku Mill | Reception Venue: Andaz Maui | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Calligraphy: Miss B Calligraphy | DJ: KCK Entertainment | Officiant: Pia Aluli | Transportation: Maui Tours And Transport | Transportation: Chauffeured Services | Bar: Maui Bars are Us | Gown Alterations: Ellys Formal Wear | Guest Leis: Maui Floral | Musician: Marvin Tevaga | Rentals: Accel Rentals | Video: HI Focused Cinematography

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A French Blue and Ivory Affair at Greystone Mansion

Today’s Greystone Mansion wedding is a Disney fairytale come true! Dressed in a French Blue, cream, ivory and blush color palette, every detail of their day planned by Milk Events was chosen with purpose and intention. From the stunning architecture of the venue to the bride’s Princess dress – there’s so much to love at the full gallery of inspiration, all captured by Ether & Smith.

From the planner… When we first met with Jill & Jeff, having “Something Blue” was the first conversation we had. During the design process, we went back and forth on the type of blue and how we would use it. We wanted the color to accent Greystone’s beautiful warm tones and lush greenery, but still be full and prevalent. 

The linens in a French Blue served as the perfect backdrop to the florals which consisted of complimentary creams, ivories, and a touch of blush. Lily Roden delivered our vision of lush and romantic without distracting from Greystone Mansion’s architecture.

To continue to keep the elements soft, we decided on the Arthur Chair from Bright Event Rentals, as the lightly scalloped details complemented the venue. 

The best part of this design is you’ll find “Something Blue” in every part of the wedding, with intention and purpose.

Photography: Ether & Smith | Planner: Milk Events | Florist: Lily Roden | Dress: Lazaro bridal | Cake: MJB Cakes | Catering: 24 Carrots Catering and Events | Makeup: Chiali Meng | DJ: TMMPRO | Invites: Minted | Mansion: Greystone Mansion | Rentals: MTB Event Rentals | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

Full Service, Partial, Month-of? Here’s How To Decide Which Planning Option Is Right For You

Before you rack your brains with all the details, you’ll want to enjoy your engagement. It’s an incredible relationship milestone to reach, and one that shouldn’t be rushed. So, have the champagne, embrace all that comes with your new soon-to-be-wed status, and don’t jump in before you’ve appropriately freaked out (in all the best ways). You’ll get to the big things below, but you won’t want to overlook “the little things” that are super special and meaningful along the way. Now that we’ve settled that – let’s jump into what kind of wedding planning help is the best fit for you! 


Photography by Jen Huang Photography

Difference between Wedding Planners, Designers, and Coordinators:

While often used interchangeably, the terms “designer,” “planner,” and “coordinator” mean different things in the wedding world. When you hire someone, it’s important to know exactly what roles they fill and which services they offer. Some services are more affordable than others, so even if you can’t afford a full-service planner, you still may be able to hire a coordinator that can take some weight off your shoulders. 

 

Wedding Planner

A wedding planner organizes and manages all the logistics of your day. Normally, couples work with this individual and his or her team  from the beginning (or near the beginning) of the process. Depending on the package you choose, this could include venue tours, vendor negotiation and management, timeline creation, budget management, etc. These professionals are the OG “I Do” ideators.  

 

Wedding Designer

A wedding designer is focused on the style and aesthetic of your day. They don’t negotiate with vendors or schedule timelines, but they can help choose decor details like linens and tableware, manage rentals, create a floor plan, and bring together the look and feel of your day. These professionals are the visual visionaries. 

 

Wedding Coordinator

A wedding coordinator takes on the logistics of the day after you’ve planned them. They can help finalize vendor contracts and schedule the day, but won’t be there to help early on in the process. Their job is to help things run as smoothly as possible on the month, week, and days leading up to the wedding. These professionals are the ones who execute and troubleshoot the day you tie the knot. 


Photography by Luna de Mare Photography

Difference between Full Service, Partial and Month of:

Full Service Planning, Design and Coordination

Full service pros are just that: full-service! They’ll take the lead on essentially everything, from setting your budget to sussing out design plans, handpicking your venue and vendors, managing your guest list, reviewing and negotiating contracts, and creating manageable timelines to keep you on track with all of your to-dos. They’ll be there every step along the way and continue to be all-hands-on-deck when it comes to the actual day itself. 

 

Partial Planning and Coordination

If you like the idea of being more hands-on with your wedding planning, but still want some help, partial planning and coordination may be the route for you! Most wedding planning companies offer partial planning and coordination. 

 

Month of Coordination

Month of coordination services aren’t there to help you choose or secure vendors, or design the look and feel of the day. However, they do help pull all the details together and make sure things run smoothly on the day of the wedding. While everyone’s preferences and needs will be different, we strongly recommend that you hire a planner for month of coordination, if nothing else. Asking a cousin or friend to fill that role can end up with less than ideal results, and you want to make sure that they can enjoy the festivities too!

“There is a distinct difference between a wedding planner provided by a venue and a dedicated planner like myself. Wedding planners from a venue make sure their in-house services are on schedule and organized for your event. An independent planner is dedicated to executing the client’s overall vision and designing the event from start to finish. My role is to act solely on behalf of my client, every step of the way—to create an immersive experience reflective of each couple.” – Kate, Kate Siegel Fine Events

Photography by Natalie Cheng Photography

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Groom Overcomes Cancer to Marry His Bride in Modern Chic Wedding

After our groom beat cancer, there was only one way to celebrate- by marrying the love of his life of course.  The dream wedding was a beautiful celebration of the couple’s journey, done in a sophisticated caramel and white color palette, all expertly planned by Two Hearts Event Design.  Blooms designed by Creative Light brought the fashion forward day to life, and every heartfelt moment is artfully captured in imagery by Amy Golding.  You can see all the chic and sophisticated details inside the full gallery.



From Amy Golding… This wedding took place at Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo, California, and was designed by Two Hearts Event Design. The bride, Brittany, became a personal stylist after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and dreamed of having a fashion-forward designed event.



Caramel and white florals showcasing dimensional design surrounded the chuppah which was covered with the groom’s grandfather’s tallit and the bride’s dad’s tallit. The bride wore an intricate custom cape that buttoned behind the neck.



About 6 months into their relationship, the groom, Jordan, was diagnosed with cancer. After going through chemo, they were able to beat cancer and spent the next couple of years regaining Jordan’s health so that they could have the wedding of their dreams.



Photography: Amy Golding | Videographer: Boffo Video | Event Planning: Two Hearts Event Design | Florist: Creative Light | Cakes: Kt Cakes Bake Shop | Hair and Makeup: Kohnur | DJ: Vox DJs | Venue: Spanish Hills Country Club | Chair Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Chuppah Rental: Chuppah Studio | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Signage: Kelly Patrice Event and Design

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Seaside Rooftop Wedding in Seattle at a Private Home

Today’s intimate rooftop wedding at the bride’s family home in Seattle is sweet as can be! The two exchanged vows in front of their nearest and dearest overlooking views of the sparkling Puget sound. Sinclair & Moore planned and designed the event to perfection – incorporating a cream, mustard, and peach color scheme and organic autumnal arrangements. O’Malley Photographers was behind the lens capturing every must-see moment from their day, see all the pretty at the full gallery!

Matt + Jenni opted for an intimate celebration at the family home she grew up in overlooking the beautiful Puget sound. 

They wanted the evening to be all about connections filled with love, light, and laughter and that’s exactly what it was. 

The bride grew up on the water in the beautiful PNW so everything from the photos to food and overall design incorporated the natural elements of the water, mountains, trees, sunset, and beach. This chic, intimate wedding was planned to perfection by Sinclair & Moore.

Photography: O'Malley Photographers | Design: Sinclair & Moore | Event Planning: Sinclair & Moore | Floral Design: Sinclair & Moore | Cake: Blue Box Bakery | Ceremony Venue: Private Home | Reception Venue: Private Home | Catering: Lisa Dupar Catering | Beauty: Bridal Beauty Agency | Rentals: Lightsmiths

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Hudson Valley Soiree In Bright Summer Hues

It’s no wonder so many couples choose the summer to tie the knot, and this Hudson Valley wedding is the perfect celebration of the season.  Monica Relyea Events brought the couple’s wedding vision to life with a burst of bright colors in the great outdoors.   The cheerful and romantic floral design by Athabold adds to the fun, and every artful moment is elegantly captured in time by Joanna Fisher Photography.  Get a closer look at all the lovely inside the full gallery.



Joanna Fisher PhotographyGlynwood  was the perfect venue for Bernie and Isabelle, who wanted their wedding weekend to be an immersive experience for their close family and friends in attendance. The sprawling fields and rolling hills of the Hudson Valley were a beautiful setting for the early-summer soiree.



Planned and designed by Monica Relyea Events, not a detail was missed in bringing the couple’s vision to life. Toile linens and beautiful seasonal florals in bright colors decorated the sailcloth tent, which glowed late into the evening as the celebrations went on.



This was an elegant, timeless, and elevated garden-party wedding that will not soon be forgotten.



Photography: Joanna Fisher Photography | Event Design: Monica Relyea Events | Event Planning: Monica Relyea Events | Floral Design: Athabold | Invitations: Wouldn't It Be Lovely | Catering: Main Course Catering | Groom's Attire: Suit Supply | Wedding Venue: Glynwood | After-Party Gown: Dior | Beauty: Bridal by Alexandria | Bridal Gown: Klienfeld Bridal | Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Groom's Shoes: Allen Edmonds | Music: 45 Riots | Photo Booth: John Oles | Rentals: Events Unlimited Party Rentals | Welcome Baskets: Monica Relyea Events

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A Fresh Take On A Classic Black And White Wedding Overlooking The Golden Gate Bridge

We love a modern, classic wedding done in black and white.  The style-forward day was planned by Vanessa Pence Events, and filled with crisp white blooms by Blooms by Morgan.  Personal touches and carefully curated details make the celebration stand out, and all the fun is beautifully documented by Olivia Marshall Photography.  Visit the full gallery for endless inspiration.



From Vanessa Pence Events This wedding brings a fresh take on a classic, brimming with florals, lots of laughs, and a lighthearted and playful flair. What was set to be a wildly windy day (up to 30mph!) turned into blue skies and sunshine – the most perfect fall weather you could imagine here in the Bay Area. The bride and groom enlisted Vanessa Pence Events to pull off their dream celebration overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge with lush florals of soft whites and greens by Blooms by Morgan. The beauty and pure joy of the day radiates in the images captured by Olivia Marshall Photography.



From the bride… We met on Bumble. Matt’s profile said he needed someone to split a wine membership with and I just had to make the first move. Turns out we lived a block away from each other but never crossed paths! On our first date, we met in the Marina for a wine flight. We hit it off so well we didn’t want the night to end so we made a quick stop for some ice cream and then had a night cap at our soon-to-become favorite bar in the city (the bartenders used to know us by name). Three years and two cats later, Matt proposed on a weekend getaway to Mendocino, a place we’d go to often. He planned a dinner and suggested we go to a bar before but while driving there, he missed the turn to the restaurant and instead suggested we walk out to the bluffs overlooking the ocean. When we got to the bluff, he got down on one knee and asked if I would marry him. It was an immediate YES! For their wedding day, Eliza and Matt knew they wanted a destination that was close to their hearts and also easy for their non-local family and friends to get to from the airport. They toured Cavallo Point Lodge and after seeing the magical view of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline, it was love at first sight. The venue was the perfect mix of California coastline, San Francisco history, and modern elegance. They wanted the day to feel modern traditional, warm, and most importantly they wanted to host an epic party – tons of lush soft white blooms with meandering greenery, black tie optional attire, warm candlelight, and a ‘Club Savage’ theme (taking after their new joint last name). As Eliza laughingly said, Of course I’m taking his last name. Savage is too good to pass up! Their ultimate wedding day goal was to spend as much time with their friends and family as possible, dance a lot, laugh even more, and eat great food. Eliza wore a simple yet stunning Carolina Herrera dress from Jin Wang Bridal that, very importantly, gave her a little wiggle room to dance the night away in while Matt sported a bone white dinner jacket, classic black tuxedo pants, and black velvet loafers. The ceremony took place on the Cavallo lawn overlooking rolling hills and the bay. We pivoted the aisle on the slightest angle so that every guest had a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Eliza’s oldest brother officiated the wedding and the couple exchanged personal vows that made for a few tears and a lot of laughs.



After the ceremony, the couple surprised guests with a marching band trio who led everyone down to cocktail hour, with an even better view of the bridge. Guests sipped on spicy margaritas and old fashioneds, named after Eliza and Matt’s two cats. Dinner took place in the ballroom covered in lush blooms, dripping greenery, and black and white design elements created by Aerialist Press to make it feel classic, warm, and personal. The toasts really took the cake at this wedding – specifically Eliza’s other brother who took his title as Matron of Honor very seriously – and were filled with lots of laughs, childhood stories, and happy tears. The night progressed into an epic dance party where guests of all ages were moving and shaking along to the Sounds Elevated crew that fused dj’ing with a live band. Between dancing and taking polaroids at the ‘Club Savage’ photo booth, guests munched on Johnny Doughnuts, specially brought in as a nod to the couple’s love of donuts.



Photography: Olivia Marshall Photography | Event Planning: Vanessa Pence Events | Floral Design: Blooms by Morgan | Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera | Cake: Johnny Doughnuts | Invitations: Aerialist Press | DJ: Sounds Elevated | Groom's Attire: DG Custom Suits | Wedding Venue: Cavallo Point Lodge | Beauty: Raven Reed Makeup | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals

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Cozy Winter Garden Wedding in the Canadian Rockies

Just one look at the backdrop of these wedding photos is enough to make you say wow! Shot in front of the snow covered Canadian Rocky Mountains, Moments by Madeleine Weddings & Events planned and designed a day as beautiful as the setting.  Rich and vibrant colored flowers designed by Flowers By Janie were the perfect contrast to the stark white snow, and the love and happiness of the day radiates through the imagery captured by  Corrina Walker Photography. Fall in love with all the pretty little details inside the full gallery.



From Moments by Madeleine Weddings & EventsGabrielle and Eric chose a beautiful snowy day in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for their wedding day. Lucky for us, Mother Nature was on our side and they were able to say “I Do” on the outdoor terrace with the Three Sisters mountain range as their backdrop.



Guests were kept cozy with cream blankets and a spiked cider station upon arrival complete with cups with their custom monogram stamped onto the coffee cup sleeves.



The colour palette was a rich palette of gold, hunter green and a gorgeous variety of berry tones, complimenting the neutral tones of the Malcolm Hotel’s Edinburgh ballroom.



Photography: Corrina Walker Photography | Videography: Castano Films | Event Design: Moments by Madeleine Weddings & Events | Event Planning: Moments by Madeleine Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Flowers By Janie | Wedding Dress: Blush and Raven | Invitations: Debbie Wong Design | Ceremony Venue: The Malcolm Hotel | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | DJ: Pez Productions | Groom's Attire: Atelier by Ensemble | Beauty: Blush and Coco | Rentals: Modern Rentals


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A Timeless And Classic Charleston Wedding Done In All White

A classic wedding is always in style, and we’re swooning over this chic Charleston celebration.  Tara Guerard Soiree planned and designed a wedding overflowing with style.  The modern yet timeless day was filled with dreamy details and a timeless all white color palette.  Ryan Ray artfully captured the love and joy of the day in beautiful photography, see it all inside the full gallery.



From Tara Guerard SoireePaige and Dan married in a Catholic Cathedral in the historic district of Charleston, hosted a cocktail hour in one of the oldest hotels in the city (George Washington has stayed there), and welcomed guests for a dinner and dancing in a building dating back to the early 1840’s. Their look was classically tailored and glamorous. Since the space is so cavernous, sound can sometimes be an issue, so we carpeted the space for the first time ever adding an entirely new look. What did you envision your wedding being prior to planning? We both come from pretty big families, and we are fortunate to have a large network of friends and loved ones, so we knew it was going to be a big wedding. That, and I knew no matter what we did, I wanted it to be the most fun party. I am super indecisive as a person, so other than that, I had been all over the place with city/location venue etc. What was your color palette and your style vision? Going into it we had discussed using a lot of champagne/gold and white, which is what we ended up with. It felt so pretty and classic. We had contemplated champagne dresses for the bridesmaids but ended up doing black, which I loved the look of with the groomsmen in the black tuxes. My outfit change into the jumpsuit was a last-minute decision, but so happy with it. I had originally thought I would not do an outfit change for the after party.



We had lots of unique elements and DIY details like a custom dance floor, menu place cards, espresso martini bar, raw bar ice sculpture centerpiece incorporating flowers, late-night snacks with monogrammed pizza boxes and our first dance song name engraved on both of our wedding rings – Still The One. We did welcome boxes for all the guests with local treats and info. Honestly, everything about the whole weekend was our favorite! I will say one of my many favorite moments of the night was when Dan got up on stage with the band and played his Saxophone to Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder. Another favorite moment was after our seated dinner downstairs, the sax, horn, trumpet etc group from the band came down and did a lap around the tables playing music to lead everyone upstairs for our first dance & all the dancing thereafter. They also lead everyone out in the same fashion at the end of the night in the direction of our DJ/after-party next door. So fun! Dan and I love to dance, and our guests do as well. Definitely a dancing group! So, having the custom dance floor / super fun band, was another favorite detail that helped make our wedding so unique Also, I loved everyone’s speeches. We had the MOHs. Best Men and FOB speak during dinner of the wedding day (food was delicious also), and a crew of friends speak the night before.



The band was amazing, so the whole portion of the night dedicated to dancing was full of favorite moments – then we moved to the after-party to continue the fun with a DJ, which I was so glad we were able to continue the night with everyone. I also loved arriving at the ceremony with my dad in a car, and having a little alone time with him, then leaving the ceremony with dan in the car, and having a few minutes of alone time was really special. Also – during dinner, we had a pianist playing under these beautiful chandeliers which really set a great tone, and before that, during the cocktail hour, the string quartet was playing modern songs which was a lot of fun. Last one! Cathedral Of St. John The Baptist where we got married in is such a beautiful space, walking down the aisle there was so special. The flowers were all done by Tara Guerard Soiree, and they turned out PERFECT. They captured the look we were going for & more. Jim Smeal did the cake. Dan, my parents, the Soiree team, and I all went to meet them and talked through a vision for the cake while tasting all the delicious sample flavors. We decided to do a super light pink background color to make the white applique flowers pop. Photographer Ryan Ray is unreal. He was so much fun to work with, and all of the photos are amazing! Love reliving the day through them. Videographer Siegel Films was amazing, we just got our feature film back and I am watching it on repeat! The best! We had Cru Catering for all of the food, and it was SO good. I actually got to eat! I know sometimes brides run out of time with the craziness of the day. What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be? Use Soiree – haha, but really, they made everything so fun and easy throughout the planning process and weekend. Also, have fun with it! It was the best day ever, and the planning process was a blast too.



Photography: Ryan Ray Photography | Cinematography: Siegel Films | Event Planning and Design: Tara Guérard Soirée | Wedding Dress: Mira Zwillinger | Cake: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal | Invitations: The Lettered Olive | Ceremony Venue: The Cathedral Of St. John | Reception Venue: Hibernian Hall | Reception Venue: Hibernian Hall | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Catering: Cru Catering | Groom's Attire: Berlin's For Men | Groomsmen's Attire: Berlin's For Men | Beauty: Blushing Brides | Engagement Ring Designer: Brian M Smaul | Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals | Weddings Rings: Emily Weld Collins

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6 Enchanting Ways to Incorporate Bows into Your Wedding

Bows have been a symbol of elegance and grace for centuries, and they can add a touch of charm to any wedding. Incorporating bows into your wedding theme can create a whimsical, romantic atmosphere that you and your guests will cherish for a lifetime. Here are six ways to weave bows into your special day, from bridesmaid dresses to unique photo opportunities with your loved ones.

1. Bridesmaid Dresses with Bow Details

Adding bows to your bridesmaid dresses not only creates a cute, cohesive look but also serves as a delightful detail in photos. Bows are not commonly seen on bridesmaid dresses, making this an eye-catching and unique choice that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your wedding.

2. Dramatic Bow on the Back of the Wedding Dress

A large, statement bow on the back of the bride’s dress can create a sense of drama and elegance. This timeless, classic design element adds a touch of sophistication to any gown. Whether you opt for a simple satin bow or an intricately embellished one, the result will be a stunning visual that leaves a lasting impression.

3. Matching Bows with the Mother of the Bride

Incorporating bows into the attire of both the bride and her mother is a charming way to connect on the big day. This creates a heartwarming photo opportunity and adds a personal touch to the celebration. The matching bows can be incorporated into the dresses, hair accessories, or even corsages, creating a subtle yet memorable connection.

4. Dainty Lace Bow Detailing

For a more delicate and romantic touch, consider adding dainty lace bow detailing to various elements of your wedding. This could include the bride’s gown, the bridesmaids’ dresses, table linens, or even the wedding cake. The subtle elegance of lace bows can elevate the overall design and create a cohesive, enchanting theme.

5. Bows on a Second or Short Dress

If you’re planning to change into a second dress or a shorter dress for the reception or after-party, incorporating bows can make a statement while still maintaining a cohesive theme with the rest of your wedding. A playful, short dress adorned with bows can add a touch of whimsy and fun, making it a memorable and fashionable choice for the bride.

6. Bow-Inspired Wedding Decor

Don’t limit bows to just clothing – use them as a design element throughout your wedding decor. From chair sashes to napkin rings, bows can be a versatile and lovely addition to your wedding theme. Incorporating bows into your ceremony backdrop, centerpieces, or even the bouquet can tie together the entire event and leave your guests in awe of your creative and charming taste.

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