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Whimsical DIY Wedding from Starfish Studios

From Blink of an Eye Photography… Kellie and Shawn were married in Miami, Florida at the luxury boutique Epic Hotel with their closest friends and family. The two wanted a destination wedding where they met in South Beach and true to Miami fashion, it was unforgettable. With Shawn being an accessories buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue, we knew the details would be killer and of course Kellie and Shawn were both adorned with the utmost fashionable accessories from Kellie’s dazzling David Yurman jewelry to Shawn’s navy velvet loafers. It was a classy black tie affair that wasn’t hindered by the overwhelming wind that made the altar come tumbling over right as the bride took her place at the end of the aisle ( Don’t worry, no one was hurt!). You may notice two young men holding it up in the photos to keep it from blowing over again! The reception continued the elegance with the beautiful bulb ceiling of the Epic Hotel and dramatic uplighting. The floor to ceiling windows offered colorful views of the Miami Tower. There were entertaining moments throughout the night from Kellie’s brother blowing off the scripted speech Kellie gave him to Shawn tricking Kellie when he went for the garter and instead pulled out a pair of big “granny panties!” The guests delighted, dined, and danced the night away making memories to cherish for a lifetime.

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Wedding Dresses

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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I know I don’t need to tell you just how much we adore DIY weddings here at SMP, but this darling backyard affair from Starfish Studios most definitely makes it worth repeating. A whimsical meets stunning seaside celebration, every last detail you see is a true labor of love by the seriously sweet (+ seriously crafty) bride and groom, plus friends and family. From the perfectly imperfect florals to the fab paper goods to those crazy cool yarn balls dotting the ceremony, it’s DIY perfection from start to finish. See it all in the full gallery.

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Backyard

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DIY Inspired Whimsical

From Starfish Studios… The entire wedding party had a hand in creating the details for this stylish seaside wedding. The groom designed the invitations. He also designed other paper goods including tags on their favors which were filled with coffee beans and named “Wedding Blend” in honor of their special day. The bride and bridesmaids arranged the florals that filled the vintage bottles that decorated the reception tables. The Maid of Honor created the DIY yarn balls hanging by the ceremony spot. This wedding was a labor of love and it really shows.

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Miami Wedding at Coral Gables Country Club from Justin DeMutiis

Justin DeMutiis is making my heart sing this morning, and it’s all because of the way he captured this drop dead gorgeous Miami wedding. With a splash of glamour mixing and mingling with pops of the pretty color (hello fabulous shoes and stunning florals by Ines Naftali), it’s layer after layer of gorgeous wedding goodness. Add some perfect Florida light and a mariachi band, and this fête is officially on my favorites list. See it all here.

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Classic Weddings Romantic

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Country Club

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From the Bride… David and I want our wedding to be engaging for our guests, comfortable, and beautiful. We’re having a friend of ours officiate the wedding. Since beginning the wedding planning process we have been using Pinterest, Style Me Pretty, and Martha Stewart Weddings for inspiration. We also draw inspiration from our environment, from delicious restaurants in Brooklyn, to vintage cocktail bars, to the natural vibrancy of Miami tropical colors: bright pink, orange, yellow, and fuschia.

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1940s Inspired Wedding Photo Shoot from Wings of Glory Photography

It doesn’t get more adorable than this retro-inpsired shoot captured by Wings of Glory Photography, it simply doesn’t. It’s old school Americana at its very finest planned by Vows Weddings and Events – with bow ties, splashes of gingham, coke bottles galore and that 1940s feel that can’t be matched. It’s got style for miles and some of the cutest vintage touches I ever did see, and you can see every last adorable bit of it right here.

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Summer Weddings

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Islamorada Wedding from KT Merry + Bridges Cinema

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Vintage

From Wings of Glory Photography… The amazing wedding venue was formed by a gentleman named Dan. He built and designed a 1940’s “man cave” that he now rents out for weddings. This venue was also featured on the HGTV million dollar rooms. All of the vintage vehicles and the airplane are available to any couple who books their wedding at Danville Such fun! All of the hair accessories, bow ties, boutonnieres, and the giant chocolate fountain turned into an ice cream cone! Fun design such as the gingham print, soda pop, and vintage touches and props were the inspiration of this 1940’s themed wedding!

Photography Wings of Glory Photography | Venue: Danville, a Celebration Destination | Cinematography: Key Moment Films | Event Planning: Vows Weddings and Events | Pastry Chef: Wendy Woo Cakes | Props + Event Design: Martha Hale Stoetzer | Hair + Makeup: Marigold Scott On Location Hair & Makeup | Wedding Gown: Carolyn Allen’s Bridals & Tuxedos | Stationery: Dogwood Blossom Stationery & Invitation Studio, LLC | Chocolate Fountain + Dessert Table: RW Chocolate Fountain Rentals

Something super special happens whenever KT Merry steps behind the camera. And whether it’s a swanky South Floria affair or an intimate Islamorada beach gathering like this, it’s the same result time and time again. Utter gorgeousness. So in that spirit of pretty, we’d like to kick off an unforgettable Wedding Wednesday. And guess what? Armed with eight pinch-me-perfect real weddings, we’re fully prepared to make it the best one yet. Get ready to pin like crazy and shed a happy tear or two because the film from Bridges Cinema and sun-soaked gallery is just that good. Won’t you join me?

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Beach Weddings Destination Eatery

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Boca Grande, Florida Wedding from K & K Photography

From the Bride…Jed and I patiently waited to find one another and when it finally came to planning our wedding we wanted an intimate celebration with a few family and friends and to highlight our love of food, wine and the ocean. We also felt (due to our age and personalities) we weren’t a “traditional” couple and decided to forego some things that tradition dictates you are “supposed” to do – like a wedding cake, a stereotypical reception or getting married on a Saturday. We knew it would be a stateside destination in which we’d enjoy a few days with our guests from across the country and leave them to the wonders of that area while we left for our honeymoon.

We booked Pierre’s off of a recommendation from my sister-in-law and knew we had made the right choice when we visited Islamorada and the location for the first time five months before our wedding date. The venue is beautiful with a gorgeous beach and classic plantation-style house with wrap around porch; it exudes southern charm (just like Jed). We got married on a Monday and used the weekend leading up to the day to spend time with family and friends. We had a family dinner at Wahoos, fishing with Robbie’s of Islamorada, an evening out with our friends at Lorelei’s and our rehearsal dinner at Marker 88. We thought we were geniuses to go about it in this fashion so that come the wedding day everyone knew other guests and it made for a fun, enjoyable evening for them and us.

We were engaged during a vacation to Napa and wanted to bring elements from that experience to the wedding by selecting wines we sampled during our winery tours. We chose Shramsberg Blanc de Blanc Brut, Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and Joseph Phelps Cabernet. My sister-in-law, her sister and I created all of the graphic design elements for the wedding. Jed and I created the table numbers from recycled wine bottles and the seating cardholders from recycled corks. We debated writing our own affirmations (we did traditional vows) and I am so glad that we did. I love the way our videographer incorporated them into the video and its one of my favorite moments from the day.

All of the vendors “killed it” (in a good way) with the final products. Our flowers were gorgeous, especially my bouquet, it was so fragrant I didn’t want to put it down. The staff at the Moorings Village was great to work with and accommodate our schedule for dressing, first look and family photos. The highlight real video perfectly captured the emotion of the day and was a great way to share our wedding with those who were unable to attend. KT and Chad were our on-point professionals directing us in a manner to capture the most creative, charming images we could have never imagined. The day was perfect and the weather was heaven sent with the most amazing sunset. Our wedding was exactly what we wanted and well worth waiting for.

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KT Merry Photography

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Preppy meets classic just might be my favorite combination ever. Aside from the fact that they are both seriously gorgeous ways to style your day, it’s that feel of a classic celebration mixed with a dose of prepster whimsy that kind of takes a wedding from downright pretty to “oh my gosh, I’ve never seen something so amazing.” And in the case of this stunning Boca Grande affair, it’s all of the aforementioned mixed with some of the sweetest details you will ever see, including beautiful bridesmaid frocks from Julie Brown Designs, fab paper goods from Dabney Lee and a whole host of breathtaking images from K&K Photography. See them all in the full gallery.

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Surprise Jacksonville Wedding from Alex Michele Photography

From the Bride… We fell in love with Boca Grande when I surprised Justin with a weekend getaway at The Gasparilla Inn & Club for his 30th birthday. It was the most amazing, romantic place we had ever visited and we knew it was the perfect fit (even though we had already started planning our wedding in Maine). I am so happy that we chose a destination wedding because it allowed us to really spend time with our guests at the various events we planned (a cocktail party on Thursday, a golf tournament and a welcome dinner on Friday, and a brunch on Sunday), rather than frantically trying to visit with everyone in one night.

We wanted our wedding to feel like “us,” so we skipped lots of the traditions that didn’t feel right for the intimate night we had in mind (announcing the bride, groom, and the bridal party, the bouquet and garter toss, etc.). Instead, we focused on personal touches, like the salt favor escort cards that my mom and her girlfriends put together the morning of the wedding and the programs that we glued to painted wood so they would not blow away during our beachfront ceremony. The bridesmaid’s dresses were really the jumping off point for the “look” we were going for, and one of my best friends designed the amazing invitations, menus and table numbers to go with our theme. For the dinner, we wanted everyone to feel like they were at an intimate dinner party rather than a typical wedding reception. We chose long feasting tables covered in clustered floral arrangements and tons of candles and mercury glass that my mom and I found months before. The real icing on the cake was our DJ, Jonathan Cortez, singing live throughout dinner. It was so special and enchanting. I remember walking into that room, with all of the candles and the lit fire, and looking at Justin and feeling overwhelmed with the beauty of it all and the love that I felt for him.

It is amazing how fast the night flew by, but we are so thankful to Jeff at K&K Photography for capturing every moment. He is so incredibly talented and has such a natural ability to capture every moment while also making everyone feel comfortable and at ease. We feel so blessed that so many of our friends and family were able to come celebrate with us, and we are just so thrilled to start the next chapter of our lives together!

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Amsale

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

Amsale Bridesmaids Spring 2014

Additional Styles by Amsale

Amsale Bridal Fall 2014

Amsale Bridal Spring 2015

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Amsale Bridal Blue Label

Amsale Bridal Spring 2016

Amsale Bridal Fall 2016

Amsale Bridal Spring 2018

Amsale Bridal Fall 2018

Amsale Bridesmaids

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I love surprises… and I happen to consider myself a master at keeping said surprises secret. But, a surprise wedding? That’s a whole new level of secret keeping. One that these two Jacksonville sweeties managed to pull off with flying colors, and the help of some behind-the-scenes friends and family. The result? A day that was chock-full of pretty (see: beautiful blooms from Shea Hopely Flowers + a plethora of gorgeous images from Alex Michele Photography) and one shocked face after another. Oh, and did I mention that even their engagement was a secret? Awesome. Join me in the gallery for more.

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Key West Wedding from Jessica Lorren

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Romantic

From the Bride… My inspiration for our wedding came from our relationship – we have always been a very romantic “lovey-dovey,” but yet private couple and I wanted our wedding to reflect that. So, we decided to have a “surprise” wedding. The only people who knew were my mom and Adam’s brother (who officiated), so unlike most brides I didn’t have a lot of people to rely on. But since our wedding was also very small, it was actually really easy to plan. The hardest part was choosing the details because there are so many options since the invention of Pinterest. Our small group of (behind the scenes) helpers and vendors were amazing though. The night before the wedding we were all working on the final details together, and it was so much fun seeing it come together with them. Although having a surprise wedding is unconventional to most, we ended up doing it because we didn’t want the fuss and stress that usually comes along with planning a traditional wedding. And we got just that!

We decided to get married in our brand new home we just purchased together. The front yard was absolutely perfect! It has this GORGEOUS, classic Florida old oak tree with sweeping branches. How much more romantic could you be? We even incorporated that into our “thumb print guest book” as the artist painted our tree exactly how it was. The flowers were my favorite expression of that romantic feeling. Shea Hopely Florals has amazing taste and made the most beautiful arrangements I’ve ever seen. She really understood the “modern romantic” feeling that I wanted to convey and she executed it perfectly. We also decided to include our precious puppies in the pictures. They are like our kids and we knew we wanted them to be as much a part of the day as our guests were! Adam and I opted for doing a first look, so that all of our pictures were finished before our special guests arrive. The ceremony set-up was in our home so when our “guests” arrived they really had no idea until they actually saw us! In fact, no one even knew we were engaged! I hadn’t worn my ring this entire time. When our “guests” arrived, they thought they were coming for a housewarming party and to witness Adam’s proposal to me. Everyone was so happy though when they opened the door seeing us in our bridal gear – they all knew we would do something unique and totally unconventional like this. It ended up working out great! Our photographer was on point capturing all the candid moments, as that was so important to us, since after all it was so different that a usual wedding.

My favorite part of our wedding was getting to marry the love of my life! As far as the details are concerned, having only 20 guests who were our closest family was very warm and intimate, and it made the whole day so enjoyable and fun. I couldn’t imagine any other way to get married – it was perfect for us. And the best part was that it was executed perfectly without stress and strict timelines.

My advice for brides is to do what makes you happy. Your wedding day is not about pleasing your guests or throwing the best party in the world – it’s about celebrating your relationship and the love you have for each other. If your wedding is a reflection of that then it will be perfect.

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Wedding Dresses

Modern Trousseau

Spring & Fall Classics

Spring 2015

Fall 2015

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Jessica Lorren’s photography slays me. And that slaying happens each and every time I meet one of her weddings. I think it’s the mixture of dreamy Florida nuptials (Key West in this instance), an eye for just the right moments captured by her lens and of course all of said moments and that tropical backdrop wrapped up in the dreamiest film photography. It’s a slam dunk in our book of favorites and you can see all the pretty festivities seaside right here in the full gallery.

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Destination Weddings in Historical Venues

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DIY Inspired

From the Bride…When Ian and I were first engaged we decided the most important part of our wedding was that we get to spend quality time with everyone who is most special in our lives. The idea of a destination wedding where everyone could “check out” for the weekend was immediately at the top of our list. Unfortunately, the stress of organizing a vacation for 60 of our closest friends and family quickly became overwhelming and so we procrastinated for a little while.

Fast forward 3 years, and we finally started planning again. We still wanted a destination wedding but didn’t want the stress of not being able to see anything in person prior to the event so we chose Key West, FL which was only a few hours away from our home in Palm Beach. Key West has more than enough personality so we decided to keep everything simple and understated. We wanted to have an elegant wedding but still keep the casual Key West feel so we choose the Southernmost Mansion as our home for the weekend. We took our color inspiration from the pretty Victorian house and I made the invites and menu cards to match. I have a tendency to want to do everything myself and the wedding flowers were at the top of my list. Fortunately, my incredibly intelligent fiancé told me that I needed to hire a florist so that we could enjoy time with friends and family. It was one of the smartest decisions we made. We hired an amazing florist who went above and beyond with our tiny flower budget.

The day ended up being better than I could have ever asked for. After champagne breakfast with the girls we had our first look, which we originally had not planned on doing. Thankfully, with the advice of our wonderful photographer Jessica Lorren, it was the second best decision we made. As much as we wanted to spend time with our loved ones those two hours alone were irreplaceable. The ceremony was held at the Key West Lighthouse and we were back at the Mansion just in time for a beautiful pink sunset. Jessica captured all the details, even the ones I thought would go unnoticed, and I cannot thank her enough for the memories that she captured for us.

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Wedding Dresses

Enzoani

2014 Beautiful

2014 Blue

2014

2014 Love

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Sarasota Wedding from Paper Moss + 13:13 Photography

I’ve come to the realization that the happiest weddings start with the peppiest palettes. So when coral and peach mingle with a mix of varied neutrals, the result is a Sarasota wedding to perk you right up from the Monday morning drag. And from the prettiest stationery crafted by Paper Moss to Day Planners’ oh-so-obvious attention to detail, this color-infused Indian wedding is one you don’t want to miss. And you don’t have to thanks to the full gallery of photos from 13:13 Photography waiting right here.

And before you hurry off to the gallery, don’t miss this lovely little video from Lucky Lemon Films!

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Weddings in Historical Venues

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Florida Keys Wedding from Nancy Cohn Photography

From the Bride…When we went down to Sarasota to visit venues we fell in love with both Ca D’ Zan and the Powell Crosley Estate – we just couldn’t pick one. That’s why were so happy that we were able to share both of these unique staples of Sarasota with out guests. We drew our inspiration from both of the venues. The stained glass and breathtaking architecture at the Ca D’ Zan were a perfect match for the colorful Indian ceremony. The backdrop of the ocean at the Crosley was perfect for all of the details that I wanted to incorporate in our decor. The neutral driftwood and succulents mixed with the romantic coral flowers were some of my favorite details of the wedding. I love Coral and wanted to make sure that there were splashes of it everywhere. We had a family member make the beach cover-ups for my bridesmaids which we all go ready together in. I wanted to give them something fun and that would allow them to remember Sarasota.

Specific details that were your favorite? Our invitations- everyone loved them!! I was so happy with them and they perfectly set the tone for the entire weekend. Patrick and the boys came in to the festivities on a boat which was so important to him. I loved looking out the window while I was getting ready and seeing them all dressed up and arriving on the beautiful boat. Several of our décor items were DIY projects -the table numbers, the welcome bags – which were maps of the US with a heart over FL, and which we stuffed with Florida goodies like fresh FL oranges, a good friend of mine hand painted the maps that we stuffed the bags with – It was one of my favorite details of the whole wedding.

Anything you want to include about the process of working with specific vendors: I feel like the luckiest bride to have worked with vendors that made everything so simple and so special for us. Working with 1313 Photography was like having our friends walk around with us all day and capture all of the special moments. Paper Moss: Made the invitation process so simple and fun. The level of detail and attention that they gave- from our first meeting picking out save the dates, all the way to sending us last minute invitations just weeks before our wedding, was so impressive. They managed to set the tone for our whole wedding through their unique custom made stationery – I really felt like our invitations reflected us and our event to a T.

Anna Pohl: I cannot say enough about Anna, our event planner. We met with many planners early in the process since we planned the wedding from Boston. When we sat down with Anna we clicked and there was no turning back. She was on top of everything and so helpful throughout the process, I don’t think anything would have been possible without her. As soon as our wedding weekend started – I let all of the stress of planning fall away. I knew Anna and her team would make sure everything was perfect from the welcome bags all the way to the farewell brunch. She was at every event and it was so comforting to turn around and see that she had everything under control. Even when Patrick stepped on my dress and ripped my bustle – she was right there with a sewing kit stitching it back, I couldn’t believe it! I would recommend Day Planners to every bride!

Fete Catering: We received so many compliments about the food at our wedding (both nights). We didn’t want guests to feel like they were going to two weddings and two sit down dinners in a row. Fete Catering managed to put out a spectacular spread for guests on Friday night that allowed guests to walk to different stations taste a variety of food from Indian cuisine (which they knocked out of the park), to seafood, and fun comfort food as well. Jaymie Klauber of Fete Catering made us feel like we were the only event she had to focus on (which we know was not the case). Her level of personal attention was unparalleled. We love the food at the Polo Grill (her restaurant and we go there whenever we are visiting.

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Beach weddings? They’re amazing. A fun, laid-back and totally elegant kind of amazing. Which is why we happen to be quite smitten with this pretty little affair from Nancy Cohn, one we’re calling the epitome of beach wedding perfection with its breathtaking seaside ceremony, gorgeous tented reception and bride and groom who couldn’t be more in love. And The Islander setting? Gorg. Click here for sooo much more.

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Beach Weddings Hotels + Resorts Weddings

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Northern Florida Destination Wedding from Threaded Together Photography

From the Bride… Justin and I met right after New Year’s 2010, while with mutual friends out on the town. He swung me around the dance floor and I was in love. We got engaged in June 2012 and, after realizing we just couldn’t elope (because we wanted to include as many friends and family as possible), we decided on the relaxed vibe of the Florida Keys. The wedding took place at The Islander in Islamorada, Florida just two hours away from us. Many of our guests live in South Florida. It’s well-known resort dating back to the 1950’s, with a huge sandy beach area.

During the afternoon, while the groom was lounging at the pool, I took a few “beach babe” shots with some close girlfriends. We chose not to have a bridal party so our friends could enjoy their weekend, stress free, but I am forever grateful to my girls for bouncing around in their bikinis with me.

The weather was perfect the entire weekend. We were blessed with a bright orange sunset… matched only by the color of my father’s shirt (a fishing shirt he insisted upon wearing)! My father made the chuppah, deciding to make a simple design after reading that it represents the beginning of the couple’s relationship who then “embellish” it throughout their marriage. Not to be left out, the mother of the groom made the chuppah cover. Champagne and sparkling water was poured for our guests as they arrived at the waterfront location.

We had a Ketubah signing just prior to the ceremony and then, led by our brothers, we were walked down the “aisle” by our parents, as a four piece string ensemble played Muse and Guns N Roses’ “Sweet Child O’Mine.” At the last minute, we decided to go barefoot throughout the ceremony. Justin put on his brother’s topsider to break the glass at the end!

The reception took place under a white tent on the sand. Centerpieces were simple, alternating between white lanterns, white and green hydrangeas and white lily and rose combinations. A simple burlap runner and white napkins and table cloths. Chairs were bamboo and wicker to pick up some of the natural tones. Guests place markers were mini-succulents which also doubled as gifts to take home! The DJ got his start over 20 years at a local Miami skating rink, so the guests shook their booties to some high-energy Miami bass music. We shared our first dance to Led Zeppelin’s “Thank you” and invited guests to join halfway through, so it was a marriage of old and new.

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So, I kind of knew this wedding was going to be awesome the very moment I read that there was a Mac ‘n’ Cheese station. I mean, let’s face it… any couple that includes a Mac ‘n’ Cheese station in their big day I do’s is pretty spectacular, no? And then I laid my eyes on every last detail of their amazing Ribault Club wedding and my theory was more than proven. Because this is a couple who knows how to throw a wedding with vintage meets romantic details, gorgeous florals from Shea Hopely Flowers and an entire gallery of pretty captured by Threaded Together Photography. Join me there for more.

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Classic Weddings Vintage

From Threaded Together Photography… The bride is from Jacksonville, but she and her fiance live and work in Washington DC. When it came time to plan their wedding, they wanted to share a bit of the South with their guests. Spiked sweet tea, a mac and cheese station and the historic estate itself were perfect details. Audrey made all of the chalkboard signs and trays herself– they look professionally done (she could have a second career)! During the ceremony a letter to the couple from each set of parents was read aloud and made the moment very special and intimate. A vintage style was incorporated in the key seating cards, pennant program and bunting across both the chairs and drink stations, luggage card case, cigar boxes displaying the food, and many other details. Classically pretty florals such as sweet pea, peonies, garden roses, baby’s breath and succulents adorned the tables. The maids each wore a different style dress in soft shades of champagne, blush, and lavender. The couple made their getaway in a Rolls Royce named “Sir Gilbert” and “Gilbert” just happens to be a family name.

From The Bride… Spencer and I met in Virginia Beach while we were both serving on active duty in the Navy. I had just checked into my very first duty station as a JAG officer, and Spencer was planning to transition out of the Navy. Since he (ever so slightly!) outranked me at the time, he loves to joke that he “ordered” me to go out with him! (I was a lieutenant junior grade, he was a lieutenant; we were both JAGs). We immediately clicked and spent a wonderful summer together in Virginia Beach. Two months into our relationship, Spencer moved to Baltimore for his new job, and we began a two and a half year long distance relationship. We took turns driving back and forth from Virginia Beach and Baltimore, until I was finally stationed in Washington DC, and Spencer moved down from Baltimore so we could be together. We got engaged before I moved to DC and right before I left for a 5 month deployment – which made it a little difficult to start wedding planning!

After initially considering some venues closer to DC, we ultimately decided to get married closer to my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. With many of our guests coming in from out of town, we thought Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach would be perfect for the intimate and fun wedding weekend we imagined. Our path to getting married at the Ribault Club was actually a long one – we’d initially booked our wedding with another venue, which abruptly (and scandalously!) went out of business and left us scrambling to find another location. In the end, we were so happy because the Ribault Club could not have been any more ideal. We loved the historical charm, natural beauty (the Spanish moss and giant oak trees were incredible!), the picturesque location on the marsh, and the overall “Old South” feel of the Club.

In terms of the decor and feel of the wedding, I wanted a soft, romantic, and timeless + vintage feel, and we both really wanted the wedding to be intimate, personal, and just a fun time for all of our guests. I got a lot of inspiration from SMP, Pinterest, and etsy, and our wedding style sort of developed and evolved along the way, starting with the old-fashioned postcard invitations and the mixmatched bridesmaids dresses. The vintage feel of the Ribault Club made it so easy to incorporate DIY and vintage elements, and I had a lot of fun figuring out the perfect decor with the help of my mom and girlfriends. A lot of items were handmade or gifted to us by family members – my mom made the terrific pennant bunting and the wreath on the front door; my uncle made the monogrammed cornhole set; my aunt made delicious strawberry and tangerine wine; a friend made the personalized dress hangers; the cigar boxes came from my dad’s friend; and many of the doilies and picture frames came directly out of my parents’ home. I literally didn’t see many of the pieces in person until the wedding weekend (since I’d ordered many things online and had them shipped to my parents’ house), and it was amazing to see all of the bits and pieces come together to create the vision we imagined.

We were married on a gorgeous, breezy Saturday under a giant oak tree behind the Ribault Club. Spencer’s aunt, who is a judge, officiated the ceremony and added many heartfelt and personal touches, including letters written to us by our parents. Following the ceremony, our guests played cornhole and enjoyed live jazz music (from our amazing DJ who was also a jazz musician!), while our caterers served southern-style hors d’oeuvres like fried green tomatoes and mini chicken and waffle skewers. After we were announced as husband and wife, we danced our first dance to Franki Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.” Following our dinner (which included a delicious mac ‘n cheese station complete with bacon and truffled breadcrumb toppings — can you tell we like food??) we danced the night away with our best friends and family. Our wedding day was more beautiful and joyful than we could have imagined – we only wish we could do it all over again!

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Wedding Photography: Threaded Together Photography | Venue: The Ribault Club, Fort Georgia, Florida | Wedding Coordinator: Lorna Meehan | Floral Design: Shea Hopely Flowers | Caterering and Bars: Chefs Garden | Wedding Cake: Publix | Postcard Invitations: Serendipity Beyond Design | Bunting Banners: DIY by Mother of the Bride | Wedding Gown: Casablanca | Makeup: Kimtasha | Hair: Bethany Darrough of Compliments by Sherry & Co. Inc | Bracelet: Ben Amun via Rent the Runway | Earrings: Nadri via Nordstrom | Brooch: Bride’s Great Grandmother | Sash: Kirsten Kuehn | Hairpiece: Nina via Nordstrom | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids’ Gowns: Dessy | Clutches: {AO3} designs | Groom’s Tux: Vera Wang for Mens Wearhouse | Groomsmen’s Attire: Mens Wearhouse + The Tie Bar | Dance Floor: Beach View | DJ: Z-Greg Capose | Get-Away Car: Tommy Entenza with Sir Gilbert | Ceremony Music: Acoustic Guitar

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Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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Vera Wang

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

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Dessy

Bridesmaid 2014

Women's Tuxedo

Tuxedo

Fall 2014

Spring 2015

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The Tie Bar

Spring 2015

Spring/Summer 2015

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Islamorada Wedding from Thompson Photography Group

Florida weddings always have this ethereal feel about them. A sort of floating above the sand vibe, rather than walking through it. And in the case of this sweet Islamorada affair, it’s heavenly and then some with a bride and groom who set about re-creating the night they met in the Florida Keys. An “epic beach party under the stars” set against the beautiful Postcard Inn, it’s the fab stylings of Kate Bentley Events meets oh-so-lovely vibrant hues meets a stunning Naeem Khan gown originally designed for the First Lady (seriously). See all of the pretty captured by Thompson Photography Group in the full gallery.

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Al Fresco Classic Weddings

From the Bride… We chose Islamorada because we wanted to bring our loved ones back to the place where we fell in love. We wanted our wedding to not just be a celebration of our union, but an opportunity for all the amazing people we have befriended through our many journeys in life to come together and experience the serenity of the Florida Keys.

We wanted our wedding to be reminiscent of the night in Key West when we met, so our priority was to deliver an epic beach dance party under the stars. The Postcard Inn was the perfect venue to provide the comforts of a resort where people could truly enjoy a sunny holiday and the most memorable beachside wedding of all time. Since we wanted to foster an environment that allowed our friends and family to mingle and meet, we wanted to ensure that our venue offered every amenity so guests didn’t feel the need to leave the property. In the end, it was truly sublime. As David said, “Everywhere I went at the Postcard Inn, I saw an old friend.” It gave us a once in a lifetime opportunity to host everyone we loved under one star lit roof.

We wanted to create a beach chic atmosphere that wove in natural elements to create a warm and lively setting. The driftwood, candles and grapevine balls were intertwined amongst long tables and lit up with tiki torches and festival lights, creating an elegant grace against the backdrop of the ocean which gave rise to the epic dance party.

The story of my dress is one of my favorite stories to share. I wanted to honor my Sri-Lankan culture and wear a Sari for the ceremony, but I wanted something more unique than a traditional wedding sari. Searching around online one night I found the most exquisite turquoise dress designed by Naeem Khan. The dress fit the vision I had in my mind for a sari that embodied the traditions of the east with the elegance of the west. It was beyond my price point, but one of my bridesmaids was determined to find a way for me to get the dress. She had a good friend who worked for the designer and reached out to see if there was any chance to get a sample sale version of the dress. Unfortunately, we were told that the dress was completely sold out. But literally a few hours later, we got a call. It was fate letting us know that Naeem had designed a version of the same dress in white for Michelle Obama and she had just returned the dress. It was mine… a dress custom made for the First Lady ended up being the wedding dress of my dreams.

The highlight of my wedding was my father’s welcome speech and toast to David and me. He captured the perfect balance of humor and emotion and ended by singing a Sri-Lankan lullaby about the love for a daughter. It was a speech that resonated not just with David and me, but touched every guest at our wedding. The story of his toast has traveled far and wide since our wedding, and every mention brings tears to eyes of the reciter.

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Key West Wedding at Casa Marina from Erin Jean Photography

When you are completely dedicated to adding a dose of personality to your big day, you’ll do just about anything. Like drive from Wisconsin to Key West in a great big van chock-full of meaningful details, just like these two sweeties. And then you’ll sprinkle those meaningful details and travel-inspired memorabilia throughout every last moment captured by the always amazing Erin Jean Photography… and the result? Pure, seaside magic with too much pretty to believe. See it all in the full gallery.

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Beach Weddings Religious Institution

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Al Fresco Casual

From Erin Jean Photography… This is an event that I just adore and really wanted to share it with you. A destination wedding placed in Key West, Florida. A location near and dear to Lisa and Adam’s heart.

They are a detail-orientated couple, so they drove a huge van from Wisconsin to the Keys filled with things that would make their wedding truly “theirs.” From boxes of vintage Key West memorabilia collected over the years to destination and travel objects galore, these two had it all.

A Key West wedding is something all in its own. It may be one of the most laid back places in the world. The breeze floats through the air and you find yourself just standing there and taking in a deep breath. What a better place to be wed?! The beach is white and the coral shore is something you will never forget. When 100 people travel from the midwest, it’s something special.

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Wedding Dresses

Vera Wang

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

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Miami Wedding from Luxe Fete + Ozzy Garcia Photography

This is the perfect example of taking a simple color palette and turning it into all out glamor. Editing down that rainbow of hues to a select combination that pops is key: a deep red, in this instance, paired with white and pale pink. It’s total classic meets gorgeous crafted by Luxe Fete. Now throw in a dress by Reem Acra that any one of us would give our right arm to wear and breathtaking photography by Ozzy Garcia and we have the makings for quite the pretty party. See even more right here!

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Spring Weddings

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Backyard Outdoor Weddings

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Classic Weddings Romantic

From Luxe Fete Event Planning and Design Studio…The sweet fragrant air of lush peonies. The magic glow of the pale moonlight. The Universe pulled out all the stops and then some for Kristin and Bobby’s love in bloom. Their backyard wedding at Kristin’s family home was a dream to plan and design. Kristin and Bobby envisioned something part rustic, part enchanting and one hundred percent intimate. Nothing says “Welcome dear friends,” like hosting your wedding in your childhood home. We learned during her best friend’s speech that the home was the site of many birthday parties, the prom after party, countless college parties and now the celebration of Kristin and Bobby’s union.

The first element that found us was the color scheme: dusty rose and deep Bordeaux. Kristin texted me a photo of some peonies in a bucket at Whole Foods that she spotted just before check out, “What do you think of this? I love the contrast.” It created a perfect balance of sophistication and romance and we were so excited to pair it with rustic elements.

We called my friends at Unearthed Vintage and discovered they had beautiful 100-year-old reclaimed wood farmhouse tables and fabulous vintage furniture – perfect for their part rustic, part enchanting and intimate evening. Dinner, curated by Ken-Rose Catering, was perfection. All would agree, however, the pièce de résistance of the evening was Kristin’s Reem Acra gown. It featured delicate roses which seemed to blossom from the dress itself. Effortlessly romantic and chic.

I always tell my clients that the most important part of the wedding is the ceremony. It is the heart and soul of everything. During Kristin and Bobby’s ceremony, they gathered sand from places all over the world that held special meaning to them: Exuma, where they met and fell in love, Islamorada, where Bobby grew up and proposed to Kristin; the beach at Kristin’s family home where they were to wed; and South Africa, Kristin’s mother’s beloved country and a place very near to their hearts. Just before the sand ceremony, Reverend Repp asked the couple to “Be still. Listen to the water. Listen to the wind. And listen their hearts.” It was their love in bloom.

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Reem Acra

Spring 2015

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Boca Raton Wedding at The Addison from Sj2 Photography

I’ve spent my entire life obsessed with weddings. From the age of ten, I would leaf through bridal magazines like it was no one’s business, obsessing over every last floral arrangement, stunning locale and beautiful gown. But, my favorite part of the Big Day? The stories behind it all… the way it all came together. And these two Boca Raton sweeties? Well, they enlisted the help of family and friends to craft one of the most beautiful days you will ever see. From DIY paper goods to heartfelt favors to a special tribute to their Dachshund, Marley, it was an affair chock-full of gorgeous details and oh-so-special memories. See it all captured by Sj2 Photography in the full gallery.

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Classic Weddings Romantic

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From Sj2 Photography… I am so excited to share this Boca Raton, Florida wedding with you. It was definitely one of my favorite weddings to shoot. Brady and Tiffany had a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the beautiful Addison in between two banyan trees under a string of bistro lights. The reception was to follow outdoors as well when suddenly it started to pour down rain and they had to move the festivities indoors. Although things changed, the wedding kept going. Just a true example that weddings do not usually go as planned but there is no need to stop the celebration! Each detail was carefully thought of and given a lot of attention to. It was a definite labor of love by the bride, family and friends.

From the Bride… Brady’s mom and I did a lot of the details ourselves. We spent hours embossing the menu cards and making the signs. We collected a bunch of mini bottles and cleaned them up. Brady’s mom does calligraphy so she made out all of the escort cards by hand. She’s seriously amazing. My bridesmaid Kelly made the cake topper. Brady randomly made me a really sweet playlist one day just because and we got the idea to share it with our guests. Since we already planned on leaving a ‘thank you’ at each place setting, we incorporated the thank you into the cd sleeves. Brady and I spent weeks burning the playlist onto discs that looked like records. In weeks leading to the wedding our Dachshund, Marley, got very sick. We were hoping to have him be part of the wedding. Since he was unable to attend. I wore a Dachshund necklace from Anthropologie in order to have him near my heart during the wedding.

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Central Florida Engagement Session from Flora + Fauna

Adorable duos are kind of our thing here at SMP. Adorable duos boasting the sweetest of smiles and a whole lot of l.o.v.e. And sharing their joyous faces with each and every one of you? One of our favorite things to do. So, when we saw these cuter than cute Central Florida sweeties (and their charming e-session), we literally jumped at the chance to feature their stylish selves. Because what’s better than a nod to vintage lovely all captured by the oh-so-talented Flora + Fauna? Absolutely nothing. Click here for all of the pretty.

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Spanish Inspired Photo Shoot from To Love Photographie + Persnickety Events

From Flora + Fauna… We shot this adorable little engagement session in Starke, Florida which is pretty rural. We found the most amazing locations to shoot in! Not to mention, Jodie and Clarence are super adorable!

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Photography: Jennifer from Flora + Fauna | Location: Field in Starke, Florida | Hair + Makeup: Cathee Molina from Hello Cathee

My favorite holiday of all time is Cinco de Mayo. So much so, that my husband and I host our own fiesta each and every year that includes more salsa and guac than could ever possibly be consumed, a killer playlist and ever flowing margaritas. It’s pure heaven and I’m kicking myself for not turning that love of fiestas into our own wedding day celebration. Now fastforward to this inspiration shoot, which technically is no where near Mexico being Spanish inspired, but it still holds that vibrancy and beautiful cultural tradition with an undeniable elegance. And I’m guessing it would pair beautifully with margaritas so we’re running with it. Crafted by Persnickety Events, with florals by Julia Rohde Designs and images by To Love Photographie, this is one gallery full of inspiration not to be missed!

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Spring Weddings

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West Palm Beach Wedding from Captured Photography by Jenny

From To Love Photographie + Persnickety Events…It was a rare night in Miami where the weather was actually pleasant. Roxanne of Persnickety Events and I met for a brainstorming session over green tea and warm cinnamon-spiced soy milk. A photograph she showed me during the course of our conversation of delicate hand-painted Spanish tiles was the spark that led to us planning a Spanish-style intimate wedding shoot. We both love bespoke weddings, intimate celebrations, and culture and wanted those to be the ties that bound all of our ideas together. We envisioned a destination wedding in Valencia, Spain with beautiful details and the warmth of only the bride and groom’s closest friends and family.

When looking for a venue we wanted a place that was true to the region and that would be a canvas for our decorative elements. After scouting many locations we chose the Ancient Spanish Monastery in Miami, Florida. It was originally constructed in Northern Spain in 1141 AD and 100s of years later brought over to the United States piece by piece and reconstructed. Its rich history and authenticity made it the perfect backdrop. We then began to pinpoint what visual aspects we wanted to incorporate and between collectively pinning our ideas and conversing with one another we decided on a modern and simplistic approach to the décor. We focused on reds and burnt orange, greys and blues to pay homage to the coast, and greens picked up in our floral and herbal elements. Julia Rohde of Julia Rohde Designs flawlessly added to the ambience with her bright bouquet of garden roses, dahlias, and clementis bound together with lace that played off of the bride’s stunning Monique Lhuillier “Arielle” gown from Chic Parisien. The soft white lace, corset top, and formfitting silhouette coupled with her knotted veil appealed to our design aesthetic and was a modern take on a Spanish wedding look for an unconventional and forward-thinking bride; the crystal headpiece she adorned during the reception added a touch of sparkle befitting a glowing bride on her wedding day.

As for the reception, we wanted it to be simple and beautiful. Julia’s garland centerpiece lay delicately across the table as a runner with such lovely points of visual interest like the grapes, ranunculus, and magnolia and olive tree foliage tying in with the florals in the bride’s bouquet. These elements complimented the arrangement of light grey silk linens, gold flatware, bone white etched plates from Spain, and carved wooden chairs that Roxanne conceptualized. Bottles of wine meant for sharing were scattered throughout the table to encourage interaction and family style dining. Chef Lubin of Semaj’s One Way Catering created a spread of fresh seafood and tapas with the show stopper being his Paella de Mariscos with whole lobster held in a beautifully patinaed silver vessel. All of these visual elements were tied together with the invitation suite and menu cards from KT Smail. Her work is so pretty and whimsical and she was able to incorporate the soft and simple design of our shoot in the stationary by creating a hand-drawn floral motif which complimented Julia’s centerpiece and bouquet. Denise of The Cake Collection created a simple and clean two layer honey almond cake with candied kumquats which melded the flavors indigenous to Spain. The Prayer Well of the Monastery gracefully encased our beautiful cake.

In Spanish weddings, during the banquete de bodas, or wedding reception, often times the bride and groom offer their guests favors that usually incorporate something edible. Roxanne prepared a station of cigars as favors for the “Senors” while The Cake Collection created mini versions of the wedding cake as favors for the “Senoras”. Another tradition we wanted to incorporate was the use of the wedding lasso during the ceremony. The lasso is made in the form of a figure eight, or the infinity symbol, and is placed over the couples’ heads after their vows have been exchanged. It is a symbolic declaration of intention that the bride and groom voluntarily bind themselves together before family, friends, and God. We loved the meaning of this ritual and felt it was a beautiful element to include. The wedding lasso we chose from Chic Parisien was a crystal double rosary with intricate beadwork in the cross; a true statement piece.

We ended the day with a flamenco dance number by Celia Fonte of Siempre Flamenco accompanied by her acoustic guitarist and husband, Paco. It really made for a celebratory atmosphere as our guests, in their rococo colored attire and scarves, formed a semi-circle to watch them perform. The bride and groom were invited to take center stage and end the day with a final dance and sweet kiss as husband and wife.

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The perfect day. Every Bride hopes for it, and the lovely lady in the center of this soiree got just that and even more. Her details, stunning. The views, picture perfect. Her colors, steal-worthy – but the very best part of this gorgeous day snapped up by Captured Photography by Jenny is that this Bride can look forward to many more perfect days with her perfect match. See the entire day here.

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Islamorada Wedding from KT Merry Photography

From the Bride… Ever since that first trip to Key West, it has held a special place in our hearts and relationship. On Saint Patrick’s Day weekend of 2012, Jonathan suggested we take a surprise trip. As we passed through Miami, I had quickly guessed we were heading to Key West, but I didn’t realize that was only part of the surprise. We arrived at the bed and breakfast where we always stay, and Jonathan led me around the pool to a secluded courtyard and garden towards the back of the property. I was completely surprised and elated when he got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.

Planning our wedding and pouring over all its details brought me a special kind of joy. We decided that our wedding should take place in January because it is a cooler month for Florida with little chance of rain. We chose Saint Ann’s Catholic Church in West Palm Beach as our ceremony location. It is a beautiful, classic church with magnificent stained glass windows. From the first time I went there as a little girl, I had pictured myself walking down that aisle to be married. In keeping with our classic wedding theme, we decided to have our reception on Palm Beach at the Colony Hotel. It is a quaint boutique hotel built in the 1940’s that simply exudes character. It is just blocks away from the beach and was the perfect setting for the most amazing party of our lives.

The day couldn’t have been more wonderful. It was a perfect day in South Florida, the temperature was in the seventies and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. All of our planning and attention to detail paid off exactly how we wanted. We incorporated my Caribbean heritage with colorful tropical floral centerpieces and a steel drummer during the cocktail hour. The romantic and warm feel of the dinner reception began in the foyer with a large floral arrangement and photos of our parents on their wedding days. The entire experience was very relaxed and ran very smoothly without any kind of hiccup. What else could a bride want? We had the wedding of our dreams and I got to marry the love of my life!

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I felt like the luckiest duck to have met the KT Merry in person last week. And guess what? The lady behind the lens is every bit as wonderful as you’d think. With the kind of work that makes us squeal, sigh, and wish we could do our wedding days all over again, there’s no doubt she’s officially one of our faves. But just when I thought my girl crush couldn’t get any bigger she sent us, dare I say, some of her best work yet. It’s an Islamorada, Florida affair designed by Parrish Designs and Caidal Events that can only be described as a little slice of wedding heaven. The full gallery is overflowing with inspiration, and the film from Voila Cinematic? Total perfection.

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Summer Weddings

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Beach Weddings Destination Eatery

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Romantic

From the Bride…When I was a little girl, my family bought a house in Islamorada that we nicknamed “The Fish Shack.” On each trip to The Fish Shack, we spent at least one special night at Pierre’s. One night, when I was about 10 or 11, we watched a beautiful sunset wedding from the porch at Pierre’s and I declared at that moment that I would have my wedding there someday! Luckily, 15 years later, my fiancé, Sam, agreed! We had been there together on several trips from our home in Los Angeles, and neither of us could picture ourselves getting married anywhere else.

Aside from the venue, the dress was my top priority. I’d wandered into Les Habitudes in LA when I first moved there, and I instantly fell in love with their soft, romantic, one-of-a-kind pieces that couldn’t be found anywhere else. When it was time to find my wedding dress, it was my only stop. After trying on three white, yet still unique dresses, I ultimately decided on a seafoam-green dress adorned with lace, and rough gemstones and shells. It truly spoke to me! I wasn’t sure how Sam would feel about me not wearing a white dress, but he loved it!

Overall, the planning process was a breeze. My mom and I planned the wedding together, mostly through Skype and email, with her in Missouri and myself in LA. Sam and I wanted a romantic, fun celebration that would be memorable for our guests who all traveled far to be there with us. The ceremony décor consisted of white lounge furniture and couches, accented by orchids and lanterns. It was also important to Sam and I to blend traditions from both of our cultures. After dinner, the ceremony location was transformed into a magical Moroccan-themed space complete with hookah, fire dancers, and kissing booths to honor Sam’s Arabic background. I can’t possibly pick one favorite moment from the day! It was perfect, and exactly what we envisioned!

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KT Merry Photography

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Vera Wang

Spring 2015

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Key West Wedding at Casa Marina from Jen + Ashley

So, I kind of want to steal this wedding. And when I say “kind of,” I mean I most definitely do. Because this is the kind of day that you think only exists in your dreams, until you see it in all of its gorgeousness in the full gallery captured by Jen + Ashley. I’m talking the perfect mix of preppy and island chic with bursts of billy ball bouquets from Milan Events, a stunning Casa Marina backdrop (where the bride and groom were engaged!) and a fun-filled reception boasting late night treats (sliders and grilled cheese). See it all in the full gallery.

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Hotels + Resorts Weddings

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