Maryland Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

Goodstone Inn & Restaurant + A Promotion!

Tucked amongst the gorgeous Virginia countryside with Blue Ridge Mountain views, you’ll find the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant; a beautiful country estate where saying “I do” is beyond amazing. Picture a cozy + intimate setting, 265 acres of natural beauty and top-notch service from a team that knows a thing or two about luxurious weddings. Breathtaking views + Southern hospitality? Yes, please.

Known for their award-winning and locally sourced farm-to-table cuisine, plus their historic guest residences, each and every moment spent at this ivy-covered retreat is simply fairytale-esque. From the amazing pool to the breathtaking views to the intimate, unhurried vibe that will follow you throughout your festivities.

Contact the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant today to start planning your dream day. And bonus! If you book your all-property wedding in July, August or November of 2015, you will receive:

A gift certificate for dinner for two in the Goodstone’s award- winning restaurant.
A $100 gift certificate to the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant spa.
50% off the Bull Barn for your wedding, plus a special Romance Turn-Down Service (Value $1,025.00). In addition to the standard turn-down service, the Romance Turn-Down includes: Chocolate-covered strawberries, a bottle of champagne, an artisanal cheese tray, closed drapes and dimmed lights, soft music and lavender pillow mist.

View full package details here. Happy planning, lovelies! xo

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Elegant Black Tie Wedding in Washington D.C.

Marrying the elegance of D.C. and the country comfort of Texas, this breathtaking ceremony took place at a chapel rich with family history. With an unforgettable streamer exit and the stunning reception that followed, every detail Josh Gooden snapped is sure to surprise. From the golden horseshoe escort cards to the Texas-shaped cookie cutters accented with Holly Chapple Flowers blooms, you can see it all here!

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From Josh Gooden Photo + Cinema… The bride and groom wanted to incorporate both of their upbringings into their wedding day – the classic elegance of Washington, D.C. and the country comfort of Texas. Their breathtaking ceremony took place at the Old Post Chapel on Ft. Myer, a chapel rich with U.S. military history that payed homage to the bride’s father, a retired Navy Captain, and two Army Ranger brothers. The childhood pastor of the groom officiated the ceremony and friends and family managed an unforgettable exit with blush and gold streamers. The reception that followed was at the Chevy Chase Club, a special retreat where the bride spent most weekends as a child.

At the cocktail hour, guests were greeted with an old fashion canoe filled with Shiner Bock Beer, a Texas original and a favorite of the groom’s. Gold painted horseshoes with heart shaped name tags written with gold calligraphy served as escort cards and Texas-shaped cookie cutters tied with a recipe of the groom’s grandmother finished off each place setting. The couple opted for a mix of farm tables with garlands of bright pink peonies, peach cabbage roses, and white hydrangea to play into their theme of country elegance. The traditional floral adored wedding cake was accompanied by a Texas state flag groom’s cake. Guests danced the night away to a seven-piece jazz band and bid farewell to the bride and groom with a sparkler send-off.

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Reem Acra

Spring 2015

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Lazaro

Spring 2016

Fall 2016

Spring 2017

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BHLDN

Bridal 2016

Bridal 2019

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FOUND: The Wedding Market Bridal Show

I love bridal shows, there’s no denying that. And when the event allows couples to experience first hand what a wedding would be like at the hosting venue, consider me smitten! FOUND: The Wedding Market is a new take on the traditional bridal show — so mark your calendars for this not-to-be-missed event taking place on April 26, 2015 from 1 until 4pm at Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey!

Complete with a live (fake) wedding ceremony, FOUND: The Wedding Market will connect couples with some amazing local vendors as well as a first-hand look at the gorgeous Congress Hall in Cape May, New Jersey. And be sure to pre-register online so you can get your hands on a fabulous swag bag that’ll be filled to the brim with amazing goodies.

Be sure to follow FOUND: The Wedding Market on Facebook and Instagram for vendor updates and tons of inspiration! To snag your tickets, head over here. Enjoy, my dears! xo

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Romantic Tangerine + Navy Wedding Inspiration

Lesson of the day? Navy and tangerine makes one seriously pretty pair, especially when teamed up with the creative minds behind this gorgeous shoot at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club. I’m talking the talented Laura Hooper, Kari Rider Events, Amie Decker Beauty and Crimson & Clover (among others) joining forces to craft a bundle of inspiration that is equal parts luxurious and romantic, with a dash of masculinity thrown in for good measure. See it all captured by Natalie Franke right here.

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From Natalie Franke… Weddings are often all about the bride, but we can’t forget about her handsome prince charming! By blending richer tones with masculine details like a Styled Bourbon Bar and Mini Cigar Station, we created a space that was gent friendly at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club! Mix in luscious florals and calligraphy by the ever-talented Laura Hooper and this shoot was one for the record books!

I especially loved our naked cake that complimented the barrel table so beautifully. And one of our favorite designers, Enaura Bridal, provided the gorgeous gown that was handmade in New York City! A classic white Rolls Royce made a perfect getaway car for our newlyweds who modeled as a bride and groom! Everything was swoon worthy!

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Amie Decker Beauty

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Catoctin Mountain Retreat Engagement Session

With the Groom-to-be strumming away at his guitar and his lovely Bride-to-be by his side on a cloudless day in the countryside, the scene couldn’t have been more idyllic. The couple escaped to their family retreat in the Catoctin Mountains where Bonnie Sen captured all the dreamy details for their engagement session. Soak up all the sunshine right here in this gorgeous gallery.

From the Bride-to-be… Paul and I first met in Pittsburgh in 2010 and have been inseparable ever since. Last winter, Paul coordinated a surprise proposal with my family family in D.C. The family lured me into running an “urgent errand,” which brought me to my favorite childhood park, where I hold many cherished memories. Moments after Paul proposed, my family emerged to congratulate us.

Because we’re having an elegant evening wedding in downtown D.C., we sought a casual outdoor setting for our engagement photos. Washington, D.C.-based wedding photographer Bonnie Sen captured our engagement session in the pastoral setting of Sabillasville, MD.

From Bonnie Sen… This upcoming fall Cate and Paul are getting married in downtown D.C., just a few blocks away from the White House. To contrast with their downtown, classic evening wedding we decided to do the engagement session at the Bride’s family retreat in the Catoctin mountains of Sabillasville, MD. The couple often spends weekends here with the family, huddled around a bonfire and strumming a guitar. The setting was all too perfect for an engagement shoot.

Photography: Bonnie Sen

Nautical Navy Wedding at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club

We couldn’t imagine a more perfect wedding for a beautiful Bride and her sailor Groom than this one at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club! The Groom looked dapper in his service dress uniform, and there were plenty of nautical details, like knot place card holders and driftwood decor, all beautifully photographed by Love Life Images. Dive in to the full gallery right here!

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From Love Life Images… Jackie and Dhruv had the most amazing day. Thanks to the help of the ladies at Lemon and Lime Event Design, Jackie and Dhruv were able to plan their wedding from afar in Guam! After the collaboration, meetings and countless e-mails back and forth, the big day was here. They had amazing weather, a feat worth mentioning since we’ve had so many storms. We started off the day with a first look at the Naval Academy at the beautiful Bancroft Hall. We then made the trip to the gorgeous Chesapeake Bay Beach Club where the lovely ceremony and reception took place. Jackie and Dhruv had so many thoughtful nautical theme details. Loved all the knots, chalkboard signs, little anchor straws and drift wood placed all over the venue. Even the place cards were laid into sand. Love!

The gorgeous day was made even more beautiful by the stunning Jackie and handsome Dhruv. Together, the background seemed to melt away and the only thing that mattered was being together. Seeing each other the first time, watching them at the altar, photographing them as they strolled on the beach was a beautiful thing to witness.

A Chic Affair + A Discount!

SMPers, Spring has officially sprung and we’ve got the perfect event to jump start planning for your warm weather weddings — A Chic Affair. On March 29 from 11am-3pm at Dock 5 in DC’s Union Market, this fabulously chic + unique bridal experience will showcase artisan-style resources, incredible hand-picked vendors + tons of inspiration!

A Chic Affair is a different type of wedding event for the modern, stylish + savvy bride. From the cities best caterers + bakeries to hair and makeup trials from Bella and even a gentleman’s lounge packed with everything from apparel, accessories, snacks + spirits! And get this — if you snag a VIB (Very Important Bride — or Groom!) tickets, you’ll get one-hour early access for brunch hors d’oeuvres as well as a gift and entry into the UltimateWed giveaway filled with products and services that’s worth thousands!

Geared toward the couple looking for a wedding that’s personal, stylish + unique, A Chic Affair will help you do some serious damage to that looming to-do list. All attendees will walk away with a seriously amazing swag bag and get this — SMP readers can get general access tickets for half off with code CHIC at checkout! Head over here to purchase tickets + for more information on this fabulous, not-to-be-missed event.

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A Chic Affair | Dock 5 at Union Market | 1309 5th St, NE Washington, DC 20002 | Event begins at 11:00am for VIB Access Ticket Holders + noon for General Admission

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Photo Credits: Photojournalism By Rodney Bailey

Rustic Manor Wedding

Guys, this wedding is everything… and I mean everything. It’s soft and sweet, utterly gorgeous and romantic in ways I didn’t even know were possible. From the sweetest of love stories to the lush florals from Willow Oak Flower & Herb Farm to the prettiest Belmont Manor & Historic Park backdrop, every last moment captured in brilliant images by Krista A. Jones is absolutely magical. Click here for more.

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From the Bride… Tom and I met my sophomore year at Towson University. I had taken a music class to fulfill a general education requirement, and he had taken it because of his love of music. I noticed his bright blue eyes and warm smile the first day of class – and would pretend to look at the clock but really just steal looks of him. Most of my friends knew of him as the “cute guy from my music class” before they even met him.

Lunch dates before class turned into dinner dates, which turned into a relationship. We stood together through college graduations, first full-time jobs, and, most importantly, the birth of our precious son, Luke. I was shocked when, on Mother’s Day, three months before our son was due, he got down on one knee in our neighborhood park and asked me to be his forever.

Our relationship is centered on family and laughter, and we wanted our wedding day to reflect that. As Tom kept repeating, we just wanted the day to be so “us.” I pictured the day as elegant, with an organic touch. We love the outdoors and knew we wanted our venue to be spacious and in the country. When we saw Belmont Manor we knew it encompassed everything we imagined in a venue. The old manor house gave a vintage touch and the rolling hills of farmland were simply breathtaking.

There are no words to describe how incredible our vendors were – they each made our day so unique and special. Our flowers were provided by Willow Oak Flower & Herb Farm, a family-owned farm that grows their own flowers. Our photographer, Krista Jones, shot our day on film, giving the pictures such a soft and romantic touch. Our caterer, Uptown catering, not only provided exquisite food but were extremely flexible with any requests – such as the need to have pumpkin beer at our autumn wedding!

The wedding day had so many special moments it would be impossible to name them all! We were married in the church I grew up in by a dear family friend. Tom kept me giggling the whole ceremony. I surprised Tom with a vintage Jeep Wrangler that we drove off in after the ceremony. We planned a few hours between the ceremony and start of the cocktail hour to get our pictures taken. I would highly recommend doing this – Tom and I were able to enjoy every moment of our reception.

We always knew that that we’d dance to “Better Together” by Jack Johnson, but a few months before the wedding I found a live version that combined the song with his song, “Angel”, a description of when his wife gave birth to their first child. It was the perfect song for us. It is hard to describe the first dance as husband and wife – we were in a tent with 150 people but it felt like we were the only ones in the room.

We laughed and cried during speeches, dances with our parents, and the very messy cutting of the cake. As we danced the night away I couldn’t help but look around at the faces that surrounded us – so many people from different walks of our life had come to support us. It was the perfect day to celebrate, in our case, the love between three people.

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Joanna August

Babes of the Nile

Ceremony

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Julie Vino Trunk Show at Soliloquy Bridal Couture

Here at SMP, we shout fabulous news from the rooftops. And when one of our fave salons happens to be hosting a Julie Vino Trunk Show, we consider that just such an event. I’m talking a two-day extravaganza of rich fabrics and stunning details, all hosted by the always amazing Soliloquy Bridal Couture on March 20th – 22nd. Mark your calendars, lovelies – this is a can’t miss event.

Based in Tel Aviv and known for gowns that WOW with their handmade fabrics and Parisian laces, the Julie Vino Provence Collection 2015 is guaranteed to make a statement on your Big Day. Imagine floating down the aisle in one of her fashion-forward, yet classically romantic styles… it just feels right. Even better? Julie Vino is bringing along some of her most requested styles from the Orchid and Ceasaria Collections, which means that perfect dress you’ve been dreaming of is just an appointment away.

So what are you waiting for, loves? Contact Soliloquy Bridal Couture TODAY (949.723.0121 – 754 Elden St #103, Herndon, VA 20170) to reserve your dressing room for the Julie Vino Trunk Show happening March 20th – 22nd! Brides from all over the world will be traveling to see these stunning gowns, so don’t miss out. And don’t forget, you’ll receive 10% off during the event! Sooo awesome.

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Brideside + A Discount + A Giveaway!

Fact: we love Brideside. And by “love,” I mean we are completely obsessed with the fabulous online boutique that makes choosing bridesmaid gowns the easiest part of planning your wedding. Imagine a wide selection of amazing designers, a personal stylist and an easy-peasy ordering process that will make you (and your besties) soooo happy. Beautiful bridesmaid gowns without all the drama? Yes, please.

With Brideside, it simply could.not.be easier to find those perfect gowns for your bridal party, and all from the comfort of your very own home. Think one gorgeous collection after another in every color, fabric, style and shape you want. Simply sign up online to get the pretty party started. Here’s how it works:

Meet Your Stylist – Browsing gorgeous bridesmaid frocks online just got amazing with the help of one of Brideside’s FREE personal stylists. Think of them as your very own wedding-style expert who will walk with you step by step throughout the entire process, from helping you create a “closet” of unique + oh-so-chic styles to keeping track of all of the specifics. And Brideside is even introducing Jenny Yoo gowns in March, which means even more amazing styles to choose from.

Invite Your Besties to Your Brideside Closet – Now that you and your stylist are filling your Closet with some of the prettiest frocks imaginable, invite your bridal party to view your choices for those much-needed second opinions. And when you add or share a favorite, your stylist can see all of the happenings, so she is totally in the loop.

Throw A Fabulous Fitting Party – Once you have narrowed down all of the wedding loveliness to three must-have styles, Brideside will send them to you or your bridesmaids in a Brideside Box! That means an at-home fitting party with shoes, jewelry and a little (or a lot!) of champagne. Soooo fun.

Order “The One” – Now that you’ve chosen the perfect gown, you can work directly with your stylist to be sure everyone is fitted properly and that dress of your dreams is ordered for each and every one of your ‘maids. Oh, and it’s shipped directly to you. It’s seriously awesome, and seriously stress-free. Seriously.

Can’t wait to get started with Brideside? Visit their website now or, if you live in Chicago, make an appointment with a stylist here.

Brideside is giving our readers an EXCLUSIVE 15% off when you use code “SMP15” until March 31, 2015! Even better? When you sign up here by March 6th, Brideside will pick one winner to receive a $450 credit towards her bridesmaid dresses! The winner, chosen at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, April 3, 2015. For terms and conditions, click here. Brideside offer cannot be combined with any past or future offers. Offer not valid on Joanna August or Donna Morgan collections. Good luck, lovelies! xo

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Bride & Bridesmaids Image: Aneris Photography

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Elegant Fall Wedding at Antrim 1844

This elegant wedding caught my eye for two main reasons. First, while it’s a fall celebration, it doesn’t come across as themey…and that’s probably because, secondly, the bride herself is one talented florist. Having crafted beautiful blooms for 20 other lucky ladies while she planned her own nuptials, she didn’t run out of steam, and Sweet Tea Photography has all the proof with these pretty pics here.

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From The Bride… We met the first day of school at St. Mary’s College in MD. We were in the same orientation group, and were good friends all through school until we started dating senior year. We didn’t have a first date in the traditional sense, but we did spend a lot of time enjoying the beautiful campus (and sunsets!) at St. Mary’s. We dated for 15 years before we were engaged. Can you believe it? Robb asked me to take a trip back to school for the annual Governor’s Cup yacht race, an event close to my heart after I spent three summers in school working on it. We enjoyed an afternoon of walking the dogs around campus and through historic St. Mary’s City, and Robb proposed near our old dorms.

What attracted me to my husband was his warmth, kindness, creativity, and he can make me laugh like no one else.

We knew we wanted our wedding to feel “fall,” but not too themey, so we tried to pick a palette with some more muted fall tones and some warm jewel tones. We hoped to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that worked well with the Antrim 1844; romantic florals, candlelight, a roaring fire and tables full of delicious food. While I enjoyed working on the flowers, I really loved so many of the details, it’s hard to pick one: the groom’s cake my aunt made (in the likeness of our Lakeland Terrier, Guinness) melted my heart; my mom pulled together an amazing cookie bar (complete with a hand-painted sign!) and Robb brought our love of live music to the event with the place cards (designed to look like ticket stubs) and the table numbers (gig posters from our favorite shows/venues).

When we were all seated for dinner, it felt like an early Thanksgiving for us, all of our friends and family together (the weekend before the holiday). We loved all of our vendors and are so happy to have the most beautiful photos as memories of our special day! Lisa Marie of Sweet Tea Photography shot our engagement session and we knew she would be an excellent fit after that. We also happened to work on quite a few weddings together over the months before our wedding day. Lisa Marie shot primarily with film which was something we were really attracted to.

My biggest challenge in wedding planning was working both a 9-5 job and creating florals for 20 weddings through the whole planning process. Trying to find time for planning my own wedding was hard to do. But the outpouring of offers to help from family and friends made our day so special, and as stress-free as possible. I would recommend future bride’s to just enjoy planning the event, be patient with your partner, and plan your budget according to what’s important to you both (which hopefully includes flowers :)

Charming Valentine’s Day Wedding Inspiration

Considering February 14th is my favorite holiday and it falls on a Saturday this year, I can’t believe I didn’t contemplate saying “I do” today. Joy Michelle was ahead of me and captured one absolutely delicious photo shoot, complete with beautiful blooms and enough sweet treats to put you in a sugar coma… or what I like to refer to as a perfect Valentine’s Day. Enjoy all the goodies right here!

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From Joy Michelle Photography… Who doesn’t want to get married on the literal day of love?! Well now you have inspiration to do just that, because we styled this shoot in the inspiration of Valentine’s Day and all the things we love! What’s better then bridesmaids in fluffy red and pink tulle skirts? Nothing, except the bride wearing a fluffy white tulle wedding dress! We had all our desserts reflect our theme of love, with the heart details, the different shades of pink and then decor that makes you fall in love with love! We accessorized our bridesmaid’s fun tulle skirts with very classic pearl jewelry to make our ensembles timeless! We loved mixing our bride with a very chic lace topped wedding dress and the fluff and fun of that tulle skirt! Every detail, the pink punch, the pink sherbet, love canvases and the pink furniture echoes every girls dream on the day love should be embraced! We fell in love with love and we hope you fell too!

Elegant Maryland Wedding at Historic Oakland

Timeless, elegant and all around perfect, this absolutely stunning wedding at Historic Oakland captured by Elizabeth Fogarty has my heart today. This gorgeous couple will be able to look back on their wedding decades from now with the same adoration they do today, and to me, there is nothing better than that. See the entire day here.

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From The Bride…I picked the venue because it is what I always dreamed of since I was a child. It was elegant and that is what I always wanted for my wedding. I wanted my wedding to be timeless and elegant. Something that I could look back on and still love. My favorite part was when I walked down the isle and I saw Rocky. And when my father lifted my blusher veil was super special too. My inspiration came from a mixture of my dreams and through searches on Pinterest. From Elizabeth Fogarty…Danielle’s wedding could not have been more classic and timeless. She does make-up as a hobby, so she did her own make-up, and if I say so myself, totally rocked it! Her intimate ceremony was simply beautiful and filled with close friends and family.

Photography: Elizabeth Fogarty | Videographer: Ksenia Pro | Hair: Melissa Elbert | Mansion: Historic Oakland | Vintage Hair Piece: Gossamer

Nautical Annapolis Spring Wedding

I will forever adore nautical nuptials. With childhood summers on the coast, soirees of this sort are what I dreamed of as a little girl. And this beauty right here is that reality. From the bride arriving by boat, to the vows on the dock, this waterfront wedding hits a homerun. With Liz and Ryan behind the lens and Simple Flare filming every second, I’ll be reliving those childhood dreams all weekend long.

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From Liz And Ryan… Lesley and Clayton are two incredibly beautiful people on the inside and out! They met each other while in med school at the University of Maryland and quickly fell in love. They share a mutual love of the water. In fact, you could say it is in their blood. Lesley’s dad sailed across the Atlantic from England many years ago arriving in Annapolis, the place he would fall in love and welcome his sweet daughter, Lesley, into his life. He was an adventurer. And although he passed away a few years ago, he is still very much present in so many ways.

His love of the water shines through in Lesley. She is comfortable and at home on the water, most especially on Flying Angel, her family’s boat that her dad dreamed of. Her compass has never wavered, but in Clayton she has found a new North Star to adventure through this life with!

It only seems appropriate that Flying Angel escorted Lesley to the Yacht Club on their wedding day. It was her dad’s way of proudly walking her down the aisle. And we have no doubt, he is one incredibly proud dad and incredibly happy to welcome Clayton to the family!

Lesley and Clayton’s wedding was nothing short of AMAZING! Their love is so visible and present. In fact, as Lesley’s uncle shared in a beautiful poem he wrote for them, their love is, in fact, a present.

“…And so to the present both a time to be glad
And a loving present to her loving dad
Gift wrapped with their wedding vow
Their gift of love for ever now
To Lesley and Clayton man and wife
A present and a future happy life.

Friends and family share in their happiness
Wish them a life of love and all that’s best
A home that is warm and full of song
A life that is rich their love so strong
Lesley and Clayton two families now united.
Sutherlands and Alexanders, happy and delighted.”
– Owen Sutherland

Lesley and Clayton’s wedding day was so simple and so elegant. The florals were absolutely stunning and fit the decor in the most perfect way! Anne from Charleston Stems wowed us and Lesley too! (Lesley had no idea what the florals were going to look like. She gave her friend and trusted wedding professional permission to do anything that she wanted with the florals!) They were absolutely stunning and stand out to us as the most perfectly fitting wedding florals we have ever photographed!

Lesley and Clayton’s wedding day ended with a proper send off for Lesley and Clayton on the Flying Angel! It was the perfect way for them to set sail to the beginning of their lives together as husband and wife… and now Dr. and Dr.!

Love Drunk Valentine’s Day Inspiration

This inspiration proves that behind every great party is a delicious cocktail and this one has the Cardamom Rose as the leading lady. With a nod to Alice in Wonderland – think painted roses + drink me tags from Laura Hooper Calligraphy, and a beautifully styled bar cart, Strawberry Banke Studio craftedone very cute “Love Drunk” Valentine’s party. See even more photographed by Krista A. Jones right here!

From Laura of Strawberry Banke Studio… For this Valentine’s-inspired shoot, we wanted to bring out the playful, “love drunk” nature of Valentine’s Day by using a whimsical, recognizable theme to freshen up the typical Valentine’s Day decor. We chose to pull Valentine’s references from the timeless story of Alice in Wonderland (i.e. Queen of Hearts, painting the roses red, etc), and incorporate them into a modern, everyday bar cart vignette. Aiming to modernize a very romantic-heavy holiday with quirky little “Alice” touches, we executed the shoot in a black, white and fuschia color scheme, accented with bright pops of gold.

Simple, tightly packed roses (as well as some painted red!) are in keeping with both the book theme and the Valentine’s holiday without seeming overly cliche, while tiny apothecary bottles are grouped as bud vases reminiscent of Alice’s whimsical “size-altering” potions. Small gold stacked tea cups are a chic, contemporary nod to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. The Cardamon Rose signature cocktail is another play on the rose-marked holiday, with a fresher, unique flavor combination. For a less complicated Valentine’s cocktail, we substituted pretty, blush-toned sparkling Rose (for typical champagne), garnished with a simple rose petal for a special touch.

Cardamom Rose Cocktail

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Ingredients

1.5 oz of Hendrick’s gin
.75 oz of Rose syrup (homemade or store bought)
.25 oz of Fresh lemon juice
.75 oz of Fresh ruby red grapefruit juice
2 dashes of Peychauds bitters
1 Cardamom Pod

Instructions

Lightly muddle one cardamom pod at the bottom of shaker.
Add the rest of the ingredients and ice. Shake for 20 second, then strain over fresh ice to remove the cardamom pod.
Add a splash of seltzer water.
Garnish with rose petals or fresh lemon wedge.

Roses + Rings Event at Mervis Diamond Importers

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, so the timing couldn’t be better for the Mervis Diamond Importers Roses and Rings Event from February 7-8, 2015. Not only will there be a large selection of designer rings to try on + experiment with different looks, but there’s discounts and special pricing as well! Something sparkly is calling my name…

Be sure to make some time to check out the Mervis Diamond Importers Roses and Rings Event — your fingers will thank you! Happy shopping, lovelies! xo

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Traditional Maryland Wedding at Green Spring Valley Hunt Club

In every sense of the word, this wedding is beautiful. But it’s also heartfelt and as thoughtful as they come (I personally adore the fact they had handwritten notes for each guest). And I suppose it shouldn’t be a surprise, because the beautiful Bride behind it all just so happens to be part of the talented team at Elizabeth Bailey Weddings, so it goes without saying that this gallery from Renee Michele Photography and the sweet description from the Groom below shouldn’t be missed.

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From The Groom…You are way more involved in areas that I never thought you would ever want to be involved in,” said my now-bride Lee, early on in our planning process. It is something that I still think back and laugh about, because Lee is a Wedding Planner by day, night and weekend, and I can honestly say that getting married to someone who does this for a living is nothing like Mr. McConaughey makes it seem… It is even better. It was amazing to be able to watch the woman I love in her element – digging into all the nuances of our wedding.

Lee is always telling me about her weddings and breaking down the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of her couples and the planning for their big day, but it never hits close to home, and thus was not as easy to relate to or get excited about.

I can now certainly relate to the meticulousness that it takes to do this professionally. I gained SO MUCH respect for her by watching (and sometimes doing – even when she didn’t expect it) she and her boss, Beth from Elizabeth Bailey Weddings, comb through every detail of our wedding.

I had strong feelings on a few things and to her credit – she weathered my diva-like outbursts on these matters:
1. Food
2. Alcohol
3. Dancing / Band
4. Accents of Pink in the Bridal Party

Aside from that, Lee and Beth were a two-woman show from a planning perspective, and with the help of an all-star vendor team highlighted by Victoria Clausen (floral), Renee Michele Photography and an insanely talented band – Free Spirit – they nailed the wedding.

Everything from the ridiculously gorgeous flower arrangements to the steel-drum band at Cocktail Hour to the massive outdoor tent made for an unforgettable evening. To this day, every guest that we run into STILL tells us it was the most beautiful wedding they have ever attended. That was all Lee, Beth and our vendor team – more people than I can even name.

Built on a vision for “ten personal touches” – Lee and team made for a personal and intimate experience for all. I’d have to say my personal favorite were the handwritten notes she had us write for each guest that attended – sitting neatly on their plates when they sat down.

From inception to fruition, Lee was quarterbacking the team and putting her stamp on the entire experience. It was inspiring to see her in her element, doing what she loves all the while continuing to plan every other clients’ wedding. She never missed a beat.

The night ended with almost every one of our guests dancing up a storm inside while lighting up the Photo Booth and leaving one lasting memory after another, but the true prize for me was saying I do to an amazingly talented woman, and one that is sure to keep creating magical experiences for every bride she touches from then on.

But in a small way I feel a little bit bad for the rest, because nothing will ever touch the wedding she planned for us and the experience she created for our guests.

Planning a wedding can certainly feel like a dumpster is coming at you while your shoe is stuck in the sewer drain, but with Lee – my Wedding Planner Bride at the helm – I had someone to tackle me out of the way before it hit me.

Now do yourself a favor and go hire Elizabeth Bailey Weddings… tell them Colin sent you.

Urban Elopement Styled Shoot

I’m not one to constantly wish for a wedding re-do (hard to imagine, I know), but if I could do it all over again, this pretty little bundle of elopement inspiration would be IT. From those gorgeous florals from Blush Floral Design to the beautiful details from Lauren Niles Events to that killer makeup by Amie Decker Beauty. See it all captured by L Hewitt Photography right here.

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From L Hewitt Photography… This Urban Elopement themed styled shoot at the Four Seasons Baltimore will steal your heart. It is bursting with the little sensory pleasures of fall and tickles the brain with its refined, understated, modern design.

We wanted to push the boundaries of fashion and romance for this shoot. The story follows a modern couple amid the mid-century design of the Four Seasons. They have an intimate breakfast in bed, get ready and travel together to their organic rooftop nupitals overlooking the skyline of Baltimore.

We wanted the groom to be as smartly dressed as the bride. His lush amaranthine velvet coat reminiscent of crushed blackberries at the end of summer. Her silk gown is a touch of traditional glamour, finished with a luxe pailleted wrap.

The florals were designed with the rich, saturated colors of foraged fall. The cake is a refined exercise in simplicity of design and texture, with its marbled, berry scattered surface.

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Classic Antrim 1844 Wedding

I love all weddings, from quirky, unusual affairs to hip, modern soirees. But give me a classic party dripping in romance and I’ll literally light up like a Christmas tree. Case in point? This beautiful Antrim 1844 wedding, an ode to all things traditional with stunning blooms from Wicked Willow, an amazing Augusta Jones gown and one moment after another captured by Krista A. Jones. It’s pure pretty.

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From The Bride…Max and I met in 2006 when I was a senior in high school and he was a freshman in college at Eastern Mennonite University. His college roommate Jeff was dating my best friend, and introduced us. Jeff was a groomsman in the wedding. We dated throughout college, while I was at University of Maryland College Park and he was at Towson University (transferred to play baseball after his freshman year).

Max and I lived with friends in Baltimore after graduating, and he proposed on Memorial day 2013 after spending the day walking around the harbor in Fells Point. We were walking by the water trying to decide where to grab lunch, and Max started acting a little weird, making us do a second lap around the piers, where he got down on one knee and proposed. We went to lunch together in Canton at Mama’s on the Half Shell and then had family and friends over on our roof top deck to celebrate.

We chose the Antrim because of the beautiful gardens, historical property, and ability for all of our guests to stay on site in the various houses throughout the grounds. We loved that we could have the cocktail hour outside in the gardens, the open, natural feeling reception room from the tall glass doors on 3/4 sides, and the fact that we were able to continue the party afterwards on the Antrim grounds. The suites that we used to get ready in were gorgeous, historically decorated, and the Antrim has exemplary service, such as complimentary breakfast delivered to your room every morning. Staying in a guest room at the Antrim is an experience in itself, and we loved that our guests that chose to say could be pampered for the evening.

We really wanted the day to be a celebration with family and friends, and for everyone to have the best time. We wanted it to be an elegant affair, but feel relaxed; Max and I both are more casual and laid back. My dad picked out the band, which we loved because they intermingled with the crowd, singing and dancing with the guests.

My sapphire ring was resized and given to me by my mom for my “Something blue”. My something old was a pearl flowered bracelet from my grandmother. I gave Max his watch the day of the wedding engraved with our wedding date and “You are the best thing”, the title of our first dance song.

Our ring bearers were my two nephews Jake (2 1/2) and Wes (less than 1). Our Junior groomsman was Luke, Max’s nephew (12), and our flower girl was Josie, Max’s neice (less than 1). Apparently when they were walking down the aisle, Jake turned to Luke and said “I look good, don’t I!”

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Summertime Chesapeake Bay Beach Club Wedding

In my book, there’s no such thing as too much pink. And when it comes in the form of peonies, bridesmaids’ gowns and decor details galore, I say EVEN better. The fabulous Vicki Grafton and East West captured this Chesapeake Bay Beach Club affair, and if you’re left wanting even more, you, m’dear are in luck. The full gallery of nautical goodness is right this way.

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From The Bride…After fourteen and a half years together, we have been looking forward to finally tying the knot and making our relationship and commitment to one another official. Kelly and I wanted an intimate wedding with 75 of our closest family members and friends. I have always dreamed of having an outdoor wedding near the beach. We fall in love with the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club in Stevensville, Maryland the moment we saw it. The Chesapeake Bay area was the perfect backdrop and the views during sunset were absolutely breathtaking!

Kelly and I did most of the planning for our wedding, and found inspiration from Pinterest, Etsy, and SMP! Kelly is a graphic designer and had an amazing eye for detail and decor. We did a lot of DIY projects for our wedding day that included ribbons for ceremony chairs, program chalkboard sign, table numbers, the candy buffet, tissue paper garlands, sparklers, and origami boats as escort cards.

We wanted our day to reflect the love we have for each other. Although we did not write vows for each other, we were involved with the planning of our ceremony. My favorite memory was when Rev. Laura shared our “10 Things We Loved About Each Other” during our ceremony. This was the first time Kelly and I heard each other’s list along with our family and friends. Kelly’s favorite memory was our first look on the beach, of him finally getting to see his bride.

For our wedding day we wanted it to be fun for our family and friends, the location of the Beach Club provided a small getaway for our guest that were coming from all over the U.S and abroad. During the ceremony, the groom and his groomsmen walked to the “James Bond theme song,” as the guys pretended to be 007 agents. I choose to walk down the aisle with my brother while the string trio played my favorite song “Thousand Years” by Christina Perri. After the ceremony, we enjoyed a cocktail hour with delicious appetizers on the rooftop overlooking the bay. At dinner, our best man and maid of honor gave their beautiful toast that we followed with a packed dance floor and impromptu break dancing from our guests and the groom himself! The beautiful night ended with our guest lighting the way with sparklers for our grand exit.http://jewelhd.com