Boston Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

A Classic Boston Wedding Celebrating The Colors Of Springtime

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The wedding colors were Pink, Green, and Gold.

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My vision was to mix a traditional romantic wedding with some non-traditional elements. The historic Fairmont Copley Plaza is exquisite, with gilded glam. My idea was to pretend an ivy garden had taken over the Ballroom! Which meant a lot of communication from me to my amazing vendor team!! One example was the awesome luggage cart from the hotel that I asked to borrow. We purchased vintage luggage and asked our florist to fill them with flowers for our authentic hotel-style “Welcome” sign!

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]Jake and I have been together for over 12 years, he proposed after one of our weekly Friday date nights in our small town on December 17th, 2021! We had our annual family Christmas Dinner in Boston the next day and decided to keep the Friday night to ourselves and tell them all in person! We love to live in the moment because life is short, we enjoyed by cuddling with our golden retriever, Macie and watching the Grinch! [/field]
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My mom actually found my wedding dress; she shipped it to the Boston bridal boutique, L’elite, secretly, and it was the 3rd dress I tried on. I knew it was the one, and so did she. I think with a very traditional Catholic Wedding, it was nice to have something non-traditional to surprise my now husband, Jake, & our wedding guests! It was stunning.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]For the bridesmaid’s dresses, I wanted them to wear white or ivory, it is so classy & it would make my dress pop a bit more since it had some green in it. Finding white or ivory bridesmaids dresses… isn’t too common, so it was basically them going into the Bridal section in any store or online store. I wanted my best friends to feel comfortable and pretty, and select a style that is true to them. So they had the task to just find a dress that they love and actually WANT to wear, somewhere from Revolve, Saks, Net-a-Porter, Show Me Your Mumu, Anthropology, and more; which was great because it was also in a price range they were comfortable in! After all, being in a wedding is a lot; and I am so blessed to have had them by my side!

For the Matron of Honors (2 sisters), Maid of Honor, and my beautiful mother, they all wore our favorite, Alexia Maria gowns. My mom wore a pale mint color to complement mine, as she walked me down the aisle. [/field]
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The Groom, Jake, wore a custom tux from George’s Apparel in NH. This is where both he and my dad were going to go for their tux; with my dad passing away suddenly the day before Thanksgiving from a cardiac arrest, Jake was still determined to go to the place my dad always went from my sister’s weddings in the town he grew up in.

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The Fairmont Copley Plaza is known for its amazing food, so they took the lead in that regard.

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The florals were outstanding from Olive James Bouquets. All of the Bridesmaid’s bouquets I wanted to be simple and minimal, but that “look” is often just as difficult, if not more, as the traditional bouquets. I thought a small lily of the valley bridal bouquet would compliment my dress and tie into the Catholic tradition as well! The cherry blossoms, don’t get us started; our florist kept her garage at 40 degrees to keep the cherry blossom trees from blooming; she even timed one branch to see how long it would take. Incredible. Our cocktail & reception decor was so fun to design with my mom! My mom and I made 180 pink silk bows to place on top of the guest plates. Our drink signage tied into our invitations, using the facial profiles of Jake and I throughout the designs, such as the “his and her” cocktails that I made on my computer! We ordered a variety of custom matchbooks to be placed all around the cocktail tables & bars for an easy/fun favor for guests to take home!

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]When I asked Jake if we could have a pink cake, I wasn’t sure how he would take it. But he loved the idea too. It matches our pink bows and it came out so beautifully! I wanted a tiered cake with the traditional pillars like my parents had. But again, to bring in some non-traditional elements.. it was pink, and confetti cake! I feel like no one remembers your wedding cake or what it looks like, so why not have some fun with it! [/field]
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Our first dance was to “How Deep is your Love” by the Bee Gees, performed by our amazing band, Night Shift Entertainment!

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]We did a non-traditional first look, I wasn’t in my gown yet and only had makeup down and we met to exchange gifts face to face. It was something we never thought we would do because we love the tradition; but after some thought, we decided to see each other and I am so glad we did (and still kept the dress a secret). I then gifted Jake my dad’s cufflinks to wear that my dad also wore to my sister’s wedding. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]My mom and I shared the Father/Daughter dance and halfway through the song we brought my 2 sisters to the dance floor; this wasn’t planned. Just felt right. The band said everyone join the dance floor, and our family and friends just watched us 4 in amazement. We needed each other in that moment. And a beautiful tribute to our dad! [/field]
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My mom got me a charm for my bridal bouquet, it was my dad’s fingerprint!

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This Floral Designer Had The Boho Backyard Wedding Of Her Dreams

When a floral designer has her own wedding, you know you are in for a treat! Not just any wedding venue would do for this couple who met in high school and reconnected 20 years later, so they decided to create their own elevated backyard wedding with decidedly boho touches. The bride and owner of The Wild Dahlia filled the day with a spectacular array of blooms in autumn hues, featuring none other than dahlias of course. She turned to Brilliant Events to help bring her Big Day dreams to life, and the result is a spectacular celebration of love. Catherine Band was there to capture every magical moment, you can see it all in the full gallery.

From the bride… I’m a floral designer who owns The Wild Dahlia and I finally married my high school sweetheart I recently reconnected with. Due to covid, we did things a little out of order so our son was in the wedding as well as my stepdaughter. I couldn’t choose a venue because all New England venues felt like “work” to me since I’ve been doing this so long. We decided on a small but very “us” backyard elevated wedding that was a little boho and a little rock and roll. I hope you think it’s as cool as I did!

We are proof that timing is everything. We have been close friends since high school who took separate paths 20 years ago only to have them come back together. Seeing Arthur as a father made me fall in love with him and took him out of the friend zone and solidified that we are soulmates, it just took some time to figure it out. Our wedding planning took a pause when we realized we were expecting our son, during the peak of a pandemic, wedding planning was put on hold. Entering the busiest wedding season of my life in 2021 the last thing I wanted to think about was planning a wedding. We searched for a venue I hadn’t worked at, that felt unique and intimate but fell short so the decision was made to tent our sweet little backyard. It was the perfect blank canvas to paint the day we wanted. Autumn is our favorite and the flower choice that time of year of course was an important factor. My company name is The Wild Dahlia, I needed dahlias of course so we chose October. We have a passion for adventure and international travel and we really wanted to reflect that in our special day. I was inspired by a trip to India where marigolds symbolize passion, positivity, and happiness to be bestowed on the newlyweds, so I knew I wanted to incorporate marigolds everywhere. It was such a special experience to have my employees hand make some decor and for fellow vendors to help bring my vision to life. I’ve made hundreds of bouquets and to finally make my own was truly a special feeling. I chose dahlias, foraged foliage, California garden roses such as distant drum and honey dijon, and ranunculus gifted from a dear florist friend. Mustard hues were incorporated throughout the day as it’s my favorite and is totally underused, underrated, and unexpected in weddings. I’ve brought hundreds of weddings to fruition and it was finally my turn to create the day I envisioned.

Arthur’s parents are from Greece and we were so happy they were able to be there with us. We asked my aunt to marry us, she was someone who has worked hard to make Arthur feel welcome into the family. We wanted our event to be small and intimate with just family and our best friends. It was everything we wanted and perfectly us. I walked down the aisle to Led Zeppelin’s acoustic version of “thank you” and we exited to The Beach Boys “wouldn’t it be nice”. We are both big fans of rock music and ditched a quartet to create a vibe that felt like us. I had a beautiful Anais Anette custom-made gown unapologetically paired with a pumpkin beer straight out of the can. Our day was about us and was perfectly us. I see couples get caught up on the Pinterest ideas and what others have done, we stuck to what felt authentic. An elevated, upscale, backyard celebration that lasted all night. Arthur chose a HUGO BOSS suit, a Hermes tie that was the perfect burnt orange hue. A handmade boutonniere from his bride, and the Omega watch he had been eyeing that I gave to him as a wedding day gift.

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The Wild Dahlia

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The Ultimate Galentine’s Celebration Where Every Detail Was Thought Out In The Cutest Way

Editor’s Note: This absolutely fabulous Galentine’s party was hosted last year before Covid-19 hit the states. To take in all the inspiration from this AH-mazing party and make it covid-compliant, we recommend consulting your local CDC guidelines and implementing masks, socially distanced seating, or even take it virtual!

“What’s Galentine’s Day? Every Feb. 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it breakfast style.” Galentine’s Day might have been the subject of a “Parks and Recreation” episode back in 2010, but it soon spurred a cultural phenomenon that celebrated my best gal friends every year across the United States.

In the spirit of ‘ladies celebrating ladies’, Boston-based wedding planners and designers Kelly Golia and LBB Member Kate Murtaugh planned, designed, and styled a Galentine’s Day celebration that we know to Style Me Pretty readers will want to recreate with their own group of friends this February. The event was complete with Valentine’s day inspired color palette, a mimosa wall, personalized vintage Valentines, and a beauty bar ready for any lipstick touch-ups, to name a few! Nearly 50 New England-based female creative entrepreneurs included designers, floral designers, stylists, caterers, photographers, calligraphers, and more, participated in bringing this celebration to life.

The day was designed to be part shoot, beauty bar, and boozy brunch, but most importantly, it was a day filled with an overwhelming sense of community and collaboration as we celebrated our local community of female creatives and all of our sweet Galentines. The event was broken out into two parts: the first featuring a feminine family-style brunch set for 50 gals. The table was adorned with layered blush and petal china, minimalist gold flatware from Party Rental Ltd., and retro-inspired paper goods from The Paper Perfectionist.

An ombre effect balloon installation designed by Fig Balloon Co. Hung overhead, while a 40-foot tablescape featuring breathtaking ombre floral centerpieces and candles from Bloom 52 lined the table. Guests enjoyed a fun Leslie Knope inspired brunch from Mood Food Event and Suddenly Simple events, including waffles with strawberry maple butter, spinach frittatas, and avocado toast. Dessert included chocolate covered strawberry and cookie butter-flavored cakes in shades of pink and red from Lizzie’s Bakery and the coolest conversation heart sugar cookies with female empowerment sayings like “girl power,” “girl boss,” and “ladies celebrating ladies” from Givan Sweets.

The second part of the celebration included four individually styled lounge areas that some of the attendees and contributors were responsible for designing. These areas included gorgeous floral designs, stunning stationery sets, and detailed styling. Each Galentine was encouraged to take her new headshot in – perfect for a resume or new Instagram profile picture! Once guests had time to mingle and have their new headshot taken, the ladies were encouraged to snag a mimosa from the champagne wall from Refined Rentals and be seated for brunch.

Since it wouldn’t be Galentine’s Day without a little love note, a personalized Valentine designed by Kelly, Kate, and The Paper Perfectionist was left at each place setting, featuring a baby photo of each guest. It was a sweet moment in which each guest could look back on their childhood and see how far each one of those little girls has come and succeeded. We all love celebrating weddings and their own unique love stories, but what about the love stories we experience with our business partners, friends, colleagues, or own work wives? To quote Leslie Knope, Galentines’s day really is “the best day of the year!”

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Kate Murtaugh Events & Design

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Set Sail for a Boston Harbor Wedding on a Boat You Won’t Soon Forget

If your vision of a perfect wedding day looks a lot like Beth and Neil’s nuptials from He’s Just Not That Into You, then prepare to embark on a great love affair with today’s Boston Harbor sailboat ceremony from Kate Murtaugh Events! The darling duo tied the knot at sea, on a breathtaking boat made only more beautiful by Beach Plum Floral‘s creations. Grab your Sperrys and head on over to the full gallery of inspo – all taken by Stephanie Vegliante Photography.

From Kate Murtaugh Events Design… Andrew and Mark exchanged heartfelt vows on the 10th anniversary of their first date on an unseasonably warm evening in Boston Harbor. With COVID-19 forcing them to make plans on a more intimate level, they ultimately decided to make the most of it and make the day as unique and beautiful as it could be despite the circumstances. These sharp-dressed grooms chose to celebrate with just the two of them in a romantic sail in Boston Harbor surrounded by moody fall blooms and the love of their friends and families from afar. The couple worked with The Mainstay Collective, an heirloom elopement offering in New England founded and ran by myself, Kate Murtaugh Events & Design, to help bring their breathtaking elopement to life.

The sailing charter took place on Classic Sail Boston’s Captiva, captained by David Puett, who also served as the ceremony officiant. Beach Plum Floral designed and planned their intricate and locally grown floral boat installation, emphasizing the colors as they faded in vibrancy and tone from the bow to the stern. It was important for the couple to enjoy some bubbles and bites following their vows, so we placed a heavy emphasis on creating a comfortable sitting area styled to perfection. Buck and Bloom masterfully created a grazing board as a perfect accompaniment. Stephanie Vegliante Photography and LBB Member, Willow Tree Films captured the beauty of the day from start to finish, documenting every important detail for Andrew, Mark, and their families to enjoy for years to come. As one of the grooms, Andrew, was departing the boat at the end of the evening, he exclaimed, ‘This is better than I could have imagined or planned.” The overall experience of planning Andrew and Mark’s elopement has easily been a silver lining amidst the pandemic’s heartbreak. It was heartwarming and inspiring, and we are grateful and honored that our clients’ looked to our entire vendor team to help make this unforgettable experience come to life in such a beautiful way.

From the grooms… Almost five years ago, Andrew popped the question off the coast of Positano, Italy with some of our closest friends after a week-long vacation. We never envisioned that our engagement would be so long, but our lives shifted drastically with a move across the country. Going into 2020 we knew this was the year to finally make it all happen. What we didn’t know was where the world would be by the fall of the year. Through many conversations with family and friends, we decided to shift gears and planned to elope in October on the tenth anniversary of our first date. What we were able to plan was completely beyond anything we could have imagined. Kate and her team were instrumental in providing us with a safe and unimaginably romantic day to celebrate our relationship with a ceremony aboard the Captiva sailboat in the Boston Harbor. From the unprecedented New England weather to the wildly imaginative florals, our wedding day was absolute perfection. We couldn’t have asked for a better way to commit our lives to one another.

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These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Kate Murtaugh Events & Design

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A Boston Harbor Elopement That Will Have You Ditching Your Guest List

Today we set sail on THE most romantic and modern nautical seaside elopement shoot planned and perfected by Kate Murtaugh Events & Design. With New England Summer nights as her inspiration, Kate combined the color palette of our dreams including poppy red and ocean blue which was incorporated into everything from the floral adorned sailboat and bridal bouquet by Beach Plum Floral Design to the groom’s crisp blue suit by The Groomsmen Suit. With just the right mix of elegance and quintessential N.E, Stephanie Vegliante Photography captured all of the romance and all of the stunning, well thought out details. Take a peek below and see why the stormy blue seas may be your perfect place to say I Do!

From Kate Murtaugh Events & Design…Brooklyn and Dean eloped as they set sail on Boston Harbor one late summer afternoon in August filled with dreamy light, a warm breeze and beautifully curated details. Inspired by rich summer tones of color and the stormy blue waters of Boston Harbor, our creative team came together to create a sophisticated yet colorful elopement against one of Boston’s most splendid backdrops that both locals and tourists rarely have the opportunity to experience.

For this elopement editorial, wedding planner and designer Kate Murtaugh imagined a design and aesthetic that infused color, fashionable yet timeless details, and elegant simplicity all while ringing true to quintessential New England summer nights. The shoot’s design featured a saturated color palette including colors like poppy red, hot pink, orange sherbet, summer peach, canary yellow, light pink and stormy blue set amidst old rigging and lines with the beautiful skyline as a backdrop.

Our imagined bride and groom, Brooklyn and Dean were a fashionable couple looking to infuse their chic style and love for their hometown of Boston into a modern-day elopement. While our couple was eloping, it was important that their bridal sunset sail feature all of the details and luxuries a bride and groom would ever desire for their wedding day.

Brooklyn and Dean set sail aboard The Captiva, a private charter Sea Captained by Dave Puett, owner of Classic Sail Boston. Captain Dave also served as their marriage officiant- (did you know Sea Captains in some US states can perform marriage ceremonies?) The Captiva, is a 45-foot Classic Chesapeake Skipjack known for its spacious decks and stability- making for the perfect setting to host Brooklyn and Dean’s harbor elopement. The boat was custom-built using mahogany, teak, obeche and other exotic woods that popped with such perfection with the addition of the gorgeous florals and greenery.

The splendor of the elopement day and love of our couple was captured by photographer, Stephanie Vegliante on both film and digital. Her work beautifully and evocatively captured the romance and emotion of the day.

Brooklyn wore a stunningly feminine gown by Alexandra Grecco, poppy red Loeffler Randall iconic Knot Sandals in poppy red, a stunning mixed metal bridal set including a custom fancy cut platinum engagement ring from James Allen and a uniquely set wedding band with oval diamonds set in yellow gold by MRT Jewelers. She also wore earrings and a bracelet from Zaxie by Stefanie Taylor to complete her look. Brooklyn’s flawless hair and makeup was done by Colby, owner of Pretty Wife Beauty.

Rather than going with tradition, our debonair groom, Dean wore a sharp light steel blue suit from The Groomsman Suit with a crisp white shirt and a white linen pocket square from Bonobos. For a pop of color, he wore a one-of-a-kind pair of Kilim Loafers from Artemis Design Co. made from vintage Turkish rugs.

Jill from Beach Plum Floral Design took our bright and saturated color palette and designed a floral scheme filled with pops of red and shades of pinks to emphasize the marvelous beauty of our sailboat and backdrop. Florals and curly smilax adorned the port side of the sailboat curling it’s way down the side of the boat and perfectly situated to blow in the breeze for their sunset cruise. The bridal bouquet was tied with blush silk ribbon and was filled with an array of pink, coral and red flowers including locally-grown dahlias, zinnias and garden roses.

Taylor at Mulberry & Elm created an elopement announcement to send to our couple’s family and friends and to invite them to a post-elopement celebration. The announcement suite included a custom hand-painted watercolor monogram with additional watercolor elements like a classic nautical striped envelope liner and hand calligraphed envelopes.

Our cozy tablescape situated under the boat’s mainsail included a beautiful grazing board and picturesque cocktails from Wanderlush Boston, a petite tasting cake from Lizzie’s Bakery and a collection of linens and pillows from Serena & Lily and John Robshaw Textiles.

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

Kate Murtaugh Events & Design

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Every Bookworm Needs to Admire This Romantic Boston Public Library Wedding!

There’s something so incredibly romantic about tying the knot in a place, as Carrie Bradshaw once said, “… that housed all the great love stories”. The spectacular marble walls of the Boston Public Library surrounded their guests as they dined in Bates Hall, planned perfectly by Always Yours Events. It’s truly difficult describe how incredibly unique and beautiful this reception is… but it basically combines the grandeur of the Great Hall at Hogwarts and the romance of the library room in Beauty and The Beast. See for yourself at the full gallery captured by Michelle Lange Photography!

From the Bride… When Ryan and I got engaged, we knew that we wanted to find a venue that felt meaningful to the both of us. Right away we decided to tour the Boston Public Library. This particular venue is not only absolutely breathtaking, but also played a part of our story prior to our engagement. When we first moved to Boston together, we lived across the street from the BPL. Our apartment was small, dark and a little bit crammed, and so we would often find ourselves going to the BPL to do our work and study for upcoming exams. When we toured the Boston Public Library, we immediately knew that it was the perfect location to host our wedding reception for our loved ones! We were completely blown away by the character and history of the venue, and each and every space from the grand marble staircase to the Courtyard to Bates Hall left us in awe.

Knowing we wanted to be married in the Catholic Church, we found ourselves falling in love with the Shrine of our Lady of Good Voyage in the Seaport of Boston. This brand new little church and had the most romantic and slightly more modern aesthetic, which was exactly what we were looking for when it came to a venue for our ceremony. We did not want to take away from any of the beauty at both the church and the BPL, but enhance it and create a dreamy and romantic design within the spaces. Together with our wedding planner Keri (of Always Yours Events), we dreamed up a modern romantic and garden-inspired design that was very floral forward and featured a color palette of whites, cream, ivory and light blush, pinks and a slight pop of a pale and soft blue.

Our design was carried out into our stationery design with the talents of Taylor at Mulberry and Elm who created an entire custom stationery suite from save the dates to invitations to day of stationery consisting of a light blue crest with florals, a drawing of the Boston Public Library, and even a sweet watercolor of our pup Brady. The floral team at Les Fleurs worked with Keri to fill every space from the bridal suite to the church and every corner of the Boston Public Library with blooms, and even create a rose petal recessional as we exited the church. Upon entering the venue guests were wow-ed by the grand staircase covered in greens, roses and candles, as well as the sounds of our harpist from Gilded Harps.

One of our favorite features was the floral escort card display where each guest’s name and table number was printed on a bud vase filled with garden roses, peonies and sweet pea and filled gold shelves at the top of the staircase. Our guests enjoyed cocktails out in the courtyard under strands of cafe lights over the reflecting pool as well as on the lower level of the Library before heading upstairs for the grand reveal of Bates Hall. Guest tables in Bates Hall alternated between garlands filled with greens and garden roses, and tall centerpieces with small crystal compote arrangements. After enjoying a delicious menu catered by the Catered Affair, we moved into the Abbey Room for dancing to the sounds of Boston band, The Connection.

Our photobooth was a highlight of the reception, with a custom greenery hedge wall backdrop with our initials. At the end of the evening guests were gifted sugar cookie favors in the shape of our dog Brady in beautiful packaging. Guests lined the stairs with ribbon wands for an epic send off before Ryan and I hopped into a white Rolls Royce getaway car. To say the day was absolutely breathtaking is an understatement — the celebration exceeded all of our expectations! As we look back on our day with our stunning gallery from Michelle Lange and video from Stop Go Love, we can’t help referring to it as the best day of our lives! It was so meaningful to be surrounded by all of our closest friends and family, as well as to celebrate our marriage in one of the most historic and stunning venues we both have ever seen! We could not have done it without the support of our families and our amazing vendors, and we are so thankful to everyone who made our day so incredibly remarkable.

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Finding Lovely’s Holiday House Tour

While I miss living in Texas more than you can imagine, I will say that a New England holiday season is something special. The cold air, the twinkle lights, the cups of cocoa that are meant to actually warm you from the inside out. It’s a little bit of magic. And the crazy talented (and adorably pregnant) Jackie Hempel of Finding Lovely has managed to capture that very magic and transform her own New England home into a holiday wonderland. Read on for all of the sparkly goodness.

This is the first Christmas in our new kitchen following a major renovation on our old farmhouse victorian outside of Boston. It was built in 1879 and from the moment we walked through, I knew it had the potential for a charming family home. There’s just something beautiful and worthwhile to restoring a historical home and bringing it fresh life.

We’re from California originally so when it came to designing the home, I knew I wanted that light, airy, coastal vibe that felt fresh and lived well with littles.

When it came time to design the kitchen, I had several items on my wishlist. I wanted a window nook for the large farmhouse sink surrounded in old barn wood beams, a built-in refrigerator/freezer that looked like an old icebox and a freestanding range hood flanked with windows. I actually drew out how I wanted it to look and handed it to the carpenter.

It’s been such a happy spot in our home and exactly what I envisioned to honor this old home. Adding some Christmas lovely to this pretty kitchen has been quite the joy.

I kept it light and simple—white ceramic Christmas trees, pretty linens, some simple faux juniper wreaths safety pinned on the backs of the counter stools, mini Christmas trees in the windows, and a big faux cedar wreath with linen ribbon in the window nook is really all it took. Understated Christmas lovely.

—– KITCHEN SOURCES —–

Construction and Architecture: Cutting Edge Homes | Design: Finding Lovely | Cabinetry Color: Sherwin Williams Repose Grey | Wall Color: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace | Kitchen Cabinetry: JD Millworks | Cabinetry Hardware: 8” Edgecliff Pull in brass by School House Electric | Backsplash Tile: Advance | Ceramic tiles in Chelsea White, 3×6” and 3×12” from Tiles Plus More | Island Tile: Tabarka Tile Nord 7 | Counter Stools: Restoration Hardware French Contemporary Counter Stool | Vintage Barnwood: LongLeaf Lumber | Island Pendants:E. F. Chapman Casual Darlana Fancy Lanterns in gilded iron size medium | Kitchen Runner: Finn Rug in Blue Pottery Barn | Sink Pendant Light: Boston Pendant in antique brass, McGee & Co. | Mini Juniper Wreaths on counter stools: A C Moore

Following the renovation we now have a kitchen that is open to the family room and it’s where we spend all our time. I wanted the Christmas decor in the whole house to feel fresh and flow well from room to room.

I love how light and airy it all looks with the earthy corals and denim blues. Our family room is where we have our large faux noble fir tree and it is decorated with these same colors.

I kept the built-ins neutral with a wood bowl of antique mercury ornaments, glazed white trees and zinc houses and added a wreath and simple garland to the mantel.

It’s the perfect spot in our new old home and we’re excited to make Christmas memories here.

—– LIVING ROOM SOURCES —–

Photography: Madison Rae Photography | Design: Finding Lovely

Inspiration for a Heart-Filled Valentine’s Bash with Your Besties

From bridal shower to just because I love my friends, this party is the perfect reason to celebrate Valentine’s Day. And if heart balloons and a flower wall are involved, well that’s just the cherry on top. Crafted by Lindsey M. Events along with florals by Apotheca and photographs by Lindsay Hackney, this shower turned Galentine’s soiree will get you in the mood to celebrate come February 14.

From the planner, Lindsey M. Events… I have always dreamed of planning an ultra feminine and bright bridal shower photo shoot, and what better occasion than Valentine’s Day for a party with your best friends? After stumbling upon Trade, a restaurant in the heart of Boston’s Atlantic Wharf, I knew it would be in the perfect backdrop. As a planner and designer I live for contrast, and in this instance placing pink and girly elements against Trade’s industrial backdrop was exactly the contrast I needed. I like to call our color palette here “Go Bright or Go Home.” Metallic heart balloons and neon pink palm tree napkins are paired with yellow stripes and a whitewash floral wall. We embraced all things pink and girly for our bride-to-be and played with texture and pattern to create something fresh and energetic. With an all-star cast of vendors, our shoot came to life with more color and spunk than I ever could have dreamed!

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Party DIY's For Your Next Girly Get-together

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Party DIY's For Your Next Girly Get-together

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Heartwarming Boston Wedding Film Packed with Emotion

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting Boston, you know the charm our good city encompasses. Yes, I’m totally biased, but it really does ignite a spark—especially when it comes to weddings. Need proof? This heartwarming film captured by With This Ring Wedding Films is your answer. Grab the tissues for those sweet vows!

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From With This Ring Wedding Films… Oh Boston, it’s been too long! With This Ring was thrilled to be back – especially over Independence Day weekend – and even more thrilled to be able to spend time with Diana and David during their amazing wedding day at the Revere Hotel Boston Common, a sophisticated boutique hotel that takes inspiration from the city’s rich history while reveling in the unpredictable. These two got ready in their hotel suites and then tied the knot in Revere’s Space 57, one of the most versatile event spaces in Boston. Diana and David’s reception celebration continued into the evening with good food, good music and speeches from family and friends that came from the heart. Who could ask for more?

Photography: Mikhail Glabets Lifestyle Photography | Cinematography: With This Ring Wedding Films | Reception Venue: Revere Hotel Boston Common | Wedding Venue: Revere Hotel Boston Common

Classic Summer Wedding in the City

I called Boston home for four years. It’s a city with an incredibly special place in my heart and when I see a wedding like this it brings my love for Boston rushing right back. Set at the Royal Sonesta Boston and featuring music by Night Shift Entertainment, it’s a summer celebration with no shortage of fun. See photos and film by THE EWINGS PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO below.

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From the Bride… We wanted the wedding to be classic, not too over-the-top, and fun. The most precious memories I took away from the wedding were the church ceremony where I couldn’t stop crying from overwhelming happiness, the trolley ride back to the hotel, dancing and laughing our way through pictures, and dancing along to Soho’s amazing music with family and friends. Luckily Erica took amazing pictures throughout the entire wedding, so I’ll never forget a single moment of the day.

Hung and I were most passionate about the band and florals. We saw Soho perform at a friends wedding and knew we wanted them to play at our wedding before we were even engaged. Once we got engaged, we contacted Soho first and based the wedding date on them. They were already booked up for some dates of Summer 2016 18 months in advance, so I was VERY happy we contacted them before planning other vendors. Once we had the date, we knew we wanted to get married in a church, so we chose the Old South Church because of it’s incredible beauty and great location. The Royal Sonesta was an easy choice because one of my best friends, Julie Bourque, sold weddings at the Sonesta and told me to come in just to take a peak to get an idea of what looking at reception spaces would be like. We pretty much decided on the Sonesta that day without looking at any other places to have the reception. It was perfect.

As for florals, we were recommended to Marc Hall by Julie. After one meeting with Jimmy Guzman from Marc Hall, we knew they were who we wanted do to the flowers for the wedding. We knew this was going to be where we put most of the money into and I’m so glad we did because the floral arrangements at the wedding were absolutely stunning and were even better than what I hoped they would be.

The trolley from the Old South Church back to the Sonesta was something I will never forget. Hung’s groomsmen brought a giant boombox with a microphone attached onto the trolley and cooler full of bud lights and we just partied all the way back to the Sonesta. We had music blasting and we were all taking turns singing into the microphone over loud dance music. Erica, our photographer, said she had never seen anything like it and was happy she was able to capture it in both photos and video. After pulling up to the Sonesta, one of the groomsmen held the boombox on his shoulder and we paraded through the Sonesta to the back outdoor area to take photos where we continued a dance session. We barely got any standing portraits on the wedding party because we all couldn’t stop dancing! It was one of the absolute best highlights of the wedding.

Hung and I were both at a mutual friends birthday party 4 years back. We didn’t speak that night, but we definitely both noticed each other. A few days later, we both happened to be at The Harp in Boston, pre-gaming for the Celtic’s game that we each had tickets for. He tapped me on the shoulder and said “I’m not sure if you know who I am but we were both at the same party the other night…” and handed my friends and me shots… Obviously his way to break the ice :) He finally asked for my number that night and after 1 low-key date during a snow blizzard the rest is history!

This is How You Plan Your Dream Wedding

There’s nothing we love more than grabbing our besties and hitting the town for a little bridal show action. And when that show happens to be the Wedding Day Expositions Boston Bridal Show, it’s a happier day than most. Think yummy treats, live music and a cake dive (!!) all happening this Sunday, January 8th. Mark your calendars and get ready to plan that day of your dreams.

The Wedding Day Expositions Boston Bridal Show is everything you’ve ever wanted in a bridal event… and so much more. I’m talking a one-stop shop with all of the areas finest vendors, plus some seriously cool happenings and awesome giveaways, as well. From the live fashion show to the Macy’s VIP entry bags (for the first 50 guests!) to the full bar filled with tasty libations, this is definitely one event you can’t miss. And did I mention the cake dive? I mean, this is going to be sooo awesome.

Whether you’re on the lookout for the perfect photographer, want to find that venue of your dreams or simply want to be inspired, the Wedding Day Expositions Boston Bridal Show is THE place to start planning. Click here NOW to get your tickets ($15 per person at the door or $10 online) and mark those calendars for a Sunday filled with wedding planning fun.

What: The Wedding Day Expositions Boston Bridal Show is giving away matching wedding bands in their fabulous cake dive!

Who: One lucky winner will be chosen completely at random to participate in the cake dive at the upcoming Boston Bridal Show and four other lucky contestants will be chosen live from the audience. All contestants will be cloaked in rain gear and wrestle through a GIANT cake provided by Montilio’s Bakery. Inside is a small box for the victor who will claim the pair of WEDDING BANDS as their PRIZE!

How: To enter to win a spot in Boston’s ONLY cake dive, submit your proposal/engagement photo by tagging @weddingdayexpos on Facebook OR @weddingdayexpositions on Instagram! #justsayyes

Mismatched Bridesmaids in Grey for a City Wedding

I can’t think of a more magical city to tie the knot than Boston. Steeped in history and bursting with charm, it’s no wonder Sam and Tim took to Copley Square with their bridal party to kick off their best day ever. See how it all unfolded through the lens of Ashley Largesse.

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Ashley Largesse Photography… Where do I even begin with these two and their Boston extravaganza-amazingness of a wedding day?! Since Sam and Tim first met in this beloved Massachusetts city, there was no question where they’d celebrate this new chapter of their lives. These two and their bridal squad practically took over Copley Square, strutting their stuff through traffic and cheering en route to the church. It was incredible, which is why half the city stopped to take pictures or join in the fun! The celebration continued nearby at Granite Links Golf Course with a view of the Boston skyline. It was everything perfect from beginning to end – a day full of love galore, happy tears, and pure joy followed by a night packed with emotional moments, beautiful speeches and some real impressive dance moves. Congratulations Sam and Tim!

Picnics + Proposals For One Sweet Couple

With the help of Wayfair, we have an engagement scene straight out of a dream, with sips, snacks and a picnic setup that’s near perfect. Ruth Eileen captured all the cute details and the adorable couple celebrating the start of their happily ever after. With a proposal reenactment for the camera’s sake and lots of sweet kisses, this shoot is sure to make your Sunday! See every moment in our Vault right here!

From the Couple… Our story began on a chilly day in January 2009 at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. We were both juniors in college and had several mutual friends – though unaware of the fact at that time. Kim, a fearless soul in a petite frame thought it would be funny to show up to the “guys house” in a youth size onesie – where Kevin happened to be. While Kim thought little of the exchanged hello and short amount of time they spent talking, she made a lasting first impression on Kevin. A few weeks later we ran into each other again at a Valentine’s Day party at another mutual friend’s house where we discovered our special connection and mutual interests in hockey, wine… and onesies.

After graduation, we moved in together and began life in the real world. Living in a big city, we loved planning weekend getaways to clear their minds, drink wine and enjoy the outdoors uninterrupted. Over the course of six years, our families became just as tight-knit as our bond and the conversation of getting married was always brought up. Although Kim would routinely dismiss the uncertainty in a laughing matter, Kevin was always poised – having it all planned out.

One weekend, Kevin organized a trip to spend the weekend at an unoccupied relative’s home with the plan to finally pop the question. Kevin had always envisioned a private, laid back and unexpected proposal so he knew this getaway would be the perfect opportunity to bring this vision to life. The weekend was peaceful and uneventful – just how they liked it – until Sunday arrived. After breakfast, Kevin asked Kim if she would like to take a walk around the pond nearby. Kevin began talking about their relationship and his excitement for their future as he turned around and got down on one knee. Kim thought Kevin was joking around and started laughing until he pulled the ring from his pocket. The laughs turned to tears as Kim realized what was actually happening.

We relived our proposal – this time with family nearby – in Boston, Massachusetts for our engagement photos. True to form, we’re planning their wedding at a local winery in Leesburg, Virginia with close friends and family.

12 Fabulous Ways to Thank Your Bridesmaids

Your bridesmaids? They’ve been with you through thick and thin. The dress fittings, the cake tastings, the 5 am meltdowns over color choices (it’s okay, we’ve all been there)… there’s a reason you call them your best friends. Which is why we’ve asked our faves at Long’s Jewelers to help you say “thank you” for everything in the best way possible. Think 12 awesome wedding day gifts that are perfect for showing that bestie gratitude. Scroll below for every pretty pick.

Bridesmaids Gifts from Long's Jewelers

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Bridesmaids Gifts from Long's Jewelers

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Ready to get your gift giving on? Visit one of Long’s Jewelers four locations in Massachusetts or their newest location (now open!) in sales tax free Nashua, NH! Their amazing staff will use their years of experience (they’ve been open since 1878, y’all) to help you find those bridesmaids gifts that will really, really wow. We promise.

Wedding Jewelry 101: Perfectly Matched Rings for the New England Bride

Calling all fabulous New England brides – this one’s for you. Because today we’re teaming up with one of our fave jewelry stores, Long’s Jewelers, to break down that age old question: which wedding band + ring combo should I choose? From classic solitaires to eternity bands to yellow gold beauties, we’ve got your answers. Scroll below to find the one perfect for you and yours.

The Classic Pairing

New England brides are known for their classic meets rustic chic style; we all know that. And when it comes to wedding jewelry, there’s nothing that falls within that category more than a single solitaire engagement ring paired with a breathtaking eternity band. Perfect for the bride who dreams of a Grace Kelly-esque wedding (read: all of us), it’s a look that will never go out of style. Sooo incredibly timeless.

Featured: Four Prong Diamond Solitaire (LMT2591) and Diamond Eternity Band (DETP1663)

Modern Yellow Gold Pairing

If you thought that yellow gold was reserved for your mother, grandma or friend who said “I do” in the 80’s, think again, loves… yellow gold is back with a seriously stunning vengeance. We promise. Long’s Jewelers suggests pairing this sweet metal with a modern halo and then adding a unique (+ drop-dead gorgeous) infinity swirl band for a perfectly awesome update to the traditional. We are so on board with that.

Featured: Diamond Halo Engagement Ring in Yellow Gold (LDM7293) and Diamond Infinity Swirl Band (LDB1877)

The “Boston” Ring

Fun fact of the day? The classic three-stone ring was created in the great, great city of Boston (we’re sort of partial), which makes it THE quintessential engagement ring for all of New England. Even better? This awesome setting allows you to mix and match with stones… use your mother’s, your grandmother’s, your mother-in-law’s… or your own. And when it comes to pairing this Beantown Beauty with a wedding band, Long’s Jewelers suggest a bead set diamond eternity band for an amazing look.

Featured: Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring (FRTH0170) and Bead Set Diamond Eternity Band (LDB1665)

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A Feminine Touch

We love, love, love a rose gold setting, especially one that has been paired with a white gold metal. It’s a mix and match we’re totally on board with and when it comes to romance, well… it doesn’t get any better. Try one of Long’s Jewelers awesome halo engagement rings with a stunning oval diamond (sooo pretty) and adding a rose gold halfway diamond band. The results are flawless.

Featured: Oval Diamond Halo Engagement Ring (LDMS0066) and Halfway Diamond Band in Rose Gold (LDB3157)

Vintage Details

Speaking of romance, Long’s Jewelers‘ lineup of drop-dead gorgeous vintage-inspired pieces basically owns the term. From halo engagement rings with intricate detailing to bezel set diamond eternity bands, finding that perfect pairing that evokes the beauty of yesterday is as simple as saying “YES!” to the one you love. And also soooo unique… and awesome.

Featured: Vintage Inspired Diamond Halo Engagement Ring (LDM7321) and Bezel Set Diamond Eternity Band (LDB1858)

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Can’t wait to find that perfect pairing for your bridal jewelry? Contact Long’s Jewelers TODAY or stop by one of their four locations throughout Massachusetts or their new location opening this fall in Nashua, NH. Their years upon years of experience (seriously… they’ve been open since 1878) and talented staff (family owned and operated) will help you locate that wedding band + engagement ring of your dreams.

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A Special Offer!

Use this coupon for 10% off your wedding band purchase.

Photography: Newbury Photographs | Jewelry: Longs Jewelers

The Perfect Way to Add a Touch of Vintage Glam to Your Wedding Day

Adding a little touch of vintage glamour to your wedding day is always a good idea, but adding it in the form of some serious bling? Even better. So today we’re teaming up with our friends over at Long’s Jewelers to bring you a list of stunning vintage gems that will definitely bring a little something extra special to your Big Day. Scroll below to fall in love with every last one.

Vintage Glamour with Long's Jewelers

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Vintage Glamour with Long's Jewelers

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With four locations throughout Massachusetts and one more opening in Nashua, NH later this fall, plus years upon years of experience (they’ve been in business since 1878, y’all), Long’s Jewelers is your go-to for all things vintage with a never-ending list of gorgeous finds. From dazzling earrings to stunning necklaces to fab rings that really make a statement, their experienced staff of jewelry experts (they are family owned and operated) will make sure you shine on your Big Day. Visit one of their awesome locations NOW to find that special something.

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A Special Offer!

Use the code STYLEMEPRETTY online for 20% off estate jewelry. (Offer expires December 31, 2016.)

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See How this Couple Fell in Love with their New England E-Sesh

It’s time to embark on a journey — a journey through Leah and Rob’s love with a little help from Elyse Hall Photography. The engagement session started in Boston at various locations throughout the city that played a part in their relationship. From there, they went to the Bride’s hometown in Rhode Island (where they’ll be married in the fall) where they posed for more gorgeous photos, with Leah in her great grandmother’s vintage stole. See the whole day in The Vault!

From Elyse Hall Photography…Leah & Rob met and fell in love in Boston Mass, so when choosing a location for their engagement photographs what better place to photograph then where it all began. We started off in the morning wandering around Boston in the freezing weather shooting at different locations that were special for these two. From the Boston public Library to wandering the streets of Boston each adventure felt like an important part of their relationship. Later in the afternoon we even ventured over to New Hampshire where Leah is from and where their fall wedding will be taking place. I love how Leah incorporated little touches that were special for her into the shoot. Leah wore her great grandmas vintage stole and we finished the shoot off in Leah’s parent’s backyard pond. Shooting at all these important locations gave me such a wonderful connection to how they fell in love and made me so excited for their BIG day.

Photography: Elyse Hall Photography | Location: Boston MA | Location: Rye NH

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The Boston Skyline is the Most Epic Ceremony Backdrop We’ve Seen!

When you work in the wedding industry, getting married isn’t always a cake walk. But thanks to Cambria Grace, we got a first-hand look at what it takes to become a photographer-turned-bride. She shared snippets of her journey down the aisle, and today we’re unfolding the big day pulled together with vendors like Lauren Wells, Pollen Floral Design, Ceremony Boston and Beat Train Productions behind the scenes. Dylan & Sara captured the fun, and make sure to check out their fiesta-themed rehearsal dinner today on SMP New England!

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From The Bride…Ross and I love our home. We love our dog, our families and our house. Since graduating college together in 2011, we have made Charlestown our home and the place we run our businesses. We knew we wanted to get married here, and after an extensive Google search, we decided on a pier in the Navy Yard that looks out over the city we love!

Our wedding day was insanely fun. There is no other way to describe it. I’ve never seen our parents dance so hard before! The most important thing to us was sharing the day with our friends and family. When Lauren Wells, my maid of honor and the magical unicorn of her own design business, kindly offered to help us style the wedding, we were so excited. Krissy (Pollen Floral) also made us some unbelievable flower arrangements, and I am forever grateful for her talent!

I have so many favorite moments from the day, but one that stands out in particular is our ceremony. Ross and I were nervous about standing in front of everyone proclaiming our love (it is so daunting!) so when I finally got to him at the end of the aisle, I was so relieved. And like it was right on cue, one of the ships in the navy yard blew its horn…and then a duckboat went by us cheering and honking…and to top it off, a police boat’s sirens went off as it pulled over another boat. It was total chaos out there. I was crying from laughing so hard, which made getting through our vows way easier. Of course, Ross’ were hilarious and sweet, which is a perfect representation of him, so I laughed my way through the entire ceremony.

The weather was a major worry of mine, but the rain held off until we were all under the tent. It led one of the most romantic moments – walking home with my husband in the rain at 2am. It will forever be one of my favorite memories. For anyone planning a wedding, the best moments are often the unplanned ones and you just have to embrace them!

A Mexican Fiesta Rehearsal Dinner (on the Boston Harbor!)

Get excited, because today you’re in for a very special treat. Without further ado, we’re sharing Cambria Grace‘s wedding today on the blog! But up first is her Southwest-themed rehearsal dinner fiesta. With the Boston skyline as a backdrop, Ross and Cambria celebrated their nuptials in the most festive fashion: with coconut margaritas, tacos and delicious donuts! See the whole affair, captured by Dylan & Sara Photography, in The Vault and stay tuned for her wedding later today!

From The Bride…One of our favorite date nights is going to Loco in South Boston (which was introduced to us by my MOH, Lauren Wells)! We knew we wanted to rehearse and enjoy dinner on the pier, so we asked Loco to cater the event and they did AN AMAZING JOB! Their team were the nicest people ever, and they also happen to make very tasty food (and coconut margaritas). Mike (the co-owner) even came to make sure everything was perfect, and it really was.

Lauren and Krissy made everything look beautiful and catered to that southwestern theme, that I am especially fond of as I’m from the south. One of my favorite parts of the design was from Li Ward, who calligraphed the terracotta pot with the bar menu. I still have it and treasure it so much!

Ross and I had such a relaxing night with our friends and family, and I can’t imagine a better way to spend the night before our wedding!

How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Rings

Let’s be honest, planning a wedding can be a little complicated. From the cake to the flowers to the guest list, there’s a lot of decisions to make. But the one thing you most definitely don’t want to worry about? Choosing the right wedding bands. Which is why we’re teaming up with the fabulous Long’s Jewelers to help ease the stress a bit. It’s Rings 101 from Boston’s most beloved jeweler. Sit back and soak it all in.

1. Choose Your Wedding Ring Style

From the band width to the metal finish to the overall look and feel, narrowing down the style of your band is one of THE most important decisions you’ll make. Are you and yours a vintage-inspired duo, a modern couple or two sweeties with a love of all things simple and sweet? By choosing the right band width and metal that fit your style personality, you can count on a happy ring buying experience. Think a 4 mm band in brushed metal or a 10 mm band in a more textured look. Honestly, the options at Long’s Jewelers are endless… and beyond pretty.

2. Understand The Differences In Metal Type

And speaking of metal… understanding the differences between all of the ah-mazing options is totally key. From classic + gorgeous yellow gold (hint: always go for the 18K) to the platinum pretties (hypoallergenic + heavy + long-lasting) to the white gold stunners to the edgy (+ seriously chic) Tungsten or Carbon Fiber rings that are totally you and totally unique. Not sure which one to choose? No worries. Long’s Jewelers will walk with you step by step throughout the entire process to make sure you pick a metal that is perfect.

3. Consider Your Lifestyle

Making sure your ring fits into your day to day lifestyle can often be overlooked, but as the staff at Long’s Jewelers will tell you… it’s sooo important. Which means that whether you spend your days working with your hands (hint, hint: platinum) or play tennis every.single.morning (just say no to the eternity bands), selecting the right band will make alllll the difference.

4. Settle On A Budget

Just like every aspect of your Big Day, you’ll most definitely want to set a budget BEFORE you go ring shopping. But where, oh where to start? Long’s Jewelers recommends setting aside $1,000 and heading upward based on those details you are simply swooning over. Think diamond accents, metal type and more. Truly… it all just depends on what you’re looking for. Our advice? Start with doing some research online to get a ballpark estimate. You’ll find it so very, very helpful that you did.

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Can’t wait to put all of your new knowledge to the test? Join Long’s Annual Wedding Band Weekend March 18-20, 2016 for wall-to-wall wedding bands, a meet and greet with some awesome wedding ring vendors and selection and pricing that will make you sooo happy. Oh, and there’s also the chance to win $1,000 off your wedding ring, plus even more amazing prizes. I’m talking a dream honeymoon, suits for your bridal party, dinner and wine, a shopping spree, a pair of TAG Huer watches, gift certificates and more. RSVP here, lovelies. It’s going to be awesome.

Massachusetts Weddings

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