Massachusetts Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

They Made a Wedding Day Pact That’s So Romantic!

After a year of wedding planning, this gorgeous Bride and Groom promised each other that on their big day, they wouldn’t let the other out of their sight. From the romantic ceremony in one of Royal Sonesta Boston‘s beautiful ballrooms to dancing the night away to the tunes of Radiance, this Bride and Groom remained attached at the hip, celebrating their big day together. See it all from Zev Fisher Photography and Fade And Focus in The Vault!

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From The Bride…Alex and I met in college at the University of Michigan, where some of our fondest memories to date were formed. We were set up for a date party – in typical fraternity-sorority fashion – and instantly hit it off. Soon after that night, our affinity for each other grew into more and we spent the remainder of college falling in love with each other and the city of Ann Arbor, where three years after graduating, we returned with friends for an alumni weekend and Alex popped the question.

When we got engaged, we knew right away we wanted our wedding to be in Boston (where I grew up) both because we love the city and because we wanted to provide our many friends and family from New York with an easy Labor Day weekend getaway. We looked at eleven (yes, eleven!) venues in one weekend and quickly decided on the Royal Sonesta Boston Hotel in Cambridge. We loved its beautiful views of Boston and its gorgeous setting directly on the Charles River. We also loved its boutique style and the contemporary art collection that permeated the space. Above all else, we cared most about our wedding feeling like us, and we felt the Royal Sonesta’s effortless vibe did exactly that.

The idea of the wedding feeling like us was our number one inspiration in the planning process. We knew it was going to be a big wedding no matter what (a whopping 260) so we focused on making it as personal and intimate as possible. We wanted it to feel warm, romantic, and inviting and accomplished just that by focusing on the details.

We used this concept to inform our choice of a summery color-pallet filled with blush, lavender, and soft grey. My eight bridesmaids wore those three colors in Monique Lhuillier’s tulle collection to achieve the romantic look we were going for. To complement my lace-detailed Pronovias gown, I wore the same veil my sister (and Matron of Honor) wore when she walked down the aisle a few years prior, which felt so special and personal to me. Alex wore a charcoal grey Hugo Boss tux, which was the perfect way for him to just ever-so-subtly stand out next to his groomsmen wearing black.

To continue with our vision of warmth and romance, we wanted the flowers to be loose and whispery and our florist did an incredible job helping us to achieve this look. Our chuppah was constructed of curly willow and lavender limonium for a full yet simple feel. In the ballroom, wooden boxes and delicate vases showcased dreamy floral arrangements filled with stunning flowers like white hydrangeas, faith roses, and seeded eucalyptus. Mercury votives and floating candles complimented the flowers on each table, and a combination of sheer fabric and bee-lighting draped from the ceiling to create an elegant look. We also decided to bring in long, wooden farm tables that lined the dance floor to help create a more intimate feel in the room.

From our wedding invitations, programs, and menus we helped to custom design, to our homemade hotel welcome bags filled with our favorite goodies, to UMichigan paraphernalia incorporated throughout the wedding night, we infused the wedding with personal touches. Our vanilla-mocha wedding cake was topped with a Michigan Wolverine bride and groom, baby pictures of us hung on each bathroom door, and wooden feathers I found from my favorite Cape Cod home-décor shop were used to enhance our cards and gift table.

On the night before the wedding, Alex and I made a pact with each other (thanks to advice from very wise friends!) that we wouldn’t let each other out of our sights on our wedding night. Though we had planned our wedding together all year long, this plan was undoubtedly the best one of them all. When I look back to the wedding, it was everything we could have possibly dreamed of and more—the love in the room, the warm speeches and remarks made throughout the night, and the infectious energy was beyond our wildest imagination. But in the end, being attached at the hip throughout the night proved to be the best possible way we could have celebrated, and was inevitably the most perfect way for the wedding to feel like us. My advice to brides-to-be would be to spend your wedding night side-by-side with your new spouse. It is so easy to get sidetracked by all the love your friends and family will have for you on your wedding night, but experiencing that incredible feeling in tandem with the best friend you just MARRIED is truly what you’ll remember forever.

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A Wedding That Pulls Off Classic With a Touch of Nautical

For this couple who fell in love on the island of Nantucket, it only felt right to return to where it all began. They planned a classic-as-can-be celebration infused with subtle nautical details as a nod to their beachside setting. The result? This insanely gorgeous gallery from the lens of Lacie Hansen that you can stare at All. Afternoon. Long.

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From The Bride… Both of us grew up traveling to Nantucket for family vacations. Joe’s grandparents had a family vacation home there and now his mom lives there year round. My parents started going to Nantucket in college and they would camp out on the beaches with my aunt and uncle. They loved it so much that they started taking us there when we were young and eventually purchased a vacation home in Madaket. Joe and I probably played on the same beaches growing up, but did not meet until summer of 2011.

Joe was living on the island year round when we met. I was just visiting for a few summer weeks. He asked me out on a date to American Seasons (a very quaint and romantic restaurant). We ended really falling for one another and spending as much time together as possible for the rest of my vacation. Things went so well that we started dating long distance (Chicago-Nantucket). We did that for a year and a half until Joe decided to move to Chicago to be with me. Even though we live in Chicago full-time, Nantucket will always be a very special place for us. It is where we first met, had our first date, and where we got married. We plan to make sure we are there for every anniversary to come.

From David M. Handy Events… A collection of round and rectangle dinner tables filled the grand ballroom at the Nantucket Hotel & Resorts. The room was enhanced with gold ballroom chairs, gorgeous gold and blush table linens, vintage chargers, table numbers and lots of romantic candlelit. To complete the look the room was washed in a warm amber color.

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A Rustic Summer Wedding Complete with a Frozen Lemonade Stand

When the Groom is one of the masterminds behind Dels Frozen Lemonade, New England’s favorite summer sip, you know the wedding is going to be full of fun, summer vibes. And this Massachusetts wedding so is. With a frozen lemonade cart, lawn games and music from Boston Common Band, this Willowdale Estate wedding is simply perfect. See it all from KL Imagery and Frame & Anchor in The Vault!

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From Willowdale Estate…Dell’s Frozen Lemonade is *the* summer drink in New England, and when one of the owners (Matt) married his incredibly chic bride (Whitney) they just had to have the most classic, beautiful summer celebration complete with a frozen lemonade cart, lawn games mixed with effortlessly with gorgeous formal elements.

From The Bride…My inspiration was elegant and rustic romance! ‘Elegance’ and ‘Rustic’ may seem like a strange juxtaposition, but I think it really sums up the feel behind our Wedding Day. Willowdale Estate with it’s tent, mansion, garden, and the surrounding grounds was a perfect location for this. We are both laid back and love the outdoors and wanted that reflected, as well as to provide a beautiful reception and great party that did not sacrifice the details. We had tufted couches paired with vintage seating, antique gold lanterns alongside geometric glass terrariums with moss and white and blush flowers, and white antler place card holders with gold mercury glass candles. Guests could sip on Del’s lemonade or strawberry rhubarb champagne while playing cornhole or snacking on mini lobster rolls. It really showed both sides of us!

We met in a very unique way (Whitney lived in Minnesota and Matt lived in Massachusetts but we met on a bus in Australia. Whitney got the last seat available on the bus which happened to be next to Matt. The bus broke down and we were stuck together for hours before getting to our destination…we’ve been together ever since!) We wanted our wedding day to also be uniquely “us” as well and it was those personalized touches really made the day special for us. Both of Matt’s parents are from Rhode Island so it has a special place in our hearts. Matt is owner of the Del’s Lemonade in Cumberland, RI so we had a cart serving the frozen lemonade to guests as they arrived. To showcase our love of the outdoors, moss and flowers were a theme throughout the indoors and outdoors. Our first look was on the bridge by the river running though the Willowdale Estate property. Matt enjoys hunting and fishing so antler accents were shown throughout the decor, and small antler tines were incorporated into the groomsmen’s boutonnieres. We had a sophisticated s’mores station (Whitney’s favorite treat since childhood!), and Minnesota and Massachusetts shaped cookies were given to our guests as they departed. Whitney’s mother, a talented cook, created a signature cocktail using Strawberries and Rhubarb from farms in Minnesota, which Willowdale bartenders mixed and served throughout the evening. Near the end of the evening, we served french fries and grilled cheeses from Willowdale Catering – I think our guests are still talking about them! It was the perfect snack after dancing the night away!

The Boston Common Band was amazing and made the whole day, from the beginning of the ceremony to the end of the evening, stress-free as far as music was concerned. Not only was there a DJ for the ceremony music and the full band and DJ for the reception – they also covered the cocktail hour by playing jazz music on the piano inside the mansion. They made everyone dance and had some pretty amazing moves of their own.

One of my favorite moments of the day was our first dance. Unbeknownst to us, the wedding party pocketed some of the flower petals we used during our recession down the aisle after the ceremony, and showered us with them during our first dance. Our song was “This Magic Moment” by the Drifters….and it certainly was!

Our Nephew was our ring bearer but was still too young to walk. We had the flower girl pull him down in a vintage wagon found (along with other great antiques like our victorian chair) at the Wrentham Country Store. One of my favorite gifts that was also showcased on our wedding cake table was the custom hand embroidered linen from the Etsy shop StrawberryAndIvy (Whitney’s MOH) She also designed our card box made from a vintage wooden microscope box. Dogwood Floral made absolutely beautiful and romantic flower arrangements and table scapes. She took time to listen to what I wanted, created a sample to ensure we were on the same page, and delivered above and beyond on the day of the wedding.

I also can’t say enough about our Videographer, Evan, from Frame and Anchor. From the first time we spoke to after the video was edited and sent to us, he was so informative, approachable, professional, and made us feel comfortable and involved in the process.

We took on some DIY projects too! The seating chart and other signage was created using frames, moss, and printed material. In order to create an “indoor” lounge area feel outside, we brought in furniture, a coffee table, and customized pillows to arrange under the bistro lights near the reception area. We spray painted tiny clothes pins gold and attached packets of petals to our ceremony programs for the petal toss recession. We also created packages for the kids that would be in attendance at the dinner (coloring books, etc). Because we are from different states and had family and friends coming from near and far, it was also important to us to create a sincere thank you note for everyone. We created these with the help of minted.com and slid them under the place cards. We also created a flip-flop display by the dance floor so guests could dance in comfort. The most time consuming but rewarding DIY project was creating the favors. They were cookies shaped like Massachusetts and Minnesota and decorated in icing with a small heart where our hometowns are located. They were packaged with a heart cookie in-between them and given to our guests as they departed.

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From a High School Romance to a Classic Spring Wedding

Fourteen years after one awkward adolescent car ride, this sweet Bride and Groom became husband and wife in one gorgeous spring wedding. With lavender Jenny Yoo bridesmaids’ dresses, a classic tented reception, music from Beat Train Productions and beautiful photos from White Loft Studio, you’d be majorly missing out if you didn’t head to The Vault to see all the pretty!

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From The Bride…I grew up in a tiny suburb of Boston, Luke in Charlotte, NC. We met by chance when we were fourteen years old. Luke’s best friend from Charlotte, Justin, moved to my hometown during Freshman year of high school, we became friends, and Luke came up to visit him during the Spring. I remember Justin’s mom coming to pick me up and climbing into the back seat of her car and Luke sitting there. He was cute, with crooked teeth and wearing a Saves the Day tee shirt. I said “Hi Luke” and he, nervously, said nothing back. We spent the next few hours not speaking to each other, I pretty much didn’t speak at all the entire afternoon and made up an excuse that I had a project to do so Justin’s mom would bring me home. My friend Jess and I took a walk that afternoon and I remember telling her all about Luke, even though we literally had not spoken to one another. He happened to have the guts to talk to me on AIM, and it went from there (the original online relationship!). We became super close talking online, and we would talk on the phone for hours. Every time he came to visit Justin, it would be like starting from zero. We were so scared of each other. We had our first kiss when we were 16 in the back seat of a van full of people.

This is a really long story, how 14 years later we are married (there was a lot of time in there that we were not in touch), but fast forward to the summer of 2008, when Luke moved to New York, I was in school at the time. We never really said we were together, we just haven’t been apart since. Luke proposed to me in August of 2014 when we were in Italy on vacation. I had been on Cape Cod the weekend before with my mom, and she said to me “I wonder if he will propose to you,” which I jokingly repeated to Luke. He just responded, “I’m really sorry but you planned this trip.” I KNEW it wasn’t happening. When it did happen, we were on the side of the Arno in Florence, wandering around after dinner the second night of our trip; it was incredible, and a total surprise. The vacation felt like a honeymoon!

I wanted to get married pretty quickly, we planned the wedding for only 9 months. Everything fell into place really easily. Fruitlands Museum was the first venue we looked at, a recommendation from one of my moms patients. It is so beautiful and the people that run it are amazing. Planning our reception there couldn’t have been easier. Our ceremony was at the small church that my parents go to, it was really relaxed and pretty. There were so many details that just fell into place, which looking back I am so grateful for.

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An Interior Designer’s Cape Cod Wedding with To-Die-For Nautical Details

When this gorgeous Cape Cod wedding first came across my desk, I had to do a double take to make sure it was a real wedding and not a photo shoot because it’s that pretty. But that’s no surprise considering this beautiful Bride is an interior designer. From the hanging sailboat to the scattered seashells throughout, this wedding is the definition of nautical glamour. See it all from Arielle Doneson Photography in The Vault!

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From Arielle Doneson Photography…Elizabeth and Peter met on the Cape, where Elizabeth grew up and Peter spent much of his youth. The Provincetown monument was the perfect backdrop for their nuptials as it offered a stunning 360 view of their beloved cape. As an interior designer with a discerning eye, Elizabeth styled the day to perfection with nautical objéts curated from her travels. The day started out a gray and rainy one but by the time the ceremony began it was a perfectly glorious Cape Cod day – just a photographer’s dream.

This is How You Weave a Touch of Copper in Your Wedding!

I’ll always and forever be a gold kind of girl, but I’d also be crazy to not love this season’s hottest metallic trend – copper. Think of it as gold’s stylish little sister with just the right amount of edge to step up any wedding palette. Vendors Deborah Zoe, Shannon Grant, Romanticist Studio and Beach Plum Floral Design showed us how it’s done, and there’s lots more inspiration sitting in The Vault.

From Deborah Zoe Photo…Wedding photographers, Shannon Grant and Deborah Zoe, along with a super-talented creative team collaborated together on this “Industrial Romance” inspiration shoot geared towards brides planning a modern spring wedding in Boston.

“We really wanted to evoke the sense of two becoming one by combining the soft femininity of a romantic style paired with the hard edges of an industrial space. Styled by Roberta of The Romanticist Studios, each detail was perfectly paired to have a beautiful balanced look, a fitting metaphor for marriage.

It was important to us that the details felt fashion-forward and editorial and that they represented the concept of industrial romance well. We were also enamored with the 2016 Pantone color choices and wanted to weave them into the shoot in a unique way. we decided to pair Rose Quartz and blush along with pops of Fiesta Red and copper accents. It was a color palette that felt fresh and modern to us while also giving a nod to the more feminine and classic colors of blush and pink. Incorporating the metal accents through the use of copper was a fun twist as well.

The shiny escort cards were hand cut from copper plates and lettered with an airy, white calligraphy font penned by Yennygrams. The invitation suite features blush toned paper, muted red watercolors and copper acrylic ink.

Beach Plum Floral installed a dramatic garland made of seeded eucalyptus with pops of bright red anemones, ranunculus, soft blush roses, lisianthus and subtle touches of peach colored Juliet garden roses and incorporated these same touches in the bouquet. The pops of fiesta red anemones and ranunculus were the perfect unexpected touch to these romantic arrangements. Red and peach silk ribbons were cut long to catch the air and float along with our bride.

Voted Best New Venue by the Venue Report, Warehouse XI provided the industrial backdrop with their loft-like, raw white space and natural light. Be Our Guest finished off the space with a romantic and industrial table setting with a mix of soft, organic materials and structured man-made silhouette. The pink tulle from was intentionally left raw and hand crafted with unfinished edges to showcase the linen’s organic texture and lend to it a sense of movement. The effect is as if the tulle is spilling out of the galvanized metal lid and it’s the perfect finishing element. It balances the femininity of tulle with a clean, polished manner.

Hair that moves styled a loose and wavy up-do to compliment the shoot’s romantic vibe while Amanda McCarthy Beauty gave our Bride a fresh and dewy glow with just the right amount of pop of pink on the lips. Flair Boston picked the perfect gown to accompany the shoot with a tulle gown by designer Aria.

When it came to dessert, we knew we definitely wanted to include a sampling of a local favorite, Union Square donuts. Not only are they delicious but we’ve noticed unique treats like donuts are a growing wedding day trend! In addition to the donut spread we also wanted to feature cake but in a modern and fresh way. Artisan Bake Shop ran with the industrial romance theme and created two unique cakes, one covered with a metallic copper hand painted fondant and the other was a delicious naked cake, topped with powdered sugar, and draped with the softest blooms.

Why a Fall Wedding in New England is EVERYTHING

What’s better than a local wedding filled with heart? How about a local New England wedding complete with First Mate Photo behind the lens. Now that dear readers is how you make the best even better. Add in a lovely gown from Ceremony Boston, makeup by Makeup Artistry by Liz and Wilson Stevens Productions serenading the celebration and you’ve got the makings of a masterpiece. See it all in The Vault!

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From The Bride…Scott and I met through mutual friends in Boston, and we had been together for nearly 5 years when we married. It was the day before my 30th birthday when Scott proposed in our first home together in Beacon Hill.

We planned for an October celebration, as there really is no better time of year to enjoy the beauty of the Berkshires. (Scott also convinced me that the Fall was perfect tux weather!)

The ceremony took place at Saint Ann’s in downtown Lenox, a small town nestled in the heart of the Berkshires. It holds a special place in my heart as my parents married in the same church nearly 35 years earlier.

Our reception was held at Cranwell’s Tudor-style mansion, the centerpiece of the 380 acre estate. Many of our guests stayed on the property in the guest rooms located throughout the resort, which made for a weekend celebration. Our after party was even held at a tavern located on the property!

In planning our wedding, we kept things true to our style, favoring details and personal touches that were inspired by the area’s natural beauty and history. My florist, Krissy Price of Pollen Floral Design helped me play out my ideas with her creativity and use of seasonal blooms (and fruit!). Our day was beautifully and authentically captured by our photographer, Rebecca Hansen of First Mate. In the end, it was perfect.

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!

Chic, Vintage Massachusetts Wedding

Beautiful to the very core, this chic wedding at the Willowdale Estate has just the perfect amount of vintage flair to make it not only lovely but interesting. With florals that will make you melt from Les Fleurs and images so pretty you can’t believe your eyes from Ramblefree Photo Co., this wedding defines stunning. See even more in the VAULT.

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From Ramblefree Photo Co…Brian and Christie’s sophisticated New England wedding took place on a balmy, stormy day in late August, but the couple and their guests didn’t let the rain spoil anything for them! Both the ceremony and reception took place at the beautiful Willowdale Estate in Topsfield, MA – a stately stone mansion tucked away in a forest. Christie looked stunning in bridal separates from Watters and WToo topped with a glamorous beaded capelet from BHLDN. The bridesmaids complemented the simple and chic color palette with mismatched but coordinating nude gowns. Brian and his groomsmen were handsome in classic Vera Wang tuxes.

Because of the impending rain, the couple was wed in a traditional ceremony under Willowdale’s gracious tent with a view of the stone courtyard. While guests enjoyed cocktail hour, Brian and Christie, undeterred by the approaching storms, braved the outdoors and wandered Willowdale’s grounds and forests to get some natural couples portraits. Luckily, the rain held off until almost the exact moment when they went back inside for the start of the reception!

The talented Les Fleurs created the lush bouquets and ceremony and reception decor. The floral design incorporated abundant soft pastels, corals, and textural greenery such as ivy. Christie and Les Fleurs decided to take advantage of the summer harvest and incorporate summer fruits like peaches and pears into the centerpieces. They were a wonderfully unexpected and beautiful touch. Each guest also received a peach at their place setting.

Guests dined on delicious food from Willowdale and danced into the night with the bride and groom while rain pounded on the tent roof above.

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Fabulous Wedding Ring Trends for 2016

You’ve been dreaming of saying “I do” for what seems like forever, so when it comes time to put that ring on your finger, you want to get it RIGHT. Enter Long’s Jewelers, our go-to experts for all things jewelry who also happen to know everything there is to know about this year’s most anticipated styles. Think gorgeous bands that will stay timeless even beyond 2016. Scroll below for a look.

Trend #1 – Unique Wedding Bands

You + yours are unlike any other couple you know, so obviously your wedding rings from Long’s Jewelers should be as unique as you are. From crazy cool details to uncommon designs to colorful gemstones, choosing a one-of-a-kind look is the perfect way to stand out amongst the crowd, add that extra spice to your classic e-ring or mix together two very different tastes and styles. It’s letting your personality shine through your jewelry and we.are.obsessed.

Trend #2 – Stacking Bands

Let’s be honest, you’re a total fashionista… and staying ahead of the style game also means showing off your wedding rings with a little more “flare” than the usual one band + one engagement ring. Which is why Long’s Jewelers’ stacking bands are the perfect option. Think thin rings that sit flush with one another to form a beautiful grouping OR a fabulous look spread out across each finger. Plus, with different shapes, colors, designs and price points, stacking bands are most definitely chic and original.

Trend #3 – Mixing Metals

You’re the type of lady who throws rules out the window and mixes and matches metals until your hearts content. In other words… those gold earrings and platinum bracelet? Perfect for your night out on the town. So why not apply those same principals to finding your wedding ring and choose a hue from Long’s Jewelers that is totally opposite to your engagement jewelry. I’m talking an e-ring in rose gold meets a platinum band that is super sparkly. It’s bold, fashion-forward AND unique. We love that.

Trend #4: Meaningful & Sentimental Wedding Bands

Your wedding ring is one of THE most important pieces of jewelry you will ever own, so why not make it extra special by adding an additional touch of sentimentality to this already meaningful piece. With Everband rings from Long’s Jewelers, you’ll start with a band that holds one interior diamond for your wedding day and, with each passing anniversary, add a diamond to the inside or outside of the band as a symbol of your love and partnership. Such an amazing statement.

Trend #5 – Halfway or Three-Quarter Diamond Bands

If you fell head over heels in love with eternity bands last year, you were not alone… 2015 was the year of the diamonds. This year, however, it’s all about scaling back to a half or 3/4 eternity band. Think cost-effective, more practical and easier to handle if you work with your hands. (Read: no cracking or damaging a diamond or losing a stone.) It’s rockin’ the bling from Long’s Jewelers sans the anxiety… we can get on board with that.

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Excited to see these new trends in person? Head to Long’s Annual Wedding Band Weekend on March 18-20, 2016 for wall-to-wall wedding bands (including the new Everband collection!), chit chat with fab wedding ring vendors and selection and pricing that is all sorts of ah-mazing. You’ll even have a chance to win $1,000 off your wedding ring, plus even more spectacular prizes. Think a dream honeymoon, groomsmen suits, dinner + wine, a shopping spree, a pair of TAG Huer watches, gift certificates and MORE. RSVP here, because you absolutely don’t want to miss a moment.

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Industrial Chic Warehouse Inspiration Session

Industrial chic is the new rustic elegance. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a good rustic wedding, but there’s something about industrial-inspired weddings (and photo shoots like this one) that feels so fresh, modern and cool. With vendors like Kim Lyn Photography, Cristen & Co, Forklift Catering and Ali Lomazzo Beauty, every curated detail came together beautifully. I dare you not to fall in love with it all in The Vault!

From Cristen & Co.… When I first walked into Warehouse XI, I could not stop dreaming up all the industrial city chic weddings I could plan and design in this space, with their all white brick walls, a huge window with lots of natural light pouring in and the gray cement floors; I knew this venue was a catch!

Warehouse XI is not only a new unique space right outside Boston but it is also the perfect setting for a smaller, more intimate romantic wedding. We teamed up with some more than fabulous friends on this editorial shoot to create a Spring Refined Industrial City Wedding. With an all white color palette, pops of pewter and metallic antique gold we brought spring into the space with tons of greenery and a few white blooms hung on the gold diamond geo shapes above the wooden farm table.

Every detail was carefully curated from the light bulb calligraphy place cards, custom invitation suite with splatters of gold ink, sweet pea spring daiquiri, mini textured cakes adorned with fresh flowers and a hand torn chiffon ribbon ceremony backdrop.

We incorporated some modern elements to create a clean look like the Zen place settings with matte black silverware, gunmetal chairs and a cake that featured a pentagon layer to match the metal nut attached to the light bulb place cards. Forklift Catering created some show stopping colorful dishes from hors d’oeuvres to entrees; they didn’t miss a flavor or detail.

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Wedding Dresses

Astrid and Mercedes

Ingenue 2015

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Rustic Small Business Inspired Local Love Wedding

One thing we LOVE about Carrie & Steve’s Big Day? The fact that they used only their favorite local vendors. That’s right, it’s the ultimate small business lovefest and we’re smitten with every single second of it. Thanks to Whim Events, Mayflour Cake & Confections, Gus And Ruby, Pretty Plum Sugar, Haute Bride, Jenny Yoo, White Dress By The Shore, and Jenny Moloney Photography this is one gallery you won’t want to miss. See it all in The Vault!

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From the Bride… Steve and I met in AmeriCorps 8 years before tying the knot at the beautiful Barn at Gibbet Hill outside of Boston, MA. We built our relationship on the shared experience of traveling the country and volunteering together in small towns and cities across the country, learning to appreciate the beauty and character of the communities in which we worked and explored, as we got to know all of each other’s strengths, quirks, and goals.

When it came time to plan our wedding, Steve and I knew we wanted our day to feel really personal, special, and reflective of who we are and what’s important to us. Part of that meant choosing vendors and small businesses with whom we felt a true connection, who shared our values and heard our vision, and who could help us attend to the many details of our day. After scouring four states, we finally found our our farm-to-table, rustic-chic venue, the church, and the inn where we would get ready for our big day. We found comfort in knowing that all parts of our wedding would reflect what we had chosen together with the help of the WHIM team. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the brilliant and talented Natalie Pinney and her team at WHIM Events and Floral Design to help us with the planning, coordination, and event design for our big day. We drew inspiration from Pinterest to handcraft our Save the Dates, used Canva to create our ceremony programs, and worked with Gus & Ruby Letterpress to design the most gorgeous watercolor invitation suite. We searched for various Etsy artists to create a custom wedding stole to be worn by my brother/ceremony officiant, make personalized mugs, tote bags, and scarves for the bridesmaids, and create a photo charm for my bouquet in memory of my dad. Our hotel bags were designed by my sister/maid-of-honor, filled with treats and necessities, cookies made by my mother, popcorn from a vendor we met at our community farmer’s market, and stuffed by a team of aunts, uncles, cousins, and even my 95-year-old grandmother! Favors included beer we brewed a couple months before the wedding at Hopsters, coldbrew coffee made in our neighborhood, and local flowers and produce. Our cake was made on Boston’s North Shore by a one-woman-owned business, the day-of calligraphy and extras were crafted by area artists, and of course my gorgeous Modern Trousseau dress was custom made for me in my home state of Connecticut. Some of my favorite moments included having our ceremony officiated by my older brother, the trio sung by close family friends, the thoughtful toasts by my mom, sister, and brother-in-law, and dancing the night away to the incredibly talented band. Steve loved sharing our handwritten vows before friends and family, watching me ring the church bell at the end of our ceremony, and dancing with his mom to a duet sung by my sister and me. All of the fun was captured by the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo of Jenny Moloney Photography.

While it took many, many months, endless to-do lists, and some stressful nights to get everything done, it was well worth it to see everything come together just exactly the way we had imagined it.

From the Planner & Design Team… From the moment we met Carrie & Steve, we knew they were one of the most thoughtful couples we had ever worked with. These two are such kind-hearted folk, always putting others needs before their own. This was not only inspiring, but a true testament to how the couple met each other in AmeriCorps!

So, we were not surprised one bit when they mentioned one of their biggest wedding priorities (aside from creating a welcoming environment for guests) was to “shop small” – to support local businesses, artists, farmers and american-grown flowers for their wedding day. They were avid attenders of the Newport Folk festival, and hoped their wedding would host a similar vibe: organic, light, lively, sustainable, musical and welcoming. We instantly connected to this and worked with them to curate a wedding day full of “local love.”

Carrie and Steve chose our team for Full Planning & Design. While we helped them find their ideal vendors, they took careful consideration of who they felt a true connection with. It was a key part of the welcoming environment they wanted. When it came to design, the couple chose a blush and dusty gray color pallet, highlighted by small elements of gold, for a rustic yet refined look. And, Carrie’s love of dahlias became the frontrunner of every design aspect thereafter. She loved its organic nature, colors and texture. Throughout the design process, Carrie would even send us pictures of her favorite dahlias she came across at flower shops! We knew this vibrant little flower was going to make a big impact.

When choosing invitations, we worked with Portsmouth letterpress designer Gus & Ruby to create a custom watercolor letterpress invitation, highlighting the flower that Carrie loved so much. Each element, including the calligraphy and watercolor florals were hand-painted by artist Poppy & Scooter.and brought to life on paper. The vibe was organic yet elegant, and set the tone from the start.

On the wedding day, we aimed to keep the vibe earthy yet polished, understated yet well thought out. The tablescape featured simply ivory linens with a small hint of gold china for a graceful look. The water color menu (also created by Gus & Ruby and Poppy & Scooter) featured simple greenery that complimented the farm-to-table meal. And of course, the centerpieces designed by Moira Thompson from Whim Events featured local dinner plate dahlias, American-grown hydrangea, and local, seasonal blooms. Wood signage and day of paper featured more hand-painted floral design & calligraphy for an artistic touch.

One of our absolute favorite elements to dream up for Carrie and Steve’s day was the”Local Love” farm stand favor concept. For months, Carrie and our team could not decide on a gift to thank guests. Succulents? Local treats? Cold Brew? (their favorite thing to drink on lazy Sundays!). One day, we realized why we could not decide…because we did not have to pick just one! From there, the farm stand idea was created. We picked bunches of local flowers from Herritage Flowers, scored Cambridge Cold Brew, bundled native peaches and blueberries from Wilson Farm in Lexington, and added local beer brewed by the couple! It was a huge hit! And to be honest, we have never seen a favor table so empty as at the end of the evening. Guests were beaming ear to ear picking out their bounty.

While we handled much of the logistics and design, Carrie and Steve were not afraid to tackle DIY projects on their own as well. It was an important part of their creative planning together and helped keep their family and friends involved!

We loved being a part of their day. As a vendor, it truly felt like a wonderful community working together and giving back, while celebrating new journeys to come! Congratulations Carrie & Steve!

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Modern Trousseau

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Rustic + Elegant Sharksmouth Estate Summer Wedding

Choosing a venue that’s a blank state can be daunting, but it can also lead to an absolutely incredible wedding. Take, for example, this gorgeous Bride and Groom, who chose the Sharksmouth Estate to play host to their rustic and elegant wedding. Bringing in farm tables, bistro lighting and accents of wood and gold, they created the day of their dreams. See it all from Hello Love Photography in The Vault!

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From The Bride…From the time we got engaged, our goal was to create a weekend that genuinely felt like “us” and most importantly would be fun for all of our guests. We were drawn to a non-traditional venue where we had the freedom to create exactly what we envisioned. We decided to create an environment of “rustic elegance” at the old stone estate, with farm tables, lots of wood/gold accents, and bistro lighting. I took on a couple of DIY projects and this was one of my favorite parts of planning – I was so excited to share all of these details with our friends and family!

Classic New England Nantucket Greenhouse Wedding

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, couples like this prove that the element of surprise is still very much alive in the wonderful world of weddings. Giving true meaning to a green wedding, this elegant greenhouse celebration is bursting with organic details and one seriously chic nursery reception. It’s homegrown meets high class and thanks to Christine Doneé, we’ve got it all waiting for you in The Vault

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From Christine Doneé… I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Addie and Andrew for a couple of years now, so when asked to photograph their wedding, I was beyond honored to be a part of this special moment in their relationship. The two of them are down to earth, genuine, warm and extremely kind – they’re just the kind of people that leave a positive mark on your life. And their wedding was no exception.

The ceremony was beautiful and simple, with guests seated at the old Quaker Meeting House and a violinist playing melodies that filled the room with joy and anticipation. Andrew’s dad officiated the ceremony, which made the intimate setting feel even more special. There were tears and laughter, applause and prayers, and Addie’s infectious smile set the tone for the rest of the day.

Having lived on Nantucket for years, the bride and groom wanted their guests to see the Nantucket that the two of them cherish so much. So while we ran off for the formal portraits, the guests were shuttled to Bartlett’s Farm for cocktails and local craft beer in the nursery. The flowers and plants from the farm made up the decor and brought a sense of life and color to the evening. With the sun filtering in through the pergola, a golden warmth filled the room that I can still feel today.

Just off of the nursery was the greenhouse where the reception took place. Paper lanterns, potted plants and cafe lights adorned the room. And while everyone sat at round tables, the meal was served “family style” for a communal and intimate feel. As with everything else, Addie and Andrew created a menu that was intentional and organic, with most of the produce coming from the farm itself. Guests passed around serving dishes and joined in a festive meal together, making you feel like you were at a good friend’s house for dinner.

As the sun was setting, I took the bride and groom out to an open field for portraits were they could have a moment to themselves and take in the day. Once the sun dipped below the horizon and we made our way back towards the greenhouse, we could hear the laughter and chatter from across the farm. It was an incredible celebration of these two people, surrounded by friends and family who truly loved them, and a wedding day that represented exactly who they were.

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Classic Cape Cod Wedding

Classic meets nautical is one of our favorite ways to say “I do” – and this elegant estate affair is most definitely topping our list of all-time faves. From the carefully crafted stylings of Always Yours Events to the beautiful navy, coral and blush color palette to the breathtaking images captured by AE Stelzer Photography. Head to THE VAULT for even more, then press play on the film from Stop Go Love below.

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From Always Yours Events… Caroline and Dave were married in the beautiful, quintessential seaside town of Falmouth on Cape Cod at Caroline’s grandparents’ private estate. This property was perfection and tucked away on a private lane, complete with a beautiful gray washed restored Cape barn and a view overlooking Siders Pond. It was sentimental to boot, as Caroline’s parents had been married at the same exact location forty years before.

When Caroline and Dave approached me to plan their wedding, they had one vision in mind: an ethereal, remarkable and truly merry celebration that guests would rave about long after the night was over. And they both desired a wedding that embodied the Cape Cod lifestyle. To do this, we selected an incredible wedding vendor team to create this gorgeous day, including Sperry Tents (Marion), Rentals Unlimited, Stop Go Love Videography and talented film photographer AE Stelzer to name a few. For entertainment Caroline and Dave selected the Sultans of Swing, who truly were the highlight of the evening! This seven piece band had everyone dancing from the moment they started playing — even the neighbors were hosting cocktail parties in their backyards to enjoy the entertainment!

The couple’s chosen color palette invoked a nautical feel, including shades of navy, coral, blush, white and gold. Navy and white striped linens, gold flatware and gold rimmed crystal, navy cocktail napkins with gold foil monograms, a floral arch draped with soft white chiffon tied back with coral and blush blooms, a rosé prosecco signature cocktail, wooden oars serving as a guest book, and customized wayfarers inscribed with Caroline and Dave’s motto “Better Together,” were just a few of the lovely curated details.

And of course the wedding would not have been complete without a few surprises such as a vintage Benz getaway car, a sparkler send off and parade that led to the after party, and surprise entrance from the Father of the Bride who rode his vintage motorcycle into the sailcloth tent and across the dance floor for his intro and toast to his daughter and new son-in-law. Caroline and Dave’s wedding was definitely one for the books, and it was an honor to be a part of it!

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Classic Wedding at the Boston Public Library

If a Public Library is good enough for Carrie Bradshaw in “Sex and the City,” it’s definitely good enough for me. And this Boston Public Library is so good. For starters, there’s the Bride’s gorgeous Vera Wang gown and beautiful invitations from Paper Moss. Then there’s the personal touches like moonshine and bourbon to honor the couple’s West Virginia and Kentucky roots. I could go on, but I’ll stop myself because you can see it all from Joyelle West Photography in The Vault!

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From The Bride…When planning our wedding, we focused on food, family, and friends. Since our wedding took place over a three-day weekend we invited all of our guests to enjoy drinks and food at The Gallows. Working with The Gallows restaurant, we were able to coordinate an unbelievable and intimate family style dinner for our wedding party with hor d’oeuvres and drinks for all of our guests to end the night. It allowed us to spend more time with our guests and kicked off our wedding weekend. Most of our guests traveled to Boston for the wedding, so we made sure guests gift bags included a custom map highlighting where our events were taking place as well as classic Boston attractions. We also had a custom travel journal made by a vendor I found on Etsy, Cara of Print Stitch and Paste, who crafted several personalized pieces for our wedding.

Although the wedding took place in Boston, we wanted to pay tribute to our respective home states. Bobby is originally from West Virginia, and I spent the majority of my life in Kentucky, so including nips of moonshine and bourbon was a fun way to pay tribute. We also included chocolate from Hotel Chocolat because Bobby proposed during our stay at Bouchon, their chocolate plantation and resort in St. Lucia.

The ceremony was held at the Cathedral of Holy Cross. As guests entered the cathedral they were handed programs designed by the talented Lisa Hedge of Venamour, who also designed our gorgeous wedding menu and table numbers. Afterwards guests were transported to the Boston Public Library where the reception was held. As guests entered the library, they made their way to the beautiful courtyard where they were greeted by a jazz quartet as they enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeuvres. For dinner guests were escorted upstairs to Bates Hall where the jazz ensemble continued playing throughout dinner. As guests entered Bates Hall they passed by the wedding cake, which featured a detailed custom cake topper designed by Concarta.

Going back to our roots, we also incorporated ramps onto the menu, a local West Virginia specialty that luckily was in season, and Graeter’s ice cream, a favorite from my upbringing. We also had charcuterie on the tables when the guests arrived so that guests had something to nibble on as they waited on each course. The sides were served family style, which gave the meal a communal and familial feel. We wanted the guests to enjoy the ritual of passing the dishes around the table and the conversation that inevitably flows. After dinner we danced the night away with our guests. At our request, the band ended the night with all the guests in a giant circle singing Country Roads, another homage to Bobby’s home state. As guests left we gave them a custom cookbook crated by May Designs that held some of our favorite recipes. The next morning, before most guests caught their flights, we held a recovery brunch at XV Beacon to conclude the weekend.

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Abby Capalbo

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