New York Weddings

The florals in this upstate NY wedding have grabbed ahold of my attention and not let go. But it’s not the bouquets – though the bridal bouquet is OMG worthy – but the unique and oh so pretty floral hair combs that all of the bridesmaids wore instead of carrying bouquets. Genius, right? Elena Wolfe – with assistance by Colleen Macmillan – captured every look and more. Head to our Vault for it all!

From Elena Wolfe… Cali and Phil had a beautiful and lush summer wedding full of blush, ivory, and greens. The ceremony overlooked the Hudson River and guests were seated next to rows of white lanterns and blush rose blooms. The bridesmaids had custom flower hair pieces to complement their blush gowns and the groomsmen looked handsome in charcoal suits. Everyone danced into the night with a fun live band finishing with a cake adorned by fresh flower buds and draping ivy.

From Earthy Elegance Florals… Our inspiration was drawn from the elegant location with rustic hints. We wanted the flower decor to feel different and unique while maintaining a tasteful appearance. The bridal bouquet was made up of blush pink and white peonies, garden roses, white sea holly, eucalyptus and ivy cascading down the side. Instead of having my bridesmaids hold bouquets, I decided to do something different and have them all wear floral hair combs made up of blush pink and white garden roses, white sea holly, spray roses and eucalyptus leaves.

We pulled a lot of the inspiration from the location including the gardens. We wanted the ceremony and cocktail hour space to have a romantic feel with lanterns decorated with eucalyptus and spray roses. We filled the reception space with candles, and half of our barn-style harvest tables were decorated with rectangular wood boxes filled with cylinder white candles and an arrangement of flowers made up of blush pink and white garden roses, stock, hydrangeas, spray roses, wax, eucalyptus and green ivy hung off the sides of the box. The other half of our tables were decorated with eucalyptus, spray roses and green ivy floral runners and candles down the center of the harvest tables.

Photography: Elena Wolfe Photography | Floral Design: Earthy Elegance Florals | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Invitations: Minted | Engagement Ring: Tiffany & Co. | Catering: Jean Jacques Culinary Creations | Band: Noiz Entertainment | Suit: Brooks Brothers | Wedding Venue: Boscobel | Bridal Boutique: The Plumed Serpent Bridal Salon | Film Lab: Pro Photo Irvine | Photography - Assistance: Colleen MacMillan | Wedding Rings: Cartier

This stunning bride knows exactly what she’s doing.  Wedding obsessed since childhood, she’s known all along that her Big Day would be something special. And you know what? She was right – from the beautiful blooms from AvaFlora to the breathtaking Garrison locale to the handsome love of her life waiting for her at the end of the aisle. See it all captured by Kelsey Combe in THE VAULT,  then press play on the sweet film from First Day Films below.

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From the Bride… Although we knew we wanted a reasonably long engagement (21 months) I couldn’t help myself but to dive into wedding planning as soon as we got engaged. I read Style Me Pretty daily even before our engagement but after, the addiction was real! I am definitely one of those girls that just loves weddings. My grandma used to sketch me wedding dresses on the back of napkins when I was little. So, it makes sense that I had a pretty specific vision of what I wanted our day to be from the beginning; a really fun party for our family and friends in a beautiful setting.

I knew I wanted a classic, romantic feel for our wedding and as soon as we visited The Garrison, we knew it would be the perfect place to make my vision a reality. We did not have an unlimited budget by any means, so that meant prioritizing what was most important to us. The first thing being, of course, photography. As soon as I found Kelsey Combe’s work (through SMP of course), I knew she would be the perfect person to capture our day. We could not have made a better choice. Not only is her work absolutely stunning, she is a dream to work with and I feel lucky to now consider her a friend. The next thing on the list was flowers. As soon as I walked into Lori Orlando of AvaFlora’s store, I knew she would be a perfect fit. She not only completely understood my vision, she thought of details that ended up being my favorite of the day that I never would have thought of on my own.

Focusing on the naturally beautiful surroundings of our venue, we wanted the decor to feel like it enhanced the setting. We decided on a palette of white, cream, champagne and plenty of gold accents. Lori used a combination of garden roses, tea roses, ranunculus and peonies with accents of greenery arranged organically for both the bouquets and centerpieces. She also created lush foliage garlands for our escort card table and sweetheart table. Gold mercury glass and vintage brass candle holders added a touch of glamour and the candle light created a warm, romantic atmosphere as the sun went down. Possibly my favorite thing that Lori designed was our chuppah. Our venue has a stunning structure already in place, but we wanted to make it our own. Lori used light florals and foliage to create a romantic and garden-esque look that organically flowed with the vines of the structure and was just as breathtaking as the view of the Hudson River behind it.

Photography: Kelsey Combe Photography | Cinematography: First Day Films | Floral Design: AvaFlora | Wedding Dress: Marisa Bridals | Invitations: Minted | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Rings: Jewelry Design Gallery | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Hair + Makeup: J. Kinford Beauty | DJ: A Perfect Blend Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Officiant: Rabbi Jonathan Blake | Venue: The Garrison | Signage: Sweet Carolina Collective

Erin Braun Design has officially made our wedding day dreams come true. For not only did she help Douglas and Jeanny plan the ultimate black tie affair, but she also was on hand every step of the way to ensure this day went off without a hitch. From ceremony to reception this stunning fete is sure to delight, and thanks to the ever so talented Christina Zen we’ve got it all to share in THE VAULT!

 

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From Erin Braun Design… Douglas and Jeanny were married on May 24, 2015 at Boscobel House & Gardens in Garrison, New York just a few miles from the bride’s childhood home. The historic 18th century estate, the winding garden paths and orangery, the hundreds of peonies and roses in full bloom, and the most breathtaking view of the Hudson River Valley was the perfect setting for this black tie Springtime soiree. Jeanny and Douglas described their vision as elegant, warm, and personal with an artistic simplicity. They dreamed of an impeccably executed event with an inviting and memorable atmosphere for their guests. With two sail cloth tents, rich rose gold and custom champagne linens, tufted white linen lounge furniture mixed in throughout the grounds, and the incredible talents of not one but two renowned groups of musicians, that is what they got and so much more! Representing the season and using small purveyors to incorporate the exceptional bounty that the Hudson Valley has to offer was important to Jeanny and Douglas. Guests were wined and dined with a gourmet garden to table four course meal using the freshest local ingredients. Lush seasonal blooms of clematis, peonies, and ranunculus highlighted the color palette of whites, fresh spring greens, peach, the softest shade of blush and touches of rose gold and gold metallics. Hundreds of floating white candles, hand dyed peach watercolor ribbons, and trailing asymmetric garlands of smilex were just a few of the accents on the long banquet style tablescapes. Couture made traditional gowns for both mothers, a larger than life display of hand made and hand painted paper flowers was a backdrop for the escort cards, and custom intricate laser cut wood fans for the ceremony were all incorporated into the day to represent both of their Korean backgrounds. Growing up in upstate New York, one of Jeanny’s fondest childhood memories was gazing at the incredible night skies. As guests watched the sunset over the Hudson River, the surrounding grounds were slowly lit up by hundreds of tea light candles to reflect the vast starlit sky and a favorite hometown memory!

From The Bride…Growing up in upstate New York, I always imagined how beautiful the Hudson River would be as a backdrop for an outdoor wedding. Today, I am still overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness that it was the backdrop and setting for mine. It was truly a childhood dream come true. Not only was the setting and weather perfect for the wedding, but the help my husband and I received that day and the months leading up to making it an event to remember in the fondest ways was absolutely the very best help anyone could ask for. The vendors all were so professional and worked well with each other to accommodate Douglas’ and my wishes, I must also mention how all the vendors – from the fantastic caterers, to the great ceremony musicians, to the exceptional band, to the amazing photographer – all thanked me for finding Erin Braun! Erin Braun was a godsend to me and Douglas, and I cannot express enough how much she made our wedding planning and the wedding day so remarkably smooth and genuinely enjoyable. I loved working with Erin from the very day I met her, and her sincerity, calming demeanor, sense of humor, vision, and professionalism stayed so constant throughout the entire planning process. Erin wears many hats; not only did she reach out to and manage logistics and timelines with all the vendors, she also designed our invitations, custom-made our gorgeous art installation escort card display, created the reception floorplan and seating lounge, and even hand-sewed my dress when it teared after the ceremony! I remember that moment, as well as the intricate details that showed how much care went into showcasing touches personal to me: my favorite flower at each place setting, the use of flickering lights in the grass to echo the night sky, the time carefully allotted to surprise my grandmother with her favorite song – to which she brought our guests to their feet when she grabbed the mic! I will always remember the wedding day as being the happiest and most special day, when my husband and I were showered with so much love and surrounded by such warmth in good company. I will also always be thankful to all those that made the day as wonderful as it was, and especially Erin for making wedding day dreams come true and for Christina for perfectly capturing every moment of a dream to cherish forever.

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See even more head-turning trends here!

Photography: Christina Zen Studio | Cinematography: Orange Films | Coordination: Erin Braun Design | Floral Design: Stems | Wedding Dress: Junko Yoshioka | Cake: Main Course Catering | Bride's Shoes: Anthropologie | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Main Course Catering | Hair And Makeup: Sachiko Yanase | Band: Heartbeat Dance Band | Groomsmen Attire: Baldwin Formals | Ceremony Music: Appassionata Players | Venue: Boscobel | Bridesmaids Hair And Makeup: Iris Makeup and Spa | Furniture Rentals: Bridge Props | Invitations & Stationery: Erin Braun Design | Linen Rentals: Nuage Designs | Photo Booth: Modern Photo Booth | Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. | Tent & Party Rentals: Events Unlimited Party Rentals

We first fell in love with this gorgeous couple when we came across their charming Manhattan engagement shoot. If it’s even possible, we’re more in love with them now than ever after seeing their glamorous Hudson Valley wedding. But with gorgeous invitations from Bella Figura, music from Jarrell Entertainment and breathtaking photography from Gabe Aceves, can you really blame us? Swoon over all the stunning details in the gallery.

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From the beautiful Bride… Brett and I live in New York City, but often spend our weekends seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. When searching for our wedding venue, we decided to look in the Hudson Valley, so that we could share the beauty we have admired during hikes together, with our friends and family. The day we decided to visit The Garrison was a logistical disaster; trains weren’t running, rental cars stopped working, and it was the middle of a heat wave. The moment we drove up to this venue we stopped arguing and stressing, looked at each other, and instantaneously knew this was the perfect venue for us.

In planning our wedding we tried to stay true to who we are as a couple. We both agreed that we wanted to focus on thanking our guests, and make the weekend a fun treat for all of them. We felt that this day was just as much a celebration of those people who have loved us, supported us, and been there throughout our seven years together, as it was about our love for each other. We decided to combine our new found love of crafting with that sentiment and ended up having such a fun year figuring out all the tiny details that went into the weekend.

Our first project was our save the dates. We wanted to break away from the traditional a little bit here, but also wanted something that was easy to display as a reminder of the big day. We eventually decided on custom screen printed kitchen towels. These were a huge hit with our guests, and it has been so very fun to see them displayed in everyone’s kitchens! From there, we continued to DIY little treats and goodies for our guests: dried lavender terra cotta escort cards, welcome totes, hangover kits, hotel door hangers, vintage handkerchiefs (for happy tears!), muslin bags with dried lavender, and personalized mason jar mug favors. Doing these things together was my favorite part of wedding planning. We spent so many weekends locked in our apartment in a mess of paper, lavender, and glue guns. In the end, the time spent doing it together, and the reactions from our guests made it all worth it.

When I went wedding dress shopping, I thought that I already knew the dress I wanted. When I went to try it on however, I didn’t feel that it was quite right. I spent some more time looking around until I found the most gorgeous beaded Manuel Mota for Pronovias dress. I immediately fell in love with the leaf beading that faded into the full tulle skirt with a chapel length train. The only problem was that this dress came with sheer long sleeves that didn’t feel right for me. Luckily after some brainstorming and expert tailoring the long sleeves were changed into shirred straps—the finished result was more beautiful than I had ever imagined it to be. I will forever cherish the smile on Brett’s face when he saw it on me for the first time during our private first look. My bridesmaids wore long chiffon dresses from Little Borrowed Dress in lavender (their choice) and ended up choosing different silhouettes and customizing their dresses to their taste and comfort. Their dresses were ethereal and looked gorgeous against the backdrop of the Hudson Valley.

Being in an interfaith relationship made our wedding a little bit complicated, but so much more interesting! It was very difficult to find two officiants that would represent both of our faiths, cultures, and families while also agreeing to work together during one ceremony. We were very lucky in finding our officiants, and the ceremony would not have been complete without both of them. After performing both Muslim and Jewish ceremonies, Brett and I read vows that we wrote to each other and walked down the aisle to a trio playing “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros while our guests showered us with dried lavender for good luck.

Our wedding day was perfect, and above all else so much fun. The both of us enjoyed every moment and woke up the next day exhausted from singing and dancing so hard with our loved ones. Every detail was a reflection of our love for each other as well as our families and friends.

Photography: Gabe Aceves Photography | Cinematography : Forged In The North | Floral Design: Petals by Alice | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake : The Pastry Garden | Invitations: Bella Figura | Bride's Shoes : Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Union Station | Makeup And Hair : My Makeup Artist Victoria | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Groomsmen Attire: Baldwin Formals | Venue: The Garrison | Bride's Jewlery : TEJANI | Bridesmaids' Robes : Z Create Design | Candy Bar : Sinfully Sweet Candy Buffet | DJ And Trio Musicians : Jarrell Entertainment | Groom's Shoes : Cole Haan | Logo: Starr Struck Studio | Photobooth : Modern Photo Booth | Screen Printing : Sincere Legends | Signage: Reasons 2 Remember | Veil : Pronovias | Vow Books: JottersandJournals

Born and raised in upstate New York, I know better than anyone that we are bombarded with dreadfully long winters, making it difficult to remember what the sun even looks like. But this elegant wedding at Highlands Country Club reminded me how downright stunning it can actually be. Kat Harris‘s photos made every moment shine, and from the Bride’s gown to these tables, this gallery captured my heart.

From Kat Harris Photography… Natalie and Jim got married in Upstate New York; they have a special place in my heart. I cried multiple times throughout their wedding… so many beautiful moments. They have something rare, deep, and true, something that can only come throughout years of doing life together which they have.

Upstate New York is gorgeous in the fall and winter. Leaves falling, hot apple cider, and rich jewel tones created an intimate and cozy vibe for Natalie and Jim’s wedding. Erin Braun Design did a fabulous job bringing everything together, from old photos of the couple’s parents and grandparents weddings, to hot toddies, to berry accents throughout the reception.

Cheers to Natalie + Jim and to your beautiful journey… thank you for allowing me to be apart of it!

From Erin Braun Design… When the inspiration for a wedding starts with the most endearing engagement story set at the New York Public Library, then you are bound to have an incredibly heartfelt, romantic, and memorable event. Natalie and Jim’s wedding day was nothing short of magical!

When I first met Natalie she described her vision as glamorous, romantic, and sophisticated with a touch of Southern charm and Victorian influences. She wanted to infuse tons of meaningful details into an elegant, yet cozy atmosphere. The beautiful ballroom, chandeliers, rich mahogany tables, french double doors, an old world Tavern, and a light-filled Solarium at the Highlands Country Club in the breathtaking Hudson Valley was the absolute perfect setting for this wedding. It was one for the books with sparkly details, crisp fall weather, hot apple cider, and a delectable farm-to-table meal. We developed a color palette of rich berry tones – reds, burgundy, and wine with touches of blush, champagne, and gold. Garden roses, ranunculus, and the most beautiful New Zealand red peonies filled the bouquets and tablescapes along with accents of fresh blackberries, cherries, and cranberries. Family vintage candlesticks and books wrapped in handmade gold papers were just a few of the personal touches that helped to tell their story. Three wood burning fireplaces and literally hundreds of candles created the most perfect glow for this oh-so-glamourous wedding!

I will never forget the moment when I revealed the ballroom to Natalie and handed her the bouquet. She just burst into happy tears, hugged me countless times, and said that everything was better than she could have dreamed of and it was the perfect way to start her marriage. There were many more happy tears and moments of sheer joy throughout that day, which were perfectly captured by Kat Harris! It was such an honor to play a small part in Natalie and Jim’s happily ever after and I cannot thank this talented team enough for making it all possible.

From The Bride… A true romantic, Jim worked for months planning the perfect proposal. My favorite building is the New York Public Library, and Jim knew it would be the perfect location to pop the question. In order to get me into the building, Jim told me we were offered a private tour. As we wandered the halls and entered the last room in the building, Jim pulled a book out from the stacks. He had made a gorgeous custom book that told the story of how we met and how life had brought us together. I was in disbelief – and frankly, in shock – of what was happening! After reading the story I turned to the last page and saw a beautiful velvet ring box tucked into the book. When I looked up, Jim was on his knee and had a gorgeous vintage diamond ring in his hand. It was the most incredible day, and we knew we wanted to use this story to inspire our wedding day.

My dream was always to have a beautiful and romantic fall wedding. When we came across the Highlands Country Club in Garrison, NY, we knew we had found our perfect venue! It was everything we were looking for – intimate, cozy, romantic and elegant. Danielle West was our onsite venue coordinator extraordinaire. She was always responsive and attentive to our wedding needs. We couldn’t have asked for a better venue! The food was sublime and the staff were amazing and incredibly helpful. The Highlands Country Club is truly a gem!

To make our vision come to life, we hired the incredibly talented Erin Braun! Erin was the best wedding planner I could have imagined. She was super organized, taking special care with planning every wedding detail, and understood my wedding vision from the start. She knew how important it was for me to have a “detail-filled” wedding. She creatively incorporated the inspiration from our library engagement story and nothing went unnoticed. From the tablescapes, place settings, décor, signs, florals, and cake decor, Erin captured our vision through every meaningful detail and created the perfect day. She also curated the most incredible team of vendors. Through her we were able to secure the amazing Sean Marquand and Gary Hoffman from 74events. They kept our party going all night long! She also introduced us to the amazing duo at NY Ceremony Music. Randy and Topu did a beautiful job creating custom arrangements that set the stage for our ceremony and cocktail hour. Our wedding wouldn’t have come together if it weren’t for Erin. She is one of the most talented and sweetest people that I have ever met and a dream to work with!

We were also incredibly fortunate to work with Kat Harris, the world’s most spectacular photographer! Jim and I consider ourselves a little camera shy, but Kat was able to capture some amazing wedding and engagement photos. She made us feel comfortable and we had a blast with our photo sessions. She knows exactly how to capture the little tender moments between a couple, and she definitely captured ours! We couldn’t be happier with our experience with Kat… we love her!

I was so grateful for the unique save the dates and invitations created by the talented, Lisa Purcell from Art Paper Scissors. Lisa is probably the most patient person that I have ever met. Throughout the process, Lisa made sure to capture our exact wishes for our stationery pieces. We love that our invitation suite is truly unique to our wedding day.

James and I got married on the most beautifully crisp fall day that we could have ever asked for. It was truly a magically romantic day and one that we will treasure for the rest of our lives. Every time I think of our wedding day, I smile. We can’t thank Erin, Danielle, Kat, Lisa and our entire dream team of vendors enough.

Photography: Kat Harris Photography | Videography: Unique Visions Studio | Event Design: Erin Braun Design | Invitations: Art Paper Scissors | Makeup: Erica Gonzalez | Hair Stylist: Milexy Couture Hair Design | DJ: 74 Events | Ceremony Music: NY Ceremony Music | Cake + Cookies: The Pastry Garden | Country Club: Highlands Country Club | Library Cards: Katz Meow Creations | Linens: Nuage Designs | Rentals: Events Unlimited Party Rentals | Table Numbers: Laura Hooper Calligraphy

This bride’s bouquet is the number one reason why I will forever pine over fall weddings. The beautiful burgundies and creams against nature’s fall foliage is a color combination that never gets old. Splendid Stems worked magic with these gorgeous bouquets and Carmen Santorelli captured it all. For anyone unsure of what season to say their “I do’s,” I’m pretty sure these pics will help you make that decision.

From The Bride… When Matt and I started planning our wedding, we knew we wanted something classic with a touch of whimsy. Some of the inspiration came from Style Me Pretty, of course. Once we settled on the venue, my main goal was to keep it simple, seasonal, and let the vendors do what they do best. After I aligned the perfect team, the rest fell into place. On our wedding day it rained all morning, but we truly embraced every aspect of our celebration. I didn’t hesitate to pack an umbrella and my rain boots to add some charm to our portraits, and the rain stopped just on time to enjoy an outdoor ceremony and the most beautiful view on a fall day.

Photography: Carmen Santorelli Photography | Floral Design: Splendid Stems | Wedding Dress: Lea-Ann Belter Bridal Flagship Boutique | Cake: The Pastry Garden | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Something Bleu Bridal | Makeup And Hair: Erica Does Makeup | DJ: Brian Lynch | Groomsmen's Attire: Vera Wang Black For Men's Warehouse | String Quartet: Mark + Colette Evans | Wedding Venue: The Garrison | Pastor: Robert Lee | Table Numbers: Sweet Carolina Collective

Happy New Year’s Eve, my dears! Today is a day to pop bubbly, sport something sparkly and celebrate in style. But most importantly? It’s a day to celebrate l-o-v-e, love. And this beauty from Lindsay Madden Photography is surely a reason to raise your glasses. It’s jam-packed with elegance and a hint of glitz from the champagne colored Jenny Yoo bridesmaids dresses to the gilded details galore. See it all here!

From Lindsay Madden Photography…On a warm August day, Alex and Adam were married outside overlooking the Hudson Valley. It was quite the view! Alex and Adam envisioned their wedding day to be elegant with a relaxed vibe and most importantly, centered around their family and friends. The Garrison was the perfect place to bring their vision to life. Alex’s bridesmaids wore Jenny Yoo in champagne and they were able to pick the style of dress that fit them the best. Their whole look was tied together with the most breathtaking bouquets provided by Steven Bruce Design. Alex’s wedding look was romantic and sophisticated. She looked gorgeous in her Augusta Jones wedding dress. Her bouquet was absolutely stunning and I simply loved the pops of color. Alex and Adam’s reception decor complimented The Garrison’s reception space perfectly. Steven Bruce Design dressed up each table with stunning flowers and candles. Alex, Adam and their guests danced the night away thanks to the talented Phase One Orchestra. I had such a wonderful time capturing Alex and Adam’s summer wedding!

Photography: Lindsay Madden Photography | Floral Design: Steven Bruce Design | Wedding Dress: Augusta Jones | Stationery: Smock | Wedding Shoes: Something Bleu Shoes | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Band: Craig Scott Entertainment | Ceremony & Reception: The Garrison | Hair & Make Up: Pretty Bird Bridal | Pies: The Pastry Garden

Sparkly bridesmaids dresses in shades of blush, cream, and gold, bright bouquets of peonies and one amazing cake makes this summer wedding an SMP homerun. With Cassi Claire capturing every perfectly pretty moment and SparkStory filming all the live action, this celebration (and this gallery) has become my new official happy place.

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From The Bride… Even before Matt and I got engaged, we always wondered where we would have our wedding given that our families are 3 hours apart. We came up with the idea of getting married somewhere between our two families to make it convenient and also have the opportunity to explore a new area. Once we got engaged, we stuck to that idea and looked at a bunch of venues between Long Island and Albany, NY. When we came across Highlands Country Club in Garrison, we knew immediately that it was the clear winner. It had everything we could have hoped for – a charming, intimate feel with so many gorgeous, easy-going details, and an absolutely stunning outside veranda. It was perfect for us and set the tone so well for the rustic chic theme we had in mind.

Once we booked Highlands Country Club everything fell into place in terms of our décor and little details. Since we were getting married in June, we wanted to keep the color scheme very light and whimsical with pops of beautiful soft corals and pinks. For our wedding inspiration, we looked to Martha Stewart and the beautiful real weddings on Style Me Pretty to come up with the little ideas we knew we wanted to try. Throughout the months of our wedding prep we always tried to keep it simple and fun, focusing on just a few things at a time so that it never got too overwhelming. With the help of our amazing vendors and a few exciting DIY projects, everything we imagined seemed to fall into place so effortlessly. As our wedding drew closer, one of the most rewarding parts of the planning was seeing all of our details come together in a way that was even better than we had pictured it. From the intimate, happy setting to the light-hearted, fun feel, everything really felt perfect. Our wedding was everything we hoped it would be and so much more.

Photography: Cassi Claire | Videography: SparkStory | Floral Design: The Rosery Flower Shop | Wedding Cake: Molly Gallo | Invitations: Lion in the Sun | Ceremony Venue: Church Of St. Joachim-St. John The Evangelist | Reception Venue: Highlands Country Club | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Engagement Ring: Jewels & Gems | Entertainment: L.I. Nights Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Groomsmen's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Transportation: Silver Star Limousine | Bride's Dress: Theia | Bride's Make-Up: Amanda Filli | Bridesmaid's Dress: Aidan Mattox | Bridesmaid's Dress: Joanna August | Bridesmaid's Dress: BCBGMAXAZRIA | Bridesmaid's Dress: Rachel Pally | Bridesmaid's Dress: Amsale | Escort Card Stand: Floras Avenue | Escort Cards: Calligraphy By Cathy | Groom Morning Location: Whistling Willies Restaurant And Bar | Groom's Watch: Raymond Weil | Hair & Make-Up: Ambiance Salon And Day Spa | Macaron Favors: Kiss My Cake | Programs: DIY | Table Numbers, Card Box, Guestbook: Morgann Hill Designs | Veil & Sash: Angela's Bridal | Wedding Rings & Pearl Bracelet: Hannoush Jewelers

Not gonna lie, I spent a fair amount of time admiring this lovely little gallery from Michelle Lange. It’s classic Old Hollywood at Highlands Country Club, sprinkled with just the right amount of glitz and glam. From the Bride’s perfectly hot pink lip, to the gilded stationery (oh how I love the stationery) and hints of champagne throughout, it’s the kind of wedding that makes every guest feel fabulous. Take a peek right here for so much more!

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From the beautiful Bride…Our wedding was inspired by classic, Old Hollywood glamour. Keeping it classic was important to us, because we wanted the feel of an elegant, black tie affair. However, I love a little glitz and glam so we tried to inject hints of this wherever possible. We kept our color palette simple and light, inspired by summer with ivories, pinks and blushes. We also chose to utilize pops of metallic gold to bring on the luxe-factor. I love the gold foil detailing on our invitations, for example.

Our venue, the Highlands Country Club, was the perfect fit for us because the gorgeous architecture, columned veranda and ballroom with the most beautiful chandelier we’ve ever seen, definitely brought the black tie atmosphere while also maintaining a sense of home, since we were able wander and use all parts of the property – as if our guests were at the most grandiose house party they’ve ever attended! We added so many special touches and DIY projects to make the space our own. I bought the champagne-colored sequin table linens on Etsy and they were one of my favorite touches because they really brought the ballroom to life. We also custom designed and created many of the wedding day details: our programs, our petal toss bags, our table numbers and all of the signage used throughout the venue. One of our favorite projects was the décor used in our ceremony tree. We strung crystals, glass votive lanterns, which held lit candles, and blush carnations from fishing line, all of which was strung so beautifully throughout the tree branches. We are also very proud of our favors, which doubled as our escort cards. Together with our families, we made and bottled limoncello and attached guests’ escort cards to the bottles. We are both Italian-American, and have spent lots of time living and traveling in Italy, so this was a special touch for us.

Our favorite wedding day memory is our first dance. We were nervous about dancing in front of an audience so we practiced some super simple choreography beforehand. While practicing we kept messing up, stepping on each other’s toes and we were nervous it wouldn’t be right on the day of! Plus, we were worried that Sal would step on my dress. When the time came, the dance went off without a hitch and we had a standing ovation from all of our guests! Our photographer snapped the most amazing photo of the dip and kiss and the end of the dance, which is one of our favorite photos from the whole wedding. Overall, everything went as planned and the day was more beautiful than we could have ever hoped.

Photography: Michelle Lange Photography | Cinematography: McKenzie Miller Films | Florist: Westchester Floral Decorators | Cake: The Pastry Garden | Invitations: Paperless Post | Reception Venue: Highlands Country Club | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Hair: Hale Koa phineas Estate | DJ: Aria Melody DJ | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein | Groom's Shoes: Calibrate | Wedding Dress Designer: Rivini | Wedding Dress Shop: Kleinfeld Bridal

I’ve always been a girl’s girl. The type who fusses over the frills and wears polka and pink with no shame…the stereotypical wedding blogger, if you will. So when miss Twah Dougherty of Style-Art-Life and Erin Braun Design passed along this soft, romantic Hudson Valley affair our way, my day was made about ten times over. Brace yourselves, SMPers, because this is the feminine garden wedding gone oh-so-glam.

From Twah… I must admit I was secretly star struck when I discovered that I would be shooting the wedding of Kurt Loder’s (An MTV Legend) son. As a child of the 80’s, I grew up watching MTV back in the day when they primarily played music videos. Anne wanted a bit of garden glam while Brendan wanted to incorporate a bit of rock with a heavy emphasis on great music and food. From listening to their vision, I introduced them to the wonderfully talented Erin Braun of Erin Braun Design which brought the entire styling of the day to life!

From Erin Braun Designs… As soon as I met Anne I fell head over heels for her wedding vision, her appreciation for all the lovely little details that make an event shine, and her love for Brendan since the age of 15. I was thrilled to be a part of creating this elegant, romantic, and memorable wedding that was beautifully photographed by Twah Dougherty!

Boscobel House and Gardens has one of the most breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley! The 18th century house and winding rose gardens created the perfect backdrop for this outdoor intimate wedding. This fun music-loving couple wanted to combine the sophistication of their life in New York City with a Tuscan garden-inspired styling to represent the Bride’s Italian roots. We created a palette of soft romantic tones of white, blush, dusty greens, and grey with touches of metallic. Succulents, Silver Brunia, and David Austin Roses were prominent and gorgeously styled by Stems. We used the Bride’s vintage family silver pieces as floral containers and accents to create beautifully unique tablescapes. I created hand painted watercolor invitations and paper details to compliment the soft and exquisite styling of the wedding.

Music is what brought Anne and Brendan together, so it was important to incorporate personal details that reflect their love for music and fashion and represent Brendan’s music and entertainment lineage. The bridal party walked down the aisle to a Nirvana compilation and they read the lyrics of “Walk The Line” by Johnny Cash during the ceremony. Each reception table had a fashion illustration by Verrier with lyrics from some of their favorite songs that represent them as a couple.

Feather details were incorporated throughout the wedding to add texture and whimsy. We strung metallic brushed feathers throughout the Herb Garden for a dramatic entrance into the reception. The Bride wore a stunning tulle gown by Badgley Mischka and I created a custom Venetian inspired crystal belt to complete her look. The guests enjoyed a gourmet, family style, farm-to-table meal using fresh local ingredients from the Hudson Valley. Venetian masquerade masks were passed out to each guest and everyone danced the night away! The images from Twah Dougherty truly capture how incredible Anne and Brendan’s wedding was!

Photography: Twah Dougherty | Videography: Kiss The Bride Films | Event Design: Erin Braun Design | Event Planning: Erin Braun Design | Florist: Stems | Wedding Dress: Badgley Mischka | Bride's Shoes: Valentino | Jewelry: Mikimoto | Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew | Caterer: Main Course Catering | Makeup: Amanda Hudziak (amanda.hudziak@yahoo.com) | Hair: Styles On B | Groom's Attire: Black Lapel | Transportation: Mahogany Ridge | Accomodations: Roundhouse | Ceremony Belt: Sareh Nouri | Custom Hair Piece: Erin Braun Design | Custom Reception Belt: Erin Braun Design | Custom Wedding Band: Vale Jewelry | Estate & Garden: Boscobel | Flowergirl Dress: Olivia Kate Couture | Groom's Accessories: Alexander McQueen | Groom's Shoes: Prada | Invitations & Stationary: Erin Braun Design | Music: Jarrell Entertainment | Reception Dress: Catherine Malandrino | Rentals: Events Unlimited Party Rentals | Save The Dates: Genevieve Walker Wedding Maps | Table Illustrations: Verrier

Fall may still be months away, but that doesn’t mean I can’t spend my Tuesday soaking in my favorite season.  And thanks to the always amazing Ulysses Photography and one seriously gorgeous Garrison wedding, I’m doing just that.  The soft hues, the classic meets elegant vibe, the breathtaking scenery… fall can’t come soon enough.  See it all in the full gallery.

From the Bride… After Mark’s beautiful proposal, we shared a quiet sunset together while enjoying our glasses of champagne. We knew we wanted to relive the tranquility and warmth of that moment on our wedding day and so our pursuit for the perfect venue began. We wanted a venue that would give us and our guests a breathtaking, uninhibited view of that same beautiful sunset and we eventually found it at The Garrison.

The Garrison possesses an organic yet modern elegance; it couldn’t have been more perfect for the timeless and romantic feel we were going for. We kept the colors soft – blush pink, ivory, silver – and loved the vintage feel of metallic so mercury glass (and quite a bit of it!) was infused throughout the décor. Votives added so much warmth and with the ceiling-to-floor windows in the ballroom and cocktail room, you would almost forget you were indoors.

Because our wedding was in the fall, we wanted to incorporate aspects of the fall into our décor while keeping with the soft blush colors we loved. We decided to use silver painted mini pumpkins to display our leaf shaped escort cards and off-white pumpkins and gourds from a farm in Mark’s hometown were brought in to decorate focal points in the reception. It was important to personalize as much as we could and we did so by making all of our display signs, escort cards, and ceremony programs. We also had framed pictures and handwritten letters displayed throughout the reception for that added personal touch. We wanted our guests to feel like they were at our home and as much as our wedding was about us, we wanted to show our guests it was just as much about them, too.

Our wedding day wouldn’t have been possible without the support and help from our family, bridal party, and exceptional vendors. Vendors in particular included Sara from Floral Fantasies who captured our vision with her beautifully prepared centerpieces and bridal bouquets. Annie, the event coordinator we worked with at The Garrison was our rock; her dedication, professionalism, and expertise kept us pulled together throughout the different planning stages and flawlessly orchestrated the events of our wedding day. And as beautiful as the day was, it would have all been lost to memory if it weren’t for our incredibly talented photographers, Ulysses and Jenni. They not only allowed us to relive special moments Mark and I shared, but also allowed us to experience the unique moments shared amongst our guests that we missed. You are as great as the company you keep and that couldn’t be truer when it comes to the successful planning of your dream wedding.

To all future brides, congratulations on your engagement and merry planning!

Photography: Ulysses Photography | Floral Design: Floral Fantasies By Sara | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: The Pastry Garden | Invitations: Papyrus | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids Dresses: JLM Couture, Inc | Hair: Sydney Madison Salon | Favors: Moochie's Macarons | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Bridesmaids Gifts: Niquea.D | Location: The Garrison | Music: A Perfect Blend Entertainment

Judy Pak has this way of making you fall in love with weddings; it’s like the moment you lay your eyes on her stunning images (works of art, really), you can’t help but seriously adore all things “I do.”  And this darling Highlands Country Club affair is certainly no exception with its rainy day awesomeness and beyond beautiful classic details mix and mingling with vibrant purple hues.  Fall in love with every last moment right here.

From the Bride… I will forever hold in my heart, the moment Travis and I sat at our sweetheart table and looked back to the candlelight glow hitting the frames that adorned the fireplace (each frame more memorable than the last), and when we looked to the right, we saw T’s family table which had friends and family that traveled across the United States to share our special day with us and when we looked forward we were overwhelmed by all the smiling faces, enjoying the day and celebrating Travis and my love for each other… we just looked at each other and reminded ourselves how lucky and loved we are on this day and in our lives. My grandma asked me the other day (as she was unable to attend the wedding), “You had said you wanted a wedding of your dreams….did you get what you wanted?” I undoubtedly answered, “Yes, Gram…. yes I did!”

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Wedding Photography: Judy Pak | Assistant Photographer: Style Art Life | Wedding Venue: Highlands Country Club | Floral Design: Bride’s Father | Cake: The Pastry Garden | DJ: 74 Events | Videographer: Michael Keenan | Makeup: Dustin Lujan | Hair: Lorese Hair | Bride’s Shoes Jimmy Choo | Groom’s Attire + Shoes : Kenneth Cole

Timeless and elegant, this gorgeous wedding from Ciro Photography is the perfect way to ease into the work week. It’s beyond lovely, from start to finish, and has that classic feel that makes my heart sing time and time again. And who doesn’t like to start Monday with singing heart? Well, just take one look at this gorgeous gallery, and yours is sure to start singing too. See it all here.

And make sure to set aside some time to soak in all the lovely in their film from Shlomotions…

From the Bride… Jason and I met while we were in college, introduced by two of our mutual friends..We had an instant connection, and have been inseparable ever since. We have been there for each other through many hard times, but always come out on top, and make each other smile everyday. I can not wait to spend the rest of my life with Jason by my side.

When looking for a wedding venue, we knew the typical over the top gilded and mirrored New Jersey banquet halls were not for us. After searching long and hard I found the Highlands Country Club in Garrison, NY, and instantly fell in love. When we went to visit the venue, the beauty of the grounds and the magnificent ballroom really sold us. Everything about it was charming, from the brick veranda, to the fire pits on the lawn.

I started looking for my dress the second Jason put a ring on my finger. Being very picky and indecisive, I thought dress shopping was going to be a stressful ordeal. To my surprise, I chose the fifth dress I tried on and never looked back. The Christos Julianna dress, summed up everything that I was looking for. I felt absolutely beautiful and did not want to take it off!

Our goal for the wedding was to have a warm and intimate feel with our closet friends and family. We were able to achieve this by keeping our guest list to a hundred and setting up the tables to feel like Thanksgiving dinner. The long tables, and the mix of plated and family style food service helped with the intimate feeling. Candelabras, votive candles, and mint julep cups filled with white peony completed the elegant and warm ambiance.

The favorite part of the wedding for Jason and I was having all of our closest and dearest friends and family members present for our big day. Dancing the night away to our incredible band, The Silver Arrow Band, was the icing on the cake. Without a doubt, it was the best day of our lives!

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Wedding Photography: Ciro Photography | Cinematography: Shlomotions | Floral Design: Petals by Alice | Wedding Venue: Highlands Country Club, Garrison, NY | Catering: Five Star Caterers | Wedding Dress: Christos | Shoes: Nina Shoes | Groom’s Suit: Suit Supply, New York, NY | Band: The Silver Arrow Band

I couldn’t imagine a world without weddings.  A world void of those awe-inspiring, squeal-inducing, get your heart racing moments that make up the happiest of happy days in a couple’s life. Not only because weddings showcase the most lavish design and gorgeous gowns, but because when you stop and look, and I mean really look, you see the emotion and love that shines brighter than any floral arrangement or cake design could. Like the Groom, so eager with anticipation and the Bride who couldn’t wipe the smile off her face if she tried. It’s those very moments that are the heart and soul of this New York wedding so perfectly captured by Erin Hearts Court and filmed by Crafthouse Productions. And there’s even more to love in the full gallery right here.

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From the Bride… When Mike and I first got engaged we considered several places to get married: Singapore, Napa, Hawaii, Turks & Caicos. In the end we gravitated back to New York – the place where we live, met and fell in love. One of the first things my native New Yorker husband said was he wanted to get married outside of the city. The Garrison was one of the first places we visited and right away we knew that was IT. We like to hike in the Hudson Valley during the fall (our favorite season) and the venue has gorgeous views of the river, especially with fall foliage. The restaurant is renowned for its farm-to-table food, sourced locally from regional farms as well as their own. The Garrison is the perfect blend of chic yet intimate, elegant yet unpretentious venue we were looking for. Annie Rozycki was there to help with on-site coordination from the first time we stepped on the property through our wedding day.

In the beginning when we started planning I fretted about whether our wedding would truly represent who we are as a couple and as individuals. I realized that it naturally will be, through your choices and the people you choose to have with you that day. Our wedding was so much FUN, and more perfect than I could have imagined possible.

The best advice I can give to other brides came from two people who I adore – the first was from my event designer Tracy Taylor Ward, who told me when we first met: choose vendors who are not just talented but who you truly enjoy to be with. I followed that advice and can say that I adore every single one of our incredibly talented vendors. They were all utter professionals, passionate about their craft, and made planning our big day such a joy. Our wedding was flawless thanks to these wonderful people. The second piece of advice was from my aunt Cecilia: the weddings that people remember, and where they have the most fun, are the ones where the bride is relaxed and happy!

Wedding Photography: Erin Hearts Court / Ceremony Venue: St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Fishkill, New York / Reception Venue: The Garrison in Garrison, New York / Wedding Design: Tracy Taylor Ward Design / Floral Design: Sprout Home / Wedding Cinematography: Crafthouse Productions / Wedding Invitations: Matthew Carrigan of Paper with Benefits / Band: Around Town Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Amsale / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Jewelry: Tejani / Beauty: StylesonB / Hair: Samantha Landis / Makeup: Sally Duvall Makeup Artistry / Groom’s Tuxedo: Armani

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think it can get more elegant than this wedding from Sara Wight Photography. Take one glance through that gallery and you’ll know exactly what I mean, because each moment is dripping in refinement and subtle glamour. Exhibit A is that amazing photograph of this Bride and Groom dancing hand in hand under the gorgeous chandelier at the Highlands Country Club. Wrapped in candlelight and surrounded by grace, everything about this celebration is pure love. And you can see it all right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Daniel and I knew that we wanted to get married in the Hudson Valley after we got engaged. Daniel grew up in upstate New York and after I visited the area several times — with all of its trees and natural beauty — I knew it was the perfect place for a September wedding. Although I had not dreamed of my perfect wedding since I was a little girl, I have always known that I wanted to be married in September. A mixture of both the summer and fall, a bit unpredictable, the feeling of a fresh, new start in the air … September is my favorite month (and Daniel’s second-favorite month). After visiting several wineries in the area, our last visit was Highlands Country Club. We knew as soon as we arrived that this would be our wedding venue — a rustic, intimate country club nestled in the Hudson Valley. The vision I had for our wedding was timeless elegance, with a bit of rustic mixed in, and we wanted it to feel intimate. Highlands proved to be the perfect backdrop.

We enlisted the help of Roey Mizrahi, our event coordinator, to bring our vision to life. She helped us find the amazing vendors that made our day what we hoped for. I had a very strong vision of how to accomplish “timeless elegance” — from the tablescapes and the cocktail music to the chuppah we used for the ceremony. We wanted a clean, fresh palette and chose green and white as our main theme. Down to the very last detail, our day wouldn’t have been as amazing without Roey. She thought of things we never would have imagined and anticipated needs that we didn’t even know we had. We cannot thank her enough!

Orchids are our favorite flowering plants, and we love the juxtaposition of the delicate orchid with succulents and hydrangeas. We wanted the space to feel intimate and allow guests to see and talk to each other freely. I envisioned orchids cascading out of moss-filled pillars of varying heights, coupled with low centerpieces filled with white hydrangeas and succulents. And candlelight — our favorite — from lots and lots of candles. I set out to find mercury glass votives and accents, as well as different-sized glass hurricanes and tall pillar candles. Anne from Blade Floral Design perfectly executed this vision. She also created our chuppah, which we were so happy with. All of the guests could not stop talking about how gorgeous the flower arrangements and accents were.

Photography was a big deal to us, and after just one meeting with Sara, we knew she was perfect! We did our engagement session with her, and from the beginning, it was very relaxed and easy. Once we received our engagement session photos and were blown away, we knew our wedding photos would be even more amazing. Sara really knows how to capture a couple’s spirit while magnifying the setting to create these magnificent photos — works of art, really. We are avid music lovers and have an eclectic, but specific taste. Owen from Aria Melody was great to work with, and even after we gave him some very specific “do not plays” and “must Plays,” he was still able to combine our set list with his own twist. We received so many compliments on his style, and every song he played really drew our guests to the dance floor … and kept them there! Our wedding was a dream come true! 

Wedding Photography: Sara Wight Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Highlands Country Club in Garrison, New York / Event Planning: Roey Mizrahi Events / Floral Design: Blade Floral and Event Designs / Officiant: Rabbi Roger Ross / Ceremony Music: Dolce Vita Strings / Cocktail Music: David Galvez / DJ: Aria Melody / Wedding Dress: Lazaro / Bride’s Belt: Custom Designed by the Bride / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair: Vanessa Fernandez / Makeup: Sally Duvall

The loveliest Kate Spade heels can really get a party started and Arielle Doneson Photography knows full well how to finish that party off. Breathtaking images, that’s how. This is Hudson Valley in the most classic of ways with a Bride who is an event planner by day meaning she knew exactly what she wanted when it came time to craft her own affair. Her vision was timeless and romantic with a layer of fun and she totally nailed it. See it all unfold in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Fritz and I met at college, and after eight years of dating he surprised me with a picture-perfect proposal on Mother’s Day in Central Park. Being an event planner, I immediately jumped into the wedding planning, and I loved every single minute of it. We knew from the start that we wanted our wedding to be formal and fun, as well as romantic and timeless without being too stuffy.

We began our venue search in Manhattan where we live, but nothing seemed quite right, so we decided on a whim to take a drive up the Hudson River Valley to visit The Garrison. Almost immediately after touring the beautiful property, Fritz and I were convinced that this was the perfect place for us. The outdoor ceremony space features a jaw-dropping view, and we fell completely in love with the simple elegance and rustic charm of the interior décor. With venue decision made, the rest of the wedding details fell into place. After a bit of research, we booked who I firmly believe to be the best vendors a bride and groom could ever hope for. Working with my talented florist, we came up with a floral design concept that was soft, elegant, romantic and featured peonies – my favorite flower. As a perfectionist, I was hesitant to take on too many projects, but I incorporated personal touches to the wedding with DIY details such as a chalkboard seating chart and table numbers, homemade wedding programs and a color-coordinated candy bar.

On the big day, I loved the time I got to spend at the Garrison getting ready with my mother and bridesmaids. I could even run downstairs to check on the progress of everything throughout the morning and afternoon – the planner in me loved that! The weather was perfect all day, and our fantastic photographer got some amazing photos during our first look and portraits, then as soon as we lined up to start the ceremony the sky clouded over ominously. As if on cue, the moment before I walked down the aisle there was a terrific clap of thunder. It rained as we exchanged vows, but I honestly don’t remember anything except looking into the handsome and happy face of my best friend as we became man and wife. All in all, I could not have imagined a more perfect day, and I would not change a single thing.

Wedding Photography: Arielle Doneson Photography / Reception: The Garrison in Garrison, New York / Floral Design: Mary Lou Pappas Flowers / Bakery: The Pastry Garden / Wedding Invitations: Graphic Nature / Wedding Dress: Luna Novias by Rosa Clara / Shoes: Kate Spade / Hair: Salon at The Garrison / Makeup: Meredith Hayman / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Men’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank

These Massachusetts residents travelled back to the bride’s home state of New York for a simply stunning Hudson River Valley wedding at Highlands Country Club. Filled with bright pink + green florals by Flowers by Barbara (who also happens to be the bride’s mom!) and the cutest cupcakes ever by The Pastry Garden, this summer soiree kept me smiling through the entire gallery with perfect photos by Sara Wight Photography!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Sara Wight Photography… Currently living in Massachusetts, Ellie and Jonathan chose the bride’s original hometown of Cold Spring, New York, as the location for their June wedding. Sweeping views of the Hudson River Valley provided a stunning backdrop for the bride and groom’s special day, including Boscobel House and Gardens for portraits and Our Lady of Restoration Chapel for the couple’s ceremony. An avid antique car collector, the bride’s father provided them with an antique Ford Edsel, which the couple drove to their reception, which was held at the elegantly appointed Highlands Country Club in nearby Garrison, New York. No detail was left unnoticed, including the groomsmen’s personalized tie clips, seating cards held in small pots of grass, and a tray of “wishing stones” that the couple’s guests could sign wishing the couple well. The mother of the bride, a local florist, designed the beautiful floral arrangements and centerpieces of fuchsia and lime green roses. They matched perfectly not only with the bridesmaids’ dresses and groomsmen’s ties, but also Ellie’s Kate Spade pumps and Jonathan’s socks. Cocktail hour was held on the lawn of the country club and featured wood-burning fire pits, and it was followed by dinner and dancing in the candlelit dining room.

Wedding Photography: Sara Wight Photography / Ceremony: Chapel of Our Lady Restoration in Cold Spring, New York / Reception + Catering: Highlands Country Club in Garrison, New York / Portraits: Boscobel House & Gardens / Floral Design: Flowers by Barbara / Wedding Cake + Cupcakes: The Pastry Garden / Cake Topper: Enamor Weddings / Wedding Paper Goods: La Bella Rue / Entertainment: Scratch Weddings / Photo Booth: Hudson Valley Photo Booth / Wedding Dress: Tara Keely / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LulaKate / Groomsmen’s Attire: Brooks Brothers

By infusing both Persian and Anglo-Indian traditions, this cute as can be couple created a unique and totally personal ceremony that was beyond special, not to mention gorgeous! The colorful blooms and mercury glass make for the perfect centerpieces and stand out beautifully against the all white interior of the tent. I don’t know about you, but I’m totally smitten with all pretty images by Alyssa Rose Photography and you can see even more right here in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL gallery!

From the Bride… Although Jesse and I both grew up on the West Coast and love our hometowns dearly — I’m from Vancouver, British Columbia, and Jesse is from Richland, Washington — we wanted our wedding to be in New York, where we met and where we live. We decided right away that we wanted an outdoor wedding in the springtime, somewhere with gardens, meadows, trees, the river and a big, clear-of-buildings sky (a pretty tall order, I’ll admit!) After a few weeks of looking at venues in New York’s Hudson Valley, we found Boscobel House & Gardens, a stunning historical site overlooking the Hudson River. When we visited it for the first time, it was still the dead of winter, but we could see that the grounds would be beautiful in the spring — There were huge oak trees and sprawling meadows, and in the warm weather, there would be rows of cherry trees, peonies, daffodils, and tulips. We knew immediately it was the perfect place.

Jesse and I wanted our wedding to be romantic, colorful, and, above all, fun. Our approach to wedding planning was to find vendors who “got” us and then let them loose to do their thing. This approach meant that we didn’t know exactly how things were going to look or come together at the wedding. Some of my favorite moments of the wedding were the surprises — seeing my bouquet for the first time, seeing the centerpieces for the first time, the way the tent was decorated — and marveling at how beautifully everything had come together from just a few nebulous ideas from Jesse and me and the enormous talent of all of our vendors.

My father is Persian and my mother is Anglo-Indian, so it was important for me to incorporate cultural elements into the wedding as well. My “something borrowed” was a pair of my mother’s silver Indian anklets, and my “something blue” was a Middle Eastern charm that stitched into my dress to ward off the evil eye. To honor my Persian heritage, we chose to have a Persian wedding ceremony. In Persian wedding ceremonies, the bride and groom are seated before a “sofreh aghd” or wedding spread of symbolic items. They are surrounded by close friends and family who take turns holding a silk cloth over the heads of the couple and grinding sugar over the silk to symbolize sweetness raining down on the bride and groom.  It felt so special to have our family and friends surrounding us as we said our vows to each other in a ceremony of traditions dating back thousands of years.

We have so many beautiful, happy memories of our wedding day — waking up to the first truly warm day of the spring, the bridesmaids and I speeding in a golf cart to make it to the ceremony site, Jesse tearing up as I walked down the aisle to an acoustic guitar and violin version of Regina Spektor’s “Us,” Jesse and I escaping to the fields behind the reception tent for a quiet moment at sunset, me running (in my heels!) from the bathroom through the meadow to make it back to the reception tent in time to leap into Jesse’s arms for the last chorus of “Jesse’s Girl” — but nothing was more special than holding my husband’s hand during the reception and realizing that every single person with us that day was there because they loved us and we loved them.

Wedding Photography: Alyssa Rose Photography / Wedding Venue: Boscobel House & Gardens in Garrison, New York / Floral Design: Linda Baldwin Flowers & Decor / Event Coordination: Events That Matter / Officiant: Carrie Wykoff of Events That Matter / Catering: Oliver Kita Fine Catering / Sofreh Aghd (Persian Wedding Spread): Ghazal Sofreh Aghd / Ceremony Musicians + DJ: BOK-Music / Table Numbers: Mason Rabbits Paperie / Programs, Escort Cards + Menus: By Invitation Only / Favor Bags: Lost Bridge Designs / Chair Signs: Our Hobby to Your Home / Wedding Dress: Wtoo via Lovely Bridal Shop / Bride’s Shoes: Enzo Angiolini / Bride’s Rings: Mark Schneider Design / Bride’s Hair Accessories: whichgoose / Hair + Makeup: Beauty by Nicole / Groom’s Wedding Ring: Benchmark Rings

Welcome back SMPers to another fabulous wedding Wednesday! We’re super excited to share some seriously drop dead gorgeous weddings with you today, so sit back and relax because this pretty parade is headed straight your way! Just remember to hit up the full galleries for all the gorg!

First up is this super sweet and sassy wedding by Caroline Frost Photography. Not only is this couple out of this world beautiful, their wedding day was filled with so much love, color and emotion. We seriously can’t get enough of the pretty florals and those bridesmaids dresses! LOVE! Click here for even more.

From the Bride… Our wedding day was the most amazing love filled blessed day of my life! I am still on a high from the entire weekend, and I am having trouble coming down. Stephen and I met five years ago while working at a restaurant in Times Square. Little did we know then that we would end up madly in love, celebrating our journey together in front of family and friends. It was very important for us not to have a boring ceremony, so we chose to have it in the round in order for our family and friends to feel like they were not only observers but participants in our union. I spent the year or so before hand scoping out every love song and every sappy moment on television for the perfect songs to play while our guests waited for us to make it official. Stephen and I planned the entire ceremony, down to the group prayer and the recessional song of “Kiss” by Prince. His father gave a beautiful prayer and homily, and our home church pastor, Jose Humphreys, officiated the ceremony.

Having worked in the restaurant industry and being foodies ourselves, it was important to us to have fabulous food. We picked our venue not only because it was beautifully surrounded by trees and a remote getaway close to the city, but also because it serves farm-to-table food with fresh ingredients and vegetables from their own garden. I was introduced to the chef that day, who made adjustments to the menu on the spot according to my preference. Also, I must mention Adrienne Madama, the event coordinator at the Highlands Country Club, who was a complete angel to us. She helped us from beginning to end and answered all of my crazy, late night emails. I left the choosing of the photographer to Stephen. We brides often times do so much of the leg work, and I wanted to make sure Stephen felt included through the process as much as possible. In the fall while I was away doing a show, I picked out several photographers that I liked and had Stephen meet them individually. He knew immediately Caroline Frost was the one and told me that she had the most genuine interest in us as a couple. We knew this would make for the best pictures, and isn’t it obvious? I knew I wanted a light-filled day, and the images taken exemplify this. We were so blessed to have her there to capture our day in the exact way we wanted and also be a calm presence throughout the process. She kept me on my toes and reminded me of things I hadn’t even thought of. Of all things, I stressed out about the flowers most. I feel like the floral arrangements speak to the entire theme of the day and are a guide to the style of the event. I had endless email conversations and sent tons of styling ideas to the florist, but where we lived and both of our busy schedules made it impossible for us to meet until the day of. Needless to say as a giant control freak this kept me up most of the night before the wedding (that and maybe a little bit of wedding jitters), but I truly lucked out. When our florist came with the bouquets I had to walk away so I wouldn’t ruin my makeup and burst into tears.  They were everything that I had imagined and described —  from that moment on I knew I had could simply relax and enjoy the day.

Lastly, the reception was a giant party! I am a professional dancer, and I made it my top priority that everyone danced the night away. We had a perfect DJ and MC who played music that made it impossible for people to stay in their seats. Our guests were dancing before their salads came out and that’s just the way we wanted it. My husband is from Oklahoma, and his guests were even able to do the Cotton Eye Joe as well. No one was left out and everyone had a blast. I couldn’t be more grateful for the weather, our family, friends and my parents for giving us such a send off into our new lives together. I wish we could have a wedding day like that over and over again. We were so lucky, and I am beyond blessed to have a loving, smart, humble and beautiful husband like Stephen.

Wedding Photography: Caroline Frost Photography / Second Shooter: Carmen Santorelli / Wedding Venue: Highlands Country Club in Garrison, New York / Floral Design: Splendid Stems / DJ/MC, Lighting + Sound: Steven Santiago of Opera Q / Wedding Dress: Watters / Bride’s Wedding Shoes: Zara / Reception Dress: White by Vera Wang / Bride’s Reception Shoes: Vince Camuto / Hair: Tiara Harris / Makeup: Shameika Bowman / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Ivy & Aster / Men’s Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

Here at SMP, we consider ourselves big Carla Ten Eyck fans. Maybe even the biggest. When Carla sends one of her weddings our way, I can not contain the glee. And when Datura: A Modern Garden is behind the floral design – the glee maybe doubles. As you can most definitely see from this wedding, Datura has a way with flowers – turning them into pieces of art that make a wedding phenom. And Carla Ten Eyck has a way with her camera – turning the phenom wedding into a piece of art itself. Seen in it’s entirety in the full gallery, this wedding is our favorite kind of art.

Click here to see the rest of this gorgeous, gorgeous wedding in the gallery!

From the lovely bride… Our wedding was filled with a variety of personal touches. From scouring our parent’s basements to shopping on Etsy, our wedding included various vintage items that created a vintage, yet chic look.

The various effects could be seen throughout our wedding and included the following:

-Lauren’s grandmother’s antique table and Remington typewriter
-A “Brophy brick” from Lauren’s ancestor’s brickyard
-Lauren’s floral bouquet had her grandmother’s locket tied to the front
-Lauren’s father’s antique trunk was used for gift cards
-Stephen’s parents restored an old plantation shutter, which was used to display the escort cards and skeleton keys.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck / Cinematography: Jim Altieri’s Vintage Cinema / Flowers: Tony Palmieri, Datura: A Modern Garden / Event Planning: Lauren Ferrera of Bowen and Company / Ceremony Location: Highlands Country Club / Reception Location: Highlands Country Club / Invitations: Lion in the Sun / Dessert Bar Designer: Corine Dell’Orso, Lovely Lollies / Dessert Bar signage and backdrop: Nichole Michel, Coral Pheasant Stationery and Design / Photo Location: Stonecrop Gardens / Wedding Cake: Pastry Garden / Acoustic Guitar Player: Steve Black Guitar / DJ: Spencer Potter, Turntable Events / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Calligraphy: Nicole Black, The Left Handed Calligrapher