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Elegant Manhattan Wedding

It’s official, Trent Bailey Studio is the master of wedding photography. I mean, just take one look at this gallery and you’ll be hard-pressed to claim otherwise. From capturing the sweetest first look, to their darling exit, Daughter Of Design was on hand crafting wedding magic like you wouldn’t believe. Oh, and the Kiss The Bride Films? You won’t want to miss it. See it all below and in The Vault!

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From the Bride… We sort of have an unofficial “theme” to the wedding based on our hometown. We both grew up in Saltaire, Fire Island – that’s where we met as kids and also where we got engaged so designed the wedding around this idea of a “seaside home” vibe.

Many young girls and women spend hours dreaming of their wedding day. The dress. The flowers. The cake. The first dance. It’s hard for me to explain why I never dreamed about my wedding day growing up. It wasn’t for lack of excitement, or because I didn’t plan on getting married, I wanted to begin my experience with an open mind and feel free to do whatever felt right. That’s why, when it came time to begin the planning process with my husband, our perfect day came as naturally as our love for each other.

It is unusual, these days, to find the person you want to marry when you are fourteen. We both grew up spending our summers in a beach community on Fire Island. In our town there are no cars, bikes are the only form of transport, and people don’t wear shoes. The reason this place is so special though is because of the life-long friendships that are forged there. This was where our relationship started, and everything grew from there.
Michael proposed to me on that very same island, the night of the summer solstice, on a quiet sunset-lit beach. We later met up with our friends and family for an evening of celebration. It was a perfect night!

When it came time to start planning, we both agreed very early-on that the most important thing for us was to have all of our family and closest friends in attendance. With this in mind, we knew we wanted to keep our wedding fairly local; within a few hours of New York City. While we thought this decision had simplified the process, we had no idea how many wedding venues are in this area. Our amazing wedding planners at Daughter of Design helped us narrow down the choices and imagine all the ways each space could be used. When we came across the Altman Building, an old carriage house in Manhattan with white brick walls and vaulted ceilings, we didn’t know right away that this was the place for us. We decided to have our wedding here for two reasons; first it is a beautiful vintage-industrial structure, but more importantly, this wide open venue gave us the ability to be creative and to turn the space into anything we could imagine. Obviously this flexibility is a two-sided coin, more freedom meant more work, however, it also meant that each aspect of the design, decor and style were distinctly “us”! Our hand was in the detail of every element of the wedding.

Even though we chose not to have our wedding theme focused on Fire Island, it is such an important part of our lives that our talented florist, Louis Miller Design, and planner, helped us find ways to incorporate unique “nods” wherever we could. For example, our entryway was decorated with iron maritime lanterns, potted beach grass, and a wooden wagon. The escort card display was modeled after the tennis sign-up board from the island. Even the cocktail-hour had lights hanging from the ceiling to create a warm mid-summer feel.

Our ceremony was a few blocks from our apartment, at the church Michael and I are both members of. To help create a more personal experience Michael’s pastor traveled up from his home town in New Jersey. Her sermon was better than either of us could have imagined, drawing from aspects of both of our lives and recognizing the strengths in our relationship. It set this infectious tone for the night. The reception and after-party were executed flawlessly. For me the most challenging part of the wedding was not the decision making or the planning, it was trying to stay in the moment the entire time. What everyone tells you is correct, the whole thing goes by really fast. The best advice I could give to future brides and grooms on this monumental day is to enjoy every second and take in every moment.

Photography: Trent Bailey Studio | Cinematography: Kiss The Bride Films | Event Design + Planning: Daughter of Design | Floral Design: Lewis Miller Design | Church: First Presbyterian Church In The City Of New York | Reception Venue: The Altman Building | Catering: PS Tailored Events | Hotel: Gramercy Park Hotel

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Nautical Seaside Wedding

Wonderfully classic with the perfect nod to all things nautical, this Coveleigh Club wedding captured by Melani Lust Photography is seaside wedding perfection. It’s the perfect example of why timeless weddings will always win, and you can see all the reasons why right here in the gallery. See even more in the VAULT.

From Melani Lust PhotographyLiz and Chris wanted a classic wedding with a chic and classic nautical feel, a simple color palette of green and white, with navy and gold accents, without being over the top. Keeping everything simple and elegant drove their entire planning process, so that decades from now, their wedding would still look timeless.

In case of sea breezes, they had a wicker basket painted by the Bride’s mom, which she filled with gold, white and navy shawls to give out to guests for their outdoor ceremony. They also had Koozies that had a nautical wheel on them with Chris and Liz and the date of their wedding. Chris’s tie was custom made by Vineyard Vines and it had bull riders on them…Chris rode bulls out in Wyoming for 2.5yrs while he was in College. He also turned his regular tie into the bow tie, to make himself stand out from the groomsmen.

From The Bride…My favorite moment by far was the first look…seeing Chris’s face was so exciting and something that I will remember forever. While planning the wedding I went back and forth about doing a first look, but in the end, I am so happy that we did!

All the vendors we used for the wedding contributed to making our day as perfect as possible. Melani Lust knew our style and found such creative ways to use the grounds at Coveleigh Club to capture the most amazing pictures. I still go through the pictures today and I’m amazed at how they came out. Frank, from House of flowers, created beautiful centerpieces and bouquets and listened to everything I had to say (and I had to say a lot when it came to the flowers!). The Anne Barge wedding dress I chose was certainly different than the dress I originally pictured myself wearing, but as soon as I stepped out of the dressing room we all knew that was the one. Looking back on the day, I couldn’t imagine wearing anything else and the amount of wonderful comments I got from people about the dress only confirmed my decision! Finding the perfect cake was actually harder than I thought it was going to be. I knew I wanted a funfetti cake from the start and I had a hard time finding a bakery that would make it the way I wanted. In the end we had this beautiful cake that was so elegant from the outside and fun in the middle! Our band, Live Wire Entertainment made the night a blast! I have never been to a wedding where people danced so much, and I’m glad it was mine! The singers were amazing and the choice of songs couldn’t have been any better to get the mood going all night long. Linda Gallo, the makeup artist, was also amazing. Lastly, Coveleigh Club did an amazing job with everything…I couldn’t have picked a better venue, it was absolutely beautiful inside and out, the food was delicious, and the Managers Ted and George were so easy to work with and made sure everything went smoothly. I couldn’t have done it without them!!

My advice for future brides is “Don’t worry about what other people are going to think….this is your day, make it perfect for you!”

Photography: Melani Lust Photography | Floral Design: House Of Flowers | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Cake: Cornerstone Caterers | Invitations: Inklinations | Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Makeup: Linda Gallo | Band: Live Wire | Groom's Attire: Mens USA | Venue: Coveleigh Club | Tie: Vineyard Vines

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Abby Capalbo

Design, Styling, Parties
Chic Manhattan Wedding at the Bowery Hotel

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t completely and totally jealous of Alex and Cole. Not only are the gorgeous Bride and handsome Groom traveling around the world on an extended honeymoon, but they also had one of the chicest New York City weddings ever thanks to the pretty makers at Firefly Events. Every detail captured by Trent Bailey Photography in The Vault — from the pretty Poppies And Posies flowers to the Bride’s sexy Ines Di Santo gown — is guaranteed to make your heart happy!

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From Tent Bailey PhotographyA beautiful downtown wedding on a late September evening.

Alex & Cole are currently traveling around the world for several months on an extended honeymoon. This couple met at Princeton and had a beautiful ceremony followed by one of the most celebratory and joy filled parties we have ever been a part of.

Photography: Trent Bailey Studio | Event Planning + Design: Firefly Events | Floral Design: Poppies And Posies | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Catering: Creative Edge Parties | Makeup: Nicole Sievers Makeup Artistry | Hair: Styles On B | Band: Elan Artists | Venue: The Bowery Hotel | Bridal Boutique: Bergdorf Goodman

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Small Summer Country Wedding in the Catskills

They say when you know, you know, and when this gorgeous Bride found Windrift Hall, she booked it for her small summer wedding in the country—two weeks before her handsome Groom got down on one knee! And with the help of amazing vendors like Divine Light PhotographyDesigns By Ahn and Sperry Tent, their sweet wedding came together perfectly. See all the pretty in The Vault!

From The Bride…Ben and I met at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, became friends, and started dating a few weeks after. We fell quickly in love and knew this was it, so we dated very intentionally for over a year. During that time, we talked a lot about what we wanted in our lives, our marriage and wedding. We actually booked our wedding venue two weeks before we got engaged! While I knew we would be engaged in the Spring, Ben still managed to surprise me with his Washington Square Park proposal. He recruited our friends to hide in various places in the park to take pictures of the proposal, and afterwards, we cabbed over to his Midtown apartment where our families surprised us with a celebration brunch.

We both liked the idea of a small summer wedding in the country, somewhere that would feel like a restful retreat from Manhattan, where we lived. One night I Googled and found Windrift Hall, a restored 1790s manor house in Hudson Valley, just two hours north from us. The house was filled with stunning antiques, overlooked a private pond, and was surrounded by acres of grass and wildflowers—it looked straight out of a Jane Austen novel! The next weekend, we drove up for a visit, fell in love with the place, and put down a deposit to seal the deal. We rented Windrift Hall for three nights, which left plenty of time for our families to stay together, enjoy the property, and set up the wedding.

We only had four months to plan, but it was just enough time for us. I had a strong vision of an elegant, rustic outdoor wedding – something that was not too formal, but still tasteful. While brainstorming ways to make this wedding feel curated and personal, we figured out what were “must haves” vs. “nice to haves”, which helped us with budgeting. Then we created a Google Sheets project timeline, divided responsibilities, and conquered one task at a time. We agreed we would invest in photography, flowers, and renting decor that would enhance the natural environment, such as farm tables and antique furniture. We found cost-savings in other areas, like making our own reception playlist and going with a buffet dinner from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.

What made the wedding feel special were the personal details, and there are so many that I cherish! The vintage candlesticks we bought at a flea market in Hudson, NY…the distressed white windows that we used for table seating charts…my “something borrowed” vintage Tiffany earrings from my bridesmaid…the chalkboard signs that we hand painted…the herbs that my bridesmaids found in the garden and placed on every dinner plate…the black & white photos from Ben’s grandparents’ wedding, which fell on the same day as ours.

My favorite memories include spending quality time with our families the days leading up to the wedding: laughing over home-cooked dinners, canoeing in the pond, and talking long walks together. On our wedding day, my favorite moments were our First Look and when our pastor pronounced us husband and wife. I remember feeling so beautiful when Ben’s jaw dropped after seeing me in my dress for the first time, as he twirled me around. The overwhelming joy in finally making our covenant before God and becoming “one flesh” through our vows was indescribable. We both had “pinch me” grins on our faces and looked at each other thinking “I can’t believe I get to spend my whole life with you”. We were immensely blessed to be able to share our wedding day with friends and family, to witness before God, and dedicate ourselves to each other forever.

Photography: Divine Light Photography | Floral Design: DESIGNS BY AHN | Wedding Dress: La Sposa Detalle | Cake: Piece Of Cake | Catering: Dinosaur BBQ | Hair + Makeup: Kristian Torres | Venue: Windrift Hall | Rentals: New England Country Rentals | Tent Rentals: Sperry Tents

Elegant Prospect Park Boathouse Wedding with a Sweet Tribute

My favorite part of this Brooklyn wedding isn’t the Groom’s kilt, the Bride’s gorgeous spring bouquet, the great music from Colin Watson  or even the stationery designed by the couple. Don’t get me wrong, I love all those details, but the sweet duo’s tribute to their families and ancestors—complete with a gallery wall of old family photos—definitely takes the proverbial (wedding) cake. See all the special moments from Levi Stolove Photography in The Vault!

From Levi Stolove PhotographyThey met long ago at a beer garden on The High-Line. When they thought of their wedding, they wanted a relaxed, fun, cozy party. The Prospect Park Boathouse is a perfect fit for them. It is a beautiful space along a the lake and still close to home. They are both creatives, Jamie by avocation-and by day she is a lawyer and Chris is an architect. They designed their own invitation, save the date and table name cards. They named each table after a family ancestor and included the history of that family member with an old photo. In this way they could bring all their family together, even the long ago ancestors. Chris being Scottish decided to wear a kilt and Jamie’s father wanting to embrace Chris’s background hired a bag pipe player that surprised the couple during the father of the bride speech.

Photography: Levi Stolove Photography | Floral Design: Rose Red & Lavender | Hair + Makeup: Sachiko Yanase | DJ: Remixologists | Venue: Prospect Park Boathouse

Elegant + Romantic Metropolitan Building New York City Wedding

To put it simply, Katrina’s getting ready portraits are absolute magic thanks to photography by CLY BY MATTHEW and Matthew Ree. Against the beautiful vintage backdrop of New York City’s Metropolitan Building, the Bride’s Melissa Sweet wedding dress, classic Prada pumps and romantic bouquet absolutely shine. See every ounce of pretty (including a sweet video from Love & Brain Films) in The Vault!

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From Cly By MatthewWe want to share this wedding at the gorgeous Metropolitan Building. It’s always different and fun to shoot at this venue because it’s so magical with so many vintage and rustic details. The bride, Katrina’s getting ready portraits are some of our favorite shots. It’s mysterious and beautiful at the same time. The deep colors of the bouquet and different color bridesmaid dresses really went well together as well. Katrina and Joe were so sweet and so in love! They couldn’t keep their eyes off of each other and their first dance was so romantic and memorable!

Photography: CLY BY MATTHEW | Photography: MATTHEW REE PHOTOGRAPHY | Cinematography: Love + Brain Films | Floral Design: By Yena Designs | Wedding Dress: David's Bridal | Invitations: Zazzle | Bride's Shoes: Prada | Catering: Peaches Catering | Hair + Makeup: VickyC5 | Band: East Coast Band | Groom's Attire: Sandro | Venue: Metropolitan Building

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See the Designer Behind Lulu Frost Get Married + Win $500 to Shop Her Line!

The stars were indeed aligned for Lisa’s and Marlon’s big day (and we’re not just talking about those constellation earrings). For when the founder of Lulu Frost married her longtime love in a contemporary ceremony with Trent Bailey Studio behind the lens, we knew it’d be a day to remember. Complete with heirloom jewelry, a custom convertible gown, and unprecedented levels of chicness, we’ve got it all in The Vault. Psssst: Enter to win $500 to shop Lulu Frost jewelry for your own Big Day below!

SMP: Tell us about your favorite moments from the wedding day

LISA:  I have so many favorite wedding day moments, but some of the highlights include getting ready with my hilarious bridesmaids, one of whom is the uber-talented right-hand makeup artist of Bobbi Brown, Miss Cassandra Garcia. Another favorite memory was when our (Marlon and my) sweet nephews William and Beau approached us during the wedding ceremony clutching a precious Japanese wooden box given to us by dear friends from Tokyo containing two handmade teacups for married couples. We placed our wedding rings in each of the cups and the little boys brought us the rings in the most serious yet adorable manner. As William said later in his tiny voice, “Uncle Marlon, I was not going to mess up!”

A moment that took my breath away happened just as our dear friend and writer Lesley M.M. Blume was marrying us. All of a sudden, as we were exchanging vows, the Montauk sun came out brilliantly from behind grey scattered clouds and lit up the wall of strung marigolds that were swaying behind us in the breeze, hand crafted by florist extraordinaire Tess Casey of Aisling Flowers, against the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. Guests later told me that the marigolds literally looked like they were on fire, and it felt to me as if the Universe was blessing our marriage with stunning beauty.

Our reception was full of hysterical speeches and amazing dancing, but without a doubt my favorite moment was when I looked in amazement around the packed dance floor to observe a trio of unforgettable moments – my Jewish uncles doing the Hora, Marlon and his buddies in a rap circle with our friend/dancer/actor AdeChike Torbert on the mic, and in the far corner of the dance floor an epic Voguing battle going on between several star Broadway actors. I don’t think that particular trifecta of dancefloor activities will soon be repeated, and I loved every minute of the unique mix of people that Marlon and I brought together.

SMP: We’d love to hear about your dress, hair/makeup look and of course, jewelry!

LISA: My dress, how I love thee! I was fortunate to work with the talented team at Romona Keveza to create the most wonderful convertible dress that I wore in three ways throughout my wedding. The dress as a whole was perfect in its utter simplicity, with nary a bead or bit of lace. The triple-faced silk dress was perfect in its artistic shape and structure and let me be the star of the show. I walked down the aisle in the sheath dress with detachable sleeves that elongated my silhouette and gave me a feeling of elegance and grace. For the cocktail hour and first dance, I removed the sleeves and added a fabulous horse-hair and tulle voluminous and sculptural skirt which added a ton of great drama to the first dance. Finally, for the reception I removed the overskirt and danced the night away in the formfitting sheath which had a wonderful asymmetrical back detail. During all this heavy dancing, what seemed like a large goblet of red wine was actually spilled on the dress, but my friends came to the rescue and assured me it didn’t matter – I was planning to dye the dress after the wedding anyway to a deep navy to get more wear, so the wine gave me a head start! The spill just showed me how the wedding is all about your attitude and the fun you’re having, not the perfection of each and every moment.

As for the hair and makeup, I went for a cool classic look that best accentuated my natural beauty. Makeup genius Cassandra Garcia created a gorgeous wide-eye for me with liner and shadow and individual lash inserts for a bit of glamour. My friend and talented hair stylist Allen Thomas Wood of Bumble & Bumble worked with my platinum short crop of hair, courtesy of the brilliant Rita Hazan, affixing a stunning clutch of fresh magnolias into my locks. The magnolia flower is one of my favorite scents, so my floral genius Tess Casey lovingly wove them into a comb that looked and smelled amazing all evening.

Onto the all-important jewelry of course – one of the most crucial elements! I opted to wear my grandmother Elizabeth Frost’s pearl and diamond studs to bring a touch of light to my face, and in each of my second holes I wore studs from our newest fine jewelry collection, based on constellation signs. I wore my star sign, Scorpio, in my right ear, and Marlon’s sign, Cancer, in my right to symbolize our union in the universe, not just on this earth. Each earring is crafted from 10 carat gold and the constellation stars are represented by tiny diamonds – one of the most meaningful pieces of jewelry I’ve ever created.

SMP: Any advice you’d pass on to other Brides-to-be?

LISA: My advice to other brides-to-be is to do your very best to make the process of wedding planning fun, whatever that means to you individually. There are many stresses that go into creating such a special day, but it comes and goes so quickly so taking your time to savor the special moments is crucial. My approach to this conundrum was to make the whole six months leading up to the wedding feel like a part of the special day. I relished planning the tablescapes, going to fittings with my mom and sister, working on flowers with Tess and hand-painting escort cards on pieces of driftwood for my guests. I even taught myself calligraphy over about a week and hand-inked all of my invitations. This was such a fun learning process for me.

Of course if you’re not the hands-on-type bride, that’s great too, just remember to slow down and enjoy the process. So in the words of my very wise mother, my real advice is: Just Breathe. Other people I’d like to call out: Happy Menocal who made my amazing custom invitations, crest with Marlon and my initials and menus. And of course Trent Bailey for his amazing photography!

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Photography: Trent Bailey Studio | Photography: Romona Keveza | Floral Design: Aisling Flowers | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Stationery: Happy Menocal | Shoes: Sophia Webster | Jewelry: Lulu Frost | Makeup: Cassandra Garcia | Hair: Allen Thomas Wood | Groom's Attire: Lanvin | Wedding Venue: Gurneys Resort Spa | Rentals: Rent Patina

Classic Fall New York City Engagement

It’s virtually impossible to not love everything about Vanessa & Peter’s e-session. With Oliver Fly Photography behind the camera snapping every second of Central Park magic, we think you’ll be hard pressed to pick just one favorite from this gorge gallery. It’s the type of adventurous afternoon that we’re currently longing for, so if you need us we’ll be spending the rest of the day in The Vault!

From Oliver Fly Photography Vanessa & Peter are getting married in San Diego, California next spring. They really wanted to capture their engagement session in New York to create a beautiful souvenir of all the wonderful times spent together in this amazing city.

I absolutely loved photographing Vanessa and her fiancé’s engagement in New York City during the indian summer as this city is a big part of their life together. This adorable couple lives near the iconic Central Park, the green heart of Manhattan. Sunday afternoons can be crowded but we found a quiet and peaceful place under a tree surrounded by nature.

The best moment of this epic love story was ending the day enjoying a last passionate kiss from Brooklyn face to Manhattan and the NYC skyline, so romantic! I can not think of a better way to end the day. Every minute from this journey with this cute duo in the Big Apple was a romantic getaway.

From the Bride-to-be … Pete and I met through mutual friends while cleaning up the devastated areas of New York City after Hurricane Sandy. After a day of volunteering we all went to a pizza shop where Pete and I sat next to one another and chatted for a while. As the group parted we all agreed to get together in the near future. Pete kept in touch every now and again, and almost a year later we went on our first date — from our first date we were inseparable.

During our relationship Pete has pushed my adventurous limits.
We have hiked to Machu Pichu and often escape the busy Manhattan life for adventures on the outskirts of Manhattan. After two years of dating, we were on vacation with my family and Pete and I went on a morning hike. He had planned for the two of us to have breakfast at the top of the mountain. Little did I know it was going to be the most memorable hike of my life.

The proposal was perfect — although it wasn’t quite as Pete planned.
He planned for us to have breakfast at a place called “Crystal Lake”, but when we got there is was — according to him— incredibly underwhelming (I didn’t know why at the time!) We kept hiking until we got to a lookout where we enjoyed a spectacular view. We had breakfast and talked about how wonderful it was to be there together. All of the sudden, I realized what was happening as Pete began to get down on one knee and propose !

Few weeks ago, we were introduced to our photographer, Oliver Fly, through a friend and he happened to be visiting New York from Paris so the timing was perfect. We are getting married next spring in my hometown, San Diego, but I knew I wanted to reflect the amazing city that brought us together in our engagement photos, and Oliver did it perfectly through his eyes.
We are so grateful and so lucky being photographed by this french styled artist.

We live on the Upper West Side so Central Park seemed like the natural choice as is it where we spend a lot of time. We took the subway down to Dumbo so we could get a view of the skyline with the sun setting.

Photography: Oliver Fly Photography | Dress: Allen B. Schwartz | Jewelry: Bauble Bar | Hair: Drybar | Venue: Brooklyn Bridge Park | Venue: Central Park

Stunning Bridesmaid Dresses with twobirds Bridesmaid + A Giveaway!

twobirds Bridesmaid is awesome, I don’t need to tell you that.  I mean, gorgeous bridesmaid frocks that can be wrapped in endless ways to flatter ALL body types?  Genius.  From their amazing selection of soft + stunning fabrics to their 40+ color options to their fab new collections, twobirds Bridesmaid is the best thing to happen to weddings since, well… gold, glitter and peonies.  Soak them all in below.

We’ve all been there.  That crazy day of bridesmaid dress shopping that turns into an almost impossible task, because, well… each one of your besties is sooo different.  Enter twobirds Bridesmaid and their insanely gorgeous lineup of convertible dresses.  I’m talking dresses that requires ZERO alterations, are totally maternity friendly and can be worn time and time again… long after the Big Day is over.  Not to mention their lineup of beautiful hues + brilliant fabric options.  It’s a mixing and matching lovers dream with options in jersey, tulle AND rosette.  And don’t even get me started on the many styling options. These dresses are magic.

Ready to begin your journey towards the world’s happiest bridal party?  Head to twobirds Bridesmaid TODAY to peruse the pretty.  And stay tuned for new collection featuring their bridal gown in lace (!), tulle ombre and jumpsuits.  We.can’t.wait.

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the-giveaway

What: twobirds Bridesmaid is giving away THREE convertible dresses to one lucky bride and her bridal party! (Value $930)

Who: One lucky bride, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, April 1, 2016.

How: Enter below, lovelies! Good luck! xo

Style Me Pretty + twobirds Bridesmaid Giveaway!

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Colorful Summer Wedding at Bedell Cellars

I’m kind of dying of the color explosion that is this wedding beautifully captured by W Studios New York. With a plethora of happy hues inspired by the bridesmaid dresses from Liza Emanuele this bright and cheery Bedell Cellars Winery is the definition of vibrant. Sprinkle in some classic elegance, and ladies and gents, we have a winner. See even more in the VAULT.

From W Studios New YorkGeorgie is one design savvy bride. The minute I saw she had picked Australian designer Liza Emanuele dresses for her bridesmaids, I knew every detail of the wedding would be phenomenal. The dresses were the inspiration for the color pallet of the entire day with pinks and greens reflected in the centerpieces, ceremony programs, and menus. Every detail was so thoughtful from the framed chalkboard signs displaying the drinks and dessert options, to the long tables the couple used to make the space feel more intimate for the guests, many of whom came from Australia for the celebration. Even the staff wasn’t forgotten, my favorite detail of the evening were the custom “Nick & Georgie” aprons the staff wore while preparing the space and serving hors d’oeuvres and dinner.

From The Bride…I was really after a laid back, rustic look for my wedding to compliment the natural beauty of Bedell Cellars. As soon as we saw Bedell we knew it would be perfect for us – we loved the flow of having the ceremony in the leafy orchard, being near the vines for cocktail hour and then into the beautiful pavilion for dinner and dancing.

I found the bridesmaids dresses first in Australia, so the color scheme was born from them. I loved the bright pinks and greens in the dresses and felt it fit in perfectly with the setting at Bedell. A lot of the details we did ourselves (or with the help of artistic friends and family!) from the window pane table setting, to the wine cork table numbers. We had an antique silver rose bowl as the flower center piece on the wedding party table which was a family heirloom.

We had some Australian touches like our favorite Aussie chocolates and the jerseys of our local Australian Football Team from our hometown and even an Australian Rules Football came out on the dance floor! Nick loves collecting matches from NYC restaurants, so he insisted on having matches which was a fun item for everyone to take home.

Nick and I have been together for a long time, so we really just wanted to celebrate the opportunity to be with family and friends. With so many people traveling for the wedding (over 90 people traveled from Australia alone including my 83 year old Grandma!) everyone was well and truly up for a party – the dance floor was packed all night!

We couldn’t have asked for a better day – the weather was absolutely perfect and the stunning setting at Bedell Cellars meant everyone had such a memorable night.

Photography: W Studios New York | Floral Design: Kim Jon Designs | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Stationery: Houseman Paper Co | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Liza Emanuele | Catering: Catering By A Small Affair | Hair + Makeup: East End Expressions | Lighting: Matt Murphy Event Lighting | DJ: Jarrell Entertainment | Groomsmen Attire: J.Crew | Officiant: One Heart Personalized Ceremonies | Venue: Bedell Cellars Winery | Desserts: Junda's Pastry | Rentals: Party Rentals Ltd

A Wedding Story with Upper Story by Charlie Palmer + Style Me Pretty

We recently teamed up with the fabulous Upper Story by Charlie Palmer to co-host an awesome night of inspiration, A Wedding Story.  Think breathtaking micro-wedding displays, uber-talented vendors and yours truly talking all things pretty in one of our fave Manhattan venues.  Yummy treats, wedding inspiration and bubbly?  It was sooo amazing.

You know we never ever turn down a party and chatting with all of YOU about your upcoming nuptials is most definitely a reason to celebrate.  Which is why we couldn’t wait to co-host A Wedding Story, plus mix and mingle with some of the most brilliant vendors NYC has to offer.  I’m talking experts like Maggie Margerite Studios, Aureole, The Booth, Beyonder Events, Baccarat, Rosa Rosa, Christina D’Asaro Design… and sooo many more.  Not to mention the breathtaking backdrop that is Upper Story by Charlie Palmer, a venue that has everything you’ll EVER need to seamlessly create your dream day. Not a bad way to spend a Tuesday evening.

From the tasty cuisine samples from Jennifer Day (three words: Mac & Cheese Bar) to the delicious glasses of champagne from Taittinger to the ah-mazing desserts from Aureole’s Michelin-starred pastry chef, Pierre Poulin, A Wedding Story was a night we won’t soon forget.  Weren’t able to attend?  We missed you, but no worries.  You can contact Upper Story by Charlie Palmer to discuss all things wedding and plan your Big Day at a space that combines awe-inspiring views with understated elegance.  Do it today, loves.

Photography: Maggie Marguerite Studios | Event Planning: CHARLIE PALMER STEAK | Vendor: Baccarat

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Secret Garden Rooftop, NYC Wedding

Intimate, chic, and overflowing with steal-worthy details, this stylish NYC rooftop garden wedding captured by Mango Studios is one for the books. Each perfectly pin-worthy moment designed by Tinsel & Twine seems to be more beautiful than the next. From the brides’ Monique Lhuillier gown to this couples’ jaw-droppingly gorgeous reception, it all makes for one seriously stunning gallery in the VAULT.

From The Bride…When we got engaged we went back and forth with what we wanted. We wanted something small and intimate, but we didn’t want to exclude people. So we settled on a 30 person New York wedding with best friends and family, and a bigger party back in Toronto the following weekend. New York was our “wedding”, so we wanted it to be perfect. We looked at venues from the Central Park Zoo to the New York Public Library…but nothing felt intimate and right. Then we came across the rooftop at the NoMad Hotel, which was magical. I wanted a wedding with a Secret Garden theme, outdoors, on a rooftop, and the NoMad checked every box! It was exactly what we wanted and the night was exactly as we had envisioned it. Tyler and Sharon took photos that reflected the precise feel of the day. Working in the industry (as a wedding planner for 10 years no less!), I had high standards. Mango managed to exceed them. We have a ton of candids — legitimate memories that Mango somehow managed to capture on camera. Looking back at the photos, even though we only had 30 guests, Mango managed to convey our story: one full of love, happiness and intimacy.

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Photography: Mango Studios | Cinematography: NST Pictures | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Makeup: Nam Vo | Hair: Michael Shire | Band: Nightingale Jazz Band | Groom's Attire: Trend Custom Tailors | Officiant: Rev. Annie Lawrence, NYC Wedding Officiant | Venue: The NoMad Hotel | Bride's Clutch: SixPence | Event Planning + Floral Design: Tinsel & Twine | Linen Rentals: Around The Table | Rentals: Patina | Rentals: Luxe Event Rentals

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Abby Capalbo

Design, Styling, Parties
Rustic, Winter Wedding at the Metropolitan Building

A stunning affair planned around the gorgeous colors and textures of The Metropolitan Building, this lovely collection of images from Clement And West is just a dream. With a beyond gorgeous BHLDN gown and dreamy florals from Red Rose And Lavender every moment of this rustic, winter day is shear perfection. See even more in the VAULT.

From The Bride…So many of our wedding decisions — my dress, the bridesmaids’ dresses, the flowers, the centerpieces — centered around the gem that is the Metropolitan Building. The space was so unique and full of beautiful, antique books, couches, old chairs, chandeliers, props, etc. that we really tried to make the building’s offerings our main decor. It was the first place we visited, and I fell in love immediately and pulled the trigger before the day had ended!

I chose my stunning BHLDN dress after we booked our venue and based my decision around that. The dress had delicate details, a romantic vibe and an element of vintage. The florals created by Red Rose and Lavender were classic, with a neutral palette and a dramatic pop of deep purples. We used lanterns for centerpieces to keep the ambiance on key. Low lit for the romantic feel throughout the whole night.

Our tight-knit community of friends has really been our support and affirmation throughout our relationship, so we wanted to ensure that they had good food, good drinks and a good time on the dance floor. We’re happy to report that we succeeded in hitting all three! Based on the feedback we’ve received thus far though, their favorite part of the wedding was the ceremony, which had a fairytale vibe thanks to the chandelier and string lights courtesy of the building and the candles which were all tirelessly lit by the amazing staff. We can’t thank our vendors enough for helping us pull off a perfect day, and we just wish that we could relive the entire wedding over again!

Photography: Clement And West | Cinematography: SPARK Film Works | Floral Design: Red Rose And Lavender | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Hair + Makeup: Jina Yoon | Venue: Metropolitan Building

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Rustic + Refined Multi-Cultural Fall Wedding

Close your eyes and imagine standing on a wooded path on a warm fall day with a canopy of golden leaves overhead. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, for this Bride and Groom, it was their wedding day reality, complete with a musical performance by the Groom’s vocalist sister and hand-crafted tablescapes made with love by the Bride and her family. See it all from Eddie Winter with READYLUCK in The Vault!

From The Bride…I didn’t have a clear vision for my wedding until I walked this amazing wooded path between the Fontainebleau Inn and the Lawrence Chapel on a warm fall day. The setting was perfect—it was romantic, casual, and fun.

We have amazing family that were able to help us with some of our favorite details. Nate’s sister is an amazing musician and performed the vocals during our ceremony. My mom is a talented seamstress and made the most perfect flower girl ensemble that converted from a fancy ceremony dress to a reception outfit.

One of my favorite moments was after the ceremony as we walked on the wooded path to our reception at the inn. We turned a corner and Nate’s parents surprised us with the guitarist serenading us as we walked past – it was a special moment just for the two us. My favorite crafted detail was the table décor that my mom, sisters, and I planned and put together. Each table had a mix of succulents and air plants in mismatch glassware that we collected from estate sales and flea markets. It made each table look unique and was a perfect favor for our guests to take home.

Photography: Readyluck | Floral Design: Michaleen's | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake: Dolce Delight | Invitations: Minted | Ceremony Venue: Lawrence Chapel | Reception Venue: The Fontainebleau Inn | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Rings: Doyle And Doyle | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Word Of Mouth Catering | Hair + Makeup: Fresh Hair | Groom's Attire: Alton Lane | Ceremony Music: David Coester | String Quartet: Felice String Quartet | Bride's Necklace: Debra Moreland | Cake Toppers: Goose Grease | DJ + Lighting: Jimmie Malone | Photo Booth: AJ Cass | Second Wedding Dress: BHLDN

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Classic + Chic West Village Anniversary Session

Have you ever seen a more dapper pair!? I should say not. These two take the cake when it comes to fine style with their Faubourg Saint Sulpice suits and handcrafted bow ties. Oliver Fly captured them in all their glory, in honor of their one year anniversary in their new home in NYC, and the results are nothing short of fashionably fantastic. See it all in our Vault right this way!

From the Grooms… Our engagement and wedding pictures were very important to us because they were taken in Paris, which we both loved for the years we lived there. We felt like engaging ourselves in one of the most beautiful cities in the world deserved elegance, and the theme that we picked was “Monsieur & Monsieur”. This theme was mainly built around a balance of classic-chic styles with just a hint of modern touch. We opted for grey and blue Prince de Galles suits topped with handcrafted wooden bow ties with our two names custom engraved on back.

The bow tie then became the key recurring touch of our wedding, from the wedding invitation, stamps, and menu to the table decorations. With a December wedding, we also added a Christmas touch to our wedding with miniature Christmas trees as centerpieces, painted in black and silver per consistency with our modern-chic theme.

A year later we now live in another remarkable place, New York City, and decided for our wedding anniversary to call back our wedding photographer Oliver Fly who was coming from Paris and to re-dress up with our wedding outfits to mirror our Parisian photo session in some the City’s unique spots, reliving our wedding souvenirs.

We decided to do this anniversary session in one of the most trendy districts of New York City, the West Village, in the middle of the famous Perry Street surrounded by all the authentic brownstones houses and their gorgeous staircases, the perfect setting for a Saturday afternoon’s unforgettable moments together.
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Peruse more anniversary inspiration here!

Photography: Oliver Fly Photography | Shoes: Faubourg Saint Sulpice | Wedding Bands: Cartier | Bow Ties: Two Guys Bow Ties | Suits: Faubourg Saint Sulpice

Finding the Perfect Bridesmaid Dress with Brideside + A Promotion

Imagine a place that is all about making bridesmaid dress shopping easy.  Think an amazing try-at-home program, hundreds of designer gowns AND a personal style consultant.  I’m talking about Brideside, the fabulous online boutique that makes choosing the right dress the simplest part of planning your wedding. Shopping from the comfort of your very own home with EVERY tool you need?  Yes. Please.

When it comes to wedding planning we could ALL use a personal assistant.  Which is why Brideside is so very, very awesome.  They take all of the guess work out of selecting those gowns for your besties and put it in the hands of a knowledgeable style consultant who knows everything there is to know about colors, fabrics, fit and ordering.  Which means that while you are busy deciding between the perfect hues and the most romantic florals, your personal style consultant can handle all of the questions from your nearest and dearest and let YOU sit back and relax with a glass of bubbly. We (obviously) love that.

Whether your besties live right next door, across town or in a different state completely, Brideside will simplify the buying process with over 1,000 sample dresses (in sizes 00-30) and a try-at-home program that is as fun as it sounds.  Think yoga pants, comfy couches and cocktails, plus some of the prettiest dresses you will ever lay your eyes upon, all delivered right to your doorstep.  And don’t even get me started on the recently announced Kelly Faetanini for Brideside Exclusive Collection, a lineup of six fabulous cocktail dresses and four long skirts that can take you from sassy to formal in an instant.  With Brideside, there is literally something for everyone.

Our advice?  Register with Brideside TODAY.  You’ll meet your personal style consultant, invite your bridal party to view your “closet” and start saving your faves from Brideside’s endless options.  And since most of their dresses are cut-to-order, you’ll most definitely want to get a head start… Brideside recommends at least five months from the wedding date to allow for alterations.  But no worries, you’ll personal style consultant will coordinate the whole process.  It’s awesome, isn’t it?

Promotion

Brideside is offering $20 off dresses with code 20OFFSMPTRI!  Offer expires March 31st, 2016 and excludes Joanna August, Jenny Yoo, Donna Morgan and sale collections.

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Breathtaking Wedding Photography from OLLI STUDIO

Guys, I don’t need to tell you just how much we love photography… I think that goes without saying. But what I DO need to share with all of you is our absolute obsession with the seriously talented OLLI STUDIO; a team of modern photographers and cinematographers that are all about capturing your Big Day with a contemporary approach that is timeless, elegant and fresh. We sooo heart them.

Based in NYC and offering the most recent advances in the photography field, OLLI STUDIO’s photojournalistic approach to your wedding day will leave you, well… very, very happy. That’s because OLLI STUDIO prides themselves on staying up to date on the latest in trends and bride preferences, which means that they are 100% committed to capturing your every moment in the most joyous and unobtrusive way possible. From that ear to ear smile you’ll be flashing as you slip into your gown to your breathtaking ceremony under a canopy of trees to the fun-filled sparkler exit at the end of the night, OLLI STUDIO will be there… and you (and your guests) won’t even notice.

With OLLI STUDIO, gone are the days of cookie cutter anything. Say goodbye to assembly line coverage, poses and staged photography and say hello to a talented team of NYC photographers and NYC wedding cinematographers that will highlight your distinct personality through each and every image… from the tears to the laughter to everything in between. Contact OLLI STUDIO now to begin your journey towards a day that is captured with grace, distinction and style. And make sure to check out their new studios in California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Texas. It’s the best decision you’ll make, lovelies.

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Warm + Rustic Upstate New York Fall Wedding

It’s hard for us to choose a favorite moment from Elisa and Martin’s big day. One look at all the goodness captured by Christian Oth Studio and I Do Films in The Vault, and you’ll see why. But with a team of vendors like Daughter Of DesignStacie Ford WeddingsJarrell Entertainment and Sperry Tents Greenwich, that this day is complete perfection should come as no surprise!

Colors
Styles
Rustic

From The Bride…Martin and I wanted our wedding to feel like an intimate weekend getaway with our closest family and friends. We have relatives living as far as Alaska and California, so it was wonderful to have our immediate family and bridal party stay together in the main house at Locusts on Hudson for the entire weekend. The property in Staatsburg is breathtaking and encompasses everything we love about fall in New England. The Locusts’ barn created the perfect warm, rustic space we envisioned for the reception. The night was full of love and personalized touches from our friends and family, including beautiful speeches, a delicious wedding cake baked by our friend Gretchen and a serenade of “At Last” from my bridesmaid. PS Tailored served our favorite dishes family-style at long wooden tables and Poppies & Posies transformed the space with their magical floral design. I surprised Martin with a 90’s after-party complete with his favorite desserts from Joe’s Stone Crab and Magnolia Bakery. The Fresh Kids of Bel-Air had our guests dancing until the early morning hours. Annie & her team helped make the planning process fun and stress-free. Although Hurricane Joaquin dashed our plans for an outdoor ceremony, the weather was perfect by Sunday and we were able to enjoy a goodbye brunch by the Hudson River.

About The Bride…Elisa is a former TV producer who has worked with Anderson Cooper, Diane Sawyer & Robin Roberts. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Clinical Social Work from Fordham University. She graduated magna cum laude from New York University with a Bachelor in Arts majoring in English Literature.

About The Groom…Martin is a successful entrepreneur who has founded several technology start-ups since graduating from Nova High School in Florida, including VoIP.com.

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Photography: Christian Oth Studio | Cinematography: I Do Films | Event Planning: Daughter of Design | Floral Design: Poppies And Posies | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra | Invitations: Rifle Paper Co. | Makeup: Stacie Ford Weddings | Hair: Ryan Cotton | Lighting: Stortz Lighting | Band: Fresh Kids Of Bel Air | Band: Jarrell Entertainment | Band: Blue Opal Jazz | String Quartet: Highline String Quartet | Venue: Locusts On Hudson | Hair + Makeup (Bridal Party + Guests): Jennifer Donovan's Le Shag Beauty | Rentals: Broadway Party Rentals | Tent Rentals: The Greenwich Tent Company

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Rustic, Elegant + Bohemian Upstate New York Wedding

How do you turn a rustic barn in the middle of a hayfield into the perfect setting for your rustic-meets-glam wedding? All you need is a vision like this gorgeous couple did. That, and, lots of crystal chandeliers and candles, lush flowers that exude romance, and vintage French-inspired furnishings. Head to The Vault to see the beautiful transformation, captured to perfection by Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography.

Colors
Styles
Rustic

From The Bride…Dan and I met through mutual friends in college. He asked for my number and I said no, twice, but the third request was the charm. Luckily, the proposal went more smoothly!

When Dan and I decided to get married, we knew that we wanted our wedding to be something unique; Dan prefers it when things are a bit “outside the box”, while I am inclined toward a slightly more classic approach. Although we live on the Lower East Side, we both grew up outside of the City and wanted to get married in the Hudson River Valley, giving our guests the feeling of a true countryside getaway without having to travel too far.

We fell in love with the first barn we saw; it was a completely blank space in the middle of a hayfield and we loved the idea of being able to make it our own. With the help of La Maison Fête, Matthew Robbins and lots and lots of chandeliers, we were able to transform the barn into our dream space. We wanted to amp up the glam while never losing the rustic charm of the barn. The romantic softness of candles and light furniture contrasted perfectly with the stone walls and the rough hewn beams of the barn. We were able to choose every last detail from the lighting, the chairs, to the silverware, and even the “Luxury Loos”. Based upon our guests’ enthusiasm, every last detail was noticed and appreciated.

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Photography: Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography | Event Planning: La Maison Fête | Floral Design: Matthew Robbins | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Invitations: Social Alchemy | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Rings: Goshwara | Catering: The Xaviars Restaurant Group | Makeup: All About Face Cosmetics | Band: Faze 4 Orchestras | Bow Tie: Tom Ford | Groom's Attire: Tom James | Venue: Grasmere Farm | Getting Ready Venue: Beekman Arms And Delamater Inn | Groom's Cufflinks: Tiffany & Co. | Groom's Shoes: Del Toro | Hair Accessories: Monique Lhuillier | Signage: Matthew Robbins

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Craig Paulson Photography

Our happy place?  Beautiful photography.  Those kind of stop-you-in-your-tracks images that capture every moment + feeling + look, all while expertly telling your true love story.  Its exactly the type of images we see time and time again from Craig Paulson Photography, and the reason we fan girl out when we happen upon one of this boutique studio’s brilliant weddings.  Scroll below for a look.

Based in New York City for over 15 years, Craig Paulson Photography specializes in destination and NY wedding photography.  Which means that whether you’re saying “I do” in a fabulous loft space in Tribeca, or jetting away to a tropical locale, Craig Paulson’s talented team of photogs will be on hand to capture every second of your Big Day perfectly… and organically.  I’m talking highly trained photographers known for fusing modern portraiture with classic photojournalism, giving you those timeless photos you will treasure for always.

Craig Paulson Photography is always striving to tell your story in the most unobtrusive way possible… unless you need an emergency dress mender or someone to calm down your flower girl’s meltdown. They are pretty skilled at that, too.  They also have an ah-mazing Studio Manager who will help facilitate your timeline, permits and payments. Plus, they’ll even help with vendor recs, or come along to your dress fitting.  There isn’t a moment of your Big Day Craig Paulson Photography won’t be a part of, which is why they are so very, very unique… and very, very awesome.

Contact Craig Paulson Photography today to make an appointment to stop by their studio to chat all things wedding. They’ll walk you step by step throughout the process and even introduce you to their sister company, The Album Room, for that perfect keepsake.  You’re going to adore them, SMPers. We can guarantee you that.

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