New York Weddings

There’s obsession, and then there’s the way we feel about the gorgeous tulle skirts from Alexandra Grecco; a seriously sassy + totally stunning collection that you honestly NEED to see.  Think an array of fabulous colors and lengths meets six layers of fully-lined tulle, all with a gorgeous silk waistband.  From everyday brunching to e-shooting with your sweetie, you’ll never feel so pretty… or so chic.

Based in NYC’s coolest borough (Brooklyn!), each Alexandra Grecco piece is crafted in sizes 00-14 and layered with the perfect amount of tulle for that fabulous flare we know you will absolutely adore. Imagine soft, ethereal shades like ivory, dusty blue, seafoam and champagne mix and mingling with your favorite pair of heels and that cashmere sweater your honey can’t seem to get enough of… OR looking absolutely awesome on each of your bridesmaids as they stand beside you on the big day.  Not to mention that each Alexandra Grecco skirt is more than perfect for every.single.event on your itinerary, so you can channel that inner fashionista for your bridal shower, engagement party and going away party!

Visit Alexandra Grecco today to order that skirt of your dreams.  And don’t forget to pre-order the new Lace Elliot Top (available in ivory, pale grey, nude or black) to pair with your skirt or dress… or even your favorite denim.  You can thank us later.

SMP readers will receive 20% off their order with the code “stylemepretty15”, valid until July 18, 2015.

What: Alexandra Grecco is giving away a fabulous tulle skirt in any size or color offered to one lucky SMP reader! (Value $188)

How: Simply leave a comment below telling us where you would rock your amazing Alexandra Grecco skirt!

Who: One winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, July 17, 2015.  For terms and conditions, click here.  Good luck, lovelies! xo

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Photography: Elizabeth Messina | Hair: Brittany Romney | Makeup: Mandy Bisesti

Get out the tissues, my dears! This incredibly sweet film shares some of the most sincere, emotional vows I’ve ever heard, from two handsome Grooms who, as videographer, Mckenzie, from McKenzie Miller Films says, made it so evident how privileged they felt to finally be able to become husbands. Take a peek at all the NYC-backed beauty below, and make sure to have a tissue on hand!

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From McKenzie Miller Films…David and Trey had a beautiful and emotional wedding with their closest friends and family in NYC. Obviously incredible people on their own, David and Trey are made infinitely better by being together. Their vows were some of the best I have ever heard, and it was so evident how privileged they felt to finally be able to become husbands.

From the Grooms… David and Trey were married on a perfect spring day in New York City.  Both actors (Trey has made several television appearances including Orange is the New Black and Hulu’s Deadbeat), they met in 2010 while performing in a musical in Ogunquit, Maine. These two were meant to be from the beginning, and although they got engaged in 2012, they waited until only 6 weeks out to start planning their wedding! It was a day filled with lots of love and a tremendous amount of laughs.  

Photography: Danny Weiss | Cinematography: McKenzie Miller Films | Floral Design: A Creative Touch | Cake: Allison Mahoney - The Singing Baker | Catering: Mint Catering | DJ: Nestor Marsh From MD Music & Entertainment | Grooms' Attire: My Suit | Officiant: Jeff Blumenkratz | Venue: 404 NYC | Lighting And Planning: Shine Events | Logo: Carter Thompson

A refreshing mint palette paired with an oceanside views sound gorgeous enough, but add in the fact that this family affair is brimming with DIY details? Well, it puts the significance in the celebration. From the fabric draped ceilings adorned with hanging lanterns, to the friends and family that celebrated underneath a canopy of twinkling lights, Ashley Caroline Photography highlighted their love for family, friends, and the beach below!

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From the beautiful Bride… My college sweetheart and I had been together nearly 7 years before he popped the question on a brisk, beautifully grey day in February of 2013. This gave us more than enough time to figure out what we love the most as a couple. Cozy spaces, salty air, long weekends spent with family, cold beers, rainy days, and always toasting to the little things. While planning the most special day of our lives, we were inspired to highlight the most valued aspects of our life together – our love for family, friends, and the beach.

After quite the scavenger hunt for venues, we decided that Oceanbleu at Westhampton Bath and Tennis was the perfect location for our big day. Natural chiavari chairs, blue & white striped fabric draped ceilings adorned with hanging lanterns and a whimsical chandelier, a boardwalk to nowhere, and crashing waves as the backdrop for our intimate tent ceremony. With the beach venue only 30 minutes from my childhood home on Long Island, it made our decision an easy one. Once the vibe was set, I began a collection of assorted mercury glass containers and set aside items from our southern-style home in Atlanta: antique seafoam bottles, vintage blue ball jars, mint shutters, various picture frames, and a jadeite cake stand to name a few – all subtle details that remained true to our minty theme. It proved to be the perfect combination of rustic elegance and southern charm.

The forecast leading up to our wedding was an unwavering 100% chance of rain. Needless to say, we embraced the not so pretty weather, which miraculously transformed into a breathtaking golden hour just in time to walk down the aisle. The early morning hours were spent at my mother’s dear friends home in Bridgehampton, where the girls and I prepped for the big day in our matching shortie pajama sets by Plum Pretty Sugar and were treated to a delicious breakfast spread of pastries, egg casseroles, fruit and bubbly. The boys gathered in Southampton and relived the college days bonding over football while drinking keg beer out of red solo cups. At both locations, there was no shortage of smiles, big hugs, and happy tears from loving siblings and parents. With the steady rainfall well underway, Evan and I met at the old Parrish Museum for the big reveal. We exchanged cards and giddy kisses and shared a private moment away from all of the morning excitement and chaos.

Having the wedding so close to home presented the opportunity for my amazingly talented cousin to do all of our flowers. After discussing our vision for the day, she provided the following description for our floral design: “A soft mix of lush blooms to include hydrangea, dahlia, roses, stock, lisianthus, tuberose, and hypericum in white and ivory with hints of pale peach, seafoam, and accents of rosette succulents in mint shades. The complementing greenery of seeded eucalyptus, variegated pittonegra, boxwood, and laurel. The cocktail and reception flowers were arranged in an eclectic mix of mercury glass vases and mason jars. The overall décor reflected vintage, rustic, romantic, elegant themes.” Little did she know, my wedding dress is the Amsale ‘Dahlia’ so her suggestion to incorporate the flower in our arrangements couldn’t have been more fitting! When the bouquets were delivered the morning of our wedding, they were more gorgeous than I ever could have ever imagined.

Walking into the reception space prior to our guests arrival was like entering a dream. I was literally in awe of my cousin’s creations and how the room had been transformed. The mercury glass centerpieces and votives were thoughtfully placed on the green burlap table runners, which were handmade with love by my sweet mother. Mint monogrammed koozies were placed at every table setting accompanied by our delectable menus. Garlands of silver dollar eucalyptus embellished with clusters of peach roses and cream hydrangea draped the tent openings and we said our ‘I do’s’ under a canopy of twinkling lights.

The Oceanbleu staff did an exceptional job staging the scene with all of our décor. No detail went unnoticed. They set up a beautiful welcome table with glowing mercury glass jars and sentimental photographs, and our guests retrieved their hand written place cards from miniature sandboxes – the perfect accessory for a beach wedding. The photography was extremely important to us, and we couldn’t have been luckier to have Ashley photograph our special day, with the added styling services by Little Red’s Well. The soft, artistic thoughtfulness of Ashley’s photos captured the true essence of our relationship and we will cherish the beautifully frozen memories for a lifetime.

It meant the world to us to have close family and friends play such a pivotal role in the planning and execution of our vision. A friend from high school made our stunning succulent cake, my childhood hairstylist did all of the girls’ hair, and one of our best guy friends in Atlanta married us and delivered the most heartfelt ceremony. Our parents are high school and college sweethearts and we were happy to take this time to honor their marriages – we even surprised Evan’s parents by incorporating their wedding vows that they had recited to one another 35 years prior. It all came together so naturally and although I may be a wee bit biased…it truly was the Best. Day. Ever.

Photography: Ashley Caroline Photography | Videographer: Mint Wedding Cinematography | Floral Design: Late Bloomer Flowers | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: Robbins Wolfe | Makeup: Ny Artistry | Beach Front: Oceanbleu | Details + Decor Rental: Coco Prop Shop | Stylist: AOK Style + Planning

Truth be told? This piece of pretty had me at Burgundy. The perfect blend of rich hues and artistic details, my love for this fete borderlines obsession. From the Bride’s Lazaro gown to the stunning florals, every little detail Haley Sheffield snapped is more than beautiful than the last and can be found right here.

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From the beautiful Bride… Usually I am so indecisive about things, but with our wedding, I was never more sure. I guess my ideas had been brewing in my head for about 7 years, since Adam and I first started dating. Our waterfront venue was a converted 1800’s liquor warehouse in Red Hook Brooklyn. Our amazing wedding planner helped us find this gem. Exposed brick, wood beams and huge arched windows with views of the city and the Statue of Liberty. The venue was so “us”. It was vintage-romatic, and that was the style and design we were after. Once we booked the venue, we planned every little detail. For my tablescapes, I wanted guests to feel as though they were viewing a still life painting. I personally searched and hunted silver, tea pots and milk glass vessels to hold my unique florals. Fresh fruits of the harvest surrounded those arrangements. Chalk board guest board, hand spray painted wine bottle candle holders, hanging Edison bulbs strung from the rafters. A lot of DIY, but so worth it.

What I looked forward to was the moment when it all came together. For example, I hadn’t seen the Bridesmaids dresses in person till that day. I literally chose the fabric colors at the store and just went with my artistic gut. I couldn’t wait to see my vision come to life and of course I couldn’t wait to see Adam.

That feeling of overwhelming joy when walking down the aisle. It truly was the most perfect day.

From Haley Sheffield…This wedding is close to my heart. When Cadence reached out to me, over a year before her wedding to photograph her Big Day in NYC, my heart leapt for joy. Cadence and I had been long-time social media friends (how strange is the internet?!). Knowing that she had impeccable taste–both unique and timeless–and that she was an art teacher and photographer herself, I couldn’t help but to jump all-in to the photographic process.

Needless to say, Cadence’s wedding was one of my favorites of the year. With her background in art and admiration of the “classic” aesthetic, the fusion became a dream when the wedding unfolded. I absolutely loved the uniqueness of her color palette–the deep burgundy and cobalt with soft tones throughout. Juxtaposed against the clear horizon and beautiful empty canvas of The Liberty Warehouse, you couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day.

I absolutely LOVED the texture of her stunning Lazaro gown and the timelessness it added to her classic bridal look. Paired with Adam’s velvet bowtie (swoooooon), there was a nostalgic air about them together while still remaining fresh. And that theme was woven through the entire wedding. Although the Liberty Warehouse is a fairly modern venue, the Edison bulbs hung for decor brought a since of old to the room. The table decor included silver pieces that Cadence and her mother collected over the course of her engagement, but Cadence also tied in modern protea with her arrangements (including her bouquets!).

In addition to the nostalgia of the decor, Adam and Cadence tied in several details to the day that were special to them. Part of the themes running through their wedding was their love for Maine (a staple location for them as a couple), brought in through a subtle use of lobster in their decor. In addition, they offered whoopie pies (a Maine favorite) as a dessert option/favor–and the guests loved them! Lastly, Adam and Cadence tied in their different cultures (Egyptian and Italian) during their reception by dancing to the most amazing cultural music by the live band! I have never seen so much guest involvement in my life–the joy was absolutely contagious! Lastly, at the end of the night, I took Cadence and Adam out onto the balcony of the Liberty Warehouse to capture a photo of the two of them with the Freedom Tower in the background. Adam is a member of the New York City Ironworkers (how amazing!) and was a part of the crew that helped construct the tower. Such a perfect way to end the night!

Photography: Haley Sheffield | Wedding Planning: Orchard And Broome | Floral Design: Petals & Roots | Makeup: Kristen Therese | Hair: Tiffany Hayden | Bride Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Bride Shoes: Diane Von Furstenberg | Cake / Whoopie Pies: Merrie Stone-Ober | Catering (Also Venue): The Liberty Warehouse | Donuts: Carpe Donut NYC | Invitations / Paper: Moontree Letterpress | Warehouse: The Liberty Warehouse

Inherently New York with a taste of British charm, this romantic garden fete planned in the hands of Bellafare is a composition of everything we love here at SMP. Be it a dash or ballroom glamour married with personal details (like the couples cat, Pearl), ethereal Jenny Yoo gowns paired with the Bride’s Gabriella New York dress, or Michael Antonia keeping the party grooving into the evening, Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography snapped it all to share!

From the beautiful Bride… Jon and I met in an unlikely way. Jon is musician, and my former employer hired his band for an event. We instantly clicked and the rest is history.

It was important to us for our wedding to reflect us both as individuals, and as a couple. Jon hails from the UK, and obviously loves music, while I grew up in Manhattan, and wanted our wedding to feel inherently New York.

Our first task was daunting: to find a large space and make it feel intimate. We had a sizable guest list, but didn’t want our wedding to feel overwhelming or impersonal. We looked at many beautiful raw spaces, but when we came upon Gotham Hall, we fell in love. It took a bit of imagination and help from florist Bess Wyrick (the brains behind Celadon and Celery) but we ultimately created a romantic garden feel, inside of an art deco ballroom. To put our own twist on the space and evening, sketches of the Union Jack, an American flag, and our cat Pearl, were featured on napkins and cocktail stirrers; we had a “taste of Britain” station during our cocktail hour featuring bangers and mash, shepherds pie, and other UK treats; and a dessert bar hosting our favorite New York baked goods ranging from Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding to two Momofuku wedding cakes.

We also took the evening’s soundtrack pretty seriously. We worked with Venus Ensembles to perform some of our favorite songs via string quartet during the ceremony, and had a jazz trio for the cocktail hour. Our one request – make the cocktail hour feel like a Woody Allen movie—we think they did a pretty great job! And for the reception, DJ Michael Antonia did a fantastic job of keeping everyone on the dance floor, burning off the calories from the Momofuku cakes, we hope…

Photography: Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography | Videography: Kiss The Bride Films | Event Planning: Bellafare | Floral Design: Celadon And Celery | Wedding Dress: Marchesa | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Invitations: I DO INVITATIONS by Sue Coe Designs | Bride's Shoes: Chanel | Rings: Shivani Gems | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Thomas Preti – Events to Savor | Makeup: Ana Sicat | Hair: Butterfly Studio | Lighting : Bentley Meeker | DJ: THE FLASHDANCE | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Groomsmen's Attire: Zara | Officiant: Gloria Milner | String Quartet: Venus Ensembles | Venue: Gotham Hall | Bridal Boutique: Gabriella New York Bridal Salon | Bride's Purse: 3.1 Phillip Lim | Cake Topper: Jolie En Rose Vintage | Dessert: Magnolia Bakery | Getting Ready Venue: The Standard East Village | Headpiece: Untamed Petals

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Cinematography

Kiss The Bride Films

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I’m not a native New Yorker, but after more than a year of living in Manhattan, it definitely feels like home. Tom Wolfe wrote, “One belongs to New York instantly. One belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.” And when you have your engagement session at one of the city’s iconic locations, you belong to it for forever. Click through the slideshow to see the best spots for your engagement session.

NYC's Best Backdrops

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NYC's Best Backdrops

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My idea of a dreamy day? Wandering cobblestone streets and manicured parks hand in hand with the one I love. Making said day even dreamier? The fact that said streets and parks are covered in soft pink blooms. Sharing sweet kisses underneath spring sunshine, Rebecca Yale Photography has captured every luminous cherry hued moment, here!

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From Rebecca Yale Photography… Danielle and Kyle both work as buyers in the fashion industry so I knew instantly this was going to be a very special engagement session. We timed the session for when the cherry blossoms were in bloom and managed to catch them on one of the last mornings as clung to the trees while also coating the grass in a carpet of pink petals. Danielle and Kyle met at NYU and live together in NYC so they wanted their engagement session to feel uniquely them and uniquely NY. After an early morning start in Central Park we headed down to Soho, their favorite neighborhood, where like any typical weekend they walked the cobblestone streets, window shopped in their favorite stores, and visited a beautiful neighborhood garden full of interesting sculptures and artifacts.

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Bride's Dress (crop Top): Bailey 44 | Bride's Dress (white): Elizabeth And James | Bride's Top And Jacket: Club Monaco | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Groom's Blazer: Luigi Bianchi Mantova | Groom's Pants: Ovadia And Sons | Groom's Shirt: Kamakura | Groom's Shoes (Tan): Sid Mashburn | Groom's Tie: Ralph Lauren | Grooms Jeans: Ralph Lauren | Grooms Shirt (Blue): Guy Rover | Grooms Shoes (loafers): Ralph Lauren | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Shoes (black): Jimmy Choo | Shoes (nude): LK Bennett | Shoes (tan And White) : Fendi

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Photography

Rebecca Yale Photography

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Have you ever thought about using Social Media to find a wedding vendor? I’m totally taking note from this beautiful Bride who searched unique Instagram hashtags to source her wedding dream team, genius right?! Rima Brindamour was behind the lens of this lofty Brooklyn Winery affair and the gallery is the perfect place to see it all.

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From Rima Brindamour…I love all of my clients but I really love these two. I can’t express enough how wonderful it is to work with a couple that is genuinely happy and surrounded by supportive, loving, wonderful friends and family. Andria and Gavin’s Brooklyn Winery wedding was like a dream–-completely relaxed, nothing but big hugs and smiles, and everything happened right on schedule. Weddings like this remind me why I love being a wedding photographer and get me excited for the start of wedding season. Oh, and it didn’t hurt that they are gorgeous!

From the beautiful Bride… Figure out what is most important to you. Pick a few things that you really love and feel the most passionate about and invest your time and money in those areas. For us, the venue, food, and photography were very important so we allocated more time and budget to that. This meant sacrificing in other areas like getting a live band, guest favors, or specialty cocktails. At the end of the day we were able to have the wedding we envisioned without get sidetracked with the things we deemed less important to the overall experience.

Make your wedding your own: Gavin is a writer and we have a vintage typewriter that has lived with us since we moved in together so we turned it into a welcome sign for the guests. In place of flower petals for the flower girls, we cut paper hearts out of the pages of my favorite book. We also borrowed vintage books from family members to use as part of the table settings. Your guests may not know the story behind every item, but it was really fun to know the “secret” behind each piece and it made our wedding day more personal to us.

Leave time for the unplanned: I made the mistake of trying to get too ahead of things and spent a lot of time making DIY table numbers that we didn’t end up using because they ultimately didn’t fit with the rest of our theme. Definitely keep things on schedule to avoid last minute scrambles but keep in mind there are some things that may change throughout the planning process. Leave some time for these unplanned things.

Use social media: I found my hair and makeup artist through Instagram. I searched relevant hashtags like #hairmakeupnyc and #nycmakeupartist and found Laura Burns who was absolutely amazing! I highly recommend her to anyone getting married in NYC, by the way. Instagram is the next best thing to Pinterest for research and ideas because you can “browse by hashtag” and get a visual spread of ideas from real weddings instead of themock wedding shoots that are often in a lot of magazines and blogs.

Photography: Brindamour Photography | Floral Design: Whole Foods Market Preston | Wedding Dress: Enzoani | Cake: Momofuku Milk Bar | Shoes: Valentino | Caterer: Brooklyn Winery | Hair And Makeup: Laura Burns | DJ: Scratch Weddings | Suit: Hart Schaffner Marx | Hotel: Wythe Hotel | Wedding Venue: Brooklyn Winery | Clutch: My A La Mode

With its gray skies and chilling temperatures, winter is my least favorite season. But, Harwell Photography managed to make even the gloomiest New York City winter day beautiful in this inspiration photo shoot. Amidst the industrial charm of 501Union, a glamorous 70s cocktail party came to life with wild, romantic florals and bohemian bridal look. Travel back in time and appreciate winter even on its dreariest days in the gallery.

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The venue 501 Union provided us with a stunning background for the shoot, with it’s velvety banquettes, industrial beams, factory windows, and throwback palm leaf wallpaper. As the daylight shone through the windows, we were able to highlight the romantic details of a wedding.

Gabi of The Sentimentalist chose the most stunning Carol Hannah Iolite gown from the S/S 2015 collection to dress our Brooklyn bride. The sequins, tassel detail, and flowing sleeves give her an angelic glow. We styled her hair with a Farrah-esque bang and dark cat eyes. A rosy cheek finished off her bridal beauty look.

Wildly organic florals were a must to soften the very masculine space. Juli Vaughn chose black pit anemones, white ranunculus, ripening raspberries, Juliet garden roses, fern and lush greenery, and tied off the bouquet with ochre colored silk ribbon. In the arrangement, she used complementary flowers placed in a tarnished vessel for a touch of metallic sheen. Gold leaf, marsala-colored wax candles in brass candlesticks added height and color to the table.

The venue boasts a fabulous bar and what wedding would be complete without some libations. Ashley Buzzy hand lettered a cocktail menu in bold ink to match the moody invitation suite. The paper had a watercolor effect in grayscale tones, mimicking vintage photos of decades past.

Uniquely, each member of our team has ties to both New York and the South by way of Atlanta. This shoot was our take on city style, though we infused the elegance of Southern fetes.

Photography: Harwell Photography | Floral Design: Juli Vaughn Designs | Wedding Dress: Carol Hannah | Reception Venue: 501 Union | Makeup: Nicole Sievers Makeup Artistry | Hair: Styles On B | Creative Direction & Styling: Simply Charming Socials | Fashion Styling: The Sentimentalist | Invitations & Paper Goods: Ashley Buzzy | Model: Emily Pickell

Couples like this one make me smile. My heart warms up and I just got giddy gazing at these recent engagement pics from Lauren Gabrielle. They just got it oh so right: gorgeous, sentimental setting, fab fashion (that Elizabeth & James dress!!) and cute pup; it really doesn’t get much better than this.

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From the Bride-to-be… Brian and I met while he was on a business trip in Chicago. At the start of Brian’s Chicago project, his boss told him “This project is going to change your life.” It definitely did! We fell in love pretty quickly, and I ended up moving to NYC a few months later. We chose the locations for our shoot because we wanted it to represent our life in New York. I fell in love with Brian because he is always taking me to new and interesting places, so I wanted to highlight that part of our lives in the pictures. Brian loves to take me on walking tours of the city, and we found Charles Street on one of these tours and loved the quiet area. We always imagine living on this street one day. You will also see ‘our backyard’ promenade where we love to walk our dog, Zoe, in the summer. These pictures really captured our favorite things about our life in New York.

Photography: Lauren Gabrielle Photography | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Black Dress: Shopbop | Pink Dress: Halston Heritage

National Donut Day celebrates one of America’s favorite and most decadent desserts, donuts. Gone are the days of your run of the mill donuts, today, you can get just about anything on top of these melt in your mouth goodies. We enlisted the help of an expert Pastry-chef Fany Gerson from Brooklyn’s famous Dough to share how she’ll be celebrating National Donut Day and more.

How did you get into the donut industry?
I had been a pastry chef for a while and a former boss called me up to ask if I wanted to open up a doughnut shop with him. He felt there were few places that made doughnuts with the attention and love that you often see in other pastries. I agreed but mainly it sounded like fun.

What’s the flavor everyone gives their diet up for?
Dulce de Leche with toasted almonds and salted chocolate caramel.

What non-traditional flavor combo do you think would make a great donut?
I think that continues to evolve. Many people do crazy flavors and some are good and some, I feel are made just for the sale of being different. The doughnut is a canvas and honestly, the options are limitless if you have a good doughnut that can be enjoyed on it’s own.

What’s your favorite flavor?
That’s a hard one! But it’s between the lemon poppy, passion fruit with cocoa nib and the cinnamon sugar which may be simple but we use freshly ground Mexican cinnamon and I just love it!

What’s the most creative donut flavor you’ve ever created?
I guess the hibiscus doughnut or salt and pepper which I’ve done as a special.

Biggest donut fail?
We did a yoghurt glazed with house made granola that was really good, but I don’t think people want something healthy sounding with indulgence. Maybe it’s an oxymoron.

What’s the best way to eat a donut?
Nothing beats a warm plain or cinnamon sugar doughnut but the thicker toppings have to be glazed when the doughnuts are cooled. Those are best with a good cup of coffee (which we are lucky to have)

How are you celebrating national donut day?
Every year, we do a raffle. With the purchase of a box of 6 or more people enter a raffle to get a year supply of doughnuts (they can get a box every week for the entire year!)

What are your thoughts on mini donuts?
I think they are great for events so you can get a taste of many, but I think when you are treating yourself to a doughnut you should have a big one for sure. If you are gonna enjoy it truly, you need to have several bites.

Photography: Dough Brooklyn

We absolutely adore NST Pictures, the fab cinematography team that knows everything there is to know about capturing your wedding.  So when we heard that they were giving away an amazing cinematography package to one lucky-in-love duo, well… we simply had to share.  I’m talking a beautiful trailer film, documentary coverage, HD digital film links (and more!) all wrapped up in that awesome service NST Pictures is known for.  Find out so much more below.

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Your wedding day is all about the memories… from that lovely morning spent with your besties to seeing your sweetie for the very first time.  So finding the right team to capture every precious second? One of the most important decisions you’ll make.  Enter NST Pictures, an artistic cinematographer that will expertly preserve those moments in a keepsake you’ll cherish for always. Think a beautifully made movie-like short film with multiple camera angles, enchanting music and HD footage.  Oh, and I mentioned their fabulous giveaway for that one oh-so-lucky couple?  Say it with me, loves: awesome.

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Trust me on this one, SMPers: contact NST Pictures today to start your journey.  Their cinematography packages start at just $980 and can be easily customized for all of their Tri-State area, New England, Mi-Atlantic and Southern California couples.  It’s family heirloom in one, two, three… and you can thank us later.

What: NST Pictures is giving away an all-inclusive wedding cinematography package to one lucky couple, including a full day of coverage with two cinematographers, a trailer film, a feature film, a documentary edit, USB copies and HD digital film links!  (Value $4810)

How: To enter, and for all terms and conditions, click here.  Good luck, lovelies! xo

It’s no secret that here at SMP we’re obsessed with all things Monique Lhuillier, so you can imagine our excitement when we heard about their newest collection — Bliss by Monique Lhuillier — which is being debuted at Gabriella New York! Dreamy, romantic and feminine, this stunning collection is not to be missed.

Featuring gorgeous hourglass shapes and waist-enhancing corsetry embellished with delicate lace and ethereal tulle, these gowns scream romantic + feminine. Reflective of a bride who is as classic as she is dreamy, the Monique Lhuillier Bliss collection embraces the modern bridal silhouette.

To see the full collection + to find your perfect gown, set up an appointment at Gabriella New York. And now’s the time to begin your happily ever after, because there is a special 10% discount on all Bliss gowns from June 18-21, 2015! Happy shopping, lovelies! xo

Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Wedding Dress: Gabriella New York Bridal Salon | Bridal Salon: Gabriella New York Bridal Salon

Real weddings are our bread and butter here at SMP. From Brooklyn like this next one to Boise, from trendy to timeless – weddings are what we call home. But the best ones, in our opinion, are the weddings where fun reigns King. And knowing that this pair used Trivial Pursuit and Shuffle Board to keep their guests busy, made all of the gorgeous decor that much more lovable. With photos by a guy + a girl photography, beauty by Jackie Schneider Beauty and vows by Reverend Annie Lawrence, this is one wedding that we can get completely on board with. And there is more here!

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From a guy + a girl photography… Oh, here is one of our favorites of the year! An incredibly cozy Winter wedding at 501 Union in Brooklyn. Sarah and Mike (and their families) have been close since elementary school, so this wedding truly was a union where two families officially became one.

Their decor featured an NYC-meets-Brooklyn theme with skylines and vintage postcards present throughout. We are still obsessed with their gorgeous gold cake, and could not believe it was vegan!!! Although the ceremony and reception took place at 501 Union, their happy day opened and closed at the nearby Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, where Mike is a member. Games like connect four, trivial pursuit and of course, shuffleboard kept Sarah and Mike’s friends and families (and their wedding photographers!) partying long after the cake was cut and the band stopped playing. So happy for this amazing pair!

Photography: a guy + a girl photography | Coordination: Viva Max Weddings | Event Design: Viva Max Weddings | Floral Design: Lindsay Rae Design | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Lael Cakes | Invitations: Lion in the Sun | Shoes: Paul Green | Catering: Saucy By Nature | Makeup: JACKIE SCHNEIDER BEAUTY | Band: Brian Kirk And The Jirks | Groom's Attire: Macy's | Groomsmen's Attire: Macy's | Officiant: Rev. Annie Lawrence, NYC Wedding Officiant | Ceremony And Reception Venue: 501 Union | Hair Piece: Debra Moreland | Rentals: Broadway Party Rentals

It doesn’t get much better than a “modern coastal meets English garden” soiree, but add in a breathtaking bride and groom who know a thing or two about fashion (custom gown, anyone?) and it’s an entirely new level of awesome. Think crisp navy blue hues, a beautiful seaside ceremony and one fab moment after another captured by Betsi Ewing Photography.  Fall in love right here.

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From the beautiful Bride… Mike and I couldn’t think of a better place to get married, than on the beach near my family home in Amagansett. There weren’t too many locations that provided both a picturesque ceremony setting along with an elegant reception area quite like Gurney’s Montauk Resort. The venue has an atmosphere of casual elegance that was perfect for our late afternoon nuptials. For our wedding, we really tried to do a mix of high end and DIY, splurging on crucial components like the band and venue, but doing a lot of the decor elements ourselves, which created a day that was both perfect and personal.

I didn’t start off with a specific wedding scheme in mind, but the whole affair took on an English garden meets modern coastal theme. Drawing my inspiration from the landscape of Montauk in early fall; I started off with a classic navy blue and white color palette and then layered accents of lavender, cream and spring green. For the groomsmen, we went for a crisp cotton navy suit, adding a touch of whimsy with floral chambray ties and pocket squares. For the bridesmaids, I decided on asymmetrical cream silk dresses, with a dainty floral pattern.

I knew I wanted to complement our beach surroundings when creating my own wedding gown. I designed a dress with a blush colored silk sweetheart bodice, fully covered in a modern pattern of Swarovski crystals, which caught the sunlight when I moved. The skirt was pleated silk mousseline with a detachable chapel train, that created a sense of drama when blowing in the wind on the beach. Mike likes good style as much as I do, so he went for a custom navy suit made by Martin Greenfield in Brooklyn and accessorized his look with a bowtie, suspenders and a pocket round from Alexander Olch.

The wedding day arrived bright and sunny but quickly turned overcast. Instead of putting a damper on things, the gray skies made the greenery and ocean more vivid and cast a stunning light for our pictures. We spent the early afternoon with our wedding party gallivanting around Montauk, taking pictures in areas that really highlighted the surrounding natural beauty. We started at the beach near our venue, then made our way to the lighthouse at the tip of Montauk, and then finished at this great dock in the national park. Betsi Ewing, our photographer, and her associate were absolutely amazing, wrangling our boisterous friends, making everyone feel at ease, and capturing some of the most beautiful photos I’ve ever seen!

Our misty day quickly turned to full on rain just as the ceremony started. But as a true testament to our friends and family, they stayed on the beach creating a canopy of umbrellas, parasols and beach blankets, to the opening strains of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong singing “Dream a Little Dream of Me”. The rain lent a storybook quality to the early evening, as my dad officiated a ceremony full of stories of our lives, inspired readings, and personal vows. By the time we jumped the broom, the rain was really coming down and everyone quickly ran inside to our tented cocktail hour full of sushi and signature cocktails. I couldn’t be more appreciative of our wedding coordinator Ginny Davis and the Gurney’s staff as they not only kept our special evening running smoothly but stood outside in the pouring rain holding umbrellas over our guests so they could walk from the cocktail hour into the ballroom for our reception.

For the reception, I wanted everything to feel light and romantic, so I played with contrasting textures in neutral shades. Mike’s sister made all of the table numbers by painting on acrylic sheets, a hard modern element, which contrasted nicely with the menus she individually watercolored in a soft blue. Anastasia, at Sag Harbor florist used seasonal florals including astilbe, white clematis, white and pale pink garden roses and an abundance of greenery to create beautiful table arrangements in tall and short clear glass vases giving the illusion that the flowers were floating above the table. Finally, we added a metallic touch with silver mercury glass tea lights and rose gold sequined tablecloths on the sweetheart and card table.

With all the decorations in place, we danced the night away to Motown’s greatest hits, dined on a delicious asian inspired menu and finished it all off with champagne cake filled with fresh strawberries topped with our initials in sparklers. We couldn’t have imagined a better way to celebrate our marriage then to be surrounded by our closest friends and family. It’s a day we will never forget.

Photography: BETSI EWING STUDIO | Floral Design: Sag Harbor Florist | Invitations: Lucky Penny Paperie | Bride's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Zimmermann | Band: Hank Lane Music | Grooms Attire: Martin Greenfield | Groomsmen's Attire: Bonobos | Wedding Venue: Gurney's Montauk Resort And Spa | Bride's Hair Piece : Twigs & Honey | Bridesmaids' Button Downs: Ralph Lauren | Groom's Accessories: Alexander Olch | Party Sunglasses: Knockaround | Photography - Assistance: Weddings By Averie

This, loves, is what I call meant-to-be.  Two handsome gentlemen who happened to grow up just minutes apart from each other, but didn’t actually connect until after college.  It’s the sort of fairytale story I can’t get enough of, all capped off with a glam meets industrial affair at the always fabulous Liberty Warehouse.  See it all unfold in the gallery captured by 4 Eyes Photography… it’s awesome.

From the handsome Husband… We have been together for over six years, but we initially met on JDate right after we both began our first jobs (Ryan out of college and Terry out of law school). We soon realized that we grew up minutes apart from each other in New Jersey, our fathers both grew up in the same neighborhood in Brooklyn, and our mothers also grew up in the same neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Aside from it being a beautiful space, the Liberty Warehouse is located in Brooklyn (where all four of our parents were born and raised) and it has views of New Jersey (where we both were born and raised) and Manhattan (where we both currently work and live).

We wanted the wedding style and colors to contrast with the rustic/industrial feel of the venue, so we chose mostly black and metallic. Because the wedding is in the winter, the floral design is primarily greenery.

We are so fortunate to have four unconditionally loving and supportive parents who have become great friends during the six years that we have been together. All four parents wanted to walk us down the aisle, go up in the chairs during the Hora, and give a speech together to emphasize how our two families have become one.

While at Colgate University, Terry was president of his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi. At every Beta Theta Pi wedding, the fraternity brothers in attendance sing “Beta Sweetheart” to the bride. For our wedding, Terry’s fraternity brothers remixed the words to Beta Sweetheart to suit two grooms and sang it to Ryan.

We both love Patron (Ryan, Patron XO Café and Terry, Patron Silver), so we used mini bottles of each as both the favors and the escort cards. We also had a Patron ice slide during the cocktail hour.

Photography: 4Eyes Photography | Videography: Kiss The Bride Films | Floral Design: Red Rose And Lavender | Invitations: Mark + Colette Evans | Jewelry: Cartier | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Badgley Mischka | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Groom's Attire: Brooks Brothers | Ceremony And Reception Venue: The Liberty Warehouse

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Gorgeous garden-inspired weddings are my weakness. Even more so given that this hospitable duo crafted their Big Day around relaxed romance and colorful blooms. From the Bride’s beautiful Lovely Bride gown, to the candle-filled tent graced with Jarrell Entertainment, Robert and Kathleen Photographers captured a gallery sure to make you smile. See it all over here!

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From Robert and Kathleen Photographers… The bride and groom both work in the hospitality industry in Manhattan and wanted a relaxed, romantic wedding in their favorite destination: Montauk, NY. As special events manager at the Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC, Michelle has planned countless weddings and worked with some of the very best wedding industry professionals in New York. When it came time to plan her own wedding, she compiled a dream team of vendors to expertly craft the vision she and Steve had come up with for their day. From their romantic, colorful floral designs to the candle-filled tent and stunning tables, Michelle and Steve’s wedding was warm, welcoming and comfortable. We felt honored to have been there to share their day with them and to photograph all of the amazing moments that made up their day.

Photography: Robert & Kathleen Photographers | Floral Design: Celadon And Celery | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Shoes: Calvin Klein | Jewelry: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | DJ: Jarrell Entertainment | Groomsmen's Attire: Vera Wang | Venue: Sole East Resort | Bridal Boutique: Lovely Bridal Shop | Day-Of Coordination: Baton NYC

After their initial wedding venue closed, this couple, understandably, became discouraged with the wedding industry. Housing Works Bookstore Cafe came to the rescue, along with a team of vendors that lifted this couple’s spirits and created one joyous celebration. Brindamour Photography and Magbooth captured the fun and this gallery is a beautiful reminder that sometimes second choices are meant to be.

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From Brindamour Photography… I’m so excited to share these photos from Yejee and Nick’s wedding last month. These two were one of the many couples left without a wedding venue after ReBar unexpectedly closed last year but as you’ll see in the photos, they didn’t let that get in their way. Instead they threw a kick-ass party at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in SoHo. Housing Works is one of my favorite venues and Yejee and Nick did a wonderful job of incorporating the venue into their wedding decor using books as table numbers and a cake stand. It was a freezing day (notice the snow in many of the outdoor portraits) and I have to give major props to this bridal party for being such great sports and allowing me to get the shots I wanted despite the cold. Seriously, these guys might go down as the baddest bridal party yet!

From the beautiful Bride… Growing up as the resident tomboy of the house for most of my life, I didn’t know what I wanted from one of the most important days of my life. It wasn’t as if I was exactly surprised to be engaged on November 9th, 2013. Nick and I had been dating for 7+ years since college, and since we had only dated each other, we were pretty set on being with each other for the rest of our lives. But when the ring was on my finger, there were so many things we needed to learn.

Some things were easy. I chose my dress in a heartbeat about a year before the wedding at David’s Bridal. Despite the many admonishments against choosing your wedding dress too early, I loved my White by Vera Wang dress and wore it for both the ceremony and reception. I know I said I was a tomboy before, but I loved this princess-y dress with the blush sash. The bridesmaids’ dress colors were a bit harder to decide on, but after searching through SMP posts, I decided on peacock at David’s Bridal. David’s Bridal worked well for us since my bridesmaids were scattered across the country (Florida, California, and New York) and they had time to go get their dresses sized and altered at the nearest location.

The biggest hurdle was the venue. Nick was a medical student (he’s almost done) in debt (he’s not done with that) and I, working for the New York City government, was not exactly rolling in dough. First, we decided on a New York City wedding to lower the number of guests we had to invite since both of us grew up and went to undergrad in Austin, Texas. Then, we tried to find cheap, but still unique, options for a wedding venue in New York City. We found ReBar in Brooklyn… and signed over all of our money to the venue. For a couple short on cash and not too picky about the wedding, it was a dream come true. If you’ve heard the news about ReBar (it closed and left 200+ couples stranded), you’ll know that we lost all our money that we’d paid in full to the venue. Our families were horrified, and frankly Nick and I were left feeling disheartened and discouraged about the wedding business in general. Thankfully, we had enough time (about eight months) to regroup.

It was then that my friend Jennifer suggested the Housing Works Bookstore and Café in SoHo, Manhattan to me. Ironically enough, another friend, Justine, had shown me a blog post about a Housing Works Bookstore & Café wedding to me years ago, even before I had moved to New York City. I had gushed about the event, telling her “I would love this kind of wedding, but there’s no way I would be able to have this wedding.” When the second recommendation came, it really seemed as if God had dropped the obvious solution in my lap. There was no reason why I couldn’t check if that lovely bookstore wedding would be possible. When I had mustered up the courage to ask about the wedding venue, Amanda and Josh at Housing Works understood our ReBar situation and helped as much as they could to make the wedding possible!

The rest was easier than expected. Josh suggested the library-card-theme for the placement of our guests, which we took off with: hand-stamped library cards, numbers written on library card sleeves (a la my dad), then pasted on real books (my own copies to be given as favors) as table numbers, and the bookstore itself added its own charms with their hanging lights and illuminated bookshelves.

The day-of went perfectly, from the gorgeous styling by Tara Jarvis from Bloom Beauty Lounge (and her sweet, encouraging words as I got ready), amazing camera work by Rima Brindamour (the bridal party had a lot of fun running out of the way on green lights), never-ending dance floor engineered by DJ Ben (former ReBar DJ who stuck by many ReBar couples), beautiful and unique flower and cake flower arrangements by Kristen Usui (recommended to us by married friends), silly photo booth pictures by Magbooth, and gorgeous cake by Silk Cakes (mmm buttermilk cream). Our ceremony venue, German Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Paul, was also a very considerate and communicative host, and the custodian Frankie assisted with every problem we came up against. Lastly, I have just got to say that Josh, our event coordinator at Housing Works, helped us relax and have fun during the reception by being absolutely attentive and sympathetic to the needs of the event!

A Few Tips:

Tip 1: Attend your friends’ weddings and learn from them.
Tip 2: Be very clear with your bridal party and family about what you like or don’t like about weddings.
Tip 3: Don’t spend your resources on things just because you merely feel like you have to.
Tip 4: Choose a bridal party composed of friends who you are completely comfortable with – if you’re thinking “Will she be offended because I don’t ask her?” you probably shouldn’t!
Tip 5: Hire our vendors if you’re in the NYC area! ☺

Photography: Brindamour Photography | Floral Design: KRISTEN USUI At Happy Tears | Wedding Dress: David's Bridal | Cake: Silk Cakes | Ceremony Venue: St Pauls German Evangelical Lutheran Church | Reception Venue: Housing Works Bookstore Cafe | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Hair And Makeup: Bloom Beauty Lounge | DJ: DJ Ben | Photobooth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co.

Just when I think I’ve seen my share of elegant NYC weddings, I come upon a gem like this one and my heart beats a bit faster once more. Karen Hill worked her magic behind the lens, capturing this gorgeous affair planned by Classic Events, and from the beautiful Bride’s veil (swoon!) to the epic dance party thanks to Around Town Entertainment, it’s proven once again the glory of a classic city celebration.

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From Karen Hill Photography… The wedding day story of Liz and Bert’s wedding begins at the Refectory at the Highland Hotel where I found the florist, Putman and Putnam, busy finishing the beautiful floral arrangements. I love shooting with film because of how beautifully film renders its subject and how it captures it with such softness. These days photographers who shoot with film are becoming more and more scarce so when a client connects with my images and loves what I do, it makes me feel it’s worth while.

The High Line Hotel is a complete site with everything needed for a beautiful city wedding. The garden, Refectory and Gothic Chapel are amazing. It’s a grand venue.

Liz and Bert are both from the south and have called NYC home for the past ten years. By day, he’s a lawyer and by night he’s in two bands, the Stemms and The Post, while she’s a writer for Diane von Furstenberg by day and a writer for herself by night. Their wedding was celebrated with friends and family for an unforgettable day, filled with love, laughter and beautiful light.

Photography: Karen Hill Photography | Event Planning: Classic Events NYC | Floral Design: Putnam And Putnam | Ceremony Venue: Theological Seminary | Reception Venue: The High Line Hotel | Catering: Peter Callahan Catering | Band: Around Town Entertainment

A proposal on Maine’s Marginal Way might be one of the prettiest scenes I can imagine. This lovely locale set the wheels in motion for this couple’s wedding planning and their finished results were chic yet comfortable, elegant and romantic. With beautiful grays throughout and pops of yellow for some fun, Kelly Kollar captured these cuties in their element. Fall in love with them right this way!

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From the Bride… Jason and I were introduced through our mutual friend, Nicole, soon after graduating college. We were friends at first but it quickly blossomed into something more. As we got to know each other, we learned that we both share a passion for food and travel. We lived and dated in NYC for the next six years where we spent most of our time exploring as many new restaurants as possible. We moved to Boston in 2013 and soon after we got engaged in Ogunquit, Maine on the Marginal Way. Jason knew that the location has very special meaning to me and my family so he couldn’t have picked a better place to propose. We celebrated the engagement by spending the weekend at the amazing White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine.

After taking a month or two to soak in the engagement we were on the hunt to find a venue that really suited us. Luckily we have very similar styles so that part wasn’t a struggle – but finding the right venue was. We looked all over CT, NY and MA and explored everything from coastal to casual to rustic but nothing seemed just right. From the moment we walked into The Roundhouse in Beacon, NY, we knew we found “the one.” We were thrilled by its industrial, raw and expansive feel yet loved the neutral color palette of the space. I knew it would be a beautiful backdrop for our wedding and was already envisioning what we would do with the space. I couldn’t wait to start working with our good friend and event planner, Jessica Malone Atkinson from Spark Group, on the details.

Like most brides, I spent day and night on Pinterest trying to curate the “look and feel” of the wedding. I didn’t have a set vision in my head, but I was drawn to romantic and casual elements with a rustic feel to complement our fall wedding and the beautiful foliage of the Hudson Valley. Our event planner did an excellent job of accomplishing that balance for us by incorporating mason jars, personalized chalkboards, a creative bistro bulb backdrop for the band and tons of candles and lanterns to help make the expansive space feel warm and cozy. Pinterest helped me explore different color themes; but I always kept coming back to grey, so I knew I had to find a way to incorporate that color. Grey is classic and perfect for every season. For the table design, our planner recommended using lucite structures as a means to add height to some of the tables. At first I wasn’t convinced and was concerned that they looked too modern, but Jessica won me over by softening up the design with a variety of white flowers, curly willow branches, and tons of candles for the romantic look I was trying to achieve. She helped provide texture and contrast to the tablescape by using grey rattan tablecloths. For the cocktail hour we added pops of yellow and used succulents (my personal favorite) to liven up the space.

The entire day came together better than we could have ever imagined. With the help of our family and friends we were able to put our own personal touch on the event. From invites and programs to hotel gift bags and favors, we were able to customize the experience to reflect our style. We had the time of our lives celebrating with the people we love and Kelly Kollar did an incredible job capturing every moment!

Photography: Kelly Kollar Photography | Event Planning: Jessica Malone Atkinson, Spark Group LLC | Floral Design: Jessica Malone Atkinson, Spark Group LLC | Wedding Dress: La Sposa Detalle | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Donna Morgan | Makeup : Larissa Lake | Band: Live Wire | Groomsmen's Attire: Sarar | Wedding Venue: Roundhouse | Bride’s Hair Comb Accessory: EverythingBride, Etsy | Bride’s Rhinestone Sash: Something Ivory | Groom’s Attire: Dolce & Gabbana | Hair Styling: Larissa Lake | Linens: Party Rental, LTD | Photography - Assistance: Tanya Salazar Photography | Printing: Graphic Nature | Wedding Invitations & Graphic Design: Graphic Nature