Style Me Pretty: Wedding Blog for the Style-Obsessed Bride

Popsicles Named After Puppies For This Outdoor Southern Wedding in the Gardens of Kaminski House!

From custom welcome drinks to popsicles named after their pups, this bride and groom had one heck of an elegant, Southern wedding at Kaminski House under the moss-covered trees in the gardens! Carrying the greenery over to their reception with a beautifully decorated tent by RSG Event Designs, it adorned the tables and draped from the tent walls, along with neutral-colored florals. Madeline Trent Photography captured it all from the bride’s classic Anne Barge wedding gown to the cutest dessert setup and you’ll just have to check it out below!

From Madeline Trent…Allie and Sam were married in a romantic, sunset ceremony under the Spanish moss-covered trees in the gardens of Kaminski House, in Georgetown, SC.

Their December wedding was full of intimate moments for guests to get to know the couple better, including custom welcome drinks and even popsicles named after their puppies!

Allie chose an elegant, southern theme for her reception which included a sailcloth tent in the Georgetown Marina Park. The tent was decked in greenery, neutral colors, and the cutest dessert setup!

The tent had cafe string lights and dripping Spanish moss from the top of the tent, giving guests an outdoor experience on the inside of the tent that was unforgettable as they danced the night away to delicious food and amazing live music with the Travis Allison Band.

Let’s Get Maui’d! Check Out This Vibrant and Elegant Wedding At Montage Kapalua Bay

Will you Maui me? The wedding of Anh and Josh was effortlessly steeped in natural beauty, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery and romantic atmosphere that Hawaii boasts. Inspired by the sunset hues and the deep blue color of the Pacific Ocean, the couple carefully worked with Moana Belle Events and Mandy Grace Designs to create a day with a matching color palette. One thing is for sure — we just can’t help but swoon over that whimsical circular arch, channeling unity and infinity. Dmitri & Sandra Photography captured each and every beautiful moment of this tropical love story, so head to the full gallery to get swept away.

From Moana Events… Once Anh and Josh made the decision to get married in Hawaii, they knew what they wanted from the very beginning. They envisioned a special celebration with their closest and dearest on the island of Maui where they could enjoy the atmosphere, ocean breeze and beautiful sunset.

The beauty of the island lured them in and it was actual sunset hues and the colors of the deep blue surrounding ocean that inspired the color palate for the wedding. Soft colors of apricot, buttery yellows, peaches and creams paired with an ocean blue was a perfect color palate for our backdrop. Anh and Josh exchanged vows at the Montage Kapalua Bay featuring stunning ocean views, pristine lawns and dramatic cliffs as their backdrop.

An impressive circular ring arch adorned with whimsical florals in the color story of the day created by Mandy Grace Designs framed the couple during the ceremony. The cocktail and dinner reception took place at Merriman’s Kapalua Restaurant which was just a short stroll on the ocean boardwalk across the bay. Both from Austin Texas, they made sure to include their Texas charm in all of their wedding signage like a welcome sign that read “Aloha Y’all”.

Anh and Josh also incorporated several personalized details in their stationery and menus including cute illustrations of themselves on their invitations, and their sweet pups on their cocktail napkins.

Guests enjoyed shrimp cocktail and fresh oysters on the half shell during the cocktail hour while sipping on custom champagne popsicle cocktails.

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Edited by Lauren Megerdichian and Carly Zumar

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Dmitri and Sandra Photography

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Pretty in Pink For These Intimate Nuptials At The McKendrie House in California!

When this couple’s original wedding date had to be postponed due to ya know…they still wanted to celebrate with an intimate celebration at The McKendrie House with their family and close friends. When the bride told her event planner, Charmed Events Group that she always dreamed of a pink moment, they listened and certainly delivered with different shades of pinks throughout from the floral centerpieces by Tango and Foxtrot to the invites with a pop of hot pink! Take a look below at all of Melanie Duerkopp Photography’s beautiful images…and be sure to take note of their adorable ring bearer!

From Charmed Events Group…Like many couples, Cat and Carl had to postpone their wedding and pivot their plans when they were not able to hold their wedding at their venue on their original date. Even though their wedding had been postponed to 2021, they still wanted to be able to hold a ceremony to be legally married on their original date of 8/8/20. Knowing the importance of the date for this couple, we helped them find a private home that was able to provide the space for them to have a ceremony with just their immediate family and a handful of close friends. Since they were celebrating with just their immediate family and pod, we were able to also create an intimate dinner for them to further celebrate their forever with.

Since their wedding celebration is still happening in 2022, we wanted to make sure that the design that we created for this couple would be something completely different than what they and their guests would experience for the celebration next year. The bride was very excited about creating a separate design aesthetic for this intimate celebration as she always had dreams of having “a pink moment” for her wedding. We’re all about creating moments so upon hearing that, we immediately set out to create the most romantic and dreamiest, “pink moment” inspired design for this bride. Pink can be a lot, so it was important to us to be able to draw out the sophistication and elegance of the vibrant pink that the bride was drawn to, by pairing pinks with neutrals for a sophisticated palette.

Some highlights of the day that made the day so unique to the couple include having their pup Chipper be their ring bearer (he was amazing in his little tuxedo!), the couple doing a champagne saber to kick off the dinner, the bride putting in countless hours prior to the wedding in perfecting guava rose cake recipe so that she could make her own wedding cake, and the bottles of rose oil that the bride created for favors for guests that told the story of how the couple first met and how a ladybug appeared at their first date- which is a symbol of love, prosperity and good things to come.

To see the couple celebrate with such genuine happiness is everything. I recall the groom mentioning in his speech and through happy tears that they never would have thought that celebrating and being married in this way was possible. I think this is a testament to the resilience and power of love that this couple and so many more have experienced during this time. It truly was such an honor to celebrate with them in this way.

A Classic Meets Modern, White Inspired SoCal Home

From where we sit, Mindy Gayer can do no wrong. Need proof? Take a peak here and here and you’ll see exactly what we mean. But this California stunner may have taken Mindy’s mad design skills to entirely new heights. With the perfect juxtaposition of family and function, Mindy transformed an iconic one story Spanish style home into something that design dreams are made of. Read on to see the entire abode laid out in flawless design detail and click here to see the entire gallery with imagery by Vanessa Lentine!

This Spanish Style one Story consists of 5 Bedrooms, 3. 5 baths and clocks in around 3,800 square feet. The goal was to update the space with a fresh, modern palette along with contemporary finishes throughout to bring the once dated and formal interiors into a more current and cozy home for the young professional couple and their 2 little boys.

ENTRY HALL

And it all began with this stunning entry space featuring an arched, steel door system that will leave you weak at the knees.

LIVING ROOM

With 2 little boys, all design decisions were prioritized with both livability and comfort in mind while making dedicated efforts to not skimp on a luxurious palette and high style design, giving each space it’s own look and feel while creating connectivity among the home.

KITCHEN + BUTLER’S PANTRY

The kitchen is the main focal point of the home, with our Client being a big cook! She uses her kitchen daily to curate new recipes, and wanted to dream up a DREAM KITCHEN that could double as a fully working and functional kitchen, while also integrating clever & plentiful storage solutions for her many props. We added an updated butler’s pantry for that very reason!

FAMILY ROOM

The family room is the space where the family watches movies and plays games and logs their daily snuggles so comfort was key. We designed a room that felt cohesive with the rest of the home while embracing a place that made cozy its mantra.

MASTER

With pops of color throughout the house, our Client wanted to keep their Master Suite serene and hotel-like. We added touches of interest with textures to play up the understated & sophisticated monochromatic color palette.

MASTER BATH

HALLWAY

KIDS’ SPACES

In addition to their 2 boys’ room, we dreamed up a playroom that could house all of their toys, books, stuffed animals and art supplies and had custom cork boards made to display all of their little creations as art. An oversized rattan daybed serves as a kid-friendly sofa in here too, with playful wallpaper, textiles and art – all with a nod to So Cal being their backyard!

Playtime is big around our client’s day to day life, so we incorporated a play table in each of the boys’ rooms since each room boasts lots of extra room for playing make-believe, reading books and just about everything else!

BOYS’ BATH

OUTDOOR

The backyard celebrates the indoor/outdoor vibe that most California homes crave. With a fully landscaped yard, we added a faded wood dining table and rattan chairs with white cushions that beg for long dinners and even longer glasses of wine. But don’t worry, with two little ones happily sitting atop, we used a sunbrella fabric which is easy to clean and always looks its best.

Photographer: Vanessa Lentine | Interior Design: Mindy Gayer | Landscape Design: Houzz

You Can Feel The Love At This Intimate Texas Wedding

Planning a wedding amidst a pandemic isn’t easy, but this couple created the most beautiful of days despite the circumstances. The couple exchanged vows at an intimate ceremony at Ivory Oak, and instead of a traditional reception, they celebrated by dancing under hanging lights and oak trees. The ever-talented J’Marie Designs created sweet floral moments in shades of white and blush. The joy of the day radiates in the imagery by Bear Moose & Fox. You’ll fall in love with every inch of this celebration in the full gallery.

From the bride… Wykeyhe and I met at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He was the star wide receiver on the football team, and I played volleyball. Our first date was to a movie followed by Whataburger and it was so easy to be comfortable with each other. Eventually, I couldn’t help but fall in love with his effortless charm and loving heart.

Years later we planned our wedding in the middle of a global pandemic. Although we had never imagined a wedding during times like this, we knew it would be safest to cancel our reception
and limit our guest count. In the end, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Our favorite moment from our wedding day was having our first dance underneath the oaks trees and hanging lights. We were surrounded by our closest family and friends on one of the most wonderful days of our lives. All that we needed that day was each other, so neither of us minded the adversity that had to be faced.

Party Theme Idea: Life is a Circus!

If ever there was an appropriate party theme for a baby shower…Life is a Circus just might be it! This coming from a mom of three so said circus makes perfect sense for what’s to come. With a popcorn and peanut bar, a flame throwing, bubble blowing, impossibly awesome entertainer and basically the best carnival food a girl could ask for, this is all of the party inspo you need. Designed by Ooh! Events with photographs by Marni Rothschild, pop something yummy of your own and dig right in!

This shoot is a “follow up” shoot to a Coastal Bachelorette Weekend that SMP featured! The mama-to-be, Kate, was our bride-to-be in the bachelorette weekend shoot, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate her biggest milestones with her! Life is a Circus!

This vibrant and fun circus themed babyshower took place at The Bend, a beautiful property along the bend of the Ashley River in Charleston. As Kate’s girlfriends arrived, they were greeted by a true performer to set the tone for the circus! Deena of Good Clean Fun Events played with fire (literally!) and made amazingly huge bubbles.

Guests were seated under our version of a “Big Top”- a Raj tent adorned with colorful ribbon to set the circus theme-and treated to on theme treats by Salthouse Catering. Snacks included mini corn dogs, crudite cups with green goddess dressing, a snack bar with pretzels, peanuts and of course-animal crackers! The light and refreshing Honeydew Melon Cooler topped with cotton candy was as tasty as it was pretty! The ladies then lounged while the mama-to-be opened all of the thoughtful gifts her friends brought.

Traditional Design Meets Southern Charm With a Penchant of Fun and Flair at Rosemary Beach

Rosemary Beach described perfectly by the bride goes a little something like this, “…unlike anyplace in the world, you have the most amazing white-sand beaches with Caribbean blue ocean water, unbelievable architecture that makes you feel like you are in Europe, but with a warmth and charm you only feel in the south“. Talk about a dream!

We truly couldn’t be more in love with today’s gorgeous southern-inspired fête brought to life by Pamela Barefoot Events, Savoir Faire Weddings and Florals By The Sea. Our favorite detail? Their adorable scooter escort display, an ode to the groom’s scooter rental company he created at UNC! See all the awe-worthy moments at the full gallery, captured to perfection by Kati Rosado Photography!

From the Bride… Brent and I initially had a tough time deciding where we wanted to get married. We are both from Northern, VA but Brent wasn’t sold on getting married in D. C. We ultimately decided on Rosemary Beach, FL, a place we had only been on vacation twice before but already felt connected to.

Rosemary Beach is unlike anyplace in the world, you have the most amazing white-sand beaches with Caribbean blue ocean water, unbelievable architecture that makes you feel like you are in Europe, but with a warmth and charm you only feel in the south. Our overall inspiration and design can be summed up (as our wedding planner put it): “Traditional design meets southern charm with a penchant of fun and flair”. It was important to me that the wedding be classy and traditional, but also fun and unique.

I knew I wanted an awesome eye-popping linen, fun place settings, and an escort wall that had meaning to Brent and me. We incorporated a Florida/southern feel with rattan pendants, custom rattan bar, and rattan chargers into a more vivid and bright color scheme with a blue India Amory hand-blocked linens, mix of colorful flowers, and watercolor accents.

We wanted to make sure we had enough time with the people who made such an effort to be in Florida with us and we were able to do that by having multiple events throughout the weekend. A bonfire on Thursday night, a killer rehearsal dinner on Friday with everyone, and of course the wedding on Saturday. Because there were multiple events, Brent and I were able to have actual conversations with every one of our guests. Guests shared stories and advice with us that we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Some of my favorite moments are those conversations we had, reminiscing on past times and looking forward to a lifetime together.

Stand-out details:

– Design elements: India Amory linen, napkins, handkerchiefs; 21 Rattan baskets, custom rattan bar and chargers
- The Escort Wall – Brents first company was a scooter rental company he started at UNC called “Carolina Scoots” he was the “Scooter King” and we would joke that he would answer his phone “Scooters for Rent, this is Brent!”
– UNC Details – The Caroline Inn Chocolate Pecan cookie, The Old Well drinks – Hand Drawn napkins (Yeti, The Old Well, Scooter)

This Breathtaking Beach Wedding Is Filled With Cozy Details From The Bride’s Own Home!

This tropical wedding is filled with personalized touches we can’t get enough of, including furniture from the mother-of-the-brides home! The couple teamed up with Anna Lucia Events to create an elegant and extraordinary day. Stunning blooms by Garden District elevate the beachside reception tent to a visual masterpiece featuring white-washed palm trees! Hunter Ryan Photography captures every detail in the most lovely of ways. Take a trip to Florida in the full gallery.

From the bride… John and I met at a dance party hosted by the club both of our parents belong to in Naples, Florida – which is so sweet because it’s actually where John ended up proposing to me too! Our wedding was planned primarily between my mother and our planner Anna Lucia Events, they did an indescribable job.

We had a wall of magnetic seat assignments, but they were far from average. Guests walked up to the wall and were able to pluck gold-trimmed oyster shells with their table assignment on them from a beautiful blue and linen wall!

We wanted people to feel like the Sperry tent structure had been there forever, and as though it was a mix of comfort and style. My mom even brought furniture and decorations from our Naples home to be incorporated into the decor. The mega-talented Ruffino of Garden District elevated our plans with his massive indoor white-washed palm trees, and incredibly even planted greenery along the walk-in!

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Hunter Ryan Photo

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Classic Cape Home with Forever Style

There is just something about a New England Cape Cod inspired home. It’s the simple, often white palette. The understated but entirely elegant approach to decor. And this home, designed by Rhiannon and Travis Hageman, the husband and wife duo behind Hageman Homes is nothing if not entirely cape cod lovely. You would never believe that it was their very first build, tucked into a chic neighborhood in Ontario. With photographs by Will Reid, get ready to fall in love.

A classic, cape cod style home in historic Downtown Oakville, the house features a gambrel roof, gorgeous walk out and is fit for a lovely family. With a colour palette of warm whites, soft blues, and gorgeous wall coverings, the house is welcoming and balanced.

This husband and wife team behind the design are incredible .Travis manages all of the construction and Rhiannon completes the interior and exterior designs. They make a wonderful team together and are focused on building beautiful, timeless homes with modern liveability.

Although built as a “spec” house, meaning there was no client involved, the team focused on building their reputation on incredible quality, beautiful design and timeless craftsmanship which you can see in the gorgeous photos.

With a fresh take on Traditional design, the home is a lovely mix of colour, traditional architecture and styling but features a modern sensibility.

Photography: Will Reid Photography | Builder: Hageman Homes & Interiors | Interior Design: Hageman Homes & Interiors

A Gadsden House Editorial Teeming With Monochromatic and Modern Elements

Modern couples who love a good monochromatic moment – this one’s for you! Today styled shoot from The Luxe Bride took place at the ever so charming Gadsden House in Charleston, featuring the most adorable couple ever. Juniper & Jasmine Designs incorporated bleached blooms for a whimsical touch that proves a neutral palette can be anything but boring. See the full gallery captured by Courtney Bowlden to pin your fave details!

From Courtney Bowlden… We were inspired by monochromatic and modern elements for this editorial shoot. Layers of neutrals, with a stunning crafted tabletop, acrylic chairs, and textured flowers with hints of milky whites, copper, taupe, and black accents.

From a design perspective, we wanted to show that neutrals can be anything but boring if done the right way. In place of greenery we incorporated bleached blooms for a whimsical feel, like the stardust, fern, and ruscus. The stationery was on handmade paper with modern calligraphy finished with a bronze wax seal, vellum menu’s, and place cards tied with velvet black ribbon. The bride’s dress by Emily Kotarski was paired with a hand painted cathedral length cape with puff sleeves. The cake was textured using neutral tones, extra tall tiers, finished with wafer paper sails and edible gold flakes with black taper candles. The terracotta palette was perfect for this minimalist look.

Peek Inside the Home of this Celeb Fashion Blogger and Mama of Two!

We’ve been obsessed with fashion blogger, Amber Fillerup of Barefoot Blonde for years now, following along with her crazy good hairstyles, chic fashion sense and of course, her journey as a mama to two sweet babes. But today? Our obsession has turned to her gorg NYC apartment—made pretty with the help of Joss & Main and Becki Owens. From the pink couch in Rosie’s nursery to gilded details like this, have a peek at the full tour in The Vault!

From Joss & Main… We recently helped Amber Fillerup of Barefoot Blonde revamp her NYC Upper West Side apartment, including her master bedroom and nursery for her 10-month-old, Rosie. We chatted with Amber about the new spaces and her latest happenings. You can also shop the look at Joss and Main now through November 1.

1. It’s clear you have a knack for fashion. How does your personal style translate into the design of your home? Are the two similar?

Amber: Definitely!!! I have very different styles depending on what I am feeling that day and I definitely think it’s that way for my home. Sometimes I want clean and bright whites and other days I want a pink couch and mint walls!

2. Pulling together a room—easier or more challenging than pulling together a wardrobe?

Amber: Much harder! So many more components and harder to “try on”.

3. You’re now a mother to two children under the age of three—how has that impacted your design style?

Amber: Well, I try to stay away from white. Asking for orange fingerprints! But it has stayed mostly the same – I am okay with things getting a little messy and have accepted that pieces might get a little worn in because of the kiddos. I don’t ever want our home to feel “off limits” to the kids.

4. New York apartments are notoriously tiny. What are your tips for making the most of limited square footage?

Amber: It is really great to find nooks and crannies for storage! We have a shower we don’t use and so we put bookshelves in there and store stuff. We try to get dressers with a lot of drawers. But most just two words – THROW AWAY. Can’t have too much junk in NYC!

5. Walk us through your daughter’s nursery. What do you love most about the space?

Amber: Oh, I love the light! And shag rug. And of course the pink couch. I just love how girly and feminine it feels. Rosie has such a sweet personality and I feel like her room really suits her. She loves to just sit on her furry rug and play with her toys.

6. And your master bedroom? Was there anything the room had to have?

Amber: I loved the white dresser. It was like a breath of fresh air when we got it! We previously had a wooden dresser (we still have it but just in a different room) but this white one just made the whole room feel airy.

7. Do you have any favorite pieces? Items that really make the room?

Amber: I love lighting, so again I really loved Rosie’s light fixture as well as the lamps! I think light fixtures pull the whole room together and put the cherry on top. It is always the most exciting part to me!

8. Tell us about your morning routine. When you’re not taping a tutorial, where do you get ready?

Amber: I get ready wherever the kids are playing. I go in my bathroom and put all the makeup I want to use that day in a bag and I go into the nursery or main room – wherever they are! I usually am sitting on the couch doing my makeup and Atticus loves to “help”. I let him put on my powder and blush, haha.

9. Before we go, we have to ask—what style of braid are you loving for fall?

Amber: I am still loving boxer braids! But have also loved a simple side braid with lots of volume on top!

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Photography: Nicole Gerulat | Furniture & Decor: Joss & Main | Interior Design: Becki Owens | Style Director, Joss & Main: Donna Garlough

Meaningful, Romantic Details at Arrowhead Hill For This Pilot With The Coolest Escort Card Display!

Today, we introduce you to the sweetest couple (we’re serious, read their engagement story!) with a romantic and incredibly meaningful wedding day. The bride who loves to travel and the groom who just so happens to be a pilot incorporated details throughout their day at Arrowhead Hill, like a luggage tag escort card display and engraved compasses for place cards. Timeless and bold florals from Remi and Gold were placed throughout from a ceremony arch to delicate centerpieces and Wed and Prosper planned it all, exactly how the bride envisioned. Take a look below to see Courtney Leigh Photography’s stunning imagery and start dreaming up what personal touches you’re going to add to your day!

From the Bride…How did Alex Propose?
Our engagement day… Alex told me he was heading to fly a trip, he played the part and everything by wearing his uniform and packing his bag and everything. I had no idea what was coming. That afternoon, I had gotten dressed up because my mom and I were heading to a baby shower. On the way home from the baby shower, my mom pulled into Alex and Is favorite park. It is where one of our first dates was, as well as where he asked me to be his girlfriend 3 years prior. I remember my heart dropping and knowing as soon as she turned in. I started crying happy (and probably nervous) tears knowing what was waiting ahead. My mom handed me a piece of paper that said “Ahead is our future…” After getting myself together I got out of the car and walked down a (very long) sidewalk and actually ended up walking past the whole setup. I heard Alex’s voice from behind as he asked where I was going. I turned around and saw a beautiful setup waiting for me. It had two journal entries, one where Alex had expressed how he wanted to marry me after our first date that he had written years prior, and one that he wrote on the day of our engagement. It was the most sentimental and special moment. He then took us to one of our favorite bakeries where all of our family and friends were for a surprise engagement party! A lifetime with Alex was everything I had dreamed of.

How did you decide on colors for your wedding? And floral inspiration
I knew I wanted three things when deciding on the theme of our wedding: timeless, elegant, and detail-oriented. Down to every detail, everything on our day had a purpose. In everything Alex and I do, we value meaningful detail. I knew I wanted to incorporate dove gray throughout our wedding, as well as soft linen with our calligraphy touches and table runners. I knew that I wanted our florals to be timeless but bold, and I told our florist, Remi and Gold, our color inspiration, but at the end of the day really let her go with it. One of my favorite moments from our whole wedding was the altarpiece. The florals were out of this world dreamy and truly more than I imagined. Our close friends sang “King of My Heart” during our private communion moment, and the words on the linen piece were lyrics to the song.

What made you incorporate certain special touches or traditions into your wedding day?
We wanted everything on our day to be cohesive and meaningful. God is the foundation of our relationship so we wanted everyone to hear the Gospel shared during our ceremony from our officiant and through worship during our private communion moment. Alex and I both have a big passion for travel, and he is a Pilot so it made the most sense to incorporate that part of our life into our day. Halfmoon Lettering really helped us bring this vision to life through every last detail. Our programs were inspired by passports, we had a “travel advice” table with custom postcards that hung on a postcard stand and featured a watercolor drawing of our venue. Throughout all of our paper goods, we had an airplane wax seal. Two of my favorite travel details were the engraved compass nametags and our luggage tag seating chart. All of our guests adored the luggage tags and thought it was incredibly meaningful. We love when our friends send us photos of the luggage tags in action! From the mini pies to the mini cinnamon donuts, our dessert bar was a hit and disappeared quickly!

Do you have a memory from the day that stands out the most?
Getting ready with all of my best girls and having our bridal brunch was definitely super special. The whole morning felt surreal as we watched everything come together throughout the day! One of my favorite memories from the day was our first touch. We did not do a first look, but we both stood on each side of the luggage tag wall and prayed together. In the end I told Alex to close his eyes so I could peek because I was getting so impatient!

Any advice for future brides and grooms that are planning?
Throughout the planning process, one thing I desired was to have timeless designs and photos that we will cherish for a lifetime. I would definitely recommend investing in a good photographer and videographer, the day goes by so quickly and that is what you have to hold onto. My biggest piece of advice, though, would be to incorporate personal touches throughout your day; there is nothing more special than having a unique wedding that is thoughtful and catered toward your passions and unique visions.

What was most important to you and your groom for your wedding?
Our biggest desire for our wedding day was for our guests to feel thought of and loved and hear the Gospel. We wanted to make special memories and party with our closest friends and family, which we were able to do thanks to the Cottages onsite at Arrowhead Hill. It was a blast being able to spend the weekend with all our friends and family! Hot Sauce band out of Austin, TX also threw an incredible party – one we will never forget! We danced and partied the night away with our favorite people!

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Moody and Eclectic San Francisco Townhome

We are big proponents of color, and this super swanky San Francisco townhome – designed by Nina Jizhar and photographed by Vivian Johnson – doesn’t just use color, it uses BOLD color balanced with intricate details and classic accessories. And then to top it all off, there’s a chic modern kitchen that captures the timelessness of the space with the modernity of the design. Take the tour below!

The homeowners have been in this place for 15 years and haven’t done any updates. They are world traveler and collect many items from their travel. The mix of their personal collection of artwork and objects make this home special, as it truly reflects the homeowner’s aesthetic and eclecticism.

The kick off of the project was days away from us being put in lockdown mode back in March. Like many other homeowners during quarantine, our clients wanted to move forward at full speed while they are sheltering in place in their second home. We took over the tradesmen’s coordination carefully: electrician, fabricator for the backsplash and marble sink, wallpaper installer, painter and millworker for the custom built-ins in the office.

We completed the project in 6 months including furnishings installation thanks to my clients who are super decisive and entrusted us with the whole process.

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Photography: Vivian Johnson Photography | Design: Nina Jizhar | Floral Design: Seva Floral

This Editorial Inspired by Strength and Confidence Presents a Fresh Take on a Neutral Palette

An editorial inspired by female strength and confidence? Um, heck yes!! Today’s styled shoot from Kaleb Norman James Design features inspiration at every turn – from the romantic gowns to the ethereal stationery suite from Paper Birch Designs. Shades of green, soft whites with pops of light brown made up the color palette of this day – brought to life through organic floral arrangements lush with toffee roses, accented by natural wood and leather textures throughout the tablescape. See all the heavenly details at the full gallery – taken by Koman Photography!

From Kaleb Norman James Design… The concept we put into this design was to focus on strength. A singular female model whose confidence and pride could shine through and stand tall, independent of anyone else.

For the details, the idea was to have a fresh take on neutrals, focusing largely on shades of green, soft whites with pops of light brown brought in through the toffee roses, natural wood and leather textures throughout the tablescape and paper goods. They added to the sense of strength to the overall softness of femininity of the rest of the design.

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Koman Photography

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Here’s Why an Intimate Wedding Size Allows For Every Guest to Feel Spoiled!

“Whether planning and designing for 10 guests or 50, the goal is to leave guests feeling spoiled with thoughtfulness, love, and sharing together. No detail goes unnoticed. No experience is lost, and each guest is impeccably cared for, no matter who they are“… we couldn’t agree more, Krissy! With COVID restrictions still being a major factor in 2021 weddings, it’s important to remember the positives. Intimate weddings are a great way to have every one of your VIP’s feel the most special. With personalized details to creative seating arrangements – the options are truly endless. Head on over to the full gallery from today’s Villa Terrace shoot to get inspired, all take by Clary Pfeiffer Photography!

From Krissy Campbell… During this post-COVID lull in international travel, we’ve seeing couples searching for the perfect space for an intimate wedding while a destination celebration in Europe or otherwise is on hold. In response, we’ve begun the search stateside for the European-inspired timeless style and glamour that these sophisticated and thoughtful couples have hoped for in a wedding venue. In the process, we’ve discovered gems like the Villa Terrace that still give post-pandemic weddings a fresh take on the luxury, high-end experience. Based along the sparkling midwestern lakeshore of Wisconsin, the Villa, named Sopra Mare, or “above the sea” in Italian, transports guests to a new kind of destination celebration. One look through this stunning space and you’re lost in the Italian Renaissance era and Mediterranean countryside right amid the urban-based Terrace Avenue. “It […] points away from the street, turning inward to its courtyard, terrace, and garden. It speaks of intimacy, subdued elegance and domesticity quite unlike anything else along Terrace Avenue,” said the Friends of Villa Terrace.

Staring into the Renaissance Gardens from the Terrazzo Della Luna (Terrace of the Moon), this location begs to tell the story of a couple with love for travel and culture. A couple who desires to reflect their connection to the natural and European architecture while inspiring their wedding guests to discover for themselves perspectives and stories beyond their own – “to see from someone else’s window”…to celebrate places and people that may surprise, challenge and inspire. Whether planning and designing for 10 guests or 50, the goal is to leave guests feeling “spoiled” with thoughtfulness, love, and sharing together. No detail goes unnoticed. No experience is lost, and each guest is impeccably cared for, no matter who they are. The moment the invitation hits the door, a window into the celebration space has been created. The color story and surroundings tell of the space and the soul of the anticipated experience. We wanted no less for this villa celebration as the invitation suite and handmade paper goods tied the soft warm tones of the Villa with the neutrals and cool romantic blue hues derived from the “wallpaper” room and hand-painted dressing room, where you see the bride spending a few quiet moments leading up to her celebration. The “wallpaper” room was quickly one of the first spaces we fell in love with for this lovely couple. It features stunning lake views, a carved limestone fireplace surround, and exuberant French wallpaper from the Zuber & Cie company.

Designed in 1832, the pattern of the room’s wallpaper is Décor Chinois (Chinese decoration). The wallpaper is a wood-block print by 387 wooden boards carved the same year. The panoramic scene features 10 panels and utilizes 57 colors of ink. Zuber paper is still printed in this manner, and the paper maintains its status as a work of decorative art. You can see why this space is reflective of the thoughtfulness and artistic value that the couple has in creating an experience for themselves and their guests. Fittingly, we used the wallpaper pattern as a basis for the seating assignments for each one. A European-inspired space like a villa or estate has the detail, the history, and the romantic timelessness that is key to an opulent yet inspired celebration experience. We pulled from the space to choose stunning Anne Barge and Millia London gowns, which the bride wore at various times throughout her wedding day. The sleek and sophisticated Anne Barge gown and its accessories were the perfect style for the bride’s ceremony attire. In contrast, the champagne Millia London gown made its debut on camera and graced her impeccably as the evening went on. The natural tones of the bride’s makeup, classic hairstyle, and beautiful vintage rings spoke to the authenticity yet high-end aesthetic of the couple. The groom’s attire flowed right alongside her as he wore a black tux without the vest as a showcasing of their bold yet straightforward approach to fashion and design. The ceremony and celebration itself drew inspiration from the natural surroundings of the gardens and villa courtyard. The stunning floral design had quite warm and neutral tones, subtle pops of deep blue berries, and meadow-like greens that sprung naturally from around the couple during the ceremony, in the bridal bouquet and dinner table arrangements. The floral movement and dynamic reflect the romance and strength of the couples’ appreciation for natural beauty and delicate architecture and style. As the evening progressed beyond the sweet vows, applause and laughter resounded from the black-tie guests, a couple of which were also showcasing fashion-forward Millia London evening gowns. The moments beyond this were laced with details through and through…from cocktails in the terrace garden to the beautifully styled charcuterie, delicious menu (also listed on blind embossed paper nonetheless!), handwritten name cards, and toasts all around. The place settings were also designed to replicate the feeling of an elegant Renaissance-era meal with linen napkins cleanly placed at the left side of each delicate piece of china and silver flatware. The linen and place settings’ simple and clean tones led the eye inwards and upwards to the floral design and conversation movement across the long banquet-style table. The dinner was wrapped up with cutting a delicious four-tiered cake with white chocolate pieces for another more modern yet clean detail. At the same time, macarons were another lovely nod to their tie to varieties of culture and cuisine. And as the sun went down, there’s no more timeless way to capture love than in the flickering candlelight and moonlit sky. What better place to end the night as the couple’s silhouettes danced on the terrace surrounded by their closest family and friends? All this said, despite this strange season, we look ahead at the incredible opportunities to find the places that give us space to reflect and capture a couple’s story…to create bold statements in timeless strokes of beauty. Villa weddings both near and far help us re-envision the “new” post-pandemic celebration era, where thoughtful design, diversity, intimacy, and destination experiences are everything.

Making Space for Creativity in Your Life

If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we need space and time in our lives for something other than the mundane. That we crave the comfort of our sofa, that being with family isn’t so bad, that taking up a new hobby can fuel the soul in more ways than we have ever known. So when Kir Tuben embarked on a day to learn all about flowers – from one of the Masters in the industry, the lovely Holly Chapple – I was totally enthralled by her perspective on personal growth and her mad skills that she happened to find while there. More info on Holly’s workshop right here!

When I captured Holly’s workshop, I really had no idea what I was in for. I originally thought, ‘Great, I’ll show up, spend a glorious day outside and meet some lovely industry folks.’ I had no idea that it would lead to a shift in the way I look at flowers.

I’ve always loved blooms but have a self-proclaimed “less-than-green thumb” as it were. I kill every flower I have in my home, even succulents. I’ve always been jealous of the Plant Whisperers types with their flourishing inside greenery and frequent weekend trips to their local nurseries.

But after spending paycheck after paycheck on plants I would eventually kill (or that my cats would consume), I resigned myself to loving flowers from afar and, at the very least, rocking the occasional floral dress.

Once I stepped into the world of Holly Chapple, my perspective shifted and it’s as if I was granted permission to live life in bloom. There were attendees from all over the world at different points in their careers. Some folks were hobbyists and others were esteemed speakers with decades in the industry… But they all had one thing in common- open arms.

This community was so patient with me when I asked the difference between blooms like mums and dahlias, they gracefully clarified the difference between ‘Florist’ and ‘Designer’ and they had no problem gently explaining why some designers choose to champion foam-free design.

My head was exploding with instruction on concepts like movement, form and color but the biggest takeaway was that flowers have endless healing creative potential.

I swear, there is something powerful about working with your hands to blend your own creativity with nature’s. I also learned that you can live life in flowers even if you have no growing/nurturing abilities.

Not only did I come to realize that as a visual artist, I could find joy in arranging and creating floral ‘moments’ but I also learned that you can even design with dried or faux flowers for more sustainable home decor for those with not-so-green thumbs.

After Flowerstock, my home exploded with blooms in the form of arrangements, paintings, pressed florals and even wallpaper. I decided it calmed me to surround myself with blooming beauty.

In fact, when the pandemic hit, the very first thing I did was create and photograph various floral arrangements in my home studio. Flowers are an entire creative world with their own lexicon, rules and even television shows.

I am beyond thankful I was able to step into that world even for just a minute. Although I am FAR from a talented floral visionary artist, I like to think the experience made the floral world more accessible.

This Couple Celebrated Their Different Cultures In The Most Wonderful Of Ways With Two Wedding Ceremonies!

Priyal & Jeff decided their wedding day would equally represent both their cultures. They planned a magical day for their guests, complete with two different ceremonies at the same venue and within the same color palette, but in two different locations on-site! The couples worked with Bello & Blue Events on the event planning and floral design. For the reception, they came together to create a concept that filled the ballroom with a canopy of greenery. You can feel the happiness of the day jumping out in the imagery by Sarah Porter Photography. Visit the full gallery for a closer look at all the fun.

From the bride… To us, the most important part of our wedding day was to be able to not only illustrate but embody both of our strong cultural and religious backgrounds by incorporating our family’s traditions. For Jeff, that was being raised in a Catholic-Christian household and for myself, it was an upbringing with strong Indian-Hindu roots. We wanted our family and friends to feel immersed in both of our cultures during our wedding weekend.

The reception space was designed with hanging garlands, a mix of tables, and neutral centerpieces and candles. For a bit of modernity, clear cubes hand-lettered by Handsome Love Calligraphy showcased the seating assignments and were complemented by acrylic table numbers.

After an evening filled with sentimentality, laughs, and dancing, the night ended on a sweet note, with guests grabbing customized cookies and donuts to take home as a sweet treat. It was the perfect blending of two cultures.

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Party Theme Idea: Parisian Carnival (AKA, CUTE!)

I’m pretty sure that this next celebration is every child’s dream come true. With vintage carnival rides and cotton candy, fresh popped popcorn and prizes for games won, there is not a single detail that has been overlooked. Planned and designed by House of Fete’s founder, Marissa, for her own little boy, we are bookmarking this for future party inspo in a pretty big way! Photos by Dani Lacey.

Tristian’s party was inspired by a paper mache blimp by Glittervill, and the images Marissa captured of carousels on her trip to Paris. Creating that feeling you get when you see a circus or carnival with a vintage feel along with our love of fresh, bright colors.

Marissa used an open field next door to her mother’s home in Fresno, California. With plenty of space and a blank palette, it was the perfect place to start. She rented the staples of any Midway – the tent, a mini ferris wheel and a popcorn stand – then added the iconic House of Fete’s style and design. Lindsi of The Collective Creative CO created an organic balloon garland that became a chandelier throughout the tent. This pulled the color story together mixing our favorite brights with moody pastels.

The show stopping florals created a Parisian Escape. The guys from Apis Floral adorned a tricycle with fresh florals that billowed out adding baguettes, and umbrellas to complete the Parisian vintage vibe we were wanting.

We added in a long table for the kids to sit, each setting being a little bit different but with the same sense of whimsy. The plates were adorned with cotton candy hats, created from Marissa’s family Halloween costume, making it that much more special.

Each space had flags, mini tents and French orange soda, complete with a ticket to the Kissing Booth. The other side of the table was filled to the brim with cheese, charcuterie and cookies making it easy for the kids and and adults to graze and snack as they enjoyed the party.

At the end of the table we had all the sweets. Individually wrapped cotton candy, a Milk Bar cake, custom cookies and a Carousel made out of macarons. If you didn’t have a sweet tooth, you could go for the popcorn macaron made with popcorn buttercream and salted caramel. Or, guests could just head to the popcorn bar for the real thing, freshly popped popcorn and a toppings bar!

It’s not a carnival without some activities and games. The mini ferris wheel was the biggest hit, but the games couldn’t be passed up. Josh, Tristan’s dad, built each of the stands that we then turned into games. We had a balloon pop, ring toss and kissing booth, with prizes and all. The sweetest part was the handmade signs that used Tristan’s handwriting to translate the french on each of the games.

After a ride on the ponies and way too many rides on the ferris wheel, it turned out to be the most perfect party! Don’t forget to grab your cotton candy party favor that opened up with tiny toys and memories of a great day!

Traditional Black And White Meets Romantic For A Look You’ll Fall In Love With

Romance is in full bloom at this black and white modern meets garden wedding! Natalie Choi Events created a day that will take your breath away, filled with timeless touches and romantic textures. Organic floral arrangements and a ceremony structure that stuns were impecably designed by The Loved Co. Every incredible image by Meiwen Wang is more beautiful than the last. Be sure to visit the full gallery for a closer look at this couple’s special day.

From Natalie Choi Events… Informed by Dawn’s love of clean modern lines mixed with romantic textures, we selected a venue that featured a mixture of white and moody walls. The bride had two bouquets, one for the ceremony and one for the outdoor garden portraits.

The center of the venue space featured black beams in the shape of an upside-down “M”, which none of us were keen to have be the backdrop of the ceremony, although there was no other way to work around it. We decided to completely cover the beams with foliage and florals to create a backdrop that would surround Dawn & Jordan. This floral installation of epic proportions became the centerpiece of floral décor for the wedding, later repurposed into the backdrop of their sweetheart table!

We carried the neutral color palette of mauve, tan, pale grey, dusty pink, and black into the reception tables, selecting pale grey linens and a soft, draping table runner paired with matte white plates and sleek black flatware. Our florist selected a palette of blooms in luscious and romantic tones, arranged in an airy, ikebana-esque style. Votives in a smokey glass were scattered along the table to complete their candlelight dinner setting.

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Transport Yourself to Paradise With This 3 Day Tropical Bash at Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii!

From a tropical chic welcome dinner to a seaside ceremony dripping in blooms from Of The Flowers – just consider this Hawaiian wedding weekend planned by Moana Belle Events your one way ticket to paradise. To the delight of their guests, the adorable couple incorporated sweet personalized moments throughout their wedding weekend – like a sunset beach walk each night (with Mai Tais in hand of course), a family tradition of the groom’s when visiting the Mauna Kea Beach Resort. If you’re craving tropical wedding inspo – look no further than the full gallery, and don’t miss out on one of the most creative escort displays we’ve seen yet, all captured by Rebecca Yale!

From Rebecca Yale… Janine and Alex were married on October 26th at the Mauna Kea on the big island of Hawaii. The 3 day bash included an all white Rehearsal Dinner, a tropical chic Welcome Party and then the gorgeous wedding day! Guests were invited to the day first with a vintage postcard Save the Date designed by Ashling of Lotus & Ash, who went to Stanford with the bride. The postcard was tucked inside an orange envelope, the color of the Mauna Kea, with the hotel’s logo lining the envelope. A little map of the Hawaii islands was subtly printed on the envelope. The Save The Date was followed by a gorgeous tropical invitation suite featuring letterpress green leaves on the back and front, a pink details card, a photo strip of pictures of the bride and groom at the Mauna Kea, and in lieu of a traditional RSVP card they included a die cut double sided leaf with their wedding address where guests could RSVP online.

The entire suite was wrapped in a tropical leaf printed vellum wrapper and was tied with a wooden tag with their wedding logo. Guests were welcomed to the Mauna Kea with lei’s, fresh juice and a welcome note from the bride and groom with the itinerary of the weekend’s events, which included not just the parties, but yoga and beach activities during the day. The weekend started off with the Rehearsal Dinner with just their wedding party and families joining them for a white party in the hotel’s luau space next to the beach. Alex’s family has been visiting the Mauna Kea for generations and their family tradition is to grab Mai Tai’s at sunset and walk along the beach as the sun goes down. They invited all of their friends to join in on the Mai Tai walk every evening, which was a highlight of each day. Lotus & Ash created a cloth sign that hung from a wooden stand with their wedding logo and date, which was used at each event to help guests find where they were going on the large property. The decor of the first evening was kept simple, rattan chargers on white tablecloths with white plates and napkins wrapped in rattan holders with a simple green place card tucked into each napkin ring. The tables were decorated with tropical leaves and twinkle lights were strung above to set the mood.

The second evening kicked off the Welcome Dinner with all of their guests sporting their chicest tropical wear on the great lawn of the hotel next to the water. Guests were serenaded by a guitarist and enjoyed a luau style buffet before grabbing their Mai Tai’s and walking down the beach at Sunset. Guests were treated to an absolutely incredible sunset and then returned to the lawn for a surprise performance of fire dancers arranged by the bride and groom. The morning of the wedding, the groom’s sister led guests in a yoga session on the lawn to get ready for the day. The bride and groom each got ready with their friends. The bride gifted her bridesmaids pouches that said “Aloha Beaches” with orange sarongs and a bracelet and hair pin inside The pouches were made in Costa Rica and had “Pura Vida” written on them, a nod to the bride who grew up there. The groom gifted his groomsmen each with tropical suspenders that they all wore on the wedding day. The bride and groom chose to write their own vows in beautiful white blind embossed vow books. The bride and groom had been intrigued by the idea of eloping, but also knew that they wanted to include their closest friends and family in their weekend celebration. They found a way to have their cake and eat it too by planning a secret ceremony right after the First Look. They invited their officiant, who was a friend, as well as their parents and siblings to join them on the beach and surprised them telling them they were really doing the ceremony there now.

They read their vows to each other as well as vows they made to each other’s family and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Janine embraced the tropics with a whimsical and light gown that moved beautifully in the wind, but was also incredibly intricate and detailed in the beadingwork. She paired the dress with natural pearl earrings and pearl shoes and a chic modern ponytail, later converted into a bun for the ceremony when she put on her veil. The groom rocked dark green pants with a white tuxedo jacket and a green bowtie, while the groomsmen all wore dark green suits. The bridesmaids all chose their own dresses or jumpsuits in a mix of tropical colors resembling a tropical fruit salad and each carried a unique tropical bouquet created by Of the Flowers. Janine carried a similar more elaborate tropical bouquet featuring a mix of traditional flowers like ranunculus and roses with tropical leaves and tropical florals like ginger and anthuriums. Guests enjoyed a seaside ceremony getting a break from the heat with parasols and fans at each seat- especially enjoyed by the bride’s adorable nieces and nephews who served as flower girls and ring bearers.

The couple didn’t want to block the view of the ocean so chose to have a low semi circle of tropical leaves and flowers instead of a traditional arch or altar. After the ceremony the guests made their way back to the lawn from the previous evening and enjoyed the couple’s two signature cocktails- an Aperol Spritz and Lilikoi Margarita. Guests snacked on light bites while they drank and signed the guest book, two coffee table books selected by the couple for their home. Guests once again kicked off their shoes and grabbed their cocktails and headed to the beach for a Mai Tai walk. Moana Events created shoe valet stations where the guests could leave their shoes and purses and then sit afterwards to put them back on with baskets of towels to wipe off their sandy toes.

As the sun set, the guests made their way onto another hidden lawn for the great reveal of the beautiful reception space, which featured an outer and inner ring of tables with a dance floor in the middle and a canopy of string lights overhead. As guests entered they found their names calligraphed on anthuriums in bud vases as a living escort card board. The outer ring of tables featured blue tablecloths with white chairs and white plates with tropical pink napkins printed with birds of paradise folded over the plate with the menu on top. The inner ring of tables had coral tablecloths and featured rattan chargers with the menu placed atop and the same printed napkin to the side of the plate.

The menus also served as place cards, tucked inside an envelope and the bride and groom surprised their guests by writing hand written thoughtful letters to all 160 of their guests, including to each other. As guests enjoyed dinner the singing duo Truly Medley Deeply made their way around the tables taking song requests and serenading guests with their guitar and maracas, singing everything from classic Motown to Cardi B. The bride and groom saw them at a wedding she was photographing in France and knew instantly she had to fly them out from London for her wedding. After cutting their cake and thanking their guests, the bride kicked off dancing with an upbeat choreographed dance with her step-father, followed by a sweet mother-son dance by the groom. Then they surprised their guests one more time with an incredible choreographed first dance before inviting everyone to join them on the dance floor to dance the night away.