Somehow we blinked and it’s the end of September – can someone please tell us how in the world that happened?! If you’re already missing those warm sunny days and bright floral hues of the summer season, don’t fret – today’s styled shoot from Desert Whim, Form Floral and Magdalena Studios will bring you right back to that can’t-beat summer feeling. Oh and fair warning, the full gallery will 100% make El Chorro, our favorite Arizona wedding venue, your latest and greatest obsession.

From Magdalena Studios… This stunning summer wedding at El Chorro in Paradise Valley, Arizona was designed to perfection by Desert Whim and photographed on film by Magi Fisher of Magdalena Studios. 

The colorful florals by Form Floral reflected the vibrance of the desert and the lace bridal gown from BHLDN brought a bohemian feel to the day. 

The outdoor ceremony in the courtyard was perfection, with loose floral blooms circling the couple while they said “I do.” The reception space featured an al fresco family style dining table and a view of the surrounding mountains.

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Photography: Magdalena Studios | Floral Design: Form Floral | Venue: El Chorro | Design + Planning: Desert Whim | Rentals: Glamour And Woods | Table Top Rentals: The Confetti Studio

Want to seriously impress your guests at your reception? Whether it be floral, greenery or modern orbs like in today’s wedding – there’s no better way to make a lasting impression than with a wow-worthy hanging installation moment. Take notes from today’s darling Amelia Island affair planned and designed by Christina Baxter Weddings & Events with blooms by August Design. Trust us, you’re going to want to spend a little extra time on the full gallery of details captured to perfection by Virgil Bunao.

From Christina Baxter Weddings… This lush and luxurious wedding took place at the beautiful Ritz Carlton on Amelia island, Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. 180 Guests from around the country gathered to celebrate Samantha & Ryan’s Nuptials under a perfect blue Florida sky. The Ceremony took place on the great lawn with an abundant floral aisle and a lush arbor with the ocean as the backdrop. 

The bride wore a Galia Lahav gown and carried a magnificent oversize bouquet, and the groom and his men looked dapper in their black Tuxes. Following the ceremony guest were greeted by butlered signature cocktails made with Parcé Rum, which is produced by brides family in Columbia SA. Cocktail hour took place on the terrace where delicious hors D’oeuvres were passed and a Jazz trio played in the background. 

Following cocktail Hour, guest were escorted to dinner which took place under a grand sailcloth tent. The overall design was lush and elegant with touches of whimsy. An impressive hanging installation of greenery and modern orbs made an opulent statement over the head table and oversized contemporary light fixtures hung over the dance floor. Tables were a mix of wooden estate tables and tables with textured linens all adorned with beautiful floral centerpieces. 

Each place seeing had a hand calligraphed menu with the guests name and the menu letter pressed on hand made paper. We went with a big band since this is a group that loves to dance! And things got lively when the band joined the guests on the dance floor and the guests joined the band on stage for a little dance competition. The evening concluded with a high energy after party, complete with a DJ, Photo booth, Neon signage blazing the couples married name and late night sliders from Chick – Fil -A ( A must for the bride) The following morning guests attended a beautiful Brunch complete with a much needed Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar.

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Photography: Virgil Bunao | Videography : Denis and Dezi | Flowers : August Floral Design | Stationary: Double Trip Press | Entertainment: Other Brother Entertainment | Venue: test | After Party DJ : Island Sound | Ceremony Musicians : Jacksonville Strings | Linens: Latavola Linen | Photo Booth : ShutterBooth | Planning & Design : Christina Baxter Weddings & Events | Rentals : Afr | Rentals : Beachview Event Rentals and Design

Trust us when we say these two have a love story that could make fairytales jealous. After meeting in high school, getting engaged on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii, and planning their dream wedding – you better believe they wouldn’t let this crazy pandemic get in the way of celebrating their love and starting their forever. To see all the details from their intimate backyard ceremony (included the sweetest four-legged friends), head on over to the full gallery – all taken by May Carlson Photography!

From the Bride… Theo and I met in Oahu, Hawaii in 2011 as high schoolers. On this magical island, we had our first date, shared our first kiss, and for the first time, exchanged “I love you’s.” 3 years later, we have officially become Texans and, from time to time, visit that special island we once called home. In July of 2019, we took a trip to visit Theo’s parents in Hawaii and celebrate the Fourth of July. What I didn’t know is that my now-husband was planning to add another “first” to our list of memories together.

We stayed at the Waikoloa Hotel on the Big Island when Theo surprised me with a date night for two! As we walked down the grand staircase and towards the water, I took in the sweet smell of the salty air and the vibrant blues and greens of the turtles and fish in the lagoon. I can still recall the butterflies in my stomach when I saw Theo drop down to one knee and ask me to spend forever with him, to which I exclaimed, “YES!” After several minutes of happy tears and warm hugs, we headed to our hotel as Theo insisted we wait to make calls to my family until we were with his parents. To my surprise, when we arrived to our room, both of our families greeted us with champagne and congratulations! This day – the first day of the rest of our lives – was filled with love and happiness that we will cherish forever.

We worked so hard to organize the perfect day and after so much planning and scheduling we had every detail completed. Once we were about a month out from our big day, Covid hit and the stay at home order was put into place. We knew it wasn’t going to be exactly as planned. If there’s one thing we did know, it was that we wanted to take this next step forward and become husband and wife no matter what.

With the grace of fast WiFi, expedited shipping, the best bakery still being open and the support from our family and friends – We had a small intimate ceremony at my husbands parents house while my parents and sister attended through a Zoom call and our friends and family watched on Facebook Live.

We spent every moment taking in every second. It wasn’t about all the small details to make a perfect wedding, it was about celebrating our love and how far we’ve come from meeting 8 years ago in high school to creating a beautiful marriage today. This experience brought us closer and allowed us to focus on our love. We spent the night dancing in the living room with our dogs, eating lots of cake and feeling so much love from our family and friends all around the world. It was the best day of our lives and it was nothing as we expected – It was even better!

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Photography: May Carlson Fine Art Photography | Floral Design: Something Borrowed Blooms | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Bird Bakery | Invitations: Minted | Engagement Ring: Addison Taylor Fine Jewelry | Rings: Diamonds Direct | Hair and Makeup: Bride | Officiant: Greg Gasaway | Cookies: Timeless creations by Julie | Location: Private Residence | Private Residence: NA

This Positano dream wedding all started when the bride-to-be woke her fiance up at 3:00 AM after having a dream they got married in Italy, so…they made it happen! Amalfi Soirée planned their perfect, intimate day with a bohemian and romantic feel photographed by Sergio Sorrentino and Yana Schicht. Taking place at Hotel Marincanto, the couple said ‘I Do’ and celebrated with their closest surrounded by colorful blooms by Rosalinda Flowers and breathtaking views! Check it out below!

From Amalfi Soirée…Makenna and Cody, the sweet couple of this event, traveled for 9000 km, from Arizona to Positano, in the Amalfi Coast, in order to celebrate their union in the place that the bride had – literally – dreamed of.

The two met when Makenna was in her last year of college, as her parents decided to sell their house. “Cody is in real estate and it was he who negotiated the deal. After the contract was signed, he impressed my parents enough to get a first date with their daughter! Needless to say, he sold the home and got the daughter with it!” Makenna told.

At the time the two lovers lived in two different states, but this didn’t keep them apart.  “Cody was selling a home in Sedona, Arizona, and flew me out to visit him. That night, he surprised me with dinner reservations at a beautiful resort in the mountains. I wasn’t expecting a proposal because we hadn’t been dating very long. But when you know, you know. He brought me aside and asked me to marry him. It was the easiest “YES!” I had ever said. The rest is history!”

“After a little over a year of being engaged, I had a dream one night that we got married in Italy. I got so excited at the thought that I woke Cody up at 3 am to tell him about the idea of having an intimate wedding in Italy! He loved the idea as well, and we turned that dream into reality in less than 4 months.”

The wedding inspiration came from the bridal dress, a delightful mermaid gown from Rue De Seine Bridal embellished with delicate French lace alternating with guipure lace, with a romantic off-shoulder neckline, perfectly matched with the accessories designed by Lindsay Marie Design. A floral crown made by the bride completed the look. The groom wore an elegant suit and classic Italian-style moccasins.

On their wedding day, Sergio Sorrentino joined them with his film camera to capture the joyful moments of the celebration, in the picturesque setting of the Hotel Marincanto.

The effortless bohemian beauty of the wedding theme has been translated by Rosalinda Flowers Wedding Lab into sumptuous compositions of dahlias, roses, and carnations enriched with Pyracantha Navaho berries, pink astilbe, and dried flowers.

While the sun was setting over the pastel-colored town accompanied by the sweet melodies played by Sorrento Live Music, Cody and Makenna exchanged their vows, in the presence of their respective families and their little son, causing many happy tears.

“The experience of getting married in a country where we had never been before and traveling with a 17-month-old baby made us a bit anxious, but our parents were very helpful. They even took the baby for 5 days so Cody and I could have a romantic honeymoon on the Amalfi coast. It was a trip of a lifetime, and one that we will never forget.”

After the emotional symbolic ceremony, the bridal party moved at the private sea-view terrace, where Monica from Amalfi Soirée had set up an inviting table full of unique details. Good Italian food was served in an unforgettable candlelight dinner under the stars while Dean
Martin’s recorded voice was spreading in the air, running on the waves below until it became a whisper on the horizon.

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Photography: Sergio Sorrentino | Event Planning: Amalfi Soirée | Floral Design: Rosalinda Flowers | Wedding Dress: Rue De Seine | Ceremony Venue: Hote Marincanto | Accessories: Lindsay Marie Design | Film Lab: Malvarrosa film lab | Music: Sorrento Live Music | Second Photographer: Yana Schicht

Chances are, you’ve seen this picturesque venue once or twice before – you know, that stunning white barn surrounded by rolling hills of vineyards that looks straight out of a movie set. Yup, that’s Hammersky Vineyards! Today’s editorial from Ribbon & Leaf drew inspiration from this gorgeous property for their pop-the-bubbly themed soirée. From the most fun balloon installation to romantic blooms by Sweet Memories, there’s just so much to love. Check out the full gallery for more inspo – all taken by Ellie Koleen Photography!

From Ellie Koleen Photography… There are certain feelings you get with a bottle of bubbly. You know that sound it makes when the cork pops off? Romantic, luxurious and a bit of fun. Usually when a bottle of bubbly is opened, it means a celebration of some kind.

We are celebrating love, even in the most uncertain of times. There’s nothing that says celebration more than a wedding and what better place to get married than the beautiful rolling hills and secluded magic of HammerSky Vineyard. With the glow of their barn, unparalleled views and sparkling rosé wine, we couldn’t help by draw inspiration of love and celebration from here. 

Celebrating the release of there new sparkling rosé, We chose to let the location and love of our couple shine, with a simplistic ceremony overlooking the vineyard and the glow of the setting sun. Bubbly, when you go to take a sip, it has texture that leaves a little bit of fun on your lips. The venue’s white barn was the perfect backdrop for our installation of “bubbles”. For the florals, an abundance of flowers is the centerpiece of a romantic table. With a mixture of textures in warm, feminine hues and garden roses, we wanted to highlight the feeling of happiness and beauty.

Those feelings of romance and luxury flowed into every detail of this tablescape. Our design included patterned but neutral linens and dishes, a mix of vintage glassware, vintage gold flatware and was finished with the luxury of velvet napkins and individual personalized menus and place cards. Luxury and romance didn’t stop at the tablescape. We wanted to highlight all of these features in the bride’s dress, stationery, welcome drinks and cake. It started with hand torn paper, adorned it with free flowing gold script calligraphy and florals for the main invitation and personalized scrolls for each glass. The stunning two-tiered cake, which included delicate, hand painted leaves, stood as a focal point of it’s own, while also complimenting the 3D floral details of our bride’s dress. Every element adds to that feeling of luxury, romance and fun. Pop, fizz, clink. Cheers!

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Photography: Ellie Koleen | Event Planning: Ribbon & Leaf Events | Floral Design: Sweet Memories | Wedding Dress: Revelry | Cake: Autumn Cake Design | Invitations: The AYLA View | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Makeup: Makeup By Dara | Hair: Bridal Buns | Venue: HammerSky Vineyards | Balloon Design : Collective Creative | Film Lab: PhotoVision Prints | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: All About Events | Styling Mat: JRD Artshop

We blinked and SUDDENLY the holidays are around the corner! While 2020 seemed to draaaaag on (and on, and on and on….) the holiday season came at us in full force. There are many, many ways to start preparations for the holiday season, but one that frequently gets overlooked until the last minute is setting aside time for your family holiday photos!

Whether you’re prepping for fall mini-sessions or finding the perfect matching plaid for this year’s Christmas cards here are four things to keep in mind!

Setting

Sometimes your photographer offer specific locations, sometimes it’s totally up to you! That can seem overwhelming, but don’t overthink it! Often times the best place to take family photos is right in your own home. That can mean taking photos in the living room, in front of your door or even huddled up in the backyard!

To make the most of your home, try adding in some cozy corners and seasonal decor that helps to make your holiday photos extra special.

Color coordination

Many times this is not thought of until AFTER photos have been taken (hindsight being 20/20 and all) but being intentional about your family’s outfit choices can have some major impact on the final result of the photo. It almost goes without saying that neutrals are never wrong, but this is especially important to take into consideration when planning for Christmas cards.

While it may be SUPER tempting to dress the family up in matching tartan or in bright red sweaters, keep in mind when choosing your holiday cards themselves that clashing reds or greens can seriously limit your card design selections. So to prevent retrospective decisions making, we can’t recommend neutrals enough. And, bonus! They’re ultra-flattering!

Timing for family AND Lighting

Choosing a time slot for your photos is another make or break moment that doesn’t seem important at the time, but can have some serious impacts on the way the photos turn out. Firstly, try to aim for the “golden hour” as closely as possible. Your photographer should be able to help steer you in the right direction here, but it’s helpful to ask just the same! It lets them know you want that glowy look.

But equally as important as lighting is your family’s attitude during photos. If you’ve got littles, sometimes golden hour happens *after* bedtime, so while glowy may be the goal — smiling children might be more important :) The best window to shoot for is after a nap and well before a mealtime.

Bribes

This applies to both children and furry children — bringing smile-inducing and behavior enhancing knick-knacks can totally change the game for getting them to sit still, and sit still *happily.* Sometimes that’s a favorite toy, sometimes that’s having a favorite song handy and ready to play out loud (you’d be shocked at what a good round or two of “Baby Shark” can do for candid giggly photos) and sometimes that means keeping snacks handy just in case hunger strikes.

Taking the time in advance to pack a bag of “happy goodies” can uplift the entire mood of the photoshoot and make it fun for you AND your kids.

At the end of the day show up, smile, and trust your photographer to work their magic. After all, they’re the professionals and they can turn what felt like a total failure and turn it into pure magic.

This dreamy outdoor gathering is all things bright and wonderful! This gal gang got together to celebrate outdoors in the most inspiring way featuring all things lemon and beautiful! Take a look and take notes — this is a party you’re going to want to remember!

With things looking different in 2020 we wanted to keep this party small and close. We chose a lemon theme and loved how the pop of yellow looks through-out the party. The party was held at Marnie, owner of Sweet Salvage Rentals, beautiful home in Santa Ana, CA. We started the night with a little Proseco from Bubbles & Brews and the yummiest lemon focaccia bread from Graes Provisions. Ellen of The Pop Shop decked out Bubbles & Brews adorable vintage mobile cart with balloons, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything cuter! The gorgeous lounge set up by Marnie herself was perfect for all of us to gather around.

It was so nice to sip and nosh with the ladies and chat about our summer. We are all vendors in the event industry so it’s been a tumultuous year, to say the least. Having each other’s support has helped us get through this difficult time. After the appetizers, we moved on to dinner! The table was set with tabletop from Cherished Rentals and the prettiest flower arrangements from Third & Park. The first course was fresh bread and individual grazing boards by Graes Provisions. We were very conscious to keep things socially safe by individually plating each course.

The fun signage and details on the table were made by the talented Malisa, owner of Creative Amme. I always love how she thinks outside the box, this time doing cute custom keychains for each guest as a place card. Next, we dined al fresco with a delicious meal from Colette’s Catering. As the sun set we poured wine, laughed together and ate all the yumminess!! Our bellies were full, but our hearts were fuller. The night ended with the most scrumptious lemon tart. I think it was everyone’s favorite! It was a beautiful night to celebrate each other and toast to better things to come!

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https://carriemcguire. Client-gallery. Com/gallery/lemon-editorial

Photography: Carrie McGuire Photography | Event Design: Beijos Events | Floral Design: Third and Park | Invitations: Proper Letter | Catering: Colette’s Catering & Events | Balloons: The Pop Shop | Foccacia Bread & Grazing Boards: Graes Provisions | Rentals: Marnie Schnabel - Sweet Salvage Rentals | Signage & Details: Creative Amme | Styling Mats: Chasing Stone | Tabletop: Cherished Rentals | Vintage Mobile Bar: Bubbles & Brews - Austin | Wine: Akash Winery

Today we bring you an absolutely stunning shoot by Hannah Forsberg which showcases bridal portraits which have more meaning than you can imagine. For this beautiful bride, wearing her natural hair hadn’t happened for years after chemicals changed the way her hair grew. With a brave face, and a bouquet in hand by Shean Strong the bride twirled in her Tatyana Merenyuk dress at The Sentimentalist bridal shop….and boy, are we in love!

From Hannah Forsberg…These photos are near and dear to my heart because the meaning behind them is so deep. We photographed our sweet bride, Hannah at The Sentimentalist, a bridal shop in Atlanta, to photograph her bridal portraits. Hannah was styled by Icon Stylist and wore Tatyana Merenyuk from The Sentimentalist. Hannah’s bouquet was created by the amazing Shean Strong with makeup artistry by Margaret Snider.

Hannah’s story is so beautiful, and she wanted to showcase her natural beauty for her portraits. This was the first time in years in which Hannah wore her natural hair, and my goodness, isn’t she radiant? Hannah shared with us that prior to this photoshoot, she had worn wigs after chemicals had forever changed the way that her hair grew. It took so much bravery for Hannah to come to this day, and I feel grateful to be trusted to document Hannah in this way. I hope you love these photos as much as I do!

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Photography: Hannah Forsberg | Gown: The Sentimentalist | Stationery: Kate Turner Studio | Makeup: Margaret Snider | Floral: Shean Strong Design | The Sentimentalist: The Sentimentalist

The change of weather outside is the perfect queue to add some fresh elements to your home to reflect the season. Now that we’re spending more time in our homes than ever before, it’s even more fun to change things up every once in a while!

Fall decor is rooted in a sense of peace, cozy-ness, warm textures and delicious scents. Adding even just a few new seasonal elements to your home can help it take on life and get you excited for the season ahead. These four elements are a simple way to fully embrace what the season has to offer!

Cozy Knits 

It makes sense that when the temps drop you practically ACHE for cozy knits, chunky textures, and soft surfaces. Adding a few throw pillows here and there with some soft blankets bring in that cozy feeling we were talking about earlier in the simplest of ways.

Mood Lighting

The days are starting to shorten again and that means there’s more time spent in ~mood~ lighting. We’re talking candles, lamps, and dimmed lights. Setting the scene for the season, in this case, means stocking up on all things give your home that flickered glow — bonus points if those candles smell good, too!

The Tablescape

There’s no better place to celebrate a seasonal holiday than at the dinner table, so make it festive! There are so many ways to add just a touch of seasonality to your table to make it seasonally appropriate. From salt shakers to gravy boats, there’s no shortage of festive fall options!

The Fun Knick-Knacks, Duh!

We’re talking aaaalllll the cute fall quotes, figurines, and decorative items that add that final touch to your home and make it feel more put-together. Collecting seasonally fun knick-knacks is a fun way to herald in the new season each year, and unpacking them the next year is the best part!

But at the end of the day, no matter what you do, make sure a steaming hot cup of apple cider is involved — you won’t regret it!

Think you can’t pull off the garden wedding vibe at your desert venue? Think again, and allow today’s styled shoot from Imoni Events to inspire! Their soft, romantic color palette complete with a mix of pinks, white, greenery, and gold is a feminine bride’s dream. A lush arbor and enchanting floral chandeliers by Carte Blanche Design truly brought the garden meets desert vision to life. Head on over to the full gallery to see it all, captured by Jacqui Cole Photography!

From the planners at Imoni Events… This styled shoot at the iconic El Chorro Lodge, nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain, will forever be a favorite. 

I really wanted to bring the garden to the Arizona desert. We used a mix of pinks, white, greenery, and gold. We wanted to keep everything soft, romantic, and girly. 

For the ceremony, we lined the aisle with lush arches full of greenery and florals. We wanted this to feel like a fairytale and give the bride a wow moment as she walked down the aisle. 

For the dinner, Carte Blanche Design created a custom wooden structure dripping with greens and floral chandeliers over all the dining tables to create an intimate elegant dinner setting.

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Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Event Planning: Imoni Events | Floral Design: Carte Blanche Design | Cake: A Bake Shop | Ceremony Venue: El Chorro | Make up : Makeup Therapy | Hair: Pin and Primp | Groom's Attire: American Commodore | Bride's Accessories: Lindsay Marie Bridal | Bride's Gown: Schaffers Bridal | Ceremony Chairs: Glamour And Woods | Chair and Lounge Furniture: Prim Rentals | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Victoria York Design | Rentals: Rental Company | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Video: Love Story Films

Your wedding day is finally here, your favorite people are surrounding you, your dream vendor team is capturing all the incredible details and moments you have invested in.  Finally, it is time for that long-anticipated moment of your first kiss as married, swoon!  I know you want those dreamy, perfect shots for this moment, and I’m sharing my favorite tips from a photographer’s perspective on how to nail it (and make your photographer love you forever!)

Practice Ahead of Time

This is definitely a moment you will want to practice ahead of time. Why? Well, this is your iconic moment. You have to decide as a couple how you want to seal this. Do you want quick and polite, traditional, very dramatic? There are actual levels to this. However, the most important thing is you do not want any awkwardness like open eyes, teeth/head bump, or worse, a little too aggressive and you knock over that gorgeous altar arrangement you paid for! 

Hold it for Three Seconds 

No matter what type of kiss you decide to go for, the one thing you want to make sure you do is hold this kiss for at least three seconds, preferably five! Why? Because your photographer and videographer will have plenty of time to capture and frame the perfect shot.  If you do not hold your kiss long enough, or it is a quick peck, you risk not having the shot captured perfectly, and how sad would that be?! 

Go Over the Game Plan with the Officiant

Make sure at your rehearsal to practice your first kiss and get your officiant in on it as well.  You will  want your officiant to step out of the frame for that shot, so it’s a good one to practice.  Most professional officiants know to move, but if you are using a friend or family member, it is a good idea to mention it to them multiple times before the day-of! Most officiant’s will step to the left or right so there is a clear shot of the aisle.  Once they move, then you will want to go in for the kiss, and boom, you have a clear, open shot of it to remember! 

Kiss and Dip

My favorite first kisses start with a traditional kiss, and slowly evolves into a little bit of a dip! Then you get two different looks for your first kiss and it’s so romantic! In order for this to work best, you will need to have a space that is open enough to do this, and not too much of a logistical issue with your outfits. 

The Mid-Aisle Kiss

As you come back up the aisle with all of the cheers and clapping of your family and friends, do a mid-aisle kiss for another perfect shot! Your guests will give you a huge cheer, and it is a great way to cap off the end of your ceremony.  If you want to do a mid-aisle kiss, make sure to mention this to your photography and videography team so they can get set in the perfect locations. 

No matter what, the first kiss is a moment to remember, and it will be perfect regardless of the logistics, as celebrating love is always perfect in style! 

Photography: Sacia Matthews Photography

Today’s wedding is a very, very special one. It embodies everything a wedding and a marriage should truly be about – love, joy, and family. You’ll obsess over all the little details from their romantic summer day planned by Slauer Events & Design but you’ll happy cry when you see the handsome groom recite his vows to his blushing bride’s two children (which he adopted on their wedding day.) To grow your heart by two sizes in two seconds, head on over to the full gallery – all taken by Hannah Forsberg!

From Rachel, the Planner & Designer… This couple’s story began years after bride Scarlett first husband, the father of her two children, had passed away. When she met Caleb she knew he was not only a wonderful partner, but would also be an amazing father. On the day they eloped, Caleb adopted Scarlett’s children, making vows during the ceremony to them. Caleb and Scarlett became husband and wife, but even more importantly the four of them became a forever family. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house! Scarlett had envisioned a soft, romantic, and approachable design for their summer celebration.

She wore a blush Alexandra Grecco gown that was especially beautiful in front of their custom made arch backdrop. The paper goods were delicate and clean. The cocktails were handcrafted one by one. To balance the elegant outdoor affair with a more fun and casual element, they brought in their favorite brunch restaurant, Sun in My Belly, local to Atlanta, to cater a picnic lunch. It was a day of joy and togetherness – exactly what marriage and family should be about! The wedding was even more special because Hannah, the photographer, had been adopted from China as a child. This family touched her heart, and it was reflected in the beautiful images she captured of the family. We loved that this shoot highlighted a very important aspect of marriage – family and the home that is created when two people commit their lives to one another!

From Hannah Forsberg… I was born in China and left without a birthdate, name, and ultimately family. I think that’s what inspired me to become a photographer; because I know how important it is to have our stories and loved ones documented. The story of adoption is truly so beautiful, because it’s ultimately being welcomed and loved unconditionally, and especially as a child, knowing that you have someone who calls you their own and being willing to love you despite not being your biological family is incredibly powerful and teaches you a lot about what love truly means. Photographing this day was near and dear to my heart and reminded me of the unconditional love that not only husband and wife have for one another on their wedding day, but the sacrifice and love that any adoptee and adoptive parent needs to have for one another. I feel grateful that I had the opportunity to share this story!

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Photography: Hannah Forsberg | Event Design: Slauer Events & Design | Floral Design: Stylish Stems | Wedding Dress: Alexandra Grecco | Catering: Sun In My Belly | Makeup: Megan Quintana Artistry | Hair: Chelsie Rodden Hair | Cocktails: Lyghthouse Cocktails | Gown Shop: Kelly's Closet | Private Residence: Brumby Hall

Judging by the title, you already know this is going to be good. Today’s darling duo celebrated their love all over again at the iconic Swan House & Gardens, a favorite of ours here at SMP. From a blooming infinity arbor by Ten Point Floral Design that’s about to blow up on Pinterest to a moody Autumn palette that will make you swoon… if you’re thinking this could be a styled shoot it’s so good, then you’re so right. Due to COVID-19, this wedding planner bride turned an upcoming editorial she had already planned into her vow renewal – talk about a girl after our own heart. Check out the full gallery right here, all taken by Nicole Flores Photography!

Atlanta wedding planner, Victoria Miller of LUXE Atlanta Events, and her husband recently renewed their vows at the historic Swan House & Gardens, an iconic mansion in the heart of Atlanta. From dreamy florals, including a lush infinity arbor overflowing with greenery to a live artist who captured the vow renewal ceremony on canvas.

If you ever wondered what a wedding planner would dream up for their own celebration, you can see the entire gallery of images below! Victoria and Tyler had initially been planning to renew their vows this September on their actual anniversary. Due to uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, they decided to move their date up and converted an editorial photoshoot Victoria already had designed into the couple’s vow renewal ceremony.

From the Bride… Although we originally had planned to have 40 guests attend our vow renewal this September, the most important thing to my husband and I was that we got to renew our vows this year. We opted to have only a few of our very closest family members celebrate with us for everyone’s safety. We are so happy that we were able to renew our vows this year without having to put it off because of COVID like many other couples have had to do. 

My best advice for couples facing having to alter their wedding plans due to Coronavirus is to prioritize what is most important to you and your fiance while considering what is in the best interest of your guests. That may look like having a more intimate ceremony than you originally planned. You can always plan a celebration for a later date when all of your friends and family can attend safely. We were still able to have our special day with people who surrounded us with love and support. Looking back, we wouldn’t change a single thing!

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Floral Design: Ten Point Floral Design | Cake: cake envy | Venue: http://www.aAtlanta History Center: Swan House & Grand Overlook Ballroomtlantahistorycenter.com/ | Bridal Gown: BHLDN | Hair Pins: Olive + Piper | Hair/Makeup: Make Me Up | Invitation Suite: One Creative Factory | Linens: I Do Linens | Live Wedding Painter: Dianne McAlexander | Planning: Luxe Atlanta Events | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Tableware Rentals: The Prissy Plate Company | Wedding Submission Services: Published Pretty

Before you pay for plane tickets for the ultimate destination honeymoon, you need to check out this couple’s ‘staycation’ honeymoon captured by Kristin La Voie Photography! For these two who have experienced their fair share of traveling and a partial long-distance relationship, home sounded like the perfect honeymoon for them. Lauren Field Design helped create a simple, relaxing, and romantic getaway for the couple and let their love steal the show. Check it out below and be sure to read the details of their heartwarming love story!

From Riley and Jack…Jack and I started dating 10 years ago in Charlottesville, Virginia. 6 weeks into our relationship, he’d spend 3 months in South Africa for a humanitarian project. We would speak once over the course of that summer. When he returned, it was as if we had never met. Another year together before Jack would visit South Africa again, me off to Brazil. This time we’d email incessantly, hearts aching. A few more months together before Jack would graduate and move to Nashville where he’d pursue his masters at Vanderbilt while working at their psychiatric hospital. For 2 years, every month and sometimes twice, I’d drive 18 hours to fall into his arms and revel in 48 hours together. I’d watch him grow into a strong, spirited man.

He’d support me as I navigated self-discovery. I would receive my degree and, to save something rare, I’d move to Nashville. 4 years, 3 cities and 2 countries later, on a rock in the middle of the ocean, he’d ask me to marry him. I know that the ring I wear on my finger is not materialistic nor trite. It is symbolic of something intangible, even ethereal. It stands for adventure, devotion, patience; elusive elements of any 2 humans’ bond. I look at my hand, I look at his face, I think of our 9 years together and I am amazed by our love. I think it couldn’t be real. It couldn’t be mine. But no. It is real. It is true. It is ours.

From Lauren Field Design…We were privileged to work with Riley and Jack and to tell their honeymoon story in the Hill Country of Austin. Although both of them are well-traveled, their staycation was relaxing, simple, and fun. We wanted to capture the beauty of their authentic connection in a leisurely way as they spent time together around the property.

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Photography: Kristin La Voie Photography | Styling: Lauren Field Design | Bride: Riley Blanks | Lodging: Camp Lucy | Men's Clothing: House Of St Clair | Pajamas: BHLDN | Restaurant: Tillies | Women's Clothing: Miranda Bennett

Two days, two breathtaking ceremonies, hundreds of fleurs by Bloom Babes, and countless steal-worthy details brought to you by today’s epic Indian and American wedding. Trust us, when you see how gorgeous their colorful fêtes turned out, it will come as no surprise to learn the bride is a wedding planner herself! To see the many special ways this adorable duo honored their individual cultures throughout the weekend, don’t miss out on the full gallery – all captured by the always fabulous, Sposto Photography!

From Sposto Photography… Lindsay and Sid’s gorgeous wedding was the most colorful, joyful celebration. 

With 2 days of excitement, this Indian/American wedding weekend blew our socks off with the most beautiful ceremonies anyone could ask for. 

One ceremony on the upper lawn and one on the lower, the 2-day event honored traditional Indian traditions as well as traditional western traditions. I’m so grateful to have been able to document both incredible days. 

The bride, an event planner herself, did an incredible job designing and organizing her own wedding and the Gals over at JLM Event Co. Brought all the magic to life. 

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Photography: Sposto Photography | Coordination: Jenna Mesic | Florals: Bloom Babes | Cake: SusieCakes | DJ: Vox DJs | Ceremony and Reception: The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Linen: BBJ La Tavola

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Sposto Photography

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If you’re planning on tying the knot in California, Ebell Long Beach needs to be on your list of venues as a must-see! A timeless space with a touch of modern detail, it was the perfect place for this bride and groom to start their lives together! Pop the Champagne Events planned a classic and elegant day full of beautiful details like the mix of dark chairs with soft colored table settings and romantic blooms by Mitsuko Floral. Check it out below to see the stunning images by Sposto Photography and be sure not to miss the couple’s adorable pooch who made a guest appearance!

From Sposto Photography…Ashanti and Irving’s wedding was nothing short of spectacular! A blending of families and cultures topped off with elegant decor and florals that were TO DIE FOR mixing pale pinks and dark maroons for the perfect arrangements!

Everything about their big day exploded with joy and elegance. From Ashanti’s gorgeous lace cuffed gown (another TO DIE FOR moment) to their stunning cut glass tabletop decor, this wedding was timeless, romantic, and memorable.

The Ebell Long Beach was the perfect mix of timeless and modern to bring their day to life and the details by Pop the Champagne Events were perfectly done!

Another favorite moment was the couple’s adorable dog who was quite photogenic posing for photo after photo! The night ended with endless dancing and celebrating was picture perfect! 

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Photography: Sposto Photography | Coordination: Pop The Champagne Events | Cake: Sweet & Saucy Shop | Catering: Tres L.A. Catering | Hair and Makeup: Vanity Belle | Ceremony + Reception: Ebell Long Beach | DJ + Photo Booth: GC Masterpiece | Floral : Mitsuko Floral | Rentals: MTB Event Rentals

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Sposto Photography

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Today’s gorgeous couple (no, seriously… these two are a dream) tied the knot in a timeless Puglia wedding surrounded by olive trees and trulli at Masseria Grieco. The bride absolutely took our breath away in her three stunning gowns, one for the ceremony, one for dinner and one to dance the night away. Guests dined in the courtyard under a canopy of string lights at a banquet table designed and decorated to perfection by Impression Villas Weddings with floral from Rollo Fiori. Head on over to the full gallery for the all details, captured by Nastia Vesna & Maksim Gladky!

From Impression Villas Weddings… There is so much charm to be found in the changing of seasons in Puglia, southern Italy, when the weather is not as hot as in mid-summer and all the greenery is still lush and flamboyant. When Amaline and Adrian began dreaming up their special day, they knew they wished to showcase what the beautiful region of Puglia had to offer: natural pastel colors, greenery, delicious food and wine.

The sophistication of the day was exuded through the three wedding dresses that Amaline, a couture wedding dress designer from Australia, created on her own and showcased throughout the day: at the intimate wedding ceremony, at dinner and at the afterparty. The main wedding day palette was olive green and pastel tones, and Amaline chose a minimalist bridal bouquet made of only olive tree branches and tied with a rustic ribbon.

The reception table was decorated with a greenery garland with rare pastel colored blooms for a romantic look, as well as the DIY stationery and limoncello give-aways to create a romantic combination between the two looks. The bride and groom’s chairs were decorated with the wreaths made of the olive tree branches.

A few words about the three wedding dresses:
– The ceremony gown had to be timeless with a point of difference. Handmade, layered flowers adorned the gown from top to train.
– Something softer and lighter was worn for dinner with textured beading and embroidery on a silk satin chiffon. A thigh-high split and another epic train.
– The final “party” gown was a hand-knotted French lace with a plunging neckline, pearl clusters and beaded tassels. 

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Photography: Nastia Vesna&Maksim Gladky | Videography: Urania Wedding Films | Floral Design: Rollo Fiori | Wedding Dress: Amaline Vitale | Reception Venue: Masseria Grieco | Wedding Shoes: Marco De Vincenzo | Catering: Rotondo Catering | DJ: Alex Sisto | Wedding Venue: Masseria Grieco | Bride's PJs: Peter Alexander | Groom’s Shoes: Aquilla | Groom’s Suit: MJ Bale | Live Band: The Hoppers | Wedding Earrings & Veil: Amaline Vitale | Wedding Planner & Officiant: Impression Villas & Weddings

Truth be told, sadly not too many of the decor options you’ll use at your wedding will [realistically] be used again… Things that say anything about ‘cocktail hour’ or ‘Mr. & Mrs,’ anything that specifically references your wedding date, unless it’s used solely for sentimental purposes, it’s hard to find a place that makes sense for displaying the memories. And we’re all for reminiscing, because who hasn’t spent a few hours or more a week looking at old wedding photos and remembering that best day ever; but when a wedding is already a huge financial commitment, it’s nice to be able to say that some of the finishing touches for your fete can be used as future furnishings. 

Evergreen wedding signage is one of those things that [if curated strategically] can be versatile enough to show up and show off in a setting somewhere down the line: like your newlywed home! As you start and continue to build your life and legacy together, what better way to start “putting down roots” than putting relics of your relationship up on the walls for your friends and family to see forever? Your wedding date is the stamp that will anchor the ‘when’ in all of your “Smith Family Est” decor, so you can absolutely start early with wedding signage that won’t go stale. In fact, it’ll keep the memory of your wedding day alive and become even more meaningful with events you plan for years to come. 

Our Style Me Pretty Collection of details and decor infuses your marital mood with unabashed style, while putting a smile on all of your guests’ faces. Small touches and timely signs for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception are often precisely what make guests feel welcome, and can take your wedding from basic to beyond. So, you can feel all the more comfortable and confident getting things that will shine on your special day and then continue sparking joy in your hereafter. Get shopping now!!

Photo by Ashley Baumgartner

Welcome them to your vows with something v. inspiring.

Whether they care to admit it or not, guests catch feelings on wedding days, and you can help them embrace that “loving feeling” if you’re setting the stage with all the right allusions to affection. It’s wonderful when couples have members of their bridal party greeting guests as they disperse into the ceremony space, but it’s also a sweet touch to display signage with appropriately wedding-worthy sayings or quotes. Something like this “It Was Always You” wood sign is just the right thing to elicit all the “awwwws” from your attending guests.

‘It Was Always You’ Wood Sign

Keep them engaged throughout the evening.

And as the weather gets cooler, there’s something so warm and toasty about a “Welcome to Our Forever” welcome sign, stain-finished and white screen-printed with a whimsy wreath and calligraphed invitation to join in celebrating your next big chapter. We love a rustic look like this as a mixed media application – with other simply-scripted signs (in wood or acrylic) scattered throughout the room displaying similar love-connoted quotes or marking important must-sees like cocktails or guest records.


‘Welcome To Our Forever’ Wood Sign

‘And Then I Met You’ Wood Sign

Bring the magic back home and mount it where it counts.

Like we said before, even the most beautiful things for your wedding usually get packed up and stowed away as keepsakes – but evergreen signage that isn’t strictly “wedding” as much as it’s about love has a lot more runway IRL. Hanging horizontally above your bed or making lasting impressions on your mantleplace, wherever you choose to have these signs starring in their second act, will be super sweet. Shop our signage on site right now! 

Let’s face it, there has never been a crazier time to plan a wedding! Going bridesmaid dress shopping may seem next to impossible, but don’t worry–we’ve got good news! Dear Cleo, the new Seattle-based bridesmaid dress company just launched in January of 2020; their mission–deliver a seamless dress shopping experience for you and your bridesmaids and save the environment in the process offering dresses made with recycled yarns.

How? You might ask. Dear Cleo’s super user-friendly website makes it easy for brides and bridesmaids to organize the dress options that they would like to share with their bridal party. With 50 different style options available in sizes 2-32, there is a perfect dress for everyone! And guess what, more than half of the styles have pockets–that’s right ladies, POCKETS!

If you’ve ever been a bridesmaid before, you know that with flights and hotels, dress shopping trips can add up to a small fortune. With Dear Cleo, brides simply select the style and color(s) that they like and add the options to their virtual showroom. Bridesmaids are invited by e-mail to view the selections and for only $10 per dress try-on, they can request to have up to six dresses delivered straight to their door.

Need a little help making your selection? Their team of expert stylists can work with you directly to curate the perfect collection of dresses, making sure there is something for everyone in your bridal party. Couples and bridesmaids can also order swatches to make sure that the colors coordinate perfectly with the rest of the wedding. With 39 colors to choose from, (yep–39!!) you’re sure to find something you love!

Not only are they keeping you and your bridesmaids safe by offering their try-at-home program, but they are saving the environment one bridesmaid dress at a time. Each and every one of their dresses is made-to-order with fabric created from recycled yarns. That means the dresses aren’t mass-produced and sitting in a warehouse somewhere waiting to be ordered. They are each made specially for you in the exact style, color, and size you need, reducing industry waste and giving you a perfect product in the process!

We know what you’re thinking, made-to-order sounds like it might cost a pretty penny–nope! Every dress, no matter the style, size, or color is just $119! Forget the hassle of in-store pick-ups, in about 6-8 weeks, your bridesmaids will receive their dress in the mail. Oh, and did we mention that shipping for Swatches and Try On Dresses is free?! I don’t know about you, but for us, it’s a no-brainer!

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For today’s Indian American wedding, the couple beautifully fused together their two cultures with a minimal farmhouse style wedding mixing in traditional Indian garb, but not with your typical brightly colored sari’s. Bride and groom tied the knot at The Farmhouse in a small Texas town with their closest friends and family, which led to an emotional day from the first look to their ‘I Do’s!’ Paige Vaughn Photo captured all the magic including the perfectly planned details by Unveiled Bliss and a stunning floral chandelier by Monica’s Brides. Take a peek below to see all of the love and all of the emotions!

From Paige Vaughn Photo…Caroline, originally from India, and Kyle, originally from the northeast, fused together their two cultures to have an epic Indian-American wedding just outside of Houston, Texas- one that combines the best of modern minimalism and farmhouse style with chic Indian traditions. 

For the year leading up to the wedding, Caroline and Kyle fought tirelessly to bring Caroline’s parents and brother to the U.S. but were faced with endless roadblocks because of American immigration policies. A few days before the wedding, the couple was overjoyed to find out they’d gotten a last-minute visa approved for the bride’s family.

With a planning process like that, it was no wonder why the day was so emotionally-charged.  Outside of the aesthetics of the wedding, my favorite moment was the heart-breakingly precious first look where Kyle broke down in tears.

The couple dressed in American wedding attire for their ceremony, while having the bridesmaids dress in traditional saris. During the reception, the vibe transformed as traditional Indian drummers and dancers paved the way for Caroline and Kyle to dance the night away in their Indian clothing (a stunning neural set – a juxtaposition to the typical bright Indian wedding clothing). The day was a perfect balance of elegance and fun – you’d never guess the party went down in a small Southern town.

As for how they met, Caroline and Kyle’s first date was in Houston, at a cozy restaurant and it entailed hours and hours of chatting and hitting it off. They liked each other so much that they decided to go for a run the very next morning – A RUN, I KNOW. If that isn’t a match made in heaven, I don’t know what is. Flash forward and these two decided to make it *official* on the banks of Lake Como in Italy.

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Photography: Paige Vaughn Photo | Floral Design: Monica's Brides & Touch Of Glitz Flowers | Cake: SusieCakes | Hair and Makeup: Butter Artistry | Calligraphy: Inscribed By Carley | Entertainment: J A Entertainment | Transportation: Western Motorcoach | Banner: Ettie Kim Calligraphy + Design | Flatware: Swift + Company | Planning: Unveiled Bliss | The Farmhouse: The Farmhouse