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

How to Make Your Big Guest List Still Feel Like an Intimate Wedding

Having 175+ or perhaps even 300+ guests? Worried it might not feel intimate but you don’t want to trim the list? I’ve got several solutions for you that will help make your big guest list still feel like an intimate wedding for you and your guests!

Strategic Venue Selection and Layouts

Seating 25+ tables all in one large ballroom or event space is going to feel massive. It’s a sea of tables everywhere you look. Instead, look for a venue that breaks up the space with columns or other architectural elements or bushes or landscape elements if outdoors.

Susan of Weddings by Susan Dunne says, “First start by designing your floor layout to feel cozy, you can do this by adding multiple sections of long tables to create an intimate feel. Also consider changing your plated dinner to family style dinner, this way your guests can pass the bread and create a warm and inviting family dinner. Lastly, have fun and think outside the box by curating something that truly represent you as a couple.”

Can’t find a venue that offers “space breakups” like I mentioned above? Create your own by renting hedges, lounges, or even cabanas that make you feel like you’re in multiple rooms. That will help “shrink” the space and make your large guest list seem much more intimate.

Callista of Callista and Company adds, “Well-designed layouts are a smart way to make a large guest list feel more intimate. Seat guests at a couple of very long tables instead of breaking everyone into smaller groups during dinner. Then encourage guests to mingle after dinner with an abundance of comfortable lounge furniture, dessert stations, and an interactive alternative to a traditional guest book.”

Cavin Elizabeth Photography

Maximize Face Time with Guests Over Several Days

Heather of LVL Weddings and Events says, “When you have a large number of guests, I suggest hosting a full wedding weekend! That way you can say hello to many of the guests at the welcome party the night before, enjoy the wedding and not worry about getting to speak to everyone and then mingle at brunch sharing stories of the incredible night before.”

She also offers an excellent tip for large weddings. “Remember moving a large number of guests from one area to the other can take a bit of time, as well as dinner service is longer so be sure to stretch out your reception timing to ensure a smooth flow and plenty of time for service, formalities and dancing!”

Cavin Elizabeth Photography

Give Each Guest a Personal Message

“Personalization is key when aiming to make a large guest list feel more intimate. Greet your guests with a handwritten note in their welcome gift. Incorporate time to talk to each guest at some point during your wedding weekend (pre and post events are key for accomplishing this), and consider leaving a thoughtful message on your guests’ dinner menus or escort cards. Then show your guests extra appreciation after you receive images from your photographer, by sending out curated selections of images of interest to them,” says Callista of Callista and Company.

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Weddings by Susan Dunne

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Whimsical Texas Garden Wedding Filled With Pops Of Color

This might just be the cutest wedding we’ve ever seen! We’re obsessed with all the bright colors that bring everything about this charming Texas wedding to life. Alexa Kay Events thoughtfully planned every detail, like the mixed array of china set on the most romantic tablescapes we’ve ever seen! The Lockharts perfectly captured the fun and love of the day in their incredible imagery. The whimsical garden theme is so bright and cheery that we can’t stop looking at this celebration over and over again. Step inside the full gallery to get a better look.

From Alexa Kay Events… Tori and Elliot are a fun-loving, laid back couple who have been together for just over 5 years. They wanted their wedding night to be a relaxed but fun, warm and welcoming celebration with loved ones. This is why they picked Clark Gardens. The entire vibe of the venue is whimsical, it even has a love story behind its beginning!

Alba Dahlia Floral did the floral and Tori could not have been happier with how it turned out! The Lockharts shot their wedding and you won’t believe what you are seeing. From the life-giving colors to the radiance of the fall setting,the images seem to jump off the page!

Having muted tones accented with a few bolder colors reflects so well in every setting of Tori and Elliot’s dream day. From the sparkling gold in the place settings to the pop of pink in the bride’s bouquet this whimsical garden wedding was a dream not only to plan but to watch and be a part of in every way.

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TheLockharts

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Mediterranean-Style Mansion Wedding With Breathtaking Ocean Views

Feast your eyes on this Malibu wedding with sweeping ocean views! Just one look at the bright and airy aesthetic and we guarantee you won’t be able to stop smiling. Leave it to Weddings By Susan Dunne to plan a celebration that’s equal parts thoughtful and romantic. Filled with details to ensure guest experience and personal touches unique to the couple like an escort cart display crafted with playing cards, this is one wedding that is not to be missed. The endlessly beautiful images were lovingly shot by Ether & Smith. Visit the full gallery for all of the California love.

From Ether & Smith… Ting & Danny flew in from NYC for their ocean view wedding at Bel-Air Bay Club, just off the infamous Pacific Coast Highway with endless views of the beach and Palm-tree covered cliffs. The day started with perfect weather, the marine layer disappearing and the sun shining through.

After a heartfelt ceremony, guests were escorted to the courtyard with a fireplace, bar, and inviting lounge area complete with shawls for each guest. Escort cards were displayed with play cards, and a custom card deck was the guests’ favors!

The ballroom had high ceilings and beams, a fireplace, long vintage farm tables mixed with chic round tables, and the prettiest glassware and lush white centerpieces! The entire affair was pure magic in Malibu.

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Weddings by Susan Dunne

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A Laid Back Tropical Wedding Complete With an Epic Watercolor Cake!

We don’t know about you, but we’re counting down the days until sandals, flowy dresses and warm sunshine are back in our daily routine. While we *impatiently* wait for brighter days ahead, this colorful, sun-soaked wedding at Kukua Beach Club planned by Claire Duran Weddings and Events is here to satisfy all our summer cravings. Don’t miss out on the full gallery captured by Asia Pimentel Photography for some major tropical wedding inspo.

From Claire Duran Weddings and Events… Mark and Lauren met through Lauren’s best friend, who had been dating a good friend of Mark. They were introduced at a July 4th party at The Hamptons and immediately got along really well. After that weekend, the rest was history! When I met them one of the things they told me about them is how they loved to travel to random new places together in search of the perfect sunsets. Romantic, I know!

Waiting for Summer to go to the beach with friends was their favorite part of the year. Needless to say, when it was time to decide where they would get married, Punta Cana, with its beaches and its sunsets, was everything they ever dreamed of. By the time that Lauren and Mark hired us, they had already put a deposit on a venue, called Kukua Beach Club. This was a venue I was familiarized with. As a result, when they told me that they were expecting around 150 guests, I hat to get my wheels turning right away, as this was a venue that capped around 90, when set in its traditional way.

But thanks to our wonderful production partners on the ground, instead of giving them the default reception under the restaurant palapa, we transformed the outer area, by fully covering the pool area with a custom floor and giving them an open and seaside reception, as it had never been done at that venue! People dined and dance all night long under bistro lights, touched by a Caribbean breeze and the most gorgeous water backdrop.

The wedding ended up having the perfect balance between Lauren and Mark’s style. For her, it was all about achieving something timeless, but without compromising a colorful palette. For him it was about finding a good mix between a tailored and sporty style. We tried to speak to all of that through the decor. But if I had to pick, one of my favorite elements of this day was the cake, and how Bake Artistry tried to take inspiration in Momental’s watercolor stationery detail and translate that into an edible masterpiece. Working with Lauren and Mark was the sweetest experience and we hope your readers find a lovely inspiration in their day!

A Storybook Korean Dohl Celebration

This sweet first birthday party combines traditional heritage with all things pretty! We can’t get enough of the personal details and color palette, and what a cool way to celebrate!

Charlotte’s 1st birthday party was just about as sweet as you can imagine. The celebration was a traditional Korean Dohl – the milestone celebration of a child’s first year of life.

The event included prayers for Charlotte and traditional Dohl elements including Korean rice cakes, gold jewelry and a Doljabi ceremony. The design for Charlotte’s Dohl started with her hanbok (the traditional Korean dress) that was brought back from Seoul by a family friend. Charlotte’s event designer mom used the colors of the hanbok as the jumping off point for the decor.

From the backdrop in the perfect shade of pale pink to the floral installations to the desserts, a color palette of pink, cream and touches of gold and green were carried throughout.

Charlotte spent most of her first year donning bows (hair will come later in her life) and with her favorite Cuddle and Kind doll so those two elements played another important role in the celebration. Naomi commissioned illustrations of Charlotte with her doll that graced the invites, signage and guest tables and bows made their way into the day on the cake, Charlotte’s party dress and the petit fors.

The celebration was rounded out with a fun guessing game of what Charlotte would choose during the Doljabi (a traditional Korean custom where it is believed that the object the child selects will represent the child’s future) and a showstopping 3-tiered birthday cake with bas-relief sugar flowers tied with Charlotte’s signature bow. The perfect day for a sweet girl to celebrate the rest of her life.

Vendors Instagrams:

Event Design and Planning:
@naomipak

Photography:
@bonniesenphotography

Florals:
@floralandbloom

Custom Illustrations and Signs:
@frmthebear

Calligraphy and Invitations:
@peachandpaperie

Cakes and Macarons:
@bttrcrmbakeshop

Cookies:
@paperlattes

Linens:
@latavolalinen

Custom Name Sign:
@letterstou

Modern Romantics Will Melt For This Wedding At The Parker Palm Springs

You’re about to fall head over heels for this dreamy aesthetic. Stained wood accents, micro-eucalyptus details, and white florals come together to create romantic minimalism at its finest artfully planned by After The Engagement. Parker Palm Springs was the perfect location for this couple to celebrate their love surrounded by fruit trees and herb gardens. Inspired by all things feminine and refined, Dani Toscano of Dear Lovers was there to capture all the sweet moments. Visit the full gallery to swoon over all the incredible imagery.

From Dear Lovers… It was such an honor to capture Kate and Dan’s modern al fresco wedding at Parker Palm Springs. It was full of fresh greenery, mid-century elements, and romantic minimalism.

Florals by The Lavender Rose featured an ensemble of modern florals, with pops of large white protea. After their outdoor ceremony, guests joined them at their garden reception, where the bride and groom were welcomed by a local mariachi band.

Planned by After the Engagement, the reception space came together beautifully for a night under the stars that guests won’t soon forget. The couple spent the evening with loved ones under twinkling lights and danced the night away to classic oldies played by VIPs Entertainment.

Looking for a Wedding Venue in Italy With Breathtaking Mediterranean Views? Look Right Here.

Bright pink peonies, a vintage getaway car, and views of Capri and the Mediterranean as far as the eyes can see – I mean, what more could a girl ask for, are we right?! Today’s wedding is filled with magic at every turn, planned by Capri Moments Event Design who made the couple’s dream of an intimate, relaxed yet glam wedding in Italy a reality. For all the details and unforgettable moments, from the first look to the last dance, head on over to the full gallery – captured by Peter and Veronika! P.S. you HAVE to read the adorable proposal story told by the bride below, it’s right out of a movie!

From Bride… After a few years of dating my now husband and I began fantasizing of our perfect wedding, and that’s where I first dropped the bomb – Italy. At the time, it seemed like a fantasy, but deep down I’ve always dreamt of a wedding in my beloved Italy. Since Nat is incredible, he replied, “I love that idea!” Maybe he was just going along with it for fun, I thought, but I loved him for it anyway. A few years later, on a perfect evening at home, with our dogs Hydie & Olivia on either side of me, he proposed. And what could possibly make the moment even better? Nat said “now we get to plan a wedding…in Italy!” I almost died of happiness.

After telling our family and friends that, yes, we really are getting married in Italy, the question we were most asked was “Italy?! Why?” Well, that’s a no-brainer. The huge, formal affair I dreamt of as a little girl was actually the opposite of what either of us wanted; a small wedding, with people we love, in a place that’s the most special to us. For Nat & I, that place is Capri. We vacationed there a year before getting engaged and knew instantly that the tiny, beautiful island was going to be a very special place for us.

The stunning colors, the warm & wonderful people, that magical blue water… Capri is truly like no other place on Earth. Nat & I envisioned an intimate and relaxed wedding, with effortless glamour, which is exactly Capri. With the ocean behind him, my cousin officiated; having someone we feel close to preform our ceremony was very special. Nat & I wrote our own vows that we’d not seen before the ceremony, which made is both laugh and cry. After we said “I do” and shared the best kiss of our lives, we walked back up the aisle to string musicians playing “Love Me Like You Do”, being showered in confetti that our guests made from a confetti table, to a champagne toast. The reception was adorned with bright flowers, lemons, cherries and endless white candles.

My family is Italian and we love to feed people, so the food was a big focus. Canapes, champagne and Aperol spritz to start, followed by three courses from Il Riccio’s Michelin star kitchen and desserts from their famed “Temptation Room”. It didn’t stop there; we danced the night away upstairs on the roof deck. That’s when we first saw the cake – good God the cake – the biggest most beautiful wedding cake, taller than me.

We asked our photographers and videographers to capture the real moments of laughter, tears, dancing, and kissing. Looking back at our photos and videos, it feels like we’re back in Capri on that perfect day. No wedding ever goes exactly to plan, but sometimes those are the good parts. Every part of our wedding was perfect – not because it was flawless, although it was to me, but because it was an absolute joy, and we would do it all over again exactly the same.

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How to to Play With Boho Details While Keeping Your Wedding Timeless in Style

Today’s gorgeous couple tied the knot on a mountaintop in one of our all-time favorite wedding destinations – Vail, Colorado! Snapdragon Celebrations knew exactly how to blend the bride’s love of boho details with elegant, traditional decor making for the most stunning results. Plum Sage Flowers brought the natural colors of their surroundings into every arrangement, with a fresh color scheme of white, green and pops of warm hues. See it all at the full gallery captured to perfection by Adriana Klas!

The Story:

From Lauren, the Bride… We met in Lake Tahoe by way of my cousin (they are friends from high school) who had invited Anthony up to stay for the weekend. Early in the morning, Anthony was sitting in the family room of our house playing with my nephew, George, when I woke up. I had never met him before, but he sure was handsome and it seemed my nephew had already given him a stamp of approval. We spent the weekend hanging out on and around the lake quickly realizing there something special between us. After we went our separate ways home, we stayed in touch by talking everyday which eventually led to us dating long distance from San Francisco to Denver. After a year, I moved to Denver to be together where we now live with our dog Dasher. During that summer is when we got engaged in the same place we met, Lake Tahoe and he asked me to marry him on the pier and there was simply only one answer, yes! We may have fallen in love on the lake, but our story has become Coloradan so we decided to get married in the mountains in Vail, CO which is one of our favorite places no matter the season.

Inspiration:

We wanted the essence of our wedding to be the chicest dinner party we had ever thrown. The overall feeling of the party was to feel impactful yet relaxed, fun and colorful. The style I was aiming for was Traditional Boho – I like things clean, simple and classic but also love color and pattern. Design-wise I knew I wanted the tables to be covered in a mix of patterned linens with layers of votives, natural/wild looking flowers as well as plants covering the tables and tent. For the color palette I took in consideration the beautiful natural environment and wanted it be rooted in shades of blue, green and white with hints of warm tones – pinks and oranges. As for accessories and décor, we kept the vessels simple going with glass and concrete and the paper goods were a patterned watercolor designs that were colorful yet classic and simple.

Most important thing about our wedding day:

When planning, the most important things to us were our outfits, music, flowers and photography. On the day of our wedding, the most important thing for us was to be in the moment and enjoy all aspects from the scenery, people, and music. We achieved it by not over planning the day and allowing our vendors do what they do best! Looking back at the photos you can tell we had the best time with big smiles on our faces all day long from getting ready to the last song on the dance floor.

Favorite Details of Wedding:

How the tent came together with the mix of colors and patterns. It felt like a true reflection of what my dream dinner party would look like from the printed tablecloths, colorful flowers, luscious plants, hanging natural woven chandeliers/baskets and rattan furniture for lounge areas. That our outfits complimented each other with a nod to classic and timeless style yet with a little flair – mine with the back detail of my dress and his with the navy velvet slippers sans socks. The ceremony being at the top of vail mountain where we kept the flowers simple with an arch behind us allowing the view and us to be the main focus. We ended up getting a gorgeous blue sky day up in the mountains which was the perfect backdrop.

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Florals

Plum Sage Flowers

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Adriana Klas

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This New Year’s Eve Wedding Is Better Than The Ball Dropping

Considering a holiday for your wedding date? You’re not going to want to miss this sweet celebration. From the champagne, sequin bridesmaids dresses to glimmering gold accents, the entire affair screams chic from start to finish. Elaine And Lee Event And Design pulled out all the stops to create an atmosphere worthy of ushering in the New Year. All the elegance was captured in the sweet snaps by Madeline Trent. New Year’s Eve just got a little more magical, check it out in the full gallery.

From Madeline Trent… The Ivory Oak was such a beautiful and romantic setting for Michael and Brianna to ring in the New Year together as husband and wife. The couple live in Nashville, Tennessee, but chose Austin for their destination wedding since they met at St. Edward’s University.

Brianna wore a mermaid style Stella York gown and carried part of her mother’s wedding dress wrapped around the stem of her bridal bouquet. The color palette of ivory, cream, and champagne was echoed in the stunning blooms arranged by Ida Mayes Floristry.

Following dinner, the dance floor was packed until the midnight countdown to the New Year. The couple started off the New Year as husband and wife and set off on their honeymoon to Italy after the reception.

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A Glamorous Wedding At The University Club Of Chicago Gilded In Gold

We’ll never think of an indoor ceremony the same way again! These sophisticated newlyweds exchanged vows at The University Club Of Chicago with sweeping views of Michigan Avenue, the city skyline and Millennium Park. The Marquette Avenue Events team created an unforgettable experience filled with glamour that swept guests off their feet. From the gilded details to the beautiful florals by Exquisite Designs, Elizabeth Nord Photography was there to capture every sweet moment! Head to the full gallery for all the details!

From the bride… The reception was at the University Club of Chicago. We went to see this location with my parents and Nick’s mom. We all immediately fell in love with Cathedral Hall, how could you not? It looks like Hogwarts from Harry Potter! Once we saw this room there were no other options, this had to be it!

It was incredible saying our vows to each other while overlooking Lake Michigan on a beautiful sunny day. Nothing can compare to the love we felt being surrounded by all of our favorite people in one room.

Every speech at the reception had a special meaning behind it, from tears to laughter and lots of love. Our families and closest friends being there to celebrate our love with us made the day pure magic.

The Bride’s Father Hand-Potted Over 500 Plants to Decorate Her Wedding Venue and the Results Are Incredible!

We truly can’t get over how special this day is. From details inspired by meaningful moments throughout the couple’s relationship to the fact that the bride’s father hand-potted over 500 plants to make his daughter’s day better than her wildest dream… I mean, it just doesn’t get sweeter than this, folks! Head on over to the full gallery of images captured by Shalyn Nelson of this one of a kind garden wedding day, all planned to perfection by Flora & Whim. P.S. we couldn’t help but squeal and do a little happy dance when we saw our very own backdrop banner hanging beautifully at their cocktail hour! Shop it here if you’d like to grab one of your own :)

From Flora & Whim… Madison & William met at church in 2017. In fact, Madison’s parents first introduced themselves to William and insisted they meet their daughter as they were certain he would be her husband… WHAT! So cute! Their wedding day was inspired by a few special elements. Early in their dating relationship, William nicknamed Madison “birdie.” We incorporated the bird theme throughout; from the paper goods to the “Birds of Feather Flock Together” seating chart display to the bird table numbers. The bride and groom also had their first dance to the song “Birds” by Imagine Dragons.

A year into their relationship, William proposed in a beautiful butterfly garden. Butterflies have a special meaning for our bride so we incorporated butterflies in her bridal bouquet and on the wedding cake. Lastly, Madison’s father is an exceptional gardener! We created a romantic garden party for our couple– complete with hundreds and hundreds of potted plants.

The bride’s father hand-potted every single rose, plant & herb that filled the venue; nearly 400 potted plants to decorate their ceremony aisle, reception tables and 200 tiny potted herbs that guests took home as a favor. We decided to go with Flying V Ranch in Decatur, TX because of the beautiful ceremony set up. Guests sat on white washed vintage church pews as Madison and Bill said their vows under a 200 year old oak tree. We wanted to pay homage to to the church that Madison grew up in and the one that they began their relationship in by utilizing the church pew seating. To further the garden theme, bridesmaids donned gowns in blues, blush, mauve and mismatching floral patterns. They carried beautiful single varietal bouquets as Madison carried a lush bouquet that incorporated each of the blooms her maids carried.

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An Italian Affair in the Heart of Charleston! How One Couple Infused European Flair to Their Stateside Wedding

If you ask us, the only city in American that can compare to the charming streets of Europe is situated sweetly in Lowcountry – Charleston, South Carolina! When this couple’s dream of tying the knot in Italy didn’t work out, they decided to infuse elements of Italy, from olive leaves to a live pasta maker, throughout their beautiful day planned and designed by Ellis Event Design. The result? Absolute perfection! See all the heavenly details at the full gallery, captured by Willett Photography!

From Willett Photography… Laura and Luke’s initial wedding plans involved a cliff in Italy, but due to life changes, they landed on a destination wedding in the beautiful city of Charleston.

Refusing to give up the idea of an Italian affair, they infused their day with beautiful European details including a live pasta maker, limoncello and olive leaves galore.

It was an intimate, calm and family focused day celebrating their love! The streets of Charleston provided the most incredible backdrop for their photos and the setting sun left everyone feeling warm, welcome and joyful!

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Here’s How To Add Color To A Neutral Color Palette Perfectly

Trends come and go but timeless is forever. When Bashful Captures set out to create the ultimate New York City inspired wedding shoot, they came up with the most beautiful use of colors. From the marriage of the always popular neutral scheme and the recent rush of bright and bold colors, comes this artfully elegant muted decor with a splash of the unexpected. Designs by Ahn played with the textural elements of dried flowers and foliage to bring the entire concept full circle. Head to the full gallery for a closer look at all the beyond chic inspiration.

From Bashful Captures… As a New York City Photographer, I’ve always wanted to create a shoot that felt very chic, simple, modern and that felt very New York. Pops of colors seem to be the trend for 2020, but instead, I wanted to go more neutral with a subtle splash of colors.

I knew that Amsale dresses would be the perfect fit for our bride. The gowns were simple, elegant and timeless. We wanted the bride to look glam but not overly done. With simple slicked back hair and very clean and natural makeup.

For a chic, modern-minimalist ending, Nine Cakes created a beautiful masterpiece with a textural flower. The elements of the shoot all came together to create the perfect compilation of all that is New York City style.

This Spectacular South Of France Wedding Is Not To Be Missed

Ladies and gentlemen, this is what we call style! Our jaws officially fell on the floor when we spotted this South of France celebration. With two dashing grooms and elegance in every single decor element, you’re going to want to scroll through this one very slowly. Sea Bride and Sun created a celebration of love that shines from the sunset poolside cocktail hour to the tented reception filled with soft organic florals. The timeless photos were taken by Yoan Mollemeyer. Take a closer look at all the love in the full gallery.

From Sea Bride and Sun… Olivier and Bradley chose the South of France to celebrate their love. Guests traveled from around the world to attend this fabulous wedding weekend.

The romantic ceremony was filled with a lot of emotion, love, and happiness. It included a beautiful view of the village and heartfelt vows that had guests in tears.

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a long cocktail hour at sunset around the swimming pool. The reception decor was modern, refined, and included the perfect touch of blue. It was a celebration of love that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Ask The Editor: White Paint, Kid’s Toys, Furniture and Art Sizing

Spring is in the air and we’re feeling particularly optimistic this Friday morning. Sunshine and warmer temperatures do good for the soul! This edition of Ask The Editor touches base on some of the basics, so we couldn’t be more excited to round these up and answer them!

“what’s a good white paint color that’s not actually blue or yellow”

This is SO tricky. Speaking from lots of experience, picking the right white color is so hard. Even paint colors that are named “white” sometimes turn out a different color (like “Dutch White,” for example, is pink…..a grave mistake)

A safe one we frequently reference is “Dove White” because it’s not too stark, but it doesn’t give off another color tone which is what you’re looking for in a pure white color!

For more white paint color tips, check out this blog!

“how do I keep our kid’s toys organized?! they sprawl out everywhere!”

Kid’s toys have a way of leaking out into the rest of the house. You don’t want to stifle the play, because it’s fun….but you also don’t want to sacrifice your WHOLE house to toys! We recommend two things here:

1. Simplify the toy offering: as they grow older they naturally outgrow toys. As part of your routine, take notes of toys that are no longer in heavy rotation and create donate piles! The more you’re on top of riding your home of unused toys, the more piles are less likely to accumulate.

2. Baskets! We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — a contained mess is an approachable mess! We can not recommend baskets more. They are the single most versatile home organization hack. Keep baskets in rooms that are prone to collect toys and use them to both corral, and then transport toys back to their original home :)

“How to choose the right size furniture/wall for art”

This is a GOOD question! It’s always tricky to pick the right size and it’s totally dependent on the space you’re working with — so proportions are your best friend. The real risk is actually going too small. You’ll be really tempted to make the space feel “bigger” by adding in more blank space, but actually smaller furniture can make it feel like you don’t have enough space.

For furniture, the best thing to do is pick the core (couch, big cushy reading chair, bed, table….ect!) and go full size with it. Then depending on what space you’re working with, build off from there. So if you’re working with a small living room, get a good-sized couch and then some smaller side tables.

For art — go big! You are almost never wrong to go with bigger art than you think. If you don’t love one larger piece, group together some smaller pieces. There are places where you can go small intentionally, but as a general rule of thumb, you’re never wrong to go big with your art!

That’s all we’ve got for today! Tune in to our insta stories Sunday to submit your questions!

8 Necessities to Have On Hand for an Epic Bachelorette Weekend!

It’s March (yay!!), and that means we’ve officially entered bridal shower and bachelorette season – for anyone getting married in late spring/early summer. If you’ll be going on a girls trip, count us jealous! But even if you aren’t jet-setting somewhere off the grid, you can have the most amazing weekend with your besties – all you need to do is get serious about creating a mood: one that’s festive, fiercely nostalgic #fullofthrowbacks, and just plain fun. As the bride, you’ve certainly earned yourself a pass on all the planning, but that’s not to say that you can’t have some tricks up your sleeve to surprise your sisters – the ones by birth, the ones by choice, and the ones you’ll call fam in just a few short months – and make them feel special.

No bachelorette ever has to feel basic, but there are definitely some highlights worth having, whether you’ve booked a bungalow on the beach, reserved an Airbnb upstate, gone glamping somewhere you can bring your own fancy, or just plan on slumming it slumbering old-school style with a PJ party to end all PJ parties. From group uniforms to personalized sippy cups, a playlist that puts all those DJ pool party soundtracks to shame to all the morning-after hangover provisions needed to make sure no party foul goes too far, the perfect bachelorette might start with team bride tribe tats and end with the real thing… #wedontjudge!

Thankfully, we’ve been on enough bachelorette weekends to know which necessities can’t be overlooked, as well as those that just make such a difference. We’ve stocked our Style Me Pretty shop site with everything for your last fling before the ring – and don’t worry, there’s not a NSFW thing in sight! 😉

Sippy Cups That Come to Play.

So, the TSA hasn’t made it easy for squads to get into the spirit on their flights out – but once you’re off the plane and safely checked into your place for the weekend, then all bets are off! We suggest our “Wedding Party Cup” Tumblers for energetic spa waters (for morning yoga sessions) and mixed drinks by the pool in the afternoon, and then our pink “Let’s Bridal Party” stainless steel travel cup for wind-down wine time before bed, once you’re in for the night, changed into pajamas, and watching Love Is Blind on Netflix.

Bach In Progress Decor.

Lots of hotels will decorate your door if you’re honeymooning or celebrating a birthday, but if a bachelorette isn’t on the staff’s radar, then it’s just up to the MOH to pull some strings and have the room/suite/etc. all decked out when the bride and her queens arrive. That means photo collages of the bride and groom all over the place, cute photo props with her mister’s face on them, towels and pool floats for the beach or cabanas, drama balloons with lots of tassels, and mylar magic in no short supply. 100P That Bach, Bach & Boujee, Pop the Champagne She’s Changing Her Last Name, take your pick!

Extra points if neon signage makes an appearance at the in-suite bar. Don’t go thirsty will be an anthem for the weekend, after all…

Going Out: Game On.

The best thing about going out when you’re on your bachelorette is that you can dress the part and not have to feel extra about it. You can be wearing bride / squad bathing suits, super cute tanks, or rocking a tried-and-true black and white dress code, and everyone in public will dig it, because you’re getting married, and everyone wants to celebrate you, strangers included!

You can absolutely make your own shirts or bedazzle something sassy on a jean jacket with cowboy boots if you’re spending time in Nashville or Austin. But if you don’t have anything set in stone, then bring along some stylish accessories.

Our bride-to-be sash is so good, plus it comes with a matching crown, because the guest of honor deserves ALL the queen treatment on her night(s) out.

Our bridesmaid headbands in pink and gold glitter are just the right things to differentiate the maids from their soon-to-be missus. If the headband fits, then wear it #overit

And of course, photo booth memories can’t be made without cute props. Whether you’re here for the wine or simply sooo single, be proud of your status lady! You never know, your single might switch to taken come the end of the weekend… +1 anyone??!

A Stylish S.O.S.

Remember when Priyanka Chopra took her entourage to Amsterdam pre-wedding to Nick? Well, she posted pics and stories that had all of us dying to be one of the J Sisters, but she was also straight-up about her struggles after all was said and done! Hungover, tired, hashtag all of us. Sleep masks are a must, must, must, as are mugs to sip ALL the coffee from when the ‘but first, drinks’ sign turns off and ‘but first, coffee’ is going off like sirens in your head.

If you can on-demand some massages the morning after and pop some Tylenol before the touch therapy commences, then your hangover might not stand a chance!

We’ve even seen girl groups start really sweet traditions wherein the first girl who gets married in the group gets a hat, a sash, a pair of sunglasses, maybe even a booty veil (hey! If the bride didn’t have a veil attached to some article of clothing, did the bach even happen?!), and then passes it on to the next bride in line. A “sisterhood of the traveling pants” sort of scenario. It makes for some adorable photos, especially if the gang comes up with a killer hashtag for documenting all the bachelorette fêting over the years…

Shop with us now for everything you need to go all out on your bachelorette party. Your Maid of Honor might want to take a peek too!

Danielle Halibey is a writer, editor, and publicist living in New Jersey. She has been immersed in the world of weddings since planning her own whimsical, romantic affair in 2014. And isn’t that what they always say, “those who can’t do, teach?” Well, once her nuptials were over, she still had stuff in the ‘I Do’ industry to do. She writes regularly for top wedding blogs including Style Me Pretty and Wedding Chicks, and has garnered millions of press impressions for brands in the wedding space: fashion, beauty, wedding talent+tastemakers and more.

A Wedding Florist’s Sophisticated Boho Celebration at a Big White Barn in Wine Country

When the bride is a floral designer herself – you know the wedding blooms are going to be epic! Today’s sophisticated celebration at The Barn at Tyge Williams Cellars brought the colors of Fall to Northern California. Dried elements and earthy autumn tones filled each centerpiece and looked stunning against the warm, golden table linens at their indoor reception. E Events Co. planned the entire day to perfection while Taralynn Lawton Photography was there to capture every breathtaking moment. See it all at the full gallery!

From Taralynn Lawton Photography… Justine, a floral designer from Santa Cruz, CA met her husband, Hank at a concert in San Francisco in 2013. They are a fun loving couple and wanted their wedding to reflect their love of art, nature, and wine country!

Justine always wanted to get married overlooking vineyards and have the reception held in a big white barn, so Tyge Williams Cellars in Sonoma was the absolute perfect venue! As a floral designer, Justine always dreamed of doing the flowers for her own wedding.

Her and Hank decided on a fall theme with a mixture of dried elements and blush-y earth tones to set the stage for a day filled with texture and warmth. With visions of a beautiful autumn palette for the centerpieces, Justine gathered a combination of dried fennel, foraged wild oat weeds, dried baby’s breath, fire dragon grass, brown lisianthus, lunaria, dried bunny grass, peach ranunculus, Grace Rose Farm garden roses, queen anne’s lace and gomphrena.

For the Ceremony, she tied in many of these same centerpiece elements with dried cut palm leaves to create a semi-circle installation, enveloping her and Hank as they exchanged their vows.

It was important for Justine to be involved in every aspect of the planning process from helping design the handmade seating chart picture frames by Designs in Bloom, to choosing the gorgeous tamarind velvet linens from La Tavola, and creating custom dried flower place card settings.

With the help of planner, Eileen Lacey from E Events Co, they set forth creating a fun California boho-chic wedding.

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Ethereal Romance On The Steps At Cottesloe Civic Centre

You won’t want to miss this incredibly romantic shoot on the Australian coast! Set at Cottesloe Civic Centre every detail of this editorial says old-world elegance, from the dramatic limestone staircases to the beautifully manicured lawns and garden. The ethereal design elements were expertly planned out by Aravella Event Design, and Wildwood Floral added to the sophisticated aesthetic with overflowing floral designs in neutral tones. From a less is more ceremony setup to a swoon-worthy reception table, snaps by Katie Grant Photography will make you stop and stare! Take a closer look at the endless amount of lovely in the full gallery.

From Aravella Event Design… We were inspired by the delicate lace gown by Harriette Gordon with its puffed lantern sleeves and tiered French lace skirt. Each element was intentionally chosen to reflect the same romantic style as the gown, from the neutral color palette, the whimsy unstructured florals, hand-calligraphed details, and the limestone staircases at Cottesloe Civic Centre.

The large limestone staircase offered a dramatic backdrop for our ceremony and only needed a few simple styling touches to complete the look. We incorporated a hand-calligraphed linen sign and old-style urns overflowing with rambling garden roses, wild branches and banksia roses in the same soft neutral tones of the limestone.

For the tablescape, we paired a light natural stone-colored linen with French linen chairs, handmade organic plates, antique cutlery, hand-calligraphed details by Michaela McBride Calligraphy and bronze candlesticks.

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Wedding Gift Ideas Every Couple Will LOVE

Shopping for the perfect wedding gift can be hard, especially if you’re on a tight budget or waited a little too long and all of the good stuff on their registry has already been taken. No need to panic, we’ve got you! Here are some unexpectedly thoughtful wedding gifts that every couple will LOVE!

PHOTOGRAPHY | Kenzie Victory

1. Anything From Their Registry

It goes without saying that getting something from their registry is the easiest and safest way to go when it comes to choosing the right wedding gift. After all, that’s why registries were invented. This all sounds simple, but in reality, all of the stars have to align just right for you to snag the perfect gift off the registry. If you don’t commit right away you risk being left with the dregs of the registry like napkin holders or $500 designer pillow shams–we’ve all been there! And while the happy couple will certainly appreciate anything you contribute to their new home together you may wind up feeling unsatisfied with your options. If you find yourself in this situation where only the big-ticket items are left, check and see if their registry has a group gifting option. This allows you and other guests to chip in together to purchase some of the pricier items; which is perfect if you are attending the wedding as part of a group, like friends or office-mates.

Now let’s think outside the registry and cover some fun unexpected gifts that any couple will be thrilled with!

PHOTOGRAPHY | Weddings By Scott And Dana

2. Experiences and Excursions

These days, it’s not uncommon for couples to live together before they get married and most already have a lot of the basics needed to outfit their house or apartment. Thankfully registries are starting to think outside the box and allow couples to register for experiences rather than just household goods. Some registries have cash funds that guests can contribute to; they also offer guests the ability to purchase individual, specific experiences. If the couple you are shopping for isn’t registered at one of these places, find a fun experience in their home town that you think they would enjoy. Just make sure that it is a recurring event so that the couple can book their experience on a date that works for them. It will give them something fun to do on a rainy day and remind them of you!

PHOTOGRAPHY | KT Merry Photography

3. Cake Stand

If you know that the couple loves to entertain, a cake stand is always a great gift! Most couples remember to register for the basics (plates, glasses, etc.), but fun accessories, like dessert displays are often forgotten. Chances are they’ll want to host an event soon after their wedding to put all of their new crockery and stemware to good use. They’ll think of you when they bring it out for a party or on an anniversary down the road.

CAKE STAND | Style Me Pretty Shop

4. Photo Printing and Framing

Photos are one of the biggest investments a couple makes for their wedding. Most couples remember to hire the photographer, but so many forget to register for frames or photo albums. It’s always a safe bet to purchase a frame or frames from the place they registered, but some retailers are easier to navigate than others. If their wedding registry store has too many options, you can always opt for a gift card to a framing and printing company like Artifact Uprising–this way they can pick out the exact frame that they want–what’s not to love?! Another great thing about this site is that they offer photo album printing as well, so the couple can use your gift to have all of their photos printed in one beautiful book. Household goods go in and out of style but photos are forever!

PHOTO & FRAME | Artifact Uprising

5. Meal-kit Delivery Service

Everyone’s gotta eat, why not make it fun? Give the gift of a meal-kit delivery service! This will save the couple time and money when it comes to their weekly grocery trips and give them something fun to cook together. It seems like there is a new meal service popping up all the time, some of our favorites are Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, and Daily Harvest (for the vegan couple).

PHOTOGRAPHY | Katie Parra Photography

CHEF | Megan Doherty

6. Spa Day

Who doesn’t like to relax and get pampered, especially after planning a wedding? Getting a spa gift card for a couple is always a great idea for a wedding gift! If you know where they will be spending their honeymoon, you can get them a gift card for a spa in their destination city, or you can always get them one for their hometown. They’ll love it–we promise!

PHOTOGRAPHY | Thecablookfotolab

7. Hotel Gift Card

If you know which hotel the couple will be staying at for their wedding night or for their honeymoon, you can get them a gift card for that hotel. This allows them to splurge on the fun extras that a hotel offers like room service, cabana rentals, or spa treatments.

PHOTOGRAPHER | Rossini Photography

PHOTOGRAPHY | Gina Purcell Photography

8. Ring Dish

If you need something little to add to your gift or you don’t know the couple very well, a ring dish is just the thing! Most couples don’t register for one, but if you’ve got a ring, a ring dish is a must-have!

PHOTOGRAPHY | Brancoprata

9. Custom Luggage Tags

Most couples will be traveling for their honeymoon and custom luggage tags with their monogram on them are a fun and unexpected gift that they can use right away. Choose a neutral color like black or tan that can complement any color of luggage.

PHOTO & LUGGAGE TAG | Love and Luxe Handmade

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A Global-Themed Wedding With so Much Personality and a Steal-Worthy Escort Display

The talented team at Amorology never ceases to amaze us with their insane creativity and viral-worthy designs, we can always tell just by the photos when a wedding has been designed and planned by them. Today’s gorgeous wedding at Prospect House is every modern bride’s dream who isn’t afraid of a little pop of color. Don’t miss out on the full gallery captured by Sophie Epton Photography to see every last detail of their day, including an hourglass escort display that’s so cute we can’t even handle it.

Tell us how you and your spouse met!

From the Bride… We met each other 10 years ago when I sat next to him on the first day of our macroeconomics class. I arrived fashionably late to class, and the only seat available was next to him in the front row! A few years into our relationship, I decided to fulfill a lifelong dream of joining the Peace Corps. I packed my bags and moved to a remote village in Cameroon. He supported me every step of the way with daily phone calls and monthly care packages. It was during this period of our lives when both of us realized how much we love and appreciate each other. In the middle of my service, he took me on a trip around Europe that ended in a picture-perfect proposal in front of Trevi Fountain.

What inspired your wedding concept and style?

After 10 years, it feels like we’ve lived 100 lifetimes together. This feeling set the tone for the day, which was filled with personal details such as juju hats, woven baskets, ceramic water pitchers, and delicate watercolored details. With the help of the brilliant team at Amorology and our amazing photographer, Sophie Epton, the entire day was a dream.

Invitation suite:

A ton of thought went into our invitations! We wanted an invitation suite that was fun, unique, and personal. After Caroline from Lovely Paper Things learned about the juju hats hanging in our living room from my time in the Peace Corps, she came up with a brilliant idea of a “juju hat” invitation suite. When it laid flat, it was an invitation with all our important information, but guests could turn it into their own juju hat art piece by fluffing the ends.

The trifold itself was a beautiful, personal work of art. Inspired by our theme of “100 lifetimes together” and African mudcloth, each box represents a different part of our relationship (past, present, and our hopes for the future). There are tacos and limes from our first “date” when we drove to Mexico in the middle of the night, a deconstructed golden gate bridge for our time in San Francisco, and symbolism for our hopes for the future (happiness, love, growth, and wisdom). The envelope liner contained beautiful watercolored images with more personal details (“bug” is the groom’s nickname for the bride, and the flower is a symbol found on a popular print in West Africa ironically called “fleur de marriage” or wedding flowers.) The juju hat sat inside the trifold which was reminiscent of opening a care package.

Since writing letters and notes was always an important part of our relationship, we enclosed a well wishes card for guests to share their thoughts, favorite memories, and advice. By providing the cards in advance, we hoped it would encourage more sentimental, heartfelt notes, which it fortunately did! When they arrived, guests were asked to place cards in a ceramic water pitcher.

Escort Cards:

For our escort, guests found their seats from different shaped hourglasses tied with small calligraphed tags with guests’ names and table numbers which sat on brass and wood trays and stands. They were placed upon a modern wood table under gold vinyl on the wall reading “I’d choose you in a hundred lifetimes.” They were so popular with our guests, we didn’t have any leftovers!

Special touches:

Our wedding was a three-day event to allow more time with our friends and family. The night before we invited guests for “coffee and cocktails” at the coffee shop that we used to frequent in college. The day after the wedding we hosted a casual brunch at our Airbnb.

We had an intimate wedding ceremony which was limited to immediate family. In the months leading up to the wedding, we wrote our mutual wedding vows that we recited together. In fact, we had three sets of vows: one mutual, and vows to each other. Following our ceremony, we had a private picnic where we read our personal vows to each other, and I gave him his wedding present: a children’s book of our story illustrated by Loren at Four Things Paper. (We collect children’s books every time we visit a new country or place).

There were nods to Cameroon, a country that I hold dear in my heart: five juju hats adorned the walls behind the head table and a mixture of kola nuts and cinnamon sticks were placed on each guest’s plate to welcome them. During times of celebration in Cameroon, families and friends dress in outfits cut from the same cloth, called pagne, as a way of expressing support and solidarity. We loved this idea, so Caroline designed beautiful custom scarves and pocket squares as gifts for our ceremony guests. Even our wedding cake was designed in full mudcloth with the symbols specifically chosen to represent our favorite adventures together (camping next to the Nyiragongo volcano in the DRC, Christmas in Cameroon, and our waterfall adventures).

In addition to the custom fabric, Caroline from Lovely Paper Things beautifully carried the personalized design from our invitations into the programs, menus, signs, and a watercolored map. The groom’s favorite detail from the wedding was his “aioli bar” – complete with a dozen aiolis and a calligraphed sign of a popular quote from the groom: “Can I sample all the aoilis?”

We are forever grateful to the amazing design and planning team at Amorology. They were with us from the very beginning and saw every detail through to the very end – We can’t thank them enough for all their help finding us the best vendors and executing the design perfectly on the wedding day.