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

The Answers to All Your Must-Know Wedding Ceremony Etiquette Questions

When planning a wedding, you’ll have many decisions to make specifically surrounding your ceremony. For a tradition with so many logistical elements up in the air, you might be wondering what you should plan for. Below I’ve answered common questions to give you a better understanding of wedding ceremony etiquette.

How long is a typical ceremony?

Most American wedding ceremonies last between 15-30 minutes, with the exception of Catholic ceremonies (1 hour) and other cultural and religious ceremonies that require extra timing to include all of the necessary traditions. Some couples place less importance on the ceremony and will schedule it to be no longer than 10 minutes, so feel free to shorten the ceremony depending on your priorities.

If your ceremony will take place outdoors in hot or cold weather, do be extra mindful to keep your ceremony under 30 minutes. Nothing’s more miserable than sweating in formalwear from the blinding sun in the middle of summer having to fan yourself with your clutch!

What’s the proper processional order? What about the recessional?

Typically for American weddings, the grandparents and parents of the couple will walk down the aisle to take their seats first. Sometimes the groom will walk his parents down the aisle and other times he walks in after the parents to take his place at the ceremony site.

From this point, either the groomsmen will accompany the bridesmaids in pairs to walk toward the altar together before splitting to either side or the groomsmen will enter from the side and the bridesmaids will walk one by one down the aisle.

For the recessional, the couple walks down the aisle first. After, the bridesmaids and groomsmen walk back down the aisle in pairs, followed by the family members and then the rest of the guests.

Is it okay if I don’t have a flower girl or ring bearer? What do I do if I don’t have one?

Absolutely! Many weddings are childfree and thus have no child attendants. Normally the ring bearer and/or flower girl would walk down the aisle after the bridesmaids and before the bride. If you’re skipping them, then just have the rings given to the best man prior to the ceremony to hold in his pocket until the ring exchange.

Can I walk down the aisle to any song I want or should it be more traditional?

You do you!! I’ve heard everything from the classical wedding songs you hear in movies to songs by the Lumineers to other popular Top 40 tunes. Choose anything that has special importance to you. Infusing personal meaning into your wedding is far more memorable than being traditional for the sake of being traditional.

Where should immediate family sit?

It’s best to place immediate family members in the front row so that they have the best view of your vows and ring exchange. You can opt for reserved seating signs to mark their places.

Do I have to have my bridal party stand with me?

Nope! Although it’s more common to have the bridal party stand, some couples will have seating available in the front two rows for the bridal party to sit during the ceremony, whether for the entire thing or just for the middle. This is especially common in Catholic weddings that are lengthy and don’t even require the couple to stand the whole time.

Can my dog be included in the ceremony?

Yes, please!! Have someone your dog trusts to walk him or her down the aisle and then be their handler for the ceremony. I’ve also seen a bride walk her dog down the aisle before handing her off to a friend. Just make sure that your dog will be well behaved enough to sit through the length of your festivities!

Should we write our own vows?

There’s really no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether or not you should write your own vows. That said, speaking from experience I have noticed that guests react more enthusiastically to vows that the couple have written and reads aloud. From happy tears to tons of laughter, these emotions are usually more heightened when the couple adds that personal touch to their ceremony.

Are unplugged ceremonies a good idea?

Yes times 1000. I cannot strongly recommend enough that you have a sign AND have the officiant make an announcement that guests should refrain from using cameras and phones during the ceremony. Not only are phones in the air/aisle extremely distracting in your professional photos that you heavily invested in, they also cause guests to be less present. Rather than seeing their smiling faces, you see a plethora of phones and sometimes tablets as you’re walking down the aisle. Sometimes, guests will even take a moment to Instagram their photos during the actual ceremony, which is absolutely not okay.

Trust me when I say you don’t want any of those things to happen. Especially since the guests will have access to the professional photos, there’s really no good reason why you shouldn’t have an unplugged ceremony!

If you want a “happy medium,” have an unplugged ceremony but with a short 30 second moment where the officiant welcomes guests to take a photo.

Cavin Elizabeth is a wedding film photographer based in San Diego, California. Her wedding work has taken her all over the United States and abroad. In addition to being a photographer, Cavin is an educator and an avid blogger of wedding planning tips for brides and grooms. She authored the book A Bride’s Guide to a Picture Perfect Wedding, which teaches couples how to make wedding plans that are best for photography.

3 Floral Arches, 3 Designer Gowns and a Sea of Pastel Hues

Thailand is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking wedding venues and some of the world’s most talented wedding vendors. Today’s gorgeous wedding on Samui Island was created by the dream team of Thailand vendors – the Wedding Bliss Thailand and IAMFLOWER, so it’s no surprise the details in this day are nothing short of spectacular. Head on over to the full gallery captured by one of the best of the best, Erich McVey Photography, to see all the dreamy floral arches, designer gowns and the sweetest four-legged wedding guest.

From the Bride… As a bride, I had always wanted an intimate destination wedding, surrounded by close family and friends. After seeing the beautiful ocean backdrop and the transparent stage at Conrad Koh Samui, I was never able to set my eyes on another venue. I soon contacted the Wedding Bliss Thailand, who showcased many creative and gorgeous weddings in Thailand and around the world on their instagram page. I was more than satisfied to have them as my wedding planner. They not only helped ensuring every detail of my wedding day was perfect, but also made sure our trip and our guests’ trip (including our dog Mengmeng traveling from USA to Thailand) ran smoothly.

From The Wedding Bliss Thailand… Maggie and Yueyang met many moons ago back in 2014, when they both studied at the University of Pennsylvania. They loved traveling together and the most romantic trip was in Puerto Rico where they celebrated the anniversary of meeting each other in the restaurant with the stunning natural beauty of Caribbean Sea.

On the Valentine’s day of 2018, Yueyang proposed Maggie with the best romantic on the rooftop balcony of Renaissance hotel in Allentown. He surprised her by pretending he was having a fight with the hotel restaurant concierge, and told Maggie to follow him to the rooftop of the restaurant where the floor was covered with the roses their pictures leading to the balcony. He was there waiting and proposed by thanking accompany in the past two years and of course Maggie said “Yes” and the rest is a history.

Knowing how important Maggie and Yueyang’s guests were to them, they chose to only have the closest friends and families around and instead focus on creating the day full of amazing personal memories for themselves and everyone invited, they want the guest to remember the day/night as a happy and memorable day.

While working on the wedding design we wanted to make sure every detail and the décor on the wedding day was well intended and reflected the beautiful personality of our bride as well as the deep connection between herself and Yueyang. During the ceremony we chose a sweet pastel colour palette to be included in the in floral compositions: periwinkle, ballet slipper, plumeria, azalea, berries and baby blue with a three-windowed wedding arch was set on a transparent glass stage over the pool. The bride loved the idea of adding fruits to to the decorations. Grapes and berries were added as a component to both the floral arch, bouquets and reception table setups.

A wall of pastel colored donuts also replaced the traditional wedding cake during reception, as the bride was looking for something more fun and less traditional.
The reception was in front of the ocean with beautiful tropical setting around, hanging flower in pastel metallics tone under the canopy of fairy lights with chandeliers adding more light and a classy touch – The overall result turned out classy and romantic fairytale.

A Coral and Grapefruit Color Palette Will Have You Jumping to Add A Pop of Color to Your Wedding Day!

Slices of grapefruit and actual pieces of coral aren’t your typical wedding day inspiration, but it’s what inspired Elite Planning Firm and we have to say…we are here for it! Taking place at the ever so romantic Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami, Elite Planning along with photographer, Elizabeth Fogarty wanted to showcase to brides how pops of color are just as dreamy as a neutral color palette! From an overflowing bouquet by Ever After Floral Design to a colorful invitation suite by Fig. 2 Design, they nailed it! Take a peek below and don’t stop until you get to the grapefruit cocktails!!

From Elizabeth Fogarty Photography…May from Elite Planning Firm and Liz from Liz Fogarty wanted to put together an editorial celebrating bright colors with lots of energy. They wanted to encourage brides planning their wedding to not be scared of using a colorful color palette. Yes, neutrals photograph beautifully but using a pop of color will set your wedding apart.

They used the color of the grapefruit and the texture of the coral as their inspirations, which led to beautiful details from the invitations to the cocktails. Claudia from Fig 2 Design made custom acrylic table numbers, which are super fun!

Vizcaya Musuem & Gardens is probably the most gorgeous venue in Miami with lots of history, being a museum with beautiful gardens. It is the perfect backdrop for any sophisticated and romantic wedding and can be turned into quite the fairytale. Of course, they had to wrap this editorial up with grapefruit cocktails!

Soft & Romantic Photography Mixed With the City of Brooklyn Make For A Modern Urban Fairytale

This morning’s inspiration shoot will have you booking your next trip to Brooklyn…we promise you! Planned by Wildflower Events + Design, they combined the perfect amount of urban, city life with a soft, romantic vibe with blooms of baby’s breath as the ceremony backdrop by Buds of Brooklyn against the industrial setting at The Wythe Hotel. Take a look below and check out the full gallery here, to see how Joanna Fisher Photography captured the real-life happy couple, as they made their way through the Brooklyn streets!

From Wildflower Events + Design…The inspiration for this wedding styled shoot all started with this special, authentic, diverse borough, everything this team of vendors wanted to represent for this wedding styled shoot. Joanna Fisher, the talented photographer, based out of Fairfield, CT wanted to bring her soft and romantic edit to the hard streets of Brooklyn. With a simple Instastory shout out, she connected with Lindsey and Dara, the team behind Wildflower Events + Design to rally a rad and creative team, down for an adventure, up for major collaboration and lastly, teamwork!

Brooklyn has experienced its own metamorphosis from gritty to glam. Once seen as one of the nation’s preeminent industrial cities, characterized by factories and working-class families, it has now undergone this cultural shift defined by hipsters mixed with local Brooklynites who’ve clung to the remaining pieces of ungentrified blocks, young families and creative types, who all live peacefully amongst one another. The Wythe Hotel, situated in the heart of Williamsburg, the epicenter of hipsterness, embodies the perfect combination of the old and new Brooklyn. Once the home to a sugar factory, the Wythe leans into those cool industrial vibes by showcasing its original exposed brick walls, old wood beams and cast-iron columns, yet still radiates cool and trendy with its beautiful rooms and its numerous event and restaurant spaces.

The cool industrial feel of The Wythe Hotel was the perfect juxtaposition against the soft, romantic and ethereal vibes designed by Wildflower Events + Design. Highlighting the hotel’s Garden Terrace, the ceremony set up, which was effortlessly created by Buds of Brooklyn was an effervescent cloud explosion of soft pink baby’s breath climbing up the exposed brick walls. Incorporating Borrowed Blu’s modern, yet soft ceramic tableware perfectly complemented Wildflower and Bud’s collaborative design. Truly emulating Brookyln’s no-nonsense attitude, Cat Wilcox, the boss lady behind Cat Wilcox Designs created the most fitting invitation suite for this occasion (check that invitation liner)! Adding a much-needed pop of forest green to the tablescape, Cat tied all the table decor together perfectly with her beautifully designed place cards and menus! Everthine Bridal, located in the quaint town of Madison, CT, styled the two beautiful brides. Continuing the hard and soft theme, Brit wore a romantic bohemian-inspired dress, from dress designer, Flora Bridal, while her wife Bethany wore a cool, sleek and trendy Alexandra Grecco pant set that highlighted her amazingly sculpted arms and back. Michelle and Chelsey from Willow House Beauty completed the elegant, yet romantic bridal look, nailing those 1920s inspired romantic soft curls and gorgeous dewy makeup.

Just like Brooklyn’s authentic vibes, the shoot required a real-life, open, no BS couple to emulate those similar feelings. Brit, a social media influencer and writer behind Lively Co. Blog and wife of 2 years, Bethany, founder of Outlay Apparel Co. absolutely radiated on and off-screen! Their love is described as honest and open is totally evident. Every single vendor was swooning over their cute and flirty energy and stunning beauty! These ladies were game for anything! Despite their long drive into Brooklyn (they live in CT), these gals didn’t hesitate to jump on a ferry to Dumbo, take over an ice cream truck or run through the streets to get the shot! Their game time attitude kept the team inspired and moving despite the hot humid August weather! It’s days like these that keep wedding vendors inspired! With none of the vendors working together prior to this shoot, an instant community was created. It showed the power of creativity and love! We all came together to show how all love is beautiful and worth celebrating. As Brit eloquently said, “My passion is sharing my story and I’ll never stray away from doing that, as long as there are people out there who need to hear it.” It can be confidently said that the entire team of vendors truly feels that way about their own passions. We love to help couples celebrate and share their stories and love!

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Joanna Fisher Photography

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An Unfinished Arbor, Endless Rolling Hills and the Sweetest Couple Ever – YES Please!

Today’s wedding is filled with boho charm, endless romance and the cutest four-legged wedding guest ever. Courtney of LVL Weddings and Events brought the bride and groom’s wedding dreams to life adorned with whimsical details at every turn. With rolling hills as their backdrop, the couple officially tied the knot in front of their closest family and friends on a sun-soaked day in Carmel. Britt Rene Photography captured every must-see moment and we’re just lucky to be living vicariously through the full gallery. Major heart eyes ahead!

From the Bride… Carmel holds a special place in our hearts. We both grew up spending family vacations in Monterey and Carmel, and it is where we first fell in love while on a trip with our dog.

We are romantic bohemians at heart, and so it was a natural choice when it came to choosing a wedding venue. Carmel is so quaint, and the rolling green hills exude a natural romance.

We wove those elements throughout our celebration with whimsical wildflowers, boho prints, and a venue loaded with historic charm. Stepping onto the green at Holman Ranch took my breath away.

I will never forget the spectacular lush view, my handsome husband-to-be at the end of the aisle, and all our family and friends smiling at my dad and me as we walked down the aisle. Matt and I were so googly-eyed for each other up there, I think he even stole a kiss mid ceremony. He’s a rebel and that’s why I love him.

A Black Tie Backyard Wedding with 18 Bridesmaids and 6 Adorable Flower Girls

A luxurious garden wedding with a hometown feel – to sum it up, this day is overflowing with backyard wedding beauty. From the bride’s sparkling gown complete with a subtle blush hue sweeping across the fields of green grass, to her sweet flower girls all done up in matching white dresses and baby’s breath flower crowns, every inch of this wedding planned and designed by Rachael Ellen Events will warm your heart. The backyard space was transformed into a romantic garden thanks to Moonlight Lighting’s dreamy draped structures and vintage chandeliers. Head on over to the full gallery captured by Kenzie Victory for some major inspo!

From Rachael Ellen Events… In her home state of Utah, Alexa and Tyler planned a gorgeous outdoor wedding complete with a romantic first look with Utah’s signature mountains as the backdrop. The entire event was casual yet elevated, romantic yet relatable, and beautifully curated from start to finish. Alexa and Tyler wanted to create an event that felt both elevated and special while also having some casual, hometown roots. Because of this, they chose to host their garden party wedding celebration in the bride’s parents gorgeous back yard.

This was the perfect setting for an event that felt quite literally, close to home, while giving us the perfect blank canvas to work with. In order to elevate the backyard space, we worked with Moonlight lighting to create the draping structures that were the focal point of the yard. With various vintage chandeliers strung, sheer chiffon fabric, and draped greens – this elevated the space to a romantic garden. We adorned the tables with neutral linens, blush taper candles, and a long, lush garland to allow guests ample space to see each other and chat. The rest of the tables were adorned with a variety of luxe linens from velvet to linen to shantung, bringing in a very luxurious feel.

All tables were topped with garden inspired floral arrangements in shades of blush, rose and mauve – this color palette was paired with gold and carried throughout the entire event. The couple decided to serve an al fresco themed dinner with wood fired pizza, artisan salads, and a serious of unique passed hors d’oeuvres. On top of the oil painting inspired wedding cake – complete with sugar flowers to match the wedding blooms, the couple served their favorite dessert – lemon, sea salt, honey gelato. This special recipe was borrowed from their favorite local chef and perfectly recreated by the catering team. Ink and Press Co. Created a romantic suite inspired by texture and feminine details. Complete with a gold flower design, vellum overlay, silk ribbon, vintage stamps, and calligraphy addressing, the paper details were nothing short of romantic!

Mikyla of Ink and Press Co. Also created a series of linen signs to go around the catering stations for an organic, romantic touch. Alexa wore a gorgeous Galia Lahav gown and Tyler dressed in a sharp black tux. Alexa’s 18 bridesmaids wore gorgeous rose silk gowns that were the perfect fit for their back yard celebration. Her sister and maid of honor wore a special Needle and Thread gown – the perfect mix between the bridesmaids and the bride. With so many bridesmaids, we opted for Alexa’s ladies to hold bouquets of single type blooms rather than fully mixed bouquets. We used stock to accomplish this look which was the perfect fit for one of the hottest days of the summer! This sturdy bloom was able to withstand the heat and look gorgeous in white all while serving as a smart budget move to accommodate for this total girl gang! Guests were serenaded by The Voice singer Tyke James throughout the night with his romantic, acoustic tunes. The couple opted for no dancing as they wanted everyone to spend the night talking, enjoying the gorgeous space, and eating all of the yummy food.

The Perfect Example of How to Bridge Cultures at Your Wedding While Keeping It Chic

After seeing their stunning rehearsal dinner, we could only imagine how gorgeous their wedding would be – and boy, did it exceed our exceptions! The bride is Korean and the groom is Indian, so with the help of Davia Lee, they were able to blend their cultures perfectly while still wowing us with their chic, minimalist decor. They let Mother Nature be their inspiration for the ceremony design, with enchanting floral and greenery from Camellia Floral Design growing up the towering trees. Later, guests ended the night dancing under the stars at their al fresco reception. Check out the full gallery from the always lovely Jen Huang to see all the magic unfold.

From photographer, Jen Huang… The moment I met Kate and Suril, I could tell they were deeply in love. Their wedding day was full of knowing glances and sweet tete-a-tetes. There’s nothing more beautiful than true love, and I’m not trying to be cheesy!

Kate and Suril’s wedding was a celebration of everything meaningful to them: culture, design and their guests. Kate’s background is Korean and Suril is Indian. With a beautiful Sangeet and a Korean dance performance the night before Kate and Suril continued the tribute by bringing in carved mallard ducks (a symbol of true love) and Indian prayer beads into their ceremony details.

Kate and Suril beautifully wove their traditions seamlessly with their modern aesthetic. Choosing Sunstone Villa, which has the ability to look both rustic and stark and modern at the same time, they bridged their cultures with chic, minimalist design elements – simple white invitations, white and gold seating at their cocktails, clean and bright florals at their tables, and of course elevated, high end food and drink. Their cosmopolitan taste was reflected throughout the entire day – including Kate’s beautiful Oscar De La Renta Dress, and their sleek Santa Barbara Speedster getaway car.

Happy tears were shed at precious moments, and Kate and Suril beamed with happiness while holding hands throughout the night. One of my favorite moments was their choreographed dance number that surprised all the guests! This couple has it all, looks, taste, talent and love.

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Jen Huang Photography

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A Colorful Rehearsal Dinner Complete with a Henna Station and Gorgeous Traditional Indian Attire

Vibrant florals set against the creamy sandstone walls, mesmerizing Indian fashion, a henna station, dancing and accessories galore – this modern take on a traditional Sangeet truly has it all. It could seriously be mistaken for a wedding it’s so gorgeous, all thanks to planning perfection from Davia Lee Events. Check out the flawless imagery captured by Jen Huang to take in the colorful inspiration.

From Jen Huang Photography… Kate and Suril, a lucky-in-love couple from New York, chose to tie the knot in sunny California. The night before, they celebrated with a modernized Sangeet – a traditional Indian pre-wedding event featuring colorful flowers, delicious food and drink, a henna station, and of course a night of festive dancing.

Kate merged the beautiful California landscape of Santa Barbara with colorful vibrant decor that stood out against the aging sandstone and historic architecture of the Santa Barbara Historical Society courtyard. Everyone was dressed in traditional Indian attire, including Kate, and decked out in layers of bangles and jewels.

All the tables were elegantly draped in traditional fabrics in hues of pink, magenta, purple and orange. Colorful florals adorned the tables in Indian copper vessels. The entire space was transformed for the night.

I especially love how bright colors translated in their film photographs, film is so exceptionally good at capturing color!

Kate, a modern day renaissance woman, is a brand marketer and highly creative – she even rehearsed and performed a traditional Indian dance as a surprise to her husband, who was moved to tears.

Photographer: Jen Huang Photography | Planner: Davia Lee Events | Hair and Makeup: The Queens Bees | Drinks: Sidecar Cocktail Co. | Museum: Santa Barbara Historical Museum

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Jen Huang Photography

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You’re Going To Want to Hear This Bride’s Advice for Future Brides-To-Be AND See Her Fairy-Tale Wedding!

For this Mr. and Mrs., their favorite city of New Orleans was the destination of choice to say I Do, filled with historic buildings, delicious food and the bride frolicking through the streets with her besties, which made for some of the best photos captured by Lance Nicoll Wedding Photography. The day was a glamorous mix of beautiful florals crafted by Bella Blooms and romantic, heartfelt moments all planned by Brooke Casey Weddings. Take a look and check out the heartfelt video by Nathan Willis Wedding Films to see all of the glamour and all of the love!

From the Bride…

How we met: Matt saw a photo of me on his friend’s Facebook page and messaged him to say I was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen… and I was currently with his friend, who read me the sweet message, and sang praises about Matt. He thought we would get along well, so he connected us, however, Matt never reached out except for liking my photos, so I had to slide into his DMs, and we went out for coffee and have been together ever since!

Planning: Planning our wedding was so much fun. New Orleans is our favorite getaway city in the US, so having the opportunity to visit and try amazing food, and tour these old historic buildings around the city, really added another layer of magic to our wedding.

Picking out my dress: I tried on dresses with my mother, and just couldn’t decide between these two gorgeous ballgowns. And after stressing over it for a week, I decided neither of them must be the one, so I started over with a clean slate. I went back to my old Pinterest board and saw the first dress I ever pinned, that had all the details I was looking for: off the shoulder, ball gown, v neck, and decided to track it down. I called my local Boutique that carried Lazaro, and they told me they actually had the dress in store for a truck show, but it was going back in a day, so I made a same-day appointment and went to try it on by myself, and just knew it was the one.

Favorite Moments: Dancing through the streets of New Orleans in our second line parade with all of our family and closest friends, was our favorite moment of the night. It was so unique and special, and something we will never forget.

Advice for future brides: Wedding days fly by faster than other days, which I’m sure you’ve heard before. All the weddings I have been apart of, I remember waking up early, sitting around getting ready all day, then the wedding, and next thing you know, you blink and it’s bedtime. I really wanted to make the most out of every second of my day, so we pushed back the hair and makeup schedules, woke up early, and my girls and I went and got coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde, and then got foot massages before we got ready. And those few hours of calm and quality time with my girls before the chaos started, really set the tone for a personal, special day. Also, when Matt and I arrived at the reception, we snuck away for a nice private moment to sit, eat, and talk about everything. The day is very hectic, and having those quiet, precious moments is highly recommended.

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This Is What a “Luxury Camp” Wedding Looks like and It’s Safe to Say We’re Obsessed.

When we heard the theme was “luxury camp”, we had no idea what to expect… but with a dream team like Loli Events and Oleander Curated, there was no doubt about it – it was going to be good. There couldn’t have been a more beautiful place for this adorable couple to tie the knot than Cedar Lakes Estate. Think a romantic first look by the lake, a hillside ceremony and a cozy covered reception. Lauren Fair Photography worked her magic yet again and graced us with this stunning full gallery of details – don’t miss out on all the heavenly details (plus the cutest petal bar you’ll 100% want to steal)

From the bride… As someone who plans and executes events for a living, I was eager to start putting together my wedding mood board and color palette the moment Tarek proposed! It was such a surreal experience dreaming the day up, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it alone. Finding my wedding vendors was a task I took very seriously and took my time doing the research. Every vendor I selected was carefully thought out and added a very special element to our wedding. I knew that I had to create the perfect dream team for the big day and am so lucky to say that I did. I had been a huge fan of Lauren Fair and Oleander Curated for a while – I could just see through their work how much chemistry they had working together. With Lauren Fair’s dreamy aesthetic and Oleander’s exquisite attention to detail, they were able to create a fairytale wedding that I am forever grateful for.

Rachel from Loli Events was always a step ahead of each task the entire weekend – I didn’t have to worry about a single detail. Our videographer, Em Rehm is a dear friend of mine who I worked with for years in my professional career – it was really cool having her there to film something so personal. One of my most special vendors was my hairstylist, Steven Picciano. Steven has been my best friend since the 2nd grade and has been part of every milestone in my life – but this by far was my most favorite yet. Having him by my side the entire day from prepping my hair to placing the veil on my head was just so special and something I’ll never forget. Cedar Lakes Estate was the first venue Tarek and I looked at and we just knew the second we pulled up to the property – this was it! Owners, Stephanie and Lisa Karvellas from the start made us feel as though we were family. Their team went above and beyond throughout the entire process and couldn’t imagine having our wedding anywhere else.

Throughout the weekend, the high level of service, the guest-centric experience, and the excellent food and beverages were amazing. Since Cedar Lakes Estate is a venue that allows guests to stay on property – the entire weekend felt like one big vacation with our closest family and friends who traveled all over the world to celebrate our marriage. We hosted all of our events on property – rehearsal dinner, welcome drinks, ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, after party and farewell brunch. Many of our guests would would say “This is the best weekend of my life!” which is exactly what Tarek and I wanted to achieve.

On Saturday, our guests woke up and had breakfast in the pavilion and later joined for a workout class hosted by the bride’s Maid of honor by the lake. For those who wanted to retox instead of detox, the bride and groom hosted a Bloody Mary and mimosas bar by the pool which kicked off the lawn games and blob. Later in the afternoon guests enjoyed a pop up beer garden that was set up inside Cedar Lakes Estates vintage Ford truck.

I had been very nervous about reciting my personalized vows to Tarek in front of all our family and friends – however the moment my dad and I locked arms, walked down the aisle and I saw Tarek standing there – I knew I’d be able to tackle my fears. After the ceremony was over, we were able to sneak a peek of the barn before all of our guests arrive. It was one of the moments I was waiting for after a year and 8 months of planning. Cynthia and David from Oleander Curated truly took my breath away – and flawlessly brought every single vision and detail to life.

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Lauren Fair Photography

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Looking for Wedding Inspiration Thats the Textbook Definition of Timeless? Look No Further.

Oh Kestrel Park, how we adore you so. With planning help from Davia Lee, today’s gorgeous bride took traditional elegance to a brand new level. She looked practically royal in her sleek, classic gown by Sareh Nouri holding a greenery-filled bouquet complete with pops of creamy roses by Camellia Floral Design. Plus, it wouldn’t be a timeless affair without vintage car to drive away in, are we right?! These photos taken by Jen Huang will convince you that when in doubt – classic is always a good idea.

From Jen Huang Photography… Katie and Mike are a classic couple with some serious style. First of all, remember their adorable engagement that SMP featured on July 4th that gave us all the independence day vibes? Here they are again – lets start with the dress – Katie wore a fitted gown by Israeli designer Sareh Nouri. Nothing says I’m chic, like a giant white bow beneath a low V.

Now lets talk about the classic car – the couple was photographed in the “Santa Barbara Speedster” (a 1957 Porsche Speedster), decked out with a perfectly preppy boxwood wreath that matched the formal English gardens of Kestrel Park. Mike even drove the Speedster himself – as a future husband should!

How about their green and white decor with a touch of black? Everything from their ceremony, to cocktails to dinner tables was decorated in their neutral, yet striking and romantic, colors of the day.

Don’t forget the unending bottles of Krug Champagne, Katie and Mike’s favorite Champagne, which also happens to be one of the most exclusive Champagnes in the world, making sure everyone had a great time on the dance floor.

Lastly, a sparkly exit (without the risk of wildfire) where everyone wished the couple a happy forever before they drove away to their honeymoon! Timeless!

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Jen Huang Photography

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How One Couple Incorporated Nods to Both Their Unique Cultures at Their Maui Wedding

There’s nothing more special or romantic than when a couple represents their unique backgrounds coming together as one on their wedding day. Unveiled Hawaii helped the adorable bride and groom celebrate their cultures through custom details and personalized touches, from their ornament escort cards to the invitation suite. To top it all off, tropical arrangements in moody hues from Mei Day added an extra dose of beauty to their seaside ceremony. See all the special moments (plus a surprise performance from Common Kings) captured perfectly by Wendy Laurel at the full gallery!

From Wendy Laurel Photography… Sierra and Anthony live on the San Manuel Band of Indian’s reservation located near Highland, CA. The bride is a part of the Yuhaaviatam tribe and the groom is of Filipino descent. They wanted to honor both their cultures and traditions in their multi day wedding event.

Many details were designed to incorporate nods to both the bride and groom’s culture, even down to the Christmas ornaments that served as escort cards given their wedding date of 12. 15. 18. Moody hues were mixed with tropical florals, hanging pendant lights and custom backdrops.

The wedding venue is the Montage Kapalua Bay, with a bridal luncheon having been hosted the day prior. The weekend began for guests with a native bohemian inspired welcome reception at Olowalu Plantation House.

The band Common Kings was a surprise for the groom from the bride and the grand reveal was when they started playing their first dance song at the wedding. Traditional Bird Songs were performed by the bride’s family to share the tribes culture with the groom’s family.

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Shindig Bespoke

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Sunset Hues and Dusty Blues – This Spring 2020 Collection Has Bridesmaids Dresses for Every Wedding Color Palette!

We are suckers for a good color palette here at Style Me Pretty and boy do we have some good ones for you! We teamed up with David’s Bridal and a killer team of wedding professionals to show you how mixing colors to create the ultimate bridal party look, OR sticking to one of their 60+ colors can transform your bride tribe! Whether it’s one of their new colors like Chianti or Dusty Sage or a variety of stunning Sunset Hues, like Dessert Coral, David’s Bridal has everything and more to take your bridal party to the next level, and your ‘maids will love them too! Check it out below and try to find just one favorite. (We promise you, you won’t be able to!)

Mauve Mix

This Mauve mix is featuring Chianti, Quartz, and Ballet. Move over blush, moodier shades of mauve are gaining in popularity when it comes to pink bridesmaid dresses. These dusty pinks pair well with beige, pale pink, and even dusty purples for a soft, feminine look. If you crave a little more drama, mix in deeper shades like Wine and Plum.

Shop these bridesmaid dress styles:

Spaghetti Strap Ruched Wait Mesh Bridesmaid Dress

Sea-ing Green!

Green has been up-trending for bridesmaids. Freshen up the look by introducing shades of blue. Gem has just enough blue undertones to pair with Dusty Blue and Steel Blue. Dusty Sage also works well with these blues and greens. And don’t be afraid to add a few brighter accents, such as light green or Olive, to your florals.

Shop these bridesmaid dress styles:

One-Shoulder Ruched Waist Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress

High-Neck Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress with Cascade

Off the Shoulder Bridesmaid Dress with Cascade

Sunset Hues

Our Sunset Hues palette is featuring Sienna, Dusty Coral, and Petal. This warm palette looks great with brighter pops of coral or apricot or even more rustic tones of Cinnamon and Sunflower.

Shop these bridesmaid dress styles:

Double-Strap Long Georgette Bridesmaid Wrap Dress

Flutter Sleeve Georgette Wrap Bridesmaid Dress

If you are looking for more to LOVE about David’s Bridal, we’ve got you covered! If you are on the hunt for stylish and affordable bridesmaid dresses, David’s Bridal offers bridesmaid dresses starting under $100 in every color imaginable (and all dresses are under $250 – including designer collections)! There are dresses for the entire bridal party – bridesmaids, Mother of the Bride/Groom (grandmothers, too!), and flower girl. Besides the bridal party, you can even find party and formal dresses for wedding guests, prom and homecoming, Military balls, and all kinds of special events!

When you stop into one of their 300+ convenient locations throughout the US, Canada, and the UK for an appointment, you will receive a dedicated stylist, who will guide you through your shopping process! If you can’t make it into one of their locations, you can enjoy 24/7 shopping on davidsbridal.com. Once you say yes to a dress (or dresses,) David’s Bridal offers alterations, and custom personalization like straps, sleeves, and bustles and ALL of the essentials from jewelry to shapewear and everything in between! Now, stop your searching and take our advice and look no further than David’s Bridal to dress your besties!

This Bride Had Not One, But Two Designer Wedding Gowns!

Montauk, an East Coast favorite for Summer vaca’s but what about absolutely romantic Spring weddings, like today’s soiree at Gurney’s Montauk Resort?! All Who Wander Event Design planned a fully packed wedding weekend from an intimate rehearsal dinner to a farewell brunch, and of course the big day which incorporated fully bloomed cherry blossoms and stunning hanging floral chandeliers crafted by Designs By Ahn. Head on over to the full gallery and check out all of the dreamy beach photos by Brklyn View Photography!

From Brkyln View Photography…Is there anything more romantic than getting married in one of the most beautiful places on earth? I didn’t think so either. Jing and Bob fell in love with Montauk and when they got engaged, they knew it was the perfect location for their magical wedding. The couple chose the luxurious Gurney’s Montauk Seawater Resort & Spa to host their weekend celebration!

The couple brought on All Who Wander Events to design, plan, and coordinate their wedding. It was a full weekend away in the Hamptons that started with an intimate rehearsal dinner, followed by their wedding day, and concluding with a goodbye brunch. Nicole, from All Who Wander Events, has incredible style and it was a thrill to be working together again for another spectacular wedding in the Hamptons. The cherry blossoms had just begun to bloom out east and we were lucky enough to have a few trees on the waterfront property to use in their wedding photos.

The bride wore a stunning wedding gown from Pronovias with a long lace train and changed into a second wedding dress during the reception by Berta. Designs by Ahn created the most beautiful, take your breath away, pink, blush, and muted mauve floral arch for the couple’s wedding ceremony. It was a show stopper! The couple was married on the Forward Deck at Gurney’s which overlooks the ocean officiated by one of their closest friends. It was a moving and meaningful ceremony for the newlyweds! After the ceremony and before cocktail hour began, we went down to the beach for a few sunset photos with our toes in the sand. How gorgeous is Jing’s Berta dress? Stunning!

Guests enjoyed cocktail hour outside before entering the white tented reception space. Silver Arrow Band lit up the dance floor! The couple’s initials were on display on the dance floor in a gold monogram under a hanging flower and light installation from Designs by Ahn. Jing and Bob danced the night away with their closest family and friends. It was so much fun being with them for their wedding weekend and honored to capture this incredible moment in their lives.

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Silver Arrow Band

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Figs, Flora + Lavender & Blue Hues – This Is Wedding Inspiration at Its Finest!

There is nothing so romantic as a table overflowing with seasonal fruits, especially jewel-like figs, and just-picked vineyard grapes. Set at the verdant Stone Tower Winery, today’s wedding inspiration feels reminiscent of a Dutch Master’s painting. SRS Events planned every fine art detail to perfection, and Eight Tree Street Florals created meadow walkways and artfully unfinished arches that seemed to envelop and embrace the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Like the most carefully placed brushstrokes, the reception details picked up all these naturally-occurring blues, from refined blue-and-white floral linens to a table dappled with dahlias and studded with blackberries. Bouquets of grapes and handfuls of figs evoked the vineyard setting, and lavender and blue gowns added to the feeling of enchantment. Drift into a reverie as you take in the full gallery and admire every romantic photo by Alicia Lacey Photography.

From SRS Events… The newlyweds chose Stone Tower Winery nestled in Leesburg, Virginia with a backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains as their elopement venue. The bride loves blues and figs are her favorite fruit, so she sought to mesh these loves together for her special day. The stationery from Wild Hearts Calligraphy & Design was vibrant and rich to coincide with the bold linen she chose for her dining table. Her lavender hued BHLDN wedding dress was a subtle nod to the purples in the figs, and her bouquet also brought in the purple and mauve hues.

Her BHLDN bridesmaid’s dress {Sadia} tied into the blues in the BBJ table linens. The couple said their I Dos with the mountains in the distance under a freestanding asymmetrical arch and a living floral aisle created by Eight Tree Street. As guests took their seats at the table, the table setting was bold yet still inviting. A pleasant contrast from the neutrals trendy in other wedding designs. Dining al fresco into the evening, the newlyweds then departed the next day to their honeymoon in Italy.

Love the look? Here are a few more details from SRS Events and this incredible team!

Stationery and day-of paper by Wild Hearts Calligraphy:
Suite – Invitation card on Fir handmade paper with white digital printing. Save the Date – vellum wrap with noir digital printing. Midnight envelopes with gold hand done calligraphy and vintage postage.
Menus – Dusty rose cardstock with white digital printing and greenery illustrated vellum wrap printed in white.
Vow booklets – Off white handmade paper, midnight velvet ribbon. Blind letterpress.

Floral Design by Eight Tree Street
Arch – The arch was a freestyle no floral foam designed in tandem with the new wave of “foam free” florals as an environmental movement and included foraged branches, grasses.
Bouquet – The bouquet included garden roses, white and gray premium standard roses (touches of Early Grey), also local dahlias, and whimsical details with white/purple sweet peas, hellebores and purple clematis vines. Ribbon was from Silk & Willow.
Centerpieces – Cement vessels were filled with local dahlias, ranunculus, autumn clematis vines, roses, purple clematis, limelight hydrangeas, and parrot tulips.
Ceremony – A “Living Aisle” included foraged branches, Queen Anne’s lace in white and brown, dahlias, limelight hydrangeas, roses, larkspur and huck.
Sweetheart Table – A lush design of locally grown flowers including limelight hydrangeas, dahlias, clematis, with touches of roses, parrot tulips and purple clematis.

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Wedding Dresses

BHLDN

Bridal 2016

Bridal 2019

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The Most Adorable Kids’ Halloween Party Ever!

Prepare yourself to be totally overwhelmed by the pure adorableness of this next little number. It has all of the ingredients for overwhelmed-by-pure-adorableness-syndrome, beginning and ending with the most preciously perfect kiddos dressed to the nines in the cutest Halloween costumes ever. If throwing a miniature Halloween party is floating around in the back of your mind, this sweet shindig – designed by Witty Bash with children’s clothing brand Rylee + Cru – will most certainly make you whip up some spooooktacular invitations and get your party planning hat dusted off and ready! Read on and fall in love with all of the cute snapped by Jessica Rice!

From Witty Bash… Beware! Golbin’s on the run! A spooky soiree featuring darling costumes, yummy treats and a spooktactular setup for the kiddos to enjoy. Rylee and Cru provided the children’s clothing, which was thoughtfully paired with Halloween accessories by The Daydream Republic and Birdie Baby Boutique.

The party was adorned with balloons, bats and witch hats. Bootiful festive flower arrangements warmed up the kids table along with pink pumpkins and gourds.

We made sure sugar was provided in all forms at our sweets station. Between cake, cookies and candy the children achieved their halloween sugar rush! Witty Bash dressed the wall with paper bats which was a super simple and easy way to spook with the space.

No party is complete without custom details. Moonlight confetti dressed our party cups with ghost drink stirrers!?

They also provided a fun cake topper and a thrilling laser-cut sign for our backdrop which reads “I put a spell on you.” The party ended with everyone feeling spooked and spell-worthy.

This Romantic Day Is Redefining Everything You Thought About Coastal Weddings

When we heard about this East Coast waterfront wedding, we immediately pictured a nautical theme. But the v. talented team behind Gilded Lily Events had other plans (and they were impressive, to say the least). By swapping boat and buoy decor for vintage furnishings, acrylic candlelight lighting, and lots of natural greenery, it resulted in a stylish, sophisticated, and elevated gathering that left us *swooning*. Then, factor in a stunning sunset (that Lauren Fair Photography and Tony Coon Films so tastefully captured) and a flawless Galia Lahav gown for the bride, and it’s safe to say this ceremony would be a seaside dream for any couple-to-be.

From the bride…“When envisioning our wedding day, I always pictured a romantic, beautiful, neutral setting with lots of greenery and neutral tones. I wanted to incorporate special little personal touches that would show our personalities and who we are as a couple. Our goal was to create a day that wouldn’t distract from the reason that all of our closest family and friends were surrounding… our love for one another and the start of our lives together!”

“I relied on Paige a huge amount for guidance with how to execute the vision I had and how to incorporate personal touches. One of the most cherished thing in our lives is our dog, Hachi. So naturally, a few of my favorite details were the watercolor painting we had of him on our signature drink sign and the drink stirrers with his face sketched on them. Another detail I loved was the calligraphed excerpt from a poem, ‘How Falling In Love is Like Owning a Dog’ we had done by Alane that we now have framed and hanging in our apartment.”

“The day of our wedding was an absolute whirlwind. I wish I could go back and re-live it from start to finish so I could appreciate it all over again. Working with Paige was the best decision we ever made in the planning process. Not only was the planning smooth sailing, but I didn’t have one worry on the day of our wedding. I was (and still am) unaware of any hiccups that might have occurred and I had complete trust in Paige to make our day perfect.”

“Lauren and Tim, from Lauren Fair Photography, and Tony and Alex, from Tony Coon Films, made us feel so comfortable in front of the cameras. We felt so natural in such an unnatural situation for us. Getting ready with the girls from Top Knots By Aimee and Make Me Up Eva was also so much fun. They were such gems and meshed so well with my bridal party. All of our vendors were incredible and I couldn’t imagine our wedding day being as incredible as it was without each and every one of them.”

“Truly, I have so many favorite moments from our wedding day! Sneaking out for sunset pictures with Drew during the reception. The first look with my dad. Putting on the same veil that my mom wore to marry my dad 36 years ago. The distinct memory I have of my heart feeling like it was going to beat right out of my chest seconds before I was about to walk down the aisle. But my favorite moment by far was the look on Drew’s face as I walked toward him down the aisle. For the rest of my life, I will never forget that look.”

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Lauren Fair Photography

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Hudson Paperie

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See How This “Ring Bearer” Stole The Show At This Wedding By The Shore!

For this wedding by the shore, the bride, and groom were inspired by their home away from home and brought a little bit of beach, humor, and romance into their big day! With Summer sunset hues tied into every detail from the invitation suite created by Erin Braun Design to the floral arrangements by Ivie Joy Flowers, their day gave us all of the modern, beach vibes! Brklyn View Photography had beautiful (and fun!) photo opportunities from the gorgeous views of Bonnet Island Estate to the couple’s handsome black lab as their ring bearer! Scroll on to read about all of the fun details and see the couple’s emotional first look!

From Brklyn View Photography…Brett and Nicole’s modern beach wedding was inspired by their home away from home, the Jersey Shore. Guests were greeted upon arrival to the Shore with local goodies and essentials (taffy, custom “beach tags” and beer koozies, naturally) and a balance of humor and romance continued throughout the weekend.

With hues taken from a Summer sunset, and a motif of the Barnegat lighthouse (visible from their beach house and the wedding venue!) threaded into the details, the couple celebrated a sometimes emotional (cue the first look), and sometimes outrageous (Fireball shots for the introductions, anyone?) wedding day.

The couple, both veterinarians made sure to include their pets as well – JJ, Rosie and Broccoli each had their own custom illustrated stamp for the invitations.. and JJ stole the show as the ring bearer. In lieu of favors, the couple opted to donate to Positive Tails, a non-profit that works to improve animal and community welfare in New York City.

When it came to the reception, the couple tapped the iconic Jersey Shore band The Nerds to whip their crowd into a frenzy (with Brett even taking the stage with them, cowbell in hand.)

You Have to Feel the Warmth of This Intimate Wedding Surrounded by Olive Trees in Crete, Greece!

As we scrolled through this gorgeous gallery from Les Anagnou Photographers, we were instantly transported to the sun-soaked streets and colorful stone houses of a little island known as Crete, Greece. The bride looked positively stunning in her tea length, off the shoulder Monique Lhuillier gown and soft, wavy curls – a beautiful twist on traditional bridal style! Don’t miss the full gallery of moments all planned by Make Happy Memories, featuring bright pink blooms, olive trees as far as the eyes can see and string lights galore.

From Les Anagnou Photographers… We travelled to a very special and picturesque island for Mata and Phil’s wedding; Crete. We could admire so many things in this location, from the cosmopolitan port to the colorful stone houses overlooking the Cretan sea.

Every corner deserved its own click of the shutter. Heading to this very special couple’s wedding, in a rather traditional farm eliciting the essence of Greek hospitality with tasty local delicacies served during dinner and surrounded with olive trees.

It was as magical as it gets and an ode to the country Mata and Phil decided to hold their wedding. Garden flowers and string lighting made a warm ambience on that summer night. We saw Mata and Phil’s friends and family getting together to celebrate love and we cannot begin to describe the joy and love that could be felt all around.

We will forever hold this wedding in Crete at a very special place in our hearts and minds as the moments we captured, the memories we have, the smiles we saw and the love we experienced were unparalleled.

A Botanical-Inspired Foodie Wedding with the Cutest Pop-Up “General Store” Favor Station!

I mean… where do we even begin? There is so much to love about this beautiful day at The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm photographed by the ever-so talented Lauren Fair Photography. From their “general store” favor station as a nod to their dream of owning their own one day, to the whimsical bridesmaids dresses that will have every girl pinning like crazy, to the burnt orange vintage getaway car! It came as no surprise when we found out the bride is an event planner herself! What are you waiting for? Head on over to that full gallery and go see all the pretty!!

From the bride, Danielle… The bride and groom truly exhibit the essence of the phrase “opposites attract” from their appearance to their personalities. She is an event planner and chef and he is a Landscape architect and so they landed on a “Botanical Print” theme, incorporating whimsical florals, greenery and seasonal fruits into their tablescapes as well as their invitations, place cards and menus. They wanted to play off of their farm house venue with a rustic, yet luxurious vibe.

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The Bride and Groom have a dream of one day running an old General store and so as their wedding favor they decided to give their guests a look into the future. Guests got to visit the pop up General store, displayed outside of the venue during cocktail hour. Everyone filled their custom canvas bags with old fashioned candy, locally made soaps, honey harvested by the Groom’s brother Ryan, Fruit Preserves, Hand dipped Chocolate pretzels and even homemade scones by the brides own company The Hungry Gnome.

Some of the other highlights were the hand rolled sushi station by the popular PA restaurant Ooka, photo ops in the classic MG convertible parked outside and the Penn State Creamery Ice Cream that was brought out during the Penn State fight song (an ode to the bride and grooms alma mater).

The newlyweds and their guests danced the night away to the incredible musical stylings of the Philly based band, Love 77, and who could forget the gourmet Grilled Cheese truck that pulled up beside the venue at 11pm to cure the late night munchies. We truly loved all of our vendors but want to shout out the teams at The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm, Lauren Fair photography and Between Sleep and Awake Films. They made us feel so at ease and well taken care of on our big day! Since I (the bride) plan events for a living I had put so much pressure on myself to make sure everything ran smoothly and they all helped me to relax and actually enjoy myself!