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See How This Couple Showed Off Their Charleston Neighborhood and Everything They Love About It!

I love a good Charleston, South Carolina wedding – the venues, the vendors and, the details are always perfectly thought out and heartfelt. For this Bride and Groom, Charleston happens to be ‘their neighborhood’ and they couldn’t wait to show it off to their family and friends! Boutique Planning had The Gibbes Museum of Art as their canvas to design and delight and did they ever! From blue floral linens from La Tavola mixed with stunning floral arrangements by Flora and a neon, calligraphy sign (a gift to the bride, from her groom) to the cutest cocktail hour set up, all photographed by Julie Livingston Photography. Go ahead and scroll and take a peek into this couples Charleston neighborhood!

From the Bride…

How We Met:
Hampton and I met in college in 2009 at the College of Charleston. We wouldn’t officially begin dating for a couple of years but I am forever grateful for the night that my friend, Emily, dragged me from my dorm to introduce me to some of “her best guy friends”. I was extremely reluctant as I had just gotten out of a long-term relationship and to be honest I was not in the mood to be social. After about an hour of making boring small talk with other new freshman girls telling their stories about how they ended up at College of Charleston, I noticed a guy wearing a Kentucky Football shirt laughing with his friends. 

Still to this day, I will never know what came over me—but I immediately started walking straight towards him and his friends. To ensure my introduction was more than memorable, I accidentally knocked over 5 glasses that were sitting on the kitchen counter. As they shattered on the floor and knowing I couldn’t ruin my stride, I reacted as anyone else would and simply stepped right over the broken pieces—finally making my way to the guy in the Kentucky shirt and his friends. And because introductions are overrated, I just jumped right into criticizing this stranger’s football team (never even mentioning my name). As a true Georgia football fan, they would learn my opinions on Kentucky football (whether they wanted to or not). All three boys were silent until the boy in the Kentucky shirt (a little confused) said, “Well then, thanks for sharing your thoughts! My name is Hampton by the way…I don’t think I ever caught what your name was?” With my face bright red, I slowly reached my hand out and introduced myself then quickly walked away to return to my freshmen friends. Years later when Hampton and I were dating, Kelly (one of the first-hand witnesses to our first meeting) told me that he commented to Hampton; “no one has ever talked to you like that, I think you are going to marry that girl”.

Planning Our Dream Wedding:

Hampton and I wanted to ensure that every detail authentically represented our relationship and what we will value most in our marriage. We knew that we wanted to put a big emphasis on our friends and family getting to experience Charleston and what makes it so special to Hampton and I. Before we even started planning our wedding, we agreed that more than anything, we wanted to be carefree and relish every moment during this special time in our lives—from proposal all the way up to the big day!

My future sister-in-law and one of my best friends actually had used Boutique Planning for their weddings—so it was a no brainer on who to choose to plan our special day. In one of our first initial meetings, we designated what our biggest priorities would be to help guide our decision-making and ensure we stayed dedicated to our shared vision. For us, it was all about the band, the photographer, and the atmosphere.

From the first conversation we had with Julie, we knew that she would be the perfect person to capture our wedding day. I truly believe one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning your wedding is the person behind the camera! Julie and her team made sure that they captured every single exceptional moment from our wedding day. She was such a joy to work with and not only did she make Hampton and I always feel comfortable and relaxed; she made it a priority to give the same attention to our families and wedding party—something that meant so much to us!

If there was one “special” request that Hampton wanted to be responsible for during wedding planning it was choosing the band—which I didn’t mind at all since he and I share a love for dancing! The Atlanta Showstoppers did not disappoint and gave me one of the best surprises when they played one of my favorite songs Bad Blood by Taylor Swift. I had added it to their list of song choices, thinking they wouldn’t notice (they even had someone rap Kendrick Lamar’s part in the song—I was elated!)

When deciding on which venues to use for our ceremony and reception we only had to look a couple of blocks away from where we live! For the ceremony, we fell in love with St. Michael’s Church (the oldest church in Charleston) and cherished the fact that my parents were also married at a St. Michael’s Church (in Richmond, Virginia) almost 30 years before we said, “I do!”

Down the street and just a short walking distance from St. Michael’s is The Gibbes Museum of Art (it was even so close that after the ceremony the majority of our guests walked down Meeting Street to the venue!) The Gibbes Museum is an idyllic location that would showcase, to our friends and family, our deep love for “our neighborhood” in downtown Charleston. This setting is rich with history and includes a magnificent glass dome Rotunda on the second floor and a stunning outdoor garden on the first floor. Our guests were welcomed with lively music by The Plantation Singers singing Oh, Happy Day, which was the perfect introduction to what was to be an incredible night. Cocktail Hour began on the second floor in the Rotunda where the music followed and our wedding team put the final touches downstairs in the garden. Our wedding planner made sure to let Hampton and I see the tent before everyone else came downstairs (and I am SO happy she did!)

Some of my favorite highlights of our wedding décor was the custom made blue neon sign of our names mirroring the calligraphy on our save the date’s, (Hampton surprised me and gave it to me as a wedding present so we could have it forever!), to the magnolia leave centerpieces, the blue and white Latavola linens and the Lucien chandeliers—the list goes on and on! The best night of our lives ended perfectly with Hampton and I walking outside the Gibbes Museum where our wedding guests were lined up to send us off with sparklers in each hand. We then were chauffeured away in one of Hampton’s trucks from his landscaping business, Frazier Land Group LLC, ready to begin an incredible, life long journey together.

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Photography: Julie Livingston Photography | Videographer: Sam Keel | Wedding Planner: Boutique Planning | Floral Design: FLORA | Cake: Ashley Bakery | Invitations: The Write Touch | Ceremony Venue: St. Michaels Church | Reception Venue: Gibbes Museum Of Art | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Cru Catering | Lighting: Technical Event Company | Band: Atlanta Showstoppers | Groom's Attire: Grady Ervin | Bride Assistant: Cacky's Bridal Aid | Bride's Dress: Lovely Bridal Shop | Bride's Hair and Makeup: Stefanie Simpson | Bridesmaid Hair and Makeup: Lashes And Lace Makeup and Hair | Cocktail Hour Music: Plantation Singers | Draping: The Social Spool | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: 428 Main Vintage Rentals | Rentals: Ooh! EventHaus | Rentals: Skyline Tent Company | Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals | Save the Dates: mac & murphy

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When the Rain Stops Just in Time and You Get the Ceremony of Your Dreams

When it comes to your wedding day, rain and an outdoor ceremony tend not to mix, but for this lucky couple, the rain only lasted through the morning AND they had Rebecca Rose Events who not only planned the entire soiree but knew how badly the bride wanted that outdoor ceremony and ensured that it happened! Once the clouds parted, Rebecca and her team were able to create stunning florals from ceremony to reception which all took place at The Merrimon-Wynne House. Photographed by Ally and Bobby Photography, every moment was beautifully captured from a greenery draped staircase to the bride’s stunning attire! Take a look below and be sure to watch their heartfelt video by Muddy Trails Film Co.

From Rebecca Rose EventsBecky and Nick desired a joyful day of celebration and that’s just what they had. Their outdoor ceremony was a dream come true, even after heavy rains hit just a few hours before the start time. From the earliest stages of the planning process, Becky felt strongly about having their ceremony in the garden outside their venue. She loved the crisp white exterior of the house, with its exquisite trim and detail, set against the contrast of the green garden area.

The original plan for inclement weather was to hold the ceremony inside the carriage house and flip that space for the reception while guests enjoyed cocktail hour inside the main house. The more we pondered that idea, the more we felt it wasn’t the right call.

Thank goodness for clear top tents! It poured and drenched us the morning of the wedding, but everything under that tent was dry and gorgeous! We were able to create a beautiful flower-filled ceremony setting with abundant natural light, set against the background of the historic house structure, just like Becky had always envisioned, and it was so lovely.

One favorite detail… Becky has an extensive personal collection of antique milk glasses vases and vessels that she wanted to incorporate. We used over 100 of her vases and mixed them with delicate clear glass bud vases to give meaningful character to the dinner tables. It was such a special touch.

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Photography: Ally and Bobby | Videography: Muddy Trails Videography | Wedding Cake: Ashley Cakes | Catering: Rocky Top Catering | Hair and Makeup: Tease And Blush | Calligraphy: Carole Murray | Lighting: Sound Illusions | Band: Souljam | Ceremony Music: Allegro Music | Cake Table Linen: BBJ La Tavola | Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Merrimon Wynne House | Linens: Party Reflections | Planning, Design, and Production (including Floral Design, Graph: Rebecca Rose Events | Rentals: Party Reflections | Stationery & Gift Boxes: Rebecca Rose Events

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
How One Couple Transformed Their Indoor Venue into a Midsummer Night’s Dream!

Whimsical, romantic, colorful, floral-filled – a complete and utter dream. These are just a few words we would use to describe today’s stunning Dallas, TX wedding planned and designed by The Wildflowers. The bride couldn’t have looked more beautiful on her big day donning a long sleeve Berta gown as she held a cheerful, cascading bouquet that will hypnotize you with its sheer beauty. Head on over to full gallery captured by Charla Storey Photography to see all the magic, including one of the most wow-worthy ceremony arbors that has ever graced the pages of SMP.

From Rebecca of The Wildflowers… Instead of an elaborate Pinterest board, Stephanie presented five adjectives that expressed her vision—among them “whimsical,” “modern,” “elegant,” “unique,” and “colorful.” As a designer, there is no better way to bring a new vision of what we are celebrating than with the inspiration of words, feelings, and the personal story of the couple. Getting to know Stephanie made creating a storied setting exceptionally easy. Immediately my mind went to the storybook landscape of The Cotswolds, the intricate French moldings of The Adolphus’ 19th floor ballroom, a Midsummer Night’s Dream, and a dreamy palette of inky midnight blues, emerald, thistle, and rose, all coupled together for a delightfully intimate feel.

The ceremony florals were whimsical and lush, taking cues from the gardens that provided inspiration. The almost-infinite growing aisle juxtaposed with a modern indoor ballroom is what truly made it a unique. What was even more magical was watching Stephanie cascade down the aisle to Henry Mancini’s choral version of “Moon River.”

Après-ceremony, guests were invited for cocktails among the historic hotel’s newly updated foyer, which was dressed in mid-century modern furnishings and Cy Twombly-like paintings throughout, with the sounds of soul and jazz scoring the evening. Guests were invited back inside the ballroom for dinner, greeted by tables dressed in cut glass and mineral tealight votives, floral-framed menus as a gentle nod to the French framed mirrors of the ballroom, miniature favor boxes tied in emerald silk ribbon bows, and bud vases of ranunculus, sweet peas, garden roses, clematis, peonies, and muscari nestled throughout.

After a treat of Charred Corn, Lump Crab and Poblano Soup, Petite Texas Filet Mignon, Cedar Plank Salmon, Rainbow Fingerling Potatoes, Wilted Arugula, Grilled Asparagus, guests enjoyed dancing, cake, and revelry. As the night grew darker, guests guided the bride and groom to their getaway car, signaling the end to a magical evening.

The Stationery:

The Adolphus’ 19th floor ballroom has beautiful, ornate gold framed mirrors in the space. I created a gentle nod to the framed mirrors by designing Stephanie’s save the date with simple gold writing and her invitations with frame details, this time of florals. Hand-calligraphed escort cards in dark teal with mineral tea light votives and bud vases welcomed guests as they entered the reception. The menu was displayed in a similar floral frame as the invitation, this time with different blooms, a butterfly, and a hand painted ribbon detail. I created a custom font that included digitized floral illustrations climbing throughout the letter, used as the first initial for the guest’s name, followed by hand-calligraphy to complete the full name for the place card.

The Cake:

Lemon cake, raspberry preserves, vanilla mousseline, Italian buttercream and red velvet cake, cream cheese icing with Italian buttercream!

The Bouquet:

The bride’s beautiful bouquet was a cascading bouquet of clematis, daffodils, sweet peas, peonies, muscari, and garden roses.

The Guest book:

Texas Wildflower Portraits by Lou Ellen O’Kennon

The Favors:

The favors were delicious Kate Weiser chocolates wrapped in white boxes and green silk ribbon, set at place setting.

The Welcome Gifts:

Welcome gifts for hotel guests included San Pellegrino glass bottles, Lammes Texas Pralines, and a welcome note with the wedding weekend itinerary.

The Proposal Story

From the Bride… After we graduated college I thought he possibly would propose soon after, though nothing happened. Then when my birthday came in June I thought it may have been then, but still nothing happened. Though, he really surprised me when on the 4th of July we had a casual day by the pool and said he got us some reservations to go to dinner that night at a seafood restaurant that was supposed to be really good. We ended up going to restaurant and I was thinking nothing of it – we order our food & drinks and before we could finish or even receive our food he popped the question since he didn’t want to wait any longer! We celebrated and finished our meal with a few glasses of champagne and then afterwards his family was there and we took pictures and had a very low key celebration.

What were some unique or special wedding details?

 I am the first in my family to get married and since Joe and I have been together for so long I felt there was a lot of excitement around the event. Since Joe and I grew up together our friend groups are the exact same – our high school friends have seen our relationship grow through the years but also our college friends grew to know us as a couple over several years. Since we are the first of our friend groups to get married there was even more excitement from our friends to celebrate!
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What were some of your favorite moments of the day?

I think the most special thing we did during our wedding which we were so glad that we did was during our reception dinner – we walked to each table to greet each person and thank them for coming. It was so nice being able to see everyone we invited and give everyone the chance to feel special and part of our day. We ended up getting so many more candid photos and had many touching moments going table to table!

First Look – Both of us were very excited since I knew he was clueless about my dress (and he knows my obsession with fashion so the dress was super important to me). We were both so calm after seeing each other and everything was perfect. We could hardly keep a serious face when taking photos we were just laughing so much talking to each other about various things like our dogs and what our friends all were doing today. We last saw each other the night before when we all went out to a bar in Dallas with our wedding party and friends from out of town!Any advice for future brides/grooms?
The main thing we learned in the process is getting a wedding planner is the best decision you can make! With both of us working full time jobs, having two puppies, and trying to keep up with our social lives- we needed help planning & executing our vision. Finding someone who has the same aesthetic and taste as your own makes it even simpler when you both gravitate towards the same ideas and designs. Rebecca could not have been any more perfect for the vision I had!

Photography: Charla Storey Photography | Event Design and Planning: The Wildflowers | Dress: Berta | Cake: The Adolphus | Calligraphy: The Left Handed Calligrapher | DJ: Le Force Entertainment | Ballroom: The Adolphus | Catering, Cake and Hair and Makeup: The Adolphus | Floral: The Wildflowers | Lab: Goodman Film Lab | Paper Goods: The Wildflower | Rentals : Top Tier | Video: Peyton Anne Frank

This NYC Venue Is the Perfect Industrial Chic Space You’ve Been Searching For!

When industrial-chic meets enchanted garden – the results are truly breathtaking, and this wedding is proof of just that! If you’re in NYC, you know there’s no better place than The Foundry to pull off this timeless look, thanks to its charming exposed brick walls and climbing ivy at every turn. Vision Event Co. brought the bride and groom’s dream to life by bringing the outdoors in, with a little help from Ivie Joy Flowers who transformed the space with spectacular hanging installations and a wow-worthy arbor. Head on over to the full gallery to see the magic unfold – all captured by CLY BY MATTHEW!

From CLY BY MATTHEW… The couple met in the med school, started dating and finally tied the knot at the Foundry in Long Island City, NY. The industrial yet modern flare with lots of ivy, cobble stone, exposed red brick charm added so many layers of beauty to this wedding celebration.

The bride wanted to make a whimsical greenhouse-like setting by putting hanging greens and flowers and a beautiful arch at the ceremony site. Later on it became a gate for the reception where they walked through for the entrance.

Transforming from NY industrial chic to enchanting greenhouse with garden style offered an amazing atmosphere throughout the day. The bride and groom’s mothers wore a Korean traditional outfit, called Hanbok, to represent their cultural background.

Photography: CLY BY MATTHEW | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Lucky Bird Bakes | Bride's shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Pronovias | Catering: Bartleby & Sage | Hair and Makeup: VickyC5 | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Wedding Venue: The Foundry | Flower: Ivie Joy Flowers | Photo Booth: Cly Booth | Planning: Vision Entertainment

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See What Color Gown This Bride Wore For Her Farm Wedding in The Catskills!

And the bride wore…GOLD! And a stunning, gold Pnina Tornai dress at that! Hanna and Jimm said their ‘I Do’s’ at The Kaaterskill, a family farm that they visit each year, which felt just like home surrounded by family and friends, horse pastures and beautiful backdrops. The bride’s dramatic dress mixed with an array of colorful florals by Saipua made for the perfect pair and Karen Wise Photography captured it beautifully! Take a look and see why this wedding has us ready for fall and be sure to check out their gorgeous hand-painted wedding cake!

From Karen Wise PhotographyHanna and Jimm loved the idea of having getting married at The Kaaterskill because they travel to the property, owned by Jimm’s cousins, for family holidays and other escapes throughout the year.

An inn, pond, 15 acres of wooded land, horse pastures, and an array of animals comprise the estate. What’s more? Although dozens of weddings are held there annually, Hanna and Jimm were the first in the family to book the Upstate New York property for their big day…

Hanna envisioned herself in a colored gown before her first shopping trip. Since it was likely to be the most extravagant dress I’d ever buy, I wasn’t going to limit myself to only white, says the bride. She admits this gold satin dress that she snagged at a Kleinfeld sample sale was a tad dramatic for her “farm wedding,” but she says, “it made me smile.”

She admits this gold satin dress that she snagged at a Kleinfeld sample sale was a tad dramatic for her “farm wedding,” but she says, “it made me smile.”

Hanna went traditional with her custom veil—”a single layer, off-white, cathedral-length beauty.” – A quote from the bride. 

Photographer: Karen Wise Photography | Floral Design: Saipua | Wedding Dress: Pnina Tornai | Ceremony Venue: The Kaaterskill | Reception Venue: The Kaaterskill | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Catering: Sonnier + Castle | Makeup and Hair: SB Beauty | Band: The Lowdown Stoppers | Groom's Suit: Michael Andrews Bespoke | Bridal Boutique: Kleinfeld Bridal | Film Lab: Chelsea Photographic

Amazing Race Winner Ties the Knot in Stunning Vineyard Wedding!

Although the bride and groom are avid world travelers, instead of having an adventurous destination wedding somewhere exotic, they opted for a meaningful, intimate wedding close to home in the mountains of Charlottesville, Virginia – and the results couldn’t have been more beautiful. As you peruse through a sea of coral dresses and white blooms, you may recognize a few familiar faces (including the groom’s – Amazing Race Winner Season 2!) Head on over to the full gallery to see all the pretty captured by Shannon Moffit Photography of their special day – planned by Amore Events by Cody!

From the bride… Alex and I currently live on the beach in Marina del Rey, California, but we decided to create a warm, memorable wedding weekend for family and friends in my home state of Virginia. We invited 160 guests to join us for the perfect 4th of July weekend celebration in the mountains of Charlottesville. Almost all of our guests had to travel to our wedding from around the world, so on the Friday beforehand, we reserved a mountaintop lodge and welcomed guests to “Camp Katie Alex.” Our guests experienced Virginia mountain life before heading to Early Mountain Vineyard for the ceremony and reception the next day.

From Shannon Moffit PhotographyThe groom, Alex Boylan, is the Co-Founder of DreamJobbing with an extensive career as an adventure travel producer and host. He is originally from Boston, but more comfortable on a surfboard on the beaches of sunny California. Alex started his career by winning The Amazing Race, Season 2. This opened up a whole world of adventure–he began producing and hosting shows all around the world. The bride, Katie Erlandson, is a fashion executive based in Los Angeles. She works with the leading fashion and beauty brands and sources talent. Katie and Alex first met in 2013, beginning their adventure together but taking their time to finally walk down the aisle. They spent a lot of time over the last six years traveling around the world together- from safaris in Africa to surfing in Thailand to sailing through the Bahamas. They are quite the adventurous power couple!

When wedding planning begun, their instincts were to follow their passion for travel and plan an exotic destination wedding with a weekend of activities and not just one night. Once the planning process continued, they realized that they wanted something very special that would be meaningful and closer to home. Growing in up Northern Virginia, Katie’s parents retired and built a beautiful log home near Charlottesville, VA, which has been the center of holiday activities for her family for the past ten years. The couple decided Charlottesville would be the perfect destination to create that special holiday environment with plenty of time together.

For the color palette, Katie drew inspiration from Pantone’s 2019 color of the year, PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral with a nod to peaches and oranges from local Virginia farm produce. She has a strong passion for design and color, so it was important for her to create a warm and vibrant color palette that felt true to a late summer wedding. She wanted to stick to the classic Virginia aesthetic, but introduce a fresh perspective. Katie worked closely with Amy of Blue Ridge Florals to bring the floral vision to life and made sure her bridesmaid’s dresses complemented the overall color story of the day. The outdoor wedding ceremony was officiated by Alex’s father, Dr. Rev. William Boylan of Boston and took place against the beautiful blue ridge vineyard landscape.

Since Alex has been very involved and active in the world of reality adventure television, there were many familiar faces in attendance. Chris Luca, Alex’s winning partner from the Amazing Race Season 2, Brennan Swain, the winner of the Amazing Race Season 1, and Jeff Schroeder, current host of Daily Blast Live, and wife Jordan Lloyd, Big Brother and Amazing Race contestant. Alex’s current business partner, Burton Roberts, was part of Survivor Season 5. And Colin Guinn and Christy Woods, the most recent Amazing Race Season 31 winners (who were able to attend only days after the season finale and win was aired). Coincidentally, two of Katie’s bridesmaids were also on the Amazing Race- Debbie Cloyed and Bianca Smith, from Season 7. They both met Alex long before Katie and were beyond thrilled once Alex and Katie finally found each other.

Also in attendance was Giada Delaurentis, television personality and cooking host, and beau Shane Farley, a long time friend and colleague of the groom, and one of the top Talk Show Executive Producers in Hollywood with credits such as The Rachael Ray Show and The Steve Harvey Show. The actor, Mark-Paul Gosselaar and his wife were also in attendance. Mark-Paul is most known for his television roles as Zack Morris in Saved by the Bell and Detective John Clark Jr. In NYPD Blue. Also in attendance, Anne O’Grady, the Executive Vice President of Marketing for CBS, and Scot Cru, the Head of International MGM Studios. And Lisa Hennessy, Alex’s close friend and business partner, who helped create reality TV executive producing and help launch shows like Eco-Challenge, Survivor, The Contender, Rockstar and The Biggest Loser.

Photography: Shannon Moffit Photography | Florist: Blue Ridge Floral | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations | Reception Venue: Early Mountain Vineyards | Catering: Harvest Moon Catering | Entertainment: Bachelor Boys Band | Donut Cake: Carpe Donut | Makeup/Hair: Avenue 42 | Planning: Amore Events by Cody | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Lydia Mountain Lodge | Rentals: Upcountry Camp

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Every Modern Bride Is About to Fall in Love with This Gallery-Like Space in Austin

In case you weren’t already convinced – there is sooo much beauty in simplicity, and this wedding at our new fave Austin venue proves just that. With the help of Wild Sky Events, the bride and groom’s vision of a minimalistic wedding with a garden-like feel came to life – complete with romantic and warm touches at every turn. Color Theory Collective created the most beautiful arrangements in neutral hues that perfectly complimented the white walls and natural wooden elements. Head on over to the full gallery captured by Feather & Twine to see all the pretty!

The Design:

From Wild Sky Events… Our design goal was to create a minimalist garden vibe that still felt warm and romantic. We focused on a gorgeous floral color palette, natural textures for linens and fabrics, wood and leather accents and bringing those key elements into all aspects of the design. From the fabric ceiling installation to the fabric on the sofa and chairs, to the wood backing on the invitations or the leather accents on the seating chart. It was all about subtle details with this wedding. 

Where did you get married and why did you choose that location?

From the bride and groom, Amanda and Chuck… Chuck actually picked it out. We both really liked it for its interesting architecture. It is so simple and beautiful. My best friend and bridesmaid was still living in Austin. I actually had her go and look at it before we put a deposit down. I saw it in person a few months later and was blown away.

What was your design inspiration?

I wanted natural, clean colors. I wanted something that was organic and light. I really just wanted to highlight how beautiful Prospect House is on it’s own. I think we made good decisions on a few things and that made all the difference.

What did you learn throughout the wedding process?

I learned how important it was to have a great vendor team. Hiring a wedding planner was the best decision I made. Wild Sky Events (Kate) helped me find all my other vendors. I didn’t have to spend hours searching for a florist or DJ because she already had people she recommended. They were people she’s worked with before and I trusted her opinion. Before planning my wedding I did not think lighting or rentals were important or something to spend money on. Kate taught me how important lighting is! Every decision you make for your wedding can seem like the most important decision, but at the end of the day, you just want your wedding to reflect who you are as a couple. 

Photography: Ruét Photo | Event Planning: Wild Sky Events | Cake: Feathers & Frosting | Reception Venue: Prospect House | Catering: Royal Fig Catering | Hair and Makeup: Mindy Orsak | Lighting: Ilios | DJ: DJ Gatsby | Floral: Color Theory Collective | Rentals: 10th Collections

A French Garden, 4 Living Arches and Romantic Literary Touches at Every Turn!

Lovers of literature, poetry and romantic french gardens – Laura and Craig combined a few of their favorite things to create the intimate destination wedding of their dreams. Their weekend began with a sunrise stroll in Paris and ended with a fabulous garden fête, all planned by Jennifer Fox Weddings with floral design from Floraison. Check out the full gallery to see living arches galore, the most beautiful blush pink gown and so much more – all captured by Molly Carr Photography!

From Jennifer Fox WeddingsLaura & Craig traveled from New Jersey to celebrate their pre wedding and intimate wedding day in France! 

The goal of their destination wedding experience was to create a day that was as personal and meaningful as possible! The inspiration behind their pre wedding photo shoot and celebration was to create a classic, iconic, formal, romantic and fashionable memories in a country that they both hold dear. 

They arrived in the City of Light a few days early in order to have a sunrise pre wedding shoot at some of Paris’ most famous landmarks! They chose to have a sunrise shoot in order to have Paris all to themselves while capturing its one of a kind romanticism. Their wedding story came full circle since Paris was where Craig proposed to Laura! Laura chose an ethereal pale pink dress that floated in the wind and blended perfectly into the pale summer sky! 

Her blush pink diamond engagement ring paired perfectly with her gown! For their wedding day the couple was inspired by French lawns and green gardens which is exactly why they chose Château Bouffémont. We chose to have the wedding dinner on the lawn with arches of lush green foliage enveloping the long dinner table. It both looked and felt like a secret garden! 

Since the couple initially met in their college poetry class, they stressed early on their love of French literature and poetry! Because of this we made sure to have literary touches throughout the design. We found elegant and organic ways to incorporate this into the majority of the details! The welcome to our love story welcome sign, the weathered pages of vintage French novels, the chapters designating each course in the menu, the flower petal cones were made from pages of Ernest Hemmingway’s novel “The Sun Also Rises” that the couple chose themself!

Photography: Molly Carr Photography | Floral Design: Floraison | Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara | Ring: ManiaMania | Catering: Grand Chemin | Entertainment: Jazz Around Midnight | Beauty: Onorina Jomir Beauty | Blush Dress : Nordstrom | Calligraphy & Stationery : Silent Word Studio | Chateau: Chateau Bouffémont | Dress Boutique: Elizabeth Johns | Gossamer Ribbons: Adorn Company | Linens: Madame de la Maison | Planning & Design: Jennifer Fox Weddings | Pre-Wedding Dress: Basix Black Label

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The Best Tips for Creating Your Wedding Seating Chart That Will Make Every Guest Happy

Nothing sounds like less fun than a seating chart, also known as an escort card display, especially if you have bad memories of your elementary school days of not being able to sit next to your BFF. When it comes to your wedding, you might be wary of the seating chart whether it sounds too formal, disappointing to guests, or simply too difficult to put together. Although it might not be your favorite wedding task, the seating chart is absolutely necessary for weddings to prevent guest stressing over where they should sit. If a positive guest experience is important to you, read on for tips for creating your wedding seating chart that will make every guest happy!

Be Mindful of the Table Groups

Cathy of COJ Events says, “As the couple hosting a wedding it’s easy to try to accept responsibility for everyone attending.  And as wedding planners our goal is to create a fabulous guest experience for everyone attending, but the truth is that when it comes to the seating chart it may not be possible to make everyone happy! And that’s OK!  Do your best to keep people together who will enjoy each other, allow family who have not seen each other for a long time to spend time together not with strangers, and work hard to make your floor plan well thought out so that there are not really any bad tables! Then relax and enjoy the time knowing that guests are only sitting at the dinner tables for 90 minutes max.”

Kaella Lynn adds another interesting perspective, “I advise clients to think not only about seating people with those they already know but to group people by common interests. This allows them to also meet new people and build more community along your guests. For example, those that studied abroad in the same city.”

The Best Way to Arrange the Names

“For a group over 75 guests, I recommend placing the guests in alphabetical order instead of by table. This is so much more convenient for your guests, making it easier to find their name and table number and also letting them enjoy more of cocktail hour. Also helps with transitioning to dinner more seamlessly.” Remarks Kaella Lynn.

Create a Gorgeous Display

Walking up to a plain table of folded cards isn’t nearly as fun as seeing a beautiful display of escort cards that ties into your wedding theme. Although it’ll cost more to have a custom display, it might be totally worth it for guest experience. For example, one of my past couples loves sports and their seating chart was a “seeding chart” with a tournament bracket indicating the tables. Guests absolutely loved it!

Make it Boozy

To make the seating chart more exciting, give each guest a refreshing cocktail or glass of champagne along with his or her escort card. Jeannie of Details Details suggests, “Seating charts that incorporate champagne or a signature cocktail are super fun. We line up the drinks on wall shelves with acrylic stir sticks that are laser etched with guests’ names and table assignments. It sets the tone for a festive reception. For example, for a Bali wedding, we offered a lychee mojito while in California we offered a refreshing Prosecco.”

 

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. 

How She Upped the Cozy Factor in her Modern Loft!

Here comes Fall… sweaters, pumpkin spiced lattes and all. Is your home ready? With cozy layers and warm neutrals, Neelam Gurm of Patterns and Prosecco transformed this industrial loft into the perfect place for cozying up with a great book and a hot cup of your favorite sip. Get inspired to add cold weather comfort to your abode with images by MJay Photography plus our favorite pieces to snag the look below!

For this project I transformed an industrial space into a cozy space to welcome fall. My intention was to inspire and help readers transition their own spaces from summer into fall and winter.

The inspiration and most prominent piece in the space is the beautiful vintage Turkish rug. From the 1960s it’s hand knotted, vibrant and the perfect addition to the concrete floors. Area rugs and scatter rugs are an easy and inexpensive way to change up decor with the seasons. In a large space like this the rug not only defines the space, but also helps to absorb sound and reduce echoing.

Since I wanted the rug to be the star, I kept the rest of the furnishings neutral, choosing to play with texture over color to create interest. An oversized knitted throw, fringed pillows, and a knotted pouf keep the space from feeling boring, while creating a warm and inviting space.

Gorgeous caramel leather chairs offer contrast to the sofa, but blend in beautifully with the brick, keeping the space mellow. A sheep skin rug and cozy pillow help to soften the chairs and play well with the other textures in the space.

Natural elements like the raw wood nesting tables and warm tones like the bass accents help to warm up the space even more. Vintage art, books and candles complete the transformation.

Photography: Michelle Johnson | Design: Neelam Gurm | Brass Side Table: West Elm | Candles: Anthropologie | Chairs: Homesense | Fringed Pillow: Anthropologie | Knitted Throw: West Elm | Lamp: Homesense | Nesting Tables: Homesense | Pouf: Homesense | Rug: Etsy | Sofa: Homesense

The Floral Adorned Garden Wedding of Our Dreams!

Garden wedding lovers – this one’s for you! Blush and mauve hues decorated their day from the bridesmaids dresses to the floral ceremony arch created by Gather Design Company. The bride stunned in a V-neck Jusere gown and a delicate princess tiara (total royal wedding vibes). Later, FNMS Inc. Planning and Design brought the garden inside at their reception complete with a living staircase and lush pink blooms. See all the magic unfold at the full gallery – taken by The Ganeys!

From The GaneysDaisy and Jixiong had a beautiful Thornewood Castle wedding! The weather could not have been more beautiful and this couple couldn’t have been sweeter. Daisy and Jixiong opted for an intimate wedding with only 60 guests, allowing them to spend time with everyone that made the trip to celebrate with them! Daisy has impeccable taste – I could have photographed her all day! 

Her bridal shoes were absolutely stunning with the lace detailing and the jeweled accent. Her hair was pulled up neatly in a high bun, and around it, she wore a crown. She wore a ballgown that flattered her figure with ascending floral accents on the bodice. Her bridesmaids wore mauve gowns and carried garden bouquets filled with roses, dahlias and sweet peas. 

Jixiong and Daisy decided to do a first look up on the balcony of Thornewood Castle. They were so excited to see each other for the first time – all of the nerves melted away with that first embrace! The wedding ceremony was held in the garden. A harpist played classical love songs as guests found their seats – the aisles flanked by floral arrangements. 

The lush floral arch from Gather Design Company was the most romantic centerpiece to the ceremony. Daisy and Jixiong shared personal vows during the ceremony, and friends and family cheered as they were announced as husband and wife! The reception was held indoors in the main dining room. Each table was set with organic florals and each guest sat with a gold rimmed charger, gold flatware and a menu card. Daisy and Jixong’s family shared toasts and the couple made their way to every table to greet their guests. At the end of the evening, we walked down to the dock for some sunset portraits. As the sun set behind the mountains, Daisy and Jixiong had the opportunity to soak it in – this was their wedding day. Shortly after, they exited through a row of sparklers!

Photography: The Ganeys | Floral Design: Gather Design Company | Wedding Dress: Jusere | Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana | Bridesmaids Dresses: Vera Wang | Catering: Foodz Catering | Hair & Makeup: Tianyao Su | Harpist: The Solo Harp | Venue: Thornewood Castle | Crown: Qianse Bride | Dining Dress: Tadashi Shoji | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | MC: Lucy Meng Wedding MC | Planning: FNMS Inc. Planning and Design | Rentals: Cort Party Rentals | Rentals: Sweet Buffet Lady | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

Jackie O Would 100% Approve of This Chic & Timeless Ballroom Wedding

This stunning former NFL cheerleader and her handsome hub tied the knot in true Jackie O style at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in front of their closest family and friends. The bride was the epitome of elegance in her classic strapless gown while rocking a pair of matching opera-length gloves (#goals)! Callista & Company planned the entire day to perfection while O’Malley Photographers captured every chic detail. Head on over to the full gallery to see all the modern blooms from Sinclair & Moore and so much more… the arbor is truly EVERYTHING.

From the planner, Callista & Company, and the Bride, Brittany… As a newly engaged couple going into wedding planning, we already had a vision of our perfect wedding, which included a traditional base with modern twists sprinkled in. Luckily, Reid and I had the industry’s best of the best help bring our wedding dreams to fruition.

Our wedding was traditional with a Kennedy-esque flare to the evening – I wore a clean high bun, a full gown with delicate buttons down the back, accompanied with silk opera length gloves. Reid wore a classic black tuxedo with a white button-down shirt and black bow tie.

Our modern twists included all white bridesmaid’s gowns, an energetic little Flower Boy and all white floral arrangements. The all white ensemble was complemented with shades of grey and black accents and different textures to truly bring the room to life.

Being a former Seattle Seahawk’s Cheerleader (Go Hawks!), it’s tradition to perform a dance called ‘Turbulence’ at all former / current cheerleaders’ weddings. What made this tradition even more exciting was having Reid, an honorary Squad 5 member, show off his dance moves in front of friends and family and join in as the shared point of the triangle!

Guests roared and applauded and could not believe Reid was up dancing with former NFL cheerleaders – he fit right in! Another special moment happened just minutes before walking down the aisle. My bridesmaids and I had a “My Best Friend’s Wedding” moment and played the song “Wishin’ and Hopin’ as we danced around with the Flower Boy, sipped champagne and giggled as we prepared to walk down the aisle. It was the most perfect, unplanned moment of the entire day!

Photography: O'Malley Photographers | Cinematography: Green Attic Films | Event Planning: Callista & Company | Floral Design: Sinclair & Moore | Wedding Dress: Sareh Nouri | Stationery: Grey and Cake | Ceremony: Olympic Fairmont Hotel | Reception: Olympic Fairmont Hotel | Hair & Make-up: Geraldine Legaspi | Veil: Sareh Nouri

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A Floral Escort Card Display Unlike Any We’ve Seen Before!

A little bit of rustic romance mixed with a bit of sophisticated style made for the perfect wedding day for this music-loving couple! Held at The Full Moon Resort, Bride and Groom adorned the venue with a variety of stunning floral displays by Faye and Renee! From a jaw-dropping ceremony setup, allowing the bride to walk through a set of doors (while being completely outside,) to one of our favorite escort card display’s we’ve seen! Top off the day with the sounds of live band, Cafe Wha? Band and you have a wedding day full of all of the love and all of the dancing! Take a peek below, and see how Emily Wren Photography brought this couples whimsical day to life!

From Emily Wren PhotographyMarli and Zach brought a sophisticated sense of style and love of live music to their wedding weekend at the Full Moon Resort. The rustic romance of the Catskills provided an idyllic backdrop for this glowing couple, along with family and friends, to celebrate from the rehearsal dinner on Friday night to the farewell brunch on Sunday morning! 

The Full Moon Resort is situated in the heart of the Catskill Forest Preserve and offers both in-house catering and an array of accommodations and venues, making it the perfect destination for a summer wedding!

The floral design, courtesy of Faye & Renee, augmented the Full Moon Resort’s grounds, bringing heavenly floral arches (and dreamy french doors!) to the lush green lawns and decking the handsome golden barn in rosy sprays of summer blooms! While there were so many major moments of floral inspiration in this wedding, I was struck by the escort cards, nestled in the baskets of yellow and white wildflowers outside of the Wedding Barn. It was the sweetest way to transition from the cocktail hour in the garden to the reception indoors.

Music plays an important part in Zach and Marli’s relationship–Zach, who used to be a music blogger, actually met Marli at a concert– so getting a world-class wedding band was a must! They booked New York’s legendary Cafe Wha? band, who were absolutely amazing! The spirits were high in the Wedding Barn, and the golden lights hanging from the ceiling like full moons lit up the equally beaming crowd! Cafe Wha? read the energy of the room and kept the dance floor rocking until the end of the night, when Zach and Marli joined their guests for an after-party at the Roadhouse–a late-night bar on the premises!

Photography: Emily Wren Photography | Videography: Luxe Reel | Floral Design: Faye and Renee Floral and Event Design | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Invitations: Minted | Reception Venue: Full Moon Resort | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Catering: Full Moon Resort | Makeup & Hair: Tara Pross of Bella Trucco | Band: Cafe Wha Band | Groom's Suit: Enzo Custom | Groom's Wedding Band: Chris Ploof | Ring Box: Alwedo | Wedding Ring: Jemma Wynne

A Flower Themed First Birthday Party fit for a Little Lady!

First Birthdays. A chance to celebrate the little person that we’ve fallen so deeply in love with. A milestone where we recognize that our baby isn’t such a baby anymore. But more than anything? A holy-cow-we-did-it-sleepless-nights-and-all party where we can (and should) celebrate that being a parent isn’t for the faint of heart. That it truly does, take a village. Well, lucky for us, the creative and crazy talented village that surrounds floral designer Michelle Lywood and her precious little girl Livia, whipped together a first birthday party to end all first birthday parties. Planned by Lovely Time Weddings & Events with flowers by La Lavande and photos by Taralynn Lawton, this is one for the books!

From Tammy at Lovely Time Wedding & EventsBig congratulations to Michelle Lywood, our oh-so talented florist friend in the industry. After taking a break to spend time with her sweet daughter, Livia. It was so much fun to see Michelle come back to events though hosting a beautiful party for her friends and family! Michelle can never get away from her love for florals, so Livia in turn was born to bloom beautifully. This theme of the event came from Michelle’s hope for her daughter to blossom into a beautiful woman!

Michelle really wanted a cute, but high-end cake design, different from usual baby party celebrations. We also knew that she really loved the watercolor effect and peachy-coral tones that we were using as the main colors of the event, so La Vie Douce Design incorporated those themes into the cake design using white fondant applique to give a higher-end floral look. Inkinity Studio designed and executed the beautiful watercolor backdrop. 

We had two varieties of handmade cookies by Not Betty Cookies – one shaped into colorful florals and the other featuring handpainted farm animals which helped to tie in the petting zoo that we had. Having the cookie maker use black outlines for the animals with a pop of color to represent the color palette and floral theme made them feel fresh and modern.

Knowing both mother and daughter, the pair are always so happy and sweet, our design team found a quote that fit their family perfectly. “If I had a flower for every time you made us smile and laugh, I could walk in my garden forever,” fitting in with the floral theme. We used the quote as a backdrop and a focal point which was crafted beautifully by KLP Calligraphy

Along with the beautiful aesthetics, we worked to include many interactive and photo elements for the guests and the family with 3 photographable backdrops and plenty of food and activities!

The whole party was a great gathering of family and friends with activities that both the children and adults could enjoy in a homey backyard with personalized decoration.

Photography: Taralynn Lawton | Floral Design: La Lavande | Cake: La Vie Douce Design | Catering: Far Out Catering | Calligraphy: KLP Calligraphy | Art Direction: Michelle Lywood | Backdrop: Inkinity Studio | Balloon Design: Balloonatics Events | Bartender: Bartending Babes | Cookies: Not Betty Cookies | Face Painting: Happy Cake Face Painting | Lasercut Signs: Happily Ever Etched | Linen Rental: BBJ La Tavola | Petting Zoo: Little Explorers Petting Zoo | Planning: Lovely Time | Rentals: Abbey Rentals | Shave Ice: Annie Viv's Shave Ice | Vintage Rentals: One True Love Vintage Rentals

A Stunning Floral Cross Set the Tone for This Southern Fête

A living floral cross, a minimalistic yet stunning wedding dress, a rickshaw send off and the best advice we’ve ever heard from the bride herself – these are just a few things you can expect from today’s beautiful Charleston wedding. There may have been a major heatwave the weekend of their wedding, but the team at Hill and Co Creative kept their cool and had the festivities going off without a hitch. Stephanie Gibbs Events created stunning, organic arrangements bringing the couple’s elegant vision to life. Take in all the southern charm at the full gallery captured by Pura Soul Photography!

From Skylar Stetten of Pura Soul Photography… Caroline and Daniel opted for a large southern style wedding just outside of Charleston, SC and celebrated with over 200 of their closest friends and family. Since the wedding celebration was large, Hill and Co. Creative designed a unique reception that felt like you were in an outdoor living room with fine furnishings including winged, cane back chairs and leggy sofas. A custom blue and white bar, blue and white pillows, and blue and white ginger jars were just a few of the elements that gave this wedding it’s traditional southern charm. Standing just over 6 feet tall, the floral cross created by Stephanie Gibbs Events was the cornerstone of the ceremony site. The religious ceremony was rooted in heartfelt readings of scripture by close friends and family.

Ceremony

From the Bride and her mother… Large floral urns flanked the aisle entering the ceremony site, which was framed by sprawling oak boughs with Spanish moss. Ushers escorted guests to vintage salvaged church pews with simple greenery aisle markers. A large wood cross covered in flowers stood against the backdrop of a peaceful pond. As if on cue, several white cranes gracefully skimmed the water surface. It was the hottest Memorial Day Weekend on record in Charleston, totaling a steamy 100 degrees, but during the ceremony, a gentle breeze suddenly wafted through the venue (to every guest’s delight). Crisp, white umbrellas shaded the venue from the glaring sun, and guests were provided with handmade sweetgrass fans, thanks to my mother’s brilliant last-minute improvisation.

Reception

Characterized by subtle, low-country elegance and layers of texture and light. A gray and white paneled bar backed by etagere shelving for glassware was strategically positioned under an ancient oak. A cluster of beehive pendants cast a warm glow, as guests gathered to enjoy cocktails around gray barley-twist pedestal tables. I (the bride) took a stab at etching the bar menu on an antique mirror in white fabric paint. Bamboo folding chairs pulled up to round tables covered in off-white linens with floral centerpieces in cement urns and etched glass votives with blue tapered candles. Guests had a perfect view of the action perched on Penelope chairs surrounding long community tables that flanked the dance floor. A lounge area, with cane-backed wing chairs, a sofa, and blue- and- white- chinoiserie pillows invited guests to linger and enjoy the night. Under the tent, guests crowded onto the birchwood- and- white checkered dance floor with a white plantation-front stage. The one-and-only, Charlotte-based Sol Fusion band provided the energy, talent, and tempo to overcome the heat and rally everyone to dance. Later in the night, our guests donned a hilarious assortment of hats and dance floor props – from Finding Nemo characters to saguaro cacti (an ode to my AZ roots, of course).

Ramses/The Exit

The highlight of the evening was a surprise visit by Ramses, the famed mascot of the University of North Carolina (our alma mater), who leapt onstage in the middle of ‘Uptown Funk,’ bringing the crowd to its knees. The peak of the evening (and quite possibly my existence) was shimmying with my father and Ramses after both families and bridal parties had rushed on stage. For our exit, we knew a glitzy Rolls-Royce wasn’t fitting, so we started brainstorming creative alternatives. We have a few friends who’ve manned bike taxis in downtown Charleston, therefore the idea for a rickshaw bike unfolded organically.

Florals

My vision was to infuse as many elements as possible with loose, overflowing arrangements of seasonal garden florals. Stephanie Gibbs worked her magic with jasmine vine, tulips, lilacs, eleagnus, smilax, garden roses, lisianthus. For the bridal bouquet, I carried hand-tied florals of garden roses, tulips, lisianthus, and lilac with loose greenery. Bridesmaids had similar, but smaller arrangements. Last, but not least – the large wooden cross was exquisitely draped in natural greenery and white florals to serve as the centerpiece of our ceremony.

Invitations

Our invitations hinted at what was to come; one of my bridesmaids, Charlotte Moore, painted a watercolor of the Wingate farmhouse for the save-the-dates. Our formal invitations were engraved in breeze blue ink, with a simple oak tree motif that I designed. My mother collected a palette of muted blue, sea-glass and rose-colored vintage stamps from various sources, each representing an aspect of our lives.

The Food

Charleston is a foodie town, and we wanted to treat our guests to a coastal Carolina feast. Our idea: innovative, artful local cuisine fused with comfort food. Salthouse, our caterer, was a great choice to implement this vision. During cocktail hour, we served piquant tomato pie tartlettes, lobster BLTs, okra tempura, and local Ashley Farms duck confit. During the reception, guests grazed at the “Chef’s Best of the Season” table, a charcuterie loaded with locally-sourced hand-cured meats, cheeses, lavosh, and gourmet condiments. During the evening, guests sampled local shrimp and grits with Tasso gravy, braised short rib with mushroom ragout, and a mac-n-cheese bar with cavitappi pasta and five cheese mornay with toppings. To ward off the heat, we provided cooling towels, sweetgrass fans, umbrellas, electric fans, and a popsicle vendor, King of Pops. To soak up the late night cocktails, we had bourbon-glazed fried chicken with homemade biscuits, and the one-and-only Krispy Kreme donuts.

Gift Bags

We sourced Snack Monster prickly-pear rice krispies cookies coated with house-made salted caramel, Chapel Hill toffees, Old Bay Virginia Peanuts, assorted Red Clay hot sauces, and Lowcountry Kettle chips. Oh, and a sophisticated hangover kit to combat Monday’s struggle.

The Dress

As a tomboy at my core, I was secretly dreading the dress search. Unlike many brides out there, my idea of a ‘dream’ wedding dress consists of clean lines, minimal frills and an understated, yet sleek silhouette (i. E. Megan Markle’s gown, but more summery). I was not at all expecting to find THE frock when I stumbled into a sample store in downtown Charleston almost one month after being engaged… In fact, I made the appointment in the first place thinking it would be a beneficial introduction to the process, which I had convinced myself would take 6+ months based on my chronic indecisiveness (and the conflicting female opinions in my family). My “moms” (AKA mother and mother-in-law) were in town at the time and instantly started pulling options off the shelves for me to try when we waltzed into the shop with my roommates. One of the dresses that caught my eye immediately was a strikingly simplistic Sarah Seven frock with a form-fitting bodice that happened to be a size 2 (what are the odds?). I tried it on in front of my posse, and no one said a word for 20 seconds, until my mother exclaimed, “Well, time to go. You have your dress.” The rest of the room chimed in and adamantly agreed, including my mother-in-law, who brought along an exquisite antique Brussels lace veil “just in case” I wanted to see it in-person. Turns out, the exquisite off-white pattern of the veil was a perfect fit for the Sarah Seven dress – and the rest is history. As for the groom’s vision… Our attire was black tie, but ended up with an unexpected twist: shorts. Explanation below!

The Shorts

Given the go-ahead by the mother of the bride earlier in the day, the groomsmen disappeared shortly after cocktail hour and reemerged wearing makeshift tuxedo ‘shorts’ above their knees (really just strategic black swim trunks). Soon enough, nearly half of the male population in attendance followed suit – literally – flaunting every style of short imaginable – from chubbies to neon swim trunks.

How We Met

If at first you don’t succeed…

Caroline and Daniel crossed paths in 2012 when she arrived as a freshman (and he was a junior) at UNC. Instantly smitten, Daniel decided to make his affection known one night under the stars at Chapel Hill’s most enchanting venue: Pantana Bob’s. Needless to say, things didn’t exactly go as planned. Then, nearly two years later, Caroline finally agreed to go to a cocktail function with Daniel, where she was floored by his swing dancing skills (compliments of his dedicated trainer, Angela) and uncanny ability to make her laugh. It wasn’t until 2014 that the duo made their relationship “official” on the patio of another romantic watering hole: Blind Tiger Pub–ironically located a few doors down from Daniel’s workplace. Four years later, these star-crossed Tar Heels tied the knot in the same city where they took the first step—surrounded by friends and family from across the globe.

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Advice for Brides/Grooms

I could easily draft a novel for this prompt, but I’ll try to keep it brief. No matter what calamity strikes or bad weather ensues before, during or after the wedding – the outcome of the wedding is 100% in the bride and groom’s hands. For starters, my car was totaled in the middle of the night four months before my wedding by a one-legged man with no insurance. Then, two months later – I found out my videographer had taken his own life after not hearing from him for a month. A few weeks after that, I discovered the bridesmaid dress I chose sold out of all sizes except 14, 16 and 18 (turns out my sister and two best friends from home hadn’t ordered theirs yet). Fast forward to the week before the wedding, and my in-laws’ car broke down on the highway en route to Charleston with my husband’s 94-year-old grandmother in the backseat. Meanwhile, I picked my rehearsal dinner dress up from the seamstress, only to discover she had accidentally sewn in size DD cups (instead of the correct B size). And on top of all of this, we began reading reports of a Charleston heat wave approaching, which was predicted to culminate in 99 degrees on our wedding day, May 26. Trust me–I could keep going, but my point is to stress that none of the logistics and fluff really matter in the long-run. Most of us have been to a wedding or two where the bride is clearly uptight and preoccupied with over-calculating every aesthetic detail around her. I made a promise to myself not to fall into this category. So instead, Daniel (my husband) and I concocted a simple, foolproof game plan to truly enjoy the best night of our lives:

Remember what the day is about. Hint: it’s not the dress designer, venue, draping or shoes that matter in the end – it’s who’s waiting for you at the other end of the aisle. When in doubt, report to the dance floor. It’s that simple. We weren’t afraid to let loose at our wedding (sweat and all), and I’m so glad we did. I truly believe that the bride and groom’s collective attitude is one of the single most critical factors to determine the night’s success. Allow yourselves to have a blast, and I promise – your guests will too. Ladies, this should go without saying… But break in your wedding shoes at least two weeks out. I’m still suffering the consequences.

Conclusion

As evidenced by the uncontrollable tears, I’ll never forget walking down the aisle escorted by my sweet daddy. It’s truly an impossible task to narrow down every glorious moment of that 100-degree day… However, the surprise Ramses cameo, last-second shorts rebellion and rickshaw exit (sporting sombreros) were obvious highlights.

Photographer: Pura Soul Photography | Videographer: Knotted Arrow | Wedding Planner: Hill & Co. Creative | Florist: Stephanie Gibbs Events | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Cake: Charleston Cakes Etc | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Catering: Salthouse Catering | Calligraphy: Bonnie Clark | Lighting: East Bay Lighting | Band: Sol Fusion | Wedding Venue: Wingate Plantation | Donuts: Krispy Kreme | Dress Shop: Gown Collective | Film Lab: Indie Film Lab | Mascot: University of North Carolina | Paper Goods: Reaves Engraving | Popsicles: King Of Pops | Rentals: Eventworks | Rickshaw: Rickshaw | Specialty Rentals: Ooh! EventHaus | Strings: Other Brother Entertainment. Josh. | Watercolor: C. H. Moore

Ditching the New Build for a Charming Colonial Fixer-Upper

After setting their sights on a custom new build, this city family happened upon their dream house. A charming colonial fixer-upper with loads of potential stole their hearts and with Maureen Ursino leading the design helm, this home was transformed into a modern farmhouse with serious cozy vibes. Sneak a peek inside this charmer shot by Raquel Langworthy.

When looking at this beautifully edited, bright and wonderfully personal home it’s hard to believe that just a year ago it almost didn’t happen. I was initially hired by my clients last summer to design a custom new build about 30 minutes outside of New York. At the time, the young couple was living in Hoboken, NJ and eager to find the perfect first home to welcome their first baby.

We were in the midst of design development when one day the wife called me and said, “I’m so sorry, but we’ve fallen in love with another house in the town over.” She explained the house was an older home and needed some work, but it had given them “that feeling” and they were sure this is where they wanted to raise their family. I agreed to pivot my efforts!

They settled on their new house quickly and as soon as I visited, I immediately understood the appeal. The house is in a beautiful, walkable New Jersey suburb, situated on a cul-de-sac with a gorgeous lush lawn, a large patio, and lots of privacy, but most importantly, it offered a unique canvas for which we could pay homage to their roots and also look to the bright future.

The couple, who were married on their family’s 200-year-old farm in Pennsylvania, wanted to design a modern farmhouse that felt bright, fresh, and clean, while also still being comfortable and family-friendly. They used the opportunity of a new home to focus on the furnishings.

We went with a warm neutral palette, bringing in color through natural elements and texture. One of my favorite parts of the home are the beautiful oversized windows. We intentionally selected furnishings and textiles that allowed the natural light to really illuminate the space and provide the airy, clean feel we wanted to achieve.

The home has 8’ ceilings, which can be a little tricky, but they can also enhance the sense of intimacy in a space if treated correctly. For this reason, we decided on lighting fixtures that were large in scale, but translucent or white to allow the light to spread around the home.

The couple inherited a few keepsakes from their family farm, including an original copy of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. We wove these items in to their story via styling moments, which add the personal touches I feel are so important to any project! The project took about 5 months and the family was able to begin making memories in their newly designed home this summer. 

Photography: Raquel Langworthy | Lighting: Circa Lighting | Interior Design: Maureen Ursino

Almost All Decor Was Brought in from Family Homes to Create the Ultimate Personalized Wedding!

We’re all about personalization over here at SMP, so when we saw Belle and Jon’s Nashville wedding planned by The New Eclectic – we were immediately obsessed. Every single corner of this delightful affair was carefully curated with personalized details. They tied the knot at a plantation the bride’s family frequented as she was growing up, they used items from family homes for the decor (major vintage chic vibes), the bride’s mom created their custom wedding monogram, the list goes on… we’re pretty sure this is the most personal and unique wedding we’ve ever laid eyes on! See all the can’t-miss details at the full gallery – all taken by Kati Mallory Photo & Design!

From the planner, Alex Cantrell, of The New EclecticBelle and Jon Aaron were married on June 8, 2019 at Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville, TN. They met at Harding University in Searcy, AR, where Belle was a football cheerleader and Jon Aaron played football. When we started planning the wedding, we wanted to focus on making every little detail incredibly personal. Belle always wanted a formal garden wedding. They had looked into a few different venues around Nashville, but Belle Meade was the perfect fit. It was extra special to Belle’s family because they would go by the plantation every year for Easter lunch as she was growing up. Belle’s mom, Beth, is a painter and created the custom monogram and crest that was featured on the Save the Dates, table numbers, coffee bar banner, head table napkin, ring bearer pillow, and various other places. You’re Invited, a local shop, was integral in bringing the vision for all the paper goods to life. 

All of the blue and white ginger jars were from Beth’s personal collection, and Stella Rose Florals filled them beautifully. We incorporated a handful of silver pieces from the groom’s grandmothers silver collection, and the diamonds in Belle’s ring are heirloom diamonds. Almost all decor we used was brought in from the family homes, making the day unique to the couple and very personal. Belle and Jon Aaron both grew up eating on Blue Willow China, which is why we decided to use the Royal Doulton China on the head table. 

The crest, created by Belle’s mom, was monogramed onto head table napkins by Sew Special by V. The Honeydew Palomino linens and runners used in the tent came from Nuage Designs, and all other linens, chairs, and other rentals came from Liberty Party Rental. Belle has always considered herself a “pink and green” girl, so we used various touches of pinks and greens throughout the design. Bows are also something Belle has always been known for, so incorporating bows into the day was a must. Copper Whisk Cakes created a beautiful cake with a bow accenting the upper tiers. 

The Bridesmaids dresses (Bridals by Lori by Alfred Sung) were customized with beautiful bows at the bottom of the open backs, and the invitation and programs all had bows on them as well. Belle’s dress was a custom Blush Sparkle Lazaro gown. We decided on white dinner jackets for the men because of the classic, southern summer look, and because both Belle & Jon Aaron’s grandfathers got married wearing the same look! On the day of the wedding, storms were rolling in through Nashville. Every hour or so, a downpour would occur – everyone was nervous about the outdoor wedding that so much thought and planning had gone into! We all prayed that the clouds would part, and miraculously they DID! Belle & Jon Aaron were able to have the outdoor wedding they’d dreamed about, and as soon as they said, “I do!” the rain started. It was God’s perfect timing!

One of the hits of the evening was the live painter, Jordan Sprague. This was a special surprise to Belle from her parents. Jordan painted the reception tent throughout the evening, and the end product was absolutely gorgeous! The guests loved getting to witness her paint as well, and it now hangs as a cherished piece in the couple’s home. Every detail for this lovely southern garden wedding was thought through and personal. It was such a special evening for all who were involved!

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Photography: Kati Mallory Fine Art Photography | Videography: Colling Films | Event Planning: The New Eclectic | Floral Design: Stella Rose Floral | Wedding Dress: Lazaro | Cake: Copper Whisk Cakes | Invitations: You're Invited | Catering: As You Like It Catering | Calligraphy: Hope Stanley | Lighting: Bright Event Productions | DJ: Blair Saldana | Ceremony Musicians: College Grove Strings | Ceremony and Reception Venue: Belle Meade Plantation | Coffee Bar: Proverbial Cup | Draping: Quest Drape | Getaway Car: Matchless Transportation | Linens: Nuage Designs | Monogram Napkins and Ring Bearer Pillow: Sew Special By V | Rentals: Please Be Seated | Rentals: Liberty Party Rental

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A Proposal AND a Puppy Lead To This Perfectly Perfect Wedding Day!

When it came time to pop the question, this groom-to-be decided to go all out and plan an after-party with friends and family, AND surprise his new fiance with a puppy! Talk about fiance goals! Once she obviously said yes, the planning began and The Madison Hotel is where it started, with a gorgeous, light-filled glass conservatory for all of the vows and wows. Cassi Claire photographed and captured every moment, even the guest appearance of the couple’s pup! With classic ivory florals mixed with just the right amount of greenery to compliment the venue, Apple Blossom Flower Shop made gorgeous arrangements from the bride’s bouquet to the floral arbor. Take a peek below, and watch the couple’s magical video by our friends, NST Pictures!

From the Bride…

How they met:
Mike and I met at the University of Maryland College Park on spring break. A few girlfriends in my sorority knew Mike who was in a close fraternity and introduced us. Mike graduated a year before me and moved back home to Scotch Plains, NJ, where he got a job and started establishing himself. After I graduated the following year, I moved up to NJ with Mike (I’m originally from Maryland) and we moved in together. We’ve lived in a few different cities since, but are now located in Green Brook, NJ, living a suburb life with our adorable 5-month old mastiff-rottweiler puppy, Leo (who was a surprise part of the proposal!).

The proposal:
From Mike’s perspective, it was very important for his proposal to be a big surprise for Christine and be something that they will never forget. It was their most important day with each other to date, and he wanted it to be something special. Mike and Christine lived in Hoboken, NJ for two years and it was a place that was significant to them. Mike had arranged a double date brunch at Halifax, a great restaurant along the Hudson River. After brunch was finished, he tricked Christine into going upstairs to a lounge area for some more drinks before heading home. What Christine didn’t realize was that it was a private space and that Mike had secretly rented it out and had it decorated for the proposal. After he asked the question (and she said yes!), the photographer told us to go to the Hudson River across the street, so we could take some photos with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop. As a secondary surprise, our new 10-week-old adopted puppy Leo was looking dapper with a bow tie and patiently waiting to meet his new mom. Christine, already completely overwhelmed and surprised, just about broke down at this point! Leo is a (mostly) rottweiler/mastiff mix that is now the focal point of our lives and will always represent the day we started to grow our family. Our family and friends were also there for the surprise as we continued the celebration in a private space rented out at a local bar in Hoboken.  If you ask Mike, he’ll say the months leading up to the proposal were extremely STRESSFUL. There were a lot of moving parts and many times where he thought that he bit off more than he could chew. You can understand why when you consider getting the ring, coordinating the brunch, booking and coordinating the private lounge, hiring the photographer, adopting the puppy, planning with family and friends, and arranging the after-party. However, it was worth every second of stress and effort and, in the end, we were so satisfied with how it worked out. It was a perfect day and one we will both fondly remember for the rest of our lives.

Before hearing more from the Bride, let’s watch their captivating video by NST Pictures! [iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/345782930 600 338]

Wedding story:
While most of Mike’s family and their friends live in New Jersey, the majority of Christine’s family had to travel long distances to attend the wedding. Therefore, it was important for us to consider those guests and choose a location that was convenient for out-of-state travelers. Morristown was a great spot for us because it was near major airports. Also, the Convent Station train was right next to our venue, which has a direct line to NYC, convenient for our city friends. Given the short distance and easy transport to/from the city, a few of our out-of-town guests decided to take long a long weekend and use the extra time to visit NYC. It was an added bonus that the venue is also home to a beautiful hotel, making this location that much more convenient for us and our guests. With the venue being a beautiful, flower and light-filled glass conservatory, we wanted to keep additional decor and colors neutral, as to not overdo the already stunning space. For bouquets and centerpieces, we chose white flowers with lots of greenery, and kept secondary colors, like the bridesmaid dresses neutral. All of the signage and stationery was a classic black script on a white background, keeping everything consistent with the classic elegance we were going for

Attire choices:
We thought it was important to have an elegant and refined look to match the style of the venue. Mike went with a black shawl collar tuxedo by J.Crew for a timeless, traditional look. Mike’s shawl collar and black stud buttons on the shirt created subtle differences from his groomsmen who wore black notch lapel tuxedos from The Black Tux with a covered placket. All the tuxedos were paired with a skinny black silk bow tie for a slightly more modern take.
The bride chose a strapless, mermaid silhouette dress by Stella York with a sweetheart neckline and a dropped waist. The dress had silver and ivory beading and lace, in a detailed linear pattern, and a full, tulle skirt with a long cathedral train. The bridesmaids wore a variety of long chiffon styles in a neutral, taupe color from Kleinfeld Bridal Party.

Splurge/Skip
We heard from so many people that the day flies by (which it did!). Therefore, we wanted to make sure we documented the day perfectly, so we always had photos and videos to look back on. Our photographers, Keri and Yumi from Cassi Claire photography, did an amazing job capturing the photos, and Axel and Megan from NST Pictures shot the footage for a video that couldn’t be more perfect. We would consider the video to be a splurge, as it can be seen as a “nice-to-have” rather than a “need-to-have”, but having a videographer was one of the best decisions we made. Photos are beautiful and look great on display in our house, but there is also something so special about a moving video with music and voiceovers, that help you to truly relive the day and feel all the emotion associated with it each time you watch it.

Favorite parts of the day:
The getting married part of course! :) Since we chose not to do a first look, the moment we saw one another for the first time as Christine walked down the aisle towards Mike was one we’ll never forget. It was a long day of anticipation up until that point, so both of us were finally able to breathe and be present in the moment once we found one another at the altar.  Another favorite moment was when our dog, Leo, showed up to take photos with us! Our neighbor drove Leo to the venue dressed in his tuxedo bandana, and he was so surprised to see us there! He was very excited to see us, our family, and our wedding party who were out on the lawn for photos, and happily received lots of belly rubs and attention between photos. When it was time for him to take photos, Leo posed so handsomely for the camera and we got some great shots! It wouldn’t have been the same without him there.

Advice for couples:
Create a wedding planning calendar and follow it! There is so much that has to be done to prepare for the big day but creating a sectioned-out calendar really helped us stay on top of everything and feel at ease through the whole process. Some larger items like choosing bridesmaid dresses or booking the DJ were assigned to an overall month. As we got down to the final three months leading up to the big day, we put every single to-do item, from creating the seating chart to ordering food for while we got ready on the morning of, on a calendar assigned to specific days, and spaced it all out in a manageable way. We slowly chipped away at the list without having to feel panicked or overwhelmed!

Photography: Cassi Claire | Florist: Apple Blossom Flower Shop | Wedding Dress: Stella York | Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Kleinfeld Bridal | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Kleinfeld Bridal | Makeup Artist: Stephanie Nuzzo | Hair Stylist: My Makeup Artist Victoria | Entertainment: POSH Entertainment | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Groomsmen Suits: The Black Tux | Officiant: Rev. Ed Abato | Harpist: Karen Stern, Harpcat | Wedding Venue: The Madison Hotel | Bridal boutique: Seng Couture | Other stationery: Etsy | Photobooth: Gif Giggle | Video: NST Pictures

The Story Behind This Lithuania Meets Louisiana 26 Person Wedding Is a Must-Read!

Not only is this coastal wedding planned by HauteFêtes a total beauty, but the story behind how this adorable couple met and fell in love, the bride from Lithuania and the groom from Louisiana, is truly something out of a Nicholas Sparks movie. Check out the full gallery of images captured by Whiskers and Willow Photography to see their Pinterest-worthy reception complete with rattan lighting, pampas grass details and blooms by Plenty of Petals not to mention their precious little boy!

From HauteFêtes Fine Weddings & Events… Monika and Michael grew up worlds apart, she in Lithuania and he in the bayous of south Louisiana. While their meeting may have seemed impossible, fate intervened in 2012. At the time, Monika was studying in Chicago and Michael was running a successful financial services business in New Orleans. A chance introduction through a friend on one of Michael’s business trips to Chicago provided the opportunity for them to meet whereupon, just like in the movies, the couple caught each other’s eyes in the bar of Palmer House as Michael went over to say, “hello”. Despite several hours of conversation, at the end of the evening they parted ways. However, what they both realized but didn’t want to admit was that something was different. As they swapped stories and chatted about their dreams, they realized that the tone of their conversation was more than simply getting to know each other; it had set the foundation for each other’s last ‘first’ date. A year later, on July 4, Michael who hadn’t stopped thinking about her, finally texted Monika seemingly out of the blue. Thus began a long distance relationship which would culminate in Michael moving to Chicago and together, the couple moving to Austin, Texas and then San Diego, California, and finally the birth of their beautiful baby boy. Their love story didn’t end there. A (pre-planned by Michael) getaway weekend to Catalina Island provided the perfect opportunity for Michael to pop the question. 

After a day of exploring the island, the couple made their way to Mt. Ada and looking down on the rest of the island, Michael surprised his bride with a perfectly timed sunset proposal. With a classic-meets-coastal vibe in mind, the pair decided on Coronado Island in San Diego, where they live, to host their wedding on October 13, 2018. However, taking a slight detour from standard southern and Lithuanian wedding traditions, Monika and Michael wanted the event to maintain a feeling of intimacy. Instead of the usual several hundred person wedding, they decided on an intimate guest list of 26 of their closest friends and family. For their wedding, the couple also wanted to give their guests – all of whom were from out of town – a taste of their new home town of Coronado, so we drew inspiration from the locale, incorporating classic beachy hues of duck egg blue, coral and sand throughout the stationery, the tabletop, the florals and décor. 

Monika’s affinity for flowers and texture was evidenced not only in the décor, but also the couple’s invitation suite where we layered vellum hand illustrated with sand dune flowers over paper. Knowing that she wanted an understated and timeless wedding gown, Monika picked a romantic Provonias with simple off the shoulder cap sleeves and tiny buttons down the back. Vintage diamond earrings and necklace from her grandmother’s collection, neutral Sam Edelman strappy sandals and a pretty lace scalloped veil rounded off her elegant ensemble. A bouquet of feathery grasses, coral colored garden roses, white lilies and soft lambs ear contributed to the coastal palette. And for her flower girl, a crown of sandy and blush colored wispy dried flowers and grasses continued the theme. As for Michael, he wowed in a custom three-piece suit by Zeglio, deciding to go tie-less for a clean, modern look. For the ceremony, we extended the coastal theme with whitewashed benches, stacked wood crates, clusters of pampas grass-filled baskets and a green and white arbor decorated with roses, pampas grass and eucalyptus. 

The moody clouds and ocean provided the perfect blue-grey backdrop combined with the soulful flamenco guitar stylings of Anthony Garcia, all of which made for an insanely romantic and magical setting. Escorted by her brother, Monika walked down the aisle to an acoustic guitar rendition of “Canon in D” by Pachelbel toward Michael who was holding a mini-me Jack in his arms. It was so natural and yet traditional and in every way the culmination of one beautiful chapter and start of another for the little family of three. After the ceremony, Monika and Michael spent some one-on-one time with their photographer, Whiskers & Willow walking the docks together, while guests enjoyed cocktail hour. A pretty vintage lounge vignette and La Tavola striped beige and white linens offered the perfect place to relax and enjoy a his and hers signature cocktail of Buffalo Trace Manhattan and Moscow Mule, respectively, and eating tray passed dill crème fraiche smoked salmon on potato crisps and mini polenta cakes with wild mushroom ragout.

Afterwards, guests made their way to the reception. Lush arrangements of theme floral alongside wood and wicker candleholders lined a long feasting table above which we hung clusters of wicker lanterns from sailcloth sails. Natural textures of linen, wood and ceramic dominated the stunning Casa de Perrin tabletop, with glass and silver adding reflective light to all the candles and overhead lanterns. Guests feasted on a California-inspired menu of wild mushroom soup, followed by beet salad and goat cheese crostini, and an entrée of pistachio crusted sea bass which was served with roasted fingerling potatoes and grilled asparagus. 

Decked out with a few extra flowers, the couple’s two-tier, chocolate naked wedding cake featured Italian buttercream frosting which guests enjoyed for dessert. Heartfelt toasts preceded the couple’s first dance to “Die A Happy Man”, Thomas Rhett, which had meaning for the duo since it was playing in the background as Jack was born, after which their guests all took to the dance floor, too. And just as it had when Michael first proposed to Monika, the sky deepened to a perfect shade of sunset coral as the evening came to a glorious end. Looking back, Monika provides this one piece of advice. “Take time and care and choose your planner carefully. We were referred to HauteFetes by Laurie Arons and we are so glad that she did. Dani Blasena from HauteFetes brought together our vision together perfectly with so many exquisite details by selecting the absolute best vendor team. So much of your wedding day or weekend depends on your planner, so find someone you trust, connect with and has a similar vision to yours. You’ll never have as much fun or be so in the moment if you don’t!”

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Photography: Jacqueline Benét Photography | Videographer: Regan Elizabeth Films | Floral Design: Plenty Of Petals | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Stationery: Custom Crafted | Ceremony Venue: Loews Coronado Bay | Reception Venue: Loews Coronado Bay | Wedding Shoes: Sam Edelman | Hair and Makeup: TK Hair and Makeup | Lighting: Amber Event Production | Ceremony Music: Antony Garcia | Venue: Loews Coronado Bay | Custom Grooms Suit: Zeglio Custom Suits In Chicago | Design and Planning: HauteFetes | Dessert: Babycakes | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Reception Music: Acoustic Spot | Rentals: Archive Rentals | Tabletop: Casa de Perrin

As the Saying Goes, ‘Everything is Bigger’ With This Floral Color Palette

For this Texas-born bride to be, she stuck with a popular Texas saying – “everything is bigger In Texas” for some inspiration from giant, colorful floral arrangements from Asiel Design which were just bursting with color to a stunning Monique Lhuillier ball gown. When it came to the venue, it took a few attempts and a bit of searching throughout California to find The Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay which turned out to be the perfect choice for this colorful soiree. Take a look below and see how Catherine Hall Studios captured every color, every detail, every moment!

From the Bride…I had the dream of having the wedding outside by the beach. We live in Los Angeles, so we started in Malibu, however, the logistics were not great, and the options we hoped for were already booked. Then we thought we would move north a bit to Ojai or Santa Barbara. Sadly, the fires made it impossible to go and scout. We would have to take a chance site-unseen, which I did not want. Todd started looking up Northern California locations and came upon The Ritz at Half Moon Bay. We went and visited and I knew the minute we saw it, that it was perfection. 

The Ritz has breathtaking backgrounds so we knew we just needed to add some personal touches to make our wedding gorgeous and distinct. I am originally from Dallas, and you know what they say, “Everything is bigger in Texas’. So I definitely wanted it to be grand and unforgettable, but also classic, yet colorful. Therefore, my idea was to “go big” with the flowers especially.

I was interested in a colorful palette for flowers; something extraordinary and also classic. Asiel Design has some of the most beautiful arrangements in the State of California that we have ever seen. I wanted them to incorporate yellow wildflowers and make it rich with color and trusted they would do an amazing job…which of course, they nailed. I feel very fortunate that my family agreed to give me the wedding of a lifetime!


Photography: Catherine Hall Studios | Cinematography: AVR Films | Coordination: Harlene Events | Event Design: Asiel Design | Floral Design: Asiel Design | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Invitations: Jonathan Wright And Company | Ceremony Venue: Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay | Reception Venue: Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay | Jewelry: Golden String | Catering: test | Makeup: Corola Gonzalez | DJ: Michelle Pesce | Groom's Attire: Jerry Bakhchyan, JB Clothiers | Ceremony Music: Blue Jaguar Entertainment | Cake Designer: Cake Coquette | Flower Girl Dress: ANA BALAHAN | Hair Design: Clifford Hashimoto | Lighting Design: JL Imagination | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Project Management: Toast Of La | Reception Music: Blue Jaguar Entertainment | Rentals: Blueprint Studios