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

Make Sure Your Guests Have The Best Time Ever By Taking A Page From This California Garden Wedding

Sheena and Colin went into wedding planning with one goal in mind, to make sure their guests had the best time ever! They set out to plan a unique experience that none of their friends and family would ever forget. The couple strove for laid back elegance, and with the help of Heather of LVL Weddings & Events, they always ket guest experience top of mind. The result? Just take one look at the outdoor games corner or milk and cookie bar! See all the super fun ideas, exquisitely captured by McCune Photography, in the full gallery.

From the bride… Lining up to walk down the aisle, I was shocked at the beauty of what Heather of LVL Weddings & Events had created. Then turning to see Colin sobbing waiting for me was almost too much!

We planned a day that our guests would never forget, something fun and not too stuffy but elegant and a one of a kind celebration. We wanted our guests to have the best experience. So that meant no downtime, good communication, and lots of fun!

We added thoughtful little touches throughout the night to add to our guests’ experience. Reception tables swathed in blue overflowed with white blooms for a look that friends said took their breath away.

The milk and cookies bar was an epic way to end the wedding. The only thing we would’ve changed the whole day is that we would have eaten or hidden more of Made by Meg’s cookies!

A Picture Perfect Malibu Wedding, Complete With A Fortune Cookie Escort Wall!

Does it get any better than a vineyard in Malibu? I didn’t think so and neither did today’s bride and groom who said their I Do’s at Cielo Farms with not only beautiful backdrops but equally beautiful blooms by Mirabel Floral Design. The couple had it all for their intimate, romantic nuptials from stunning table settings to a fortune cookie escort wall, all perfectly planned by Weddings by Susan Dunne! Take a look below and get lost in the lovely imagery by the one and only Anya Kernes Photography!

From Weddings by Susan Dunne…

About the couple: Nolan and Brooke met during the summer of 2012, where they were both interns at a media agency in New York City. It wasn’t until they both moved back to the city, after graduating from college, that sparks started to fly. Despite a few rocky dates, in the beginning, the chemistry was undeniable and they fell in love quickly! Their first official date was to the Gramercy Tavern. 6 years later, their dinner dates consist of trips to Five Guys, where they compete to see who can eat the most french fries.

What was your color palette and your style vision? We envisioned the wedding to have a natural, romantic, and effortless feel. The color scheme included blush pinks, beiges, and vibrant greens. The venue we chose was a vineyard in Malibu that was incredibly scenic with a ton of natural light and greenery. We knew we wanted a beautiful outdoor setting, so it could not have been a more perfect fit! We wanted our wedding to feel elegant with a touch of boho-chic, so we incorporated pampas grass in our aisle décor & also on our arch.

We hoped for conversations during the dinner reception to be fun, carefree, and flow organically. To encourage this light, comfortable vibe, we decided against large, formal centerpieces and went for luscious green garlands that ran across long tables. Looking around and seeing everyone’s smiling faces, with the sun setting behind the canyons in the background, the dinner party I had dreamed of was finally a reality.

Your favorite crafted detail? The place cards were one of my favorite elements. Names were attached to bunny-tail grass with a beautiful hand-torn ribbon and placed on top of the menus. The delicate pieces of grass paired with the ribbon allowed each place card to be individually unique. Getting these done was no mean feat! Luckily my friends from California were sweet enough to get together and help out. We had a full-blown assembly line going!

What unique elements or DIY details did you include? I knew I wanted something in the wedding that was creative and uniquely my idea. This led to me creating “The Fortune Board” – an escort board with 125 fortune cookies lined up and surrounding a handmade fabric banner that said, “so fortunate for you all”. Guests were told to find their fortune cookies from this board, and inside the fortune cookies held their seat assignments. It turned out cute and was something fun for our guests, not to mention I’m Chinese so it was a nice alignment, hah!

What was your favorite moment? The speeches! Across both the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception, our family & friends gave such perfect, heartfelt toasts. We went from crying one second to laughing until our cheeks hurt. The emotions were surreal and we felt so much love! It made us realize how incredibly lucky we are to have such extraordinary people in our lives.

Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors, your cake, etc.

Bouquet: I wanted my bridal bouquet to look romantic and sophisticated, but also a little whimsical. I opted for an organic and unstructured arrangement with a mix of beautiful blooms – the layered petals in the white peonies and pink ranunculus gave the bouquet the perfect amount of volume and the anemones added a nice pop of boldness.

Dress: Believe it or not, my Pronovias wedding dress was the very first dress I had tried on! I’d love to say that I instantly fell in love, but I actually didn’t think anything of it when I first put it on, since I had nothing to compare it to. I visited multiple bridal boutiques and tried on countless other dresses but nothing would top the first! I loved every aspect of my dress so much – the intricate illusion neckline was stunning and the long train made the dress even more fabulous! The wedding dress was a gift from my grandma and I loved seeing her big smile when she saw me in it.

Venue: We had a lot of solid options for where we’d be getting married. We live in New York City, I went to school in Richmond and Nolan in Charleston. It felt impossible to decide because all these cities were important to us. Ultimately we chose California, where I grew up and where my grandparents still live. We wanted to make sure it was somewhere they could get to easily at their age! When we saw Cielo Farms, everything felt right and we knew it was the perfect place for our big day.

Favors: We gave our guests little bags of California wildflower seeds, including California poppies! The message with these favors was, “let love grow”.

What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be? The advice that I’d give brides-to-be might go against what many people say. As I was planning, I cared a lot about all the details. I remember losing sleep over the type of chairs to rent. Sounds so silly, I know. People would tell me, “just go with the cheapest option, no one will care or even remember the chairs”, so I was constantly battling and rationalizing with myself. One day I just decided to bite the bullet and ordered the chairs I really wanted. While it may be true that people didn’t notice the chairs, I certainly did. I was ecstatic to see them perfectly lined up with my favorite people sitting in them! The point I’m trying to make is, whatever the detail is, if you care about it, go for it and make it yours.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/379950226 600 338]

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

Weddings by Susan Dunne

View Portfolio

Ben Mallare Events & Entertainment

View Portfolio

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

Flirty and Floral Friendmas – How to Incorporate Florals and Color into Your Holiday Traditions with Your Gal Pals

The Christmas season isn’t over until you celebrate with friends — and that’s a fact! This gal group of decor powerhouses got together to create the flirty, feminine Christmas celebration of our dreams. Check it out!

All year-round, these gals inspire, uplift, and help you I the best way that they can… Being blessed to have this kind of friendship requires a celebration.

Call it: Friendmas. Christina from Bellevue Floral Co. Came up with the idea of creating stunning tree full of blooms and the sweetest coco bar cart with delicious desserts by Batter Up Cakery.

To set the mood I focused on the design of the tablescape, details, and overall concept and together with an amazing group of vendors we show you how to hold a party in style. From the DIY calligraphy to the custom cocktails and gift basket design by Pop Tarts and Peonies we want to make sure that young boss baes around take their dreams seriously so we provided the space to the future entrepreneurs of the next decade.

I got to sneak in a few of our new textile and ribbon additions for the winter session and can I say we’re obsessed with the texture and color of our new gauze runners. This Friends Party is all about celebrating friendships and femininity.

The overall theme aims to provide the party with a cozy and home-like setting but at the same time exudes sophistication and feminine vibes. We decked the space with lovely rentals by Luxe Rentals and Event Design the low mid-century table was the perfect way to enjoy a cozy event. Muted color schemes were used in the decorations with pink as the main color.

Lastly, the beautiful tablescape will set the mood for endless laughs and catching up. Pretty pink table runners are embedded with some wild elements and modern tableware for that unique Friendsmas to remember! Thanks to Ashley for capturing all the cheer.

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

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

A Floral Dream of a Wedding at Terranea Resort

Ivory blooms, blush bridesmaids, dreamy setting… oh my. We’re over here wishing to have been a guest at sweet Katie and Travis’ stunning wedding at the beautiful Terranea! From the absolutely dreamy photographs by Jenny Quicksall to the above-and-beyond design teeming with whimsy by LVL Weddings, we can’t help but feel the love between these two lovebirds. One of our favorite parts? You have to see the incredible seating chart below!

From photographer Jenny Quicksall… First look? No, the couple waited until the wedding ceremony at St. John Fisher Catholic Church to see each other. Katie spent the morning getting ready at Terranea with her closest friends and family in their matching pink robes.

Katie’s mom placed a lucky penny in one of her wedding shoe for good luck and helped her get into her gown. After getting ready, the everyone was shuttled to St. John Fisher Catholic Church. Katie and Travis’ son, dressed in his cute little tux, was carried by Katie’s mom down the aisle. Back at Terranea, the guests were greeted by passed her d’oeuvres, an open bar and the most beautiful sunset.

Heather from LVL Weddings and Heavenly Blooms brought life to the ballroom reception with lush floral designs throughout the space. Ceiling lights were covered in greenery to soften the reception room and a flower wall was placed behind the sweetheart table.

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

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

View Portfolio

Photography

Jenny Quicksall Photography

View Portfolio

The Dress Designer We Met At NY Bridal Fashion Week That We Are OBSESSING Over!

We have a not-so-secret crush on Inbar Freiman, an Israeli bridal designer, and her boho-romantic gowns. With flowing silhouettes and delicate details, her 2020 Wild Feather and Go Wild collections are a must-see when it comes time to booking your bridal gown appointments! AND…if you are in the Denver area you are in luck! You can be one of the first brides in the U.S. to try on Freiman’s gowns at her trunk show taking place at the Little White Dress Bridal Shop from January 10th – January 19th! We promise you, you will be as dress obsessed as we are!

Check out some of our faves below and see the rest of the collection’s here!

ROSE:

LOUIE:

KIARA:

ANGIE:

MONIQUE:

This Is How To Do A Holiday Inspired Wedding That’s Chic

Buckle up, because this San Diego wedding brings the wow! Guests began the celebration being dazzled by a lush green wall at cocktail hour. With one ring of a bell, a white-gloved hand appeared from inside it offering champagne to party-goers! Next up, a walk to the outdoor reception space which was the picture of luxury. Tall black candles, lush burgundy floral garlands, and hints of gold turned tables into masterpieces. Each elegant detail is more jaw-dropping than the last, all perfectly captured by Natalie Bray Studios. Watch the wedding day unfold in the full gallery.

From the bride… Rancho Valencia Resort was only the second venue we visited and we both knew instantly that was where we wanted to get married. We chose the large lawn to have our reception and I was so excited because it was a blank slate that we could make our own.

I had this vision for our seating chart that was very large and could stand on its own. I worked with our paper goods vendor, Whimsique, to create a large board but we were struggling to think of a way to display it. I went to my dad with the plan and he said not to worry that he would build a stand in our steel shop.

I wanted a mix of dark moody colors with lots of burgundy and black coupled with pops of blush and green. We are very social people who love to throw parties so we wanted a very over the top fun atmosphere.

The music was also very important to us. We wanted an amazing band that would have people dancing all night. Our band, Gold Standard, definitely delivered and we love hearing our friends say it was the best band they’d ever seen.

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

Natalie Bray Studios

View Portfolio

An Intimate, 16 Person Wedding In Tuscany All Shot on Film!

I’ve said it before…there is just something about a small, intimate wedding. And, this wedding of 16 proves my point! From a picturesque ceremony site (and pretty much picturesque everything) at this villa in Tuscany, better known as Podere Scopicciolo to an absolutely romantic reception dinner, with the couple’s closest family and friends. For a day that felt more like planning a vacation, than planning a wedding, Nastja Kovacec Photography photographed it all and entirely on film! Take a peek below and fall in love :)

From Nastja Kovacec Photography…What a beautiful romantic wedding in Tuscany! We photographed on film! A very timeless day with beautiful flowers and amazing views of the surrounding Tuscan hills.

We especially loved the ceremony location between two tall Tuscan trees with the rolling hills in the background. Dinner was also outdoors, which was stunning. The wedding venue is a private Tuscan villa and the location itself is very authentic, a typical stony Tuscan villa with amazing views.

The couple’s Robin and Oliver, came all the way from Canada to have a small intimate wedding in Tuscany. Only 16 of their closest family and friends were invited, which made the day extremely romantic and there was zero pressure from start to finish!

Robin’s girlfriends were also her bridesmaids, and they had chosen blush bridesmaid dresses and did Robin’s hair and makeup before the ceremony. It was all very relaxed, almost like a vacation.

Photography: Nastja Kovacec | Film lab: Carmencita Film Lab

Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

Bakery style cinnamon rolls don’t have to take all day to make. You can make them start-to-finish in less than an hour and only a few minutes hands-on time. The “secret” to these delectable rolls is covering them in cream just before baking. You won’t regret it, I promise! xoxo Julie Blanner

While you can bake them in a traditional baking dish, I love them in the cast iron skillet. It cooks them evenly & feels like they’re fresh from my Grandma’s farm and goes easily from oven to table for serving.
For a little fall flavor, try these Apple Cinnamon Rolls as well!

Best Ever Cinnamon Rolls

prep time
55 Minute/s

cook time
20 Minute/s

total time
1 Hour/s 15 Minute/s

Ingredients

3/4 c milk
1/3 c butter
3 3/4 c flour
1/4 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 package active quick rise yeast
1 egg
4 Tbsp butter, melted
3/4 c brown sugar, packed
2 Tbsp cinnamon
1/4 c heavy cream
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 c butter, softened
2 c powdered sugar
2 Tbsp milk/heavy cream

Instructions

In a saucepan over medium heat, add milk & butter. Stir until melted & remove from heat.
In a mixing bowl, combine 2 1/4 c flour, sugar, salt. Add yeast & lukewarm milk mixture. Combine. Add egg.
Using the dough hook attachment on your mixer, knead while gradually adding in 1 c flour until the dough forms a ball & pulls aways from the edges of the bowl. You can also knead by hand.
Let dough rest for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
On a floured surface, roll out dough into a rectangle. Spread melted butter on top. Combine cinnamon & sugar & sprinkle on top. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut 10 strips. Roll & place in a baking dish or cast iron skillet.
Turn oven off. Cover rolls with a damp towel & allow to rise 25 minutes. Remove from oven, preheat again to 350 degrees. Cover rolls in 1/4 c heavy cream. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until slightly golden.
Mix icing ingredients until smooth & drizzle over rolls.

Photography: Julie Blanner | Recipe And Styling: Julie Blanner

Julie Blanner

Lifestyle & Recipes

Julie Blanner

Nothing Screams Wedding Inspiration More Than A 654 Acre Estate with Overflowing Gardens!

With engagement season upon us, there is no better way to get inspired than by the 654-acre estate, better known as Filoli in California, surrounded by overflowing gardens! Callista & Company created a contemporary garden party to get our hearts racing filled with dreamy floral designs by Studio Mondine and cloud-like bridal gowns by Vera Wang! Take a look below and get your Pinterest ready to save all of Lacie Hansen’s phenomenal photographs for your Spring wedding!

From Callista & Company…There is no better place to get inspired for wedding season than at Filoli, a 654-acre estate with sprawling formal gardens and one of the finest remaining country homes of the early 20th century.

Our fine art, contemporary, garden party design exhibited central themes of intentionality, rich tones balanced by a base of neutral textures, and a sense of well-mannered frivolity. We started the day running around the estate in grand Vera Wang gowns, then our models got garden party-ready in Dolce and Gabbana and Armani.

Studio Mondine’s dreamy floral design enhanced the surrounding landscape, without overshadowing it. An installation of low arrangements surrounded The Wedding Place, the original grounds of the first wedding on property, in 1941, when the estate was still a private residence. An assortment of high and low arrangements with spring’s best blooms lined a long table set between tall garden hedges.

Lotus and Ash expertly blended chinoiserie inspired graphics with modern typography. The invitation suite featured a shantung silked covered booklet and envelope liner, striking prints, and custom architectural line art of the historic structures at Filoli. Our escort cards were delicately staked in a bed of flowers, for guests to pluck at their leisure during cocktail hour. The dinner menus were thoughtfully backed on rattan, echoing other touches of rattan in the overall event design. Lacie Hansen, as always, captured everything perfectly.

Dog Lovers: This Is How You Include Your Pet In Your Wedding

If you know it wouldn’t be your special day without your fur baby there, then this is the wedding you need to see. Andrew and Michele included man’s best friend into their Big Day in the most adorable way ever, custom tux and all! The couple’s favorite pug joined them at The Ritz Carlton Bacara for a celebration overflowing with flowers, charming details, and lots of love. Jenny Quicksall Photography captured all the precious moments, prepare yourself for some serious cuteness in the full gallery.

From the bride… On weekends we enjoy exploring California and checking off activities and places from our bucket list. When it came time to choose a venue for our wedding the oceanfront of Santa Barbara seemed like the perfect fit.

Our reception space was filled with lush white blooms to give guests the feeling of being transported to a romantic indoor garden. We were blown away by what Mulberry and Moss brought to life in the ballroom.

We decided on an intimate wedding with 40 of our nearest and dearest to celebrate. Having our closest friends and family by our side was an incredible way to start our next chapter together.

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

TEAM Hair and Makeup

View Portfolio

Photography

Jenny Quicksall Photography

View Portfolio

Petit Bouquet

View Portfolio

Thought You Were Obsessed with Monique Lhuillier Gowns? Just Wait Until You See Her Engagement Rings!

“There is no symbol more permanent and meaningful than an engagement ring. To know that I continue to touch the lives of so many brides is a very special feeling.” – Monique Lhuillier

It is no secret that Monique Lhuillier has absolutely stunning bridal gowns from intricate lace details to fairytale-like silhouettes. So, it is no surprise she is garnering much success with her Monique Lhuillier Fine Jewelry collection exclusive at Blue Nile. With a timeless and luxurious look, she creates engagement rings that celebrate each and every bride with designs as special and unique as her gowns! What gives them even more of a special touch? A blush pink sapphire in every ring! Check it out below and don’t forget to save…it is engagement season after all!

Timeless, luxurious and effortlessly beautiful, Monique Lhuillier celebrates the individuality of brides-to-be by offering engagement rings that are as distinctive as her wedding gowns. Romantic micro pavé-set diamond bands and delicate details are reflected in this refined collection. Every design is uniquely embellished with a blush-pink sapphire.

Renowned in the world of design, Monique Lhuillier captures the essence of luxury by evoking allure and elegance. Influenced by her passion for glamour and special occasions, Monique’s dream of becoming a designer has turned into a lifelong pursuit. Her breathtaking work continues to delight brides and celebrities around the world.

Refined and elegant, Monique Lhuillier’s jewelry designs are inspired by the intricate details of her bridal creations. Hints of lace, florals and delicate craftsmanship are found throughout her collection. Monique Lhuillier Fine Jewelry captures the essence of modern femininity and symbolizes everlasting love.

Jewelry: Blue Nile

This Is the Perfect Blueprint for an Elegant Fine Art Wedding!

A tented summer wedding set on a breathtaking estate in the Netherlands? UM, yes please! We’re living for every aspect of this gorgeous day designed by Perplexz Fine Art Wedding Designer and captured by Elisabeth Van Lent. A fine art theme inspired their design from start to finish, making for the most SMP-worthy wedding ever. Read on for a Q&A with the beautiful bride and don’t miss out on the full gallery of pretty!

From Elisabeth Van Lent… Shera and Kees met each other 12 years ago through mutual friends. After 11 years of growing together, buying a house, growing their love, Kees proposed to Shera during their trip to Aruba. During a romantic private dinner in a cabana at the beach, while enjoying the most beautiful sunset, he went down on one knee to ask the big question. Shera was totally surprised and replied with an immediate and big yes.

They both have an impeccable taste, so when they started the planning, they looked for a certain type of style: it should be elegant, luxurious, classic and with soft colors. They found out that the term ‘fine art wedding’ fitted perfect with that description, and from there they went looking for vendors that fitted in that style. Fine Art Wedding Designer Bianca from Perplexz was the first one they found and she was just perfect for the job. She designed the wedding to be an incredible setting of romance, in a totally elegant style that is completely unique in the Netherlands, or even Europe. Her work combined with the beautiful flowers from Bloom your Life gave the wedding the special touch Shera and Kees were looking for.

They also knew that the memory of that one day would be everlasting through photos. Looking for a photographer, they found that fine art wedding photographer Elisabeth Van Lent would fit in their story. Her photos combine the elegant style of fine art and an eye for real moments during the day to deliver a complete full day coverage of the entire day.

Looking back, they don’t regret any decisions they made. They absolutely loved the look of their wedding, every little detail was thought of by Bianca, so they were especially happy that they made the decision to hire her. The photos by Elisabeth are a beautiful reminder of their perfect day. If you ask them if they would have any advice for future wedding planning couples, they say: “Make sure to do everything in just one style, and search from there. Take your time and don’t rush your decisions. That’s why we don’t regret anything. We especially love that we found a stylist who made our dream wedding come true.”

For Shera, the beautifully designed ceremony was the highlight of her day. “It was so special to say yes in front of our family and friends on such a wonderful location!”

[iframe http://www.youtube.com/embed/1mm-XzMBr_8 600 338]

This Portuguese Inspired Styled Shoot Is Everything Your Outdoor Wedding Needs

When an event designer creates the ultimate inspiration shoot, based on the natural beauty of Portugal, everyone wins. Julie of Kruse & Vieira Events drew from her time amongst the vineyards and cork grove trees of the Douro Valley to create outdoor wedding inspiration that’s a feast for the eyes. The combination of warm earth tones with textural elements, artfully captured by Bonnie Sen, is not to be missed. View the full gallery for all the charming details.

From Kruse & Vieira Events… With this shoot, we wanted to illustrate that rustic can be synonymous with sophisticated and modern if done well. We chose Meridian House because the juxtaposition of such a formal classic setting with more natural elements can work so well together.

Initial inspiration came from my own experiences in the Douro Valley in Portugal where my husband’s family is from. Olive green, burnt sienna and soft browns grounded our palette, and pattern inspiration came from the Portuguese azulejos tiles.

For the tablescape, again as a nod to the azulejos, we pulled in a printed linen from La Tavola Linens, but kept the color neutral. On top, we layered natural elements and texture with more modern, sleek china and flatware from White Glove Rentals to create the ultimate outdoor wedding inspiration.

This Stunning 9-Foot Floral Arch Will Blow Your Mind

There’s something so effortlessly romantic about an outdoor ceremony. The fresh air mixed with the natural beauty of a garden is enough to get anyone’s heart pumping. Throw in a 9-foot floral arch, overflowing with lush blooms, and you’ve got the ultimate show stopper. Jessica Gold Photography captured all the charming details of this beautiful wedding day. You can get lost in all the stunning imagery in the full gallery.

From the bride… We incorporated softness and organic touches into each design element: tulle bridesmaid gowns, growing floral arch and arrangements, delicate calligraphy, and more. For example, we used dried peony petals and rosebuds as a post-nuptial toss.

Our wedding and celebration was inspired by romantic gardens, feminine details, and a pastel color palette. Botanical nuances are present throughout, in addition to the gorgeous flowers.

There was always an underlying level of romance and fanciful style. A mixture of tall and short centerpieces made the reception room visually dynamic, while special details made the space uniquely our own.

Each detail of the day was lovingly thought through to tell our story. The celebration turned out to be even better than we ever could’ve hoped for.

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

Mayker Events

View Portfolio

The Easiest Ever Last-Minute Cocktail for Your Holiday Party

Meet a festive sip we like to call Winter Water. The Cranberry White Wine Spritzer is as simple as mixing a few ingredients and voila! Instant Holiday in a glass. Give your white wine an easy upgrade with this little number. And for more party inspiration of the holiday kind check out our cocktail party with the most festive of twists right here.

Cranberry White Wine Spritzer

prep time
5 Minute/s

cook time

total time
5 Minute/s

Ingredients

White wine (About 4-6oz per glass, depending on the size of the glass you're using)
Seltzer water (chilled. About 1-3oz per glass)
fresh cranberries (one bag fills about 8 glasses)
fresh rosemary sprigs (one per glass)

Instructions

Fill each glass 3/4 full with white wine, and fill the rest with seltzer water
Scoop about 1/4 cup of cranberries into each glass
Top the glasses with a sprig of rosemary!

[dotted]

Christmas Cocktails

View Slideshow

Christmas Cocktails

View Slideshow

More Festive Recipes to Try

The Yummiest Recipes for Christmas Morning | Hot Cocoa Cupcakes | Authentic Mexican Hot Chocolate

10 Stunning & Simple Holiday Tablescape Ideas

Planning out your holiday party? It can be so tempting to take the easy route of simply throwing tons of red and green at a table for Christmas, white and blue for Hanukkah, or white and gold for New Year’s Eve. Instead, here are 10 gorgeous holiday tablescape ideas that will set your fête apart from the rest!

1. Make it Snow

As someone who loves texture, I would adore seeing “snow” all over a holiday tablescape. If you’re planning to use food dishes as your table runner decorations, sprinkle extra flour on top of bread, powdered sugar over any desserts, or any other taste/food-appropriate white powder on food to mimic snow.

2. Use Seasonal Flora or Produce for Your Runner

Usually holiday tables are quite long, rather than broken up into separate round tables. Not only does this make for a more intimate and conversation-friendly atmosphere, it also allows you to go all out on a single table runner. Incorporate seasonal flora or produce into your table to give it an organic style that’s sure to spark conversation. Plus, you can let guests take the runner items home after the party!

Cavin Elizabeth Photography

3. Incorporate Scents

Nothing smells more like holidays than evergreen. Include a sprig of evergreen on each place setting to give guests’ noses a holiday treat.

4. Style a Champagne Tower

Champagne and holidays go hand in hand, so why not do something fun and unique like add a champagne tower to your tablescape. Not only does it look really chic, watching someone pour it is incredibly exciting!

Cavin Elizabeth Photography

5. Incorporate Metallics

People usually are drawn to shiny objects, plus metallics are very in right now. Incorporate metallics into your tablescape through disco balls, confetti, party hats (you’re never too old for those by the way!), glassware, or escort cards.

Cavin Elizabeth Photography

6. Cover the Table in Velvet

From Santa to George Costanza, many people are huge fans of velvet. It looks sleek and feels amazing, so you truly can’t go wrong with renting or buying a velvet tablecloth for your tablescape.

Cavin Elizabeth Photography

As an alternative, you could rent (unless you’re super stylish and already own) velvet chairs. These berry-toned chairs below would be perfect for a December party!

Cavin Elizabeth Photography

7. Make Use of Layers

When styling your tablescape, making use of layers will make your table look more luxe and fuller. By using chargers, dinner plates, and the addition of other textiles and dinnerware, you’ll look like a five star host.

Cavin Elizabeth Photography

8. Add Candles for a Touch of Mood

Candles in a dimly-lit room create such a cozy atmosphere that will encourage conversation, bonding, and an overall excitement for winter evenings. Add as many candles as you can handle to your table for the maximum effect.

9. Surprise Guests with Themed Desserts

Toward the end of dinner, you could do a small “flip” of your tablescape to add in themed desserts all over the table. Have festive cookies created special for your event and watch as everyone becomes giddy at the sight of such sweet treats.

10. Cascading Foliage

I already mentioned using seasonal flora and produce for a runner but if you want something extra dramatic and bold, go heavy on the foliage and make it cascade from the ends of your table. This is so rare to see in an at-home tablescape, so your guests will be totally surprised at the beautiful sight!

Gluten-free Spiced Cranberry Orange Scones

There is a little shop down the road from me that makes the absolute best scones. Well, at least I thought they did until I saw these little numbers from Lael Cakes with photography from Amber Gress. Spiked with seasonal spices, these gorgeous scones are even made gluten free so everyone in the family can enjoy them. I know what I’m doing this weekend!

This gorgeous holiday recipe will surely warm up your home and belly. Amber Gress and Lael Cakes teamed up to bring you this delicious holiday recipe that is good for the gluten intolerant, as well as those that just want a tasty bite for breakfast. We are delighted to share this recipe with you, and look forward to hearing how they turned out! Happy Holidays!

Gluten Free Spiced Orange Cranberry Scones

prep time
15 Minute/s

cook time
20 Minute/s

total time
35 Minute/s

Ingredients

2 cups Lael Cakes Gluten-free Flour
1/3 cup organic sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon 5 Chinese Spices
½ cup (1 stick) cubed & chilled organic unsalted butter
¾ cup chopped fresh or dried cranberries
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
zest of one orange
1 organic egg
½ cup organic buttermilk
½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F
Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk to incorporate.
Use your hands to rub the chilled butter into the dry ingredients until a crumb texture forms. By not incorporating the butter completely into the dry ingredients will create a moist, flaky scone!
Mix in the cranberries, ginger and orange zest.
Whisk the egg, buttermilk and vanilla bean paste or extract together until foamy.
Add to dry ingredients and mix together until just incorporated.
Lay dough onto a flour-dusted surface and shape into a rectangle press down gently. Use a rolling pin to ensure a flat surface until dough is 1” thick.
Cut diagonally to make triangle shapes or use a round cookie cutter.
Place on a parchment lined sheet pan. Brush the scones with buttermilk and sprinkle with sugar. Place in freezer for at least 15 minutes before baking.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, until scones are lightly golden.

Amber: Amber Gress | Baker: Lael Cakes

After Looking At Over 20 Venues, This Couple Found The Best Venue In Upstate New York!

When it came time to planning for this bride and groom, the couple knew they wanted to get married in Upstate NY, but had no idea where! After looking at over 20 venues, they landed on Onteora Mountain House as soon as they saw it with its stunning views of the Catskills! Wanting to be fully involved in the planning process, bride and groom worked together to pick out vendors like Athabold Flowers to create tree-like centerpieces and elegant bouquets and Kelsey Combe Photography to capture all of the love AND views! Take a look below and be sure to check out the full gallery here!

From the Bride…After dating for 5 years, one of which involved us spending a year backpacking around the world, John and I always knew we were going to get married, but it was just a matter of when. On a summer holiday in Portugal, John surprised me while we were on a hike atop two beautiful lakes in the Azores and asked me to marry him. As soon as we got engaged, I realized I had no idea what I wanted my wedding to look like – so planning started immediately even though I promised we could enjoy being engaged for a while before we started thinking about a wedding!

The biggest challenge for us in the wedding planning process was finding a venue. We knew we wanted to get married in the late summer / early fall in upstate New York and make a weekend out of our wedding, but had no idea what type of venue we wanted. We looked at everything from estates to barns to farms, but were challenged to find a location that had lots of natural beauty, outdoor spaces for the ceremony and cocktail hour and a reception space that also retained the elegance we knew we wanted for our special day.

We are also rather type A and not ones to go with the flow, so we were very focused on having a solid backup plans in case a late summer rainstorm rolled in and we wanted to find a place that would be equally beautiful even if the weather did not cooperate. After looking at over 20 venues across the Catskill / Hudson Valley Area, we drove up a windy mountain path to find Onteora Mountain House and as soon as we walked on the property, we knew it was the one. With panoramic views of the Catskills Forest Preserve, a beautiful landscaped patio, a charming old house with lots of character, and an amazing wooded pavilion with a wrap-around porch, John and I knew we had found the perfect venue for our wedding.

Finding a dress was definitely the next hardest decision after finding a venue. Living in NYC, there are endless wedding boutiques to visit. I had tried on a handful of dresses with friends when I first got engaged, but found my dress when my mom flew in to go dress shopping with me. The Jenny Yoo showroom was our first stop and as soon as I put the dress on, I didn’t want to take it off. No matter how many other beautiful dresses I tried on (it was a lot!), I kept coming back to how great I felt in the Connor dress. I knew it was “the one” because I felt as if I had to get married the next day, the dress would be perfect and I felt amazing even in the sample dress. However, I also knew if I chose a fuller a-line dress, I wanted to have a second party dress and found a fitted high neck dress at BHLDN which was perfect for dancing in at the end of the night.

A good friend of ours had Kelsey Combe as her wedding photographer and we had contacted her even before we had found a venue or a date. After a few calls to discuss her approach and looking through her portfolio, we knew she was the photographer we wanted to capture our wedding. She was amazing during the entire wedding planning process, answering every question I had and made sure our pictures were a perfect representation of our day. Her expertise was also critical in figuring out our timeline and on the day, we could totally relax knowing she would get all the shots we needed.

When discussing what we wanted in our wedding, we wanted it to feel elegant, but relaxed and really take advantage of the outdoor beauty of the Catskills. After finding our venue, the theme “elegant garden party” kept popping into my head and it quickly became the filter for all our wedding planning decisions. We kept the color palette simple – navy, slate gray, and cream with hints of gold and light blush as to not overpower the stunning views of the late summer lush greenery of the Catskills.

We found Athabold Flowers on Instagram and after scrolling through her pictures, we knew we could trust her to deliver the elegant, yet organic feeling we wanted from our florals. We shared with her our vision and trusted her to do the rest and the flowers turned out absolutely perfect. From gorgeous bouquets to elegant “tree-like” centerpieces, Athabold created the flowers of my dreams while also tying them into the beauty of our venue. Athabold also allowed us to do a floral mock up a few weeks before the event. If your florist offers this, I would highly recommend taking advantage of it – it was super helpful to see what our flowers would look like given what was available at that time of year and make any adjustments after seeing it all together.

John and I both wanted to be involved in the wedding planning process and we each had a role in crafting all of the details of the day – whether it was spending a Friday night filling glass tubes of lavender, to working with a good friend to design our day of wedding stationery, all of the details were personal to us. It’s hard to choose one favorite day of detail since everything came together in such a special way, but two favorites were the Bequet sea salt caramels favors my mom brought from my home state of Montana or the s’mores bar and fire pit at the end of the night. I love any and all desert and it was fun to share that passion with our guests on our wedding day.

The entire day was truly magical, but highlights included reading the card John wrote to me before our first look. I remember the anticipation and feeling so excited to get to marry him (and we both basically wrote the same thing which was so sweet). Taking a minute before we saw each other to reflect on our relationship and what the future would hold was really special. And I loved our ceremony, where my cousin officiated and we had close family give readings we had chosen that truly represented us. We planned our own ceremony so every aspect was thought out and each reading meant something to us and our relationship. I also got to a do an unplanned first look with my dad which was such a special moment – the pride was radiating off of his face when he saw me in my dress.

My biggest piece of advice for all brides and what I tell my friends who are getting married is to focus on what matters to you. Everyone has an opinion (and are always willing to share it) when it comes to planning a wedding, but only you know what’s important and what will make you happy. Being a part of all the decision making made our entire day a complete representation of what’s important to the both of us and made the day so special.

About Kelsey Combe Photography…I shoot weddings both in the NY tri-state area and in Southern California! My style is all about being authentic and REAL. I want a clients’ wedding photos to look exactly how the day felt- so when they look back in 50 years, it’s like being there again. Much more into the romantic and elegant than into the corny and staged. I love candid moments, and bringing a wedding day to life through photos. And most importantly, I like to have fun and laugh with couples. I’m a very in charge, get it done photographer, but also laid back and behind the scenes when I should be, if that makes sense!

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

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

View Portfolio

Christmas Cookie Round Up

Christmas week is here which means there’s a good chance you’re planning to partake in the time-honored tradition of Christmas cookie baking. Whether you’re a seasoned pro ready to sign up for The Great British Baking Cookoff, or an aspiring straight-line drawer, you will find AMPLE amounts of inspiration from these beautifully decorated cookies.

Here’s our rounded up gallery of over-the-top decorated Christmas cookies, and while we know we will never be as good at royal icing as these masterminds, we can still look at them and pretend we’ll try ’em out ourselves.

Classic sugar cookies with amazing designs

These cookies truly WOW. They’re bright, fun, and oh-so-fabulously decorated. If you’re artistically inclined, here’s some cookie inspiration! If you’re not, well they’re certainly pretty to look at, and good inspiration for your next order of cookies!

Different Kind of Cookie

If you’re wanted to branch outside of the typically sugar cookie-cutter mold and try a different kind of cookie, you can still make them fun and festive! Those fluffy Santa cookies look equally as tasty as they do pretty.

Santa Designs

The man himself makes a strong appearance this time of year. He’s jolly, merry and very well depicted in these cookies

Surprising and Delightful

LOOK AT THE DELIVERY TRUCK COOKIES! And the pie cookies! This batch of creative decorations is truly one of a kind and we are so glad to have stumbled across them.

The Unbelievable Views At This Montana Mountain Wedding Will Leave You Breathless

What happens when you mix high school sweethearts and a majestic mountain range? Pure wedding magic, of course! Jake and Emma met when they were 14 years old, and have stayed by each other’s side through every step of life ever since. When it came time to tie the knot, they knew nothing could tell their love story better than the natural beauty of their home state, Montana. Simply Sarah Photography masterfully captured the beauty of the day as the couple exchanged vows surrounded by mountain air, close friends and family, and a jaw-dropping mountain view. See the whole beautiful day unfold in the full gallery.

From Julie of Invision Events on the design of the wedding… I wanted our design to take cues from the natural surroundings of The Ranch at Rock Creek. Soft and muted blues and purples mixed with golden colors – echoing the waters of the creek and the golden fields under the summer sun. Like a beautiful landscape portrait coming to life. Clean and modern were the words to keep in mind as we moved through our design process with the couple. My favorite piece was the cake and how soft and yet modern it was. Perfectly fitting for a Montana wedding!

From the bride… Montana is our home and is the place that our relationship started. We grew up in small towns with a love of mountain air, and plans for building our future in the very town that we were born in. When it came down to planning our intimate wedding we knew that Montana was not just important to us, it was essential to our story. Being able to share the beauty of Montana with our closest family and friends was hands down one of the best decisions we could have made.

Simply Sarah Photography didn’t just take portraits, she created memories and sweet moments that I will be able to relive over and over. The emotions she captured in Jake, myself, and our guests bring me back to the same moments of joy that I had on my wedding day!

categories

tags

Categories

Posts By

Julie Blanner

More Festive Recipes to Try

Classic sugar cookies with amazing designs

Different Kind of Cookie

Santa Designs

Surprising and Delightful

From Our Partners

Little Black Book

Lookbook

International Weddings

US Weddings

Real Weddings

Inspiration Galleries

Explore

Archive

Magazine

Style Me Pretty

categories

tags

Categories

Posts By

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Julie Blanner

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

More Festive Recipes to Try

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

Classic sugar cookies with amazing designs

Different Kind of Cookie

Santa Designs

Surprising and Delightful

Join The Conversation

Join The Conversation

From Our Partners

Little Black Book

Lookbook

International Weddings

US Weddings

Real Weddings

Inspiration Galleries

Explore

Archive

Magazine

Style Me Pretty