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

Modern & Whimsical City Wedding at JW Marriott Chicago

If you were to ask me what kinds of celebrations I love the most—which ones have earned a special place in my wedding-loving heart, I would surely say, “the ones that are bursting with blooms!“. This one from Emilia Jane, Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD and LK Events delivers that craving like no other. With JW Marriott Chicago as the reception backdrop, you can find yourself swimming in garden roses, ranunculus and peonies galore. Join us right this way for more.

Bridget and Lou first set eyes on one another in 2010 when they both started jobs at the same Kentucky-based company, a maker of fine American Whiskey (read: Bourbon!). Both would later admit to surreptitiously looking the other up in the corporate directory upon first sighting. Despite a clear initial attraction, the relationship started off as just friends. But after three years of cautious flirtation, or as Lou refers to it, his “evaluation period,” Bridget finally completed her due diligence and stated her intentions to acquire Lou as a boyfriend, effective October 2013. Hence began a whirlwind romance (okay, another three plus years) filled with the perfect blend of adventures, ski trips, Kentucky Derbies, dance floors, and way-too-serious conversations. Things culminated in 2017 on a family trip to Hawaii, where Lou asked for Bridget’s hand in marriage as the sun set over the Pacific.

The Wedding… Bridget is one of ten kids and the fourth sister in four years to be getting married; in other words, her family had established their go-to blueprint for executing memorable weddings. Booking the “family band,” The Headliners based in Florida, was the first order of business and the wheels were officially set in motion. Bridget’s sister Meg had just married Jim that past Memorial Day weekend at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.. Hoping to capture that same city-wedding sentiment and fun energy, we decided on Memorial Day Weekend 2018 in Chicago, checking all the boxes for entertainment, ease of travel, and just an overall really great city.

Stealing yet another detail from her sister’s wedding, we entrusted Holly Heider Chapple (the floral designer from Meg’s D.C. wedding) with full creative direction and floral design services. Thanks to her incredible vision and eye for detail, the ballroom was transformed into a masterpiece of flowers, color and even trees, a floral fantasy land! Bridget loves vibrant colors and elements of drama and Holly and her fabulous team truly elevated the design beyond anything we could have imagined.

When looking into different Chicago-based photographers, Bridget was drawn to Emilia Jane’s photography style. Emilia ended up being such a perfect fit, both in personality and aesthetic. Seeing her in action, doing her amazing photo thing while also efficiently navigating a large bridal party was truly impressive.

The wedding weekend festivities kicked off with the rehearsal dinner at the cozy and intimate Tortoise Club restaurant and followed the next night with a “Welcome Party” at the Terzo Piano at the Art Institute of Chicago, complete with tours of the Modern Wing. The wedding ceremony took place at the truly special Old St. Patrick’s Church in the West Loop, with the reception following at the JW Marriott in the Financial District. The JW Marriott events team and our LK Events team were such pleasure to work with and masterfully ensured all the wedding weekend details went off without a hitch.

A Classic New England Summer Wedding at Basin Harbor

A timeless blush, green and white color scheme, a reception under a sprawling sailcloth tent and a view of the harbor… AKA the perfect ingredients for a charming, quintessential New England wedding. We couldn’t be more smitten with this stunning lakeside affair at the Basin Harbor. Rodeo & Co captured all the must-see moments while Nector & Root decorated the day in lush blooms, bringing the bride’s garden wedding dreams to life! The night ended with a bang thanks to a magical fireworks show (and Vermont creemees, of course!) Keep on reading to see the day unfold…

From the Bride and Groom… We had our dream wedding weekend at Basin Harbor, a picturesque resort nestled alongside Vermont’s Lake Champlain. All our guests stayed on-site at the venue, either in quaint lakeside cottages or the historic main lodge. As avid organizers, we planned activities throughout the weekend for our guests, showcasing our love of itineraries and Vermont.

The wedding weekend started on Lake Champlain aboard The Escape for a cocktail cruise. Later that night, everyone gathered for a Lobster Bake welcome dinner, dressed in their best British-themed hats and fascinators, a nod to Jonny’s English heritage. Prizes were awarded to guests with the best headgear.

Our wedding day commenced early the following morning with a friend-led yoga class in the Orchard Garden, followed by a touch rugby game—no tackling of the groom allowed!

Our outside ceremony had a garden theme, with a focus on flowers and green leafy plants. Our (rather large…!) wedding parties dazzled in light pink gowns and tuxedos. Time stood still, as we enjoyed a thoughtful speech by our best friend and officiant, Ashley, and emotional vows we wrote ourselves. Our friends shared readings, including an amusing collection of marriage advice we had requested guests write on their invitation RSVP cards.

After the ceremony, we took off on a getaway boat for a few private moments together. Upon returning to land for the cocktail hour, a stunning sunset unfolded, an unexpected treat.

Our wedding reception was held outside on the main lawn under a sailcloth tent. After a quick outfit change, we surprised our guests with two choreographed dances—a slow dance to “Coming Home” by Leon Bridges, followed by a more upbeat swing dance to “Sh-Boom,” by the Crew Cuts. From then on, our guests barely left the dance floor, until a surprise firework show over the harbor. The night was capped off with sparklers, classic Vermont creemees, a bonfire, and an after party at Basin Harbor’s local bar, The Red Mill. A Sunday farewell brunch culminated our perfect weekend.

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Rodeo & Co.

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Classic Loire Valley Wedding at Chateau d’Artigny in France

Today’s story of love—captured by Oliver Fly and planned by Vanessa & Caroline of Creatrices de Mariages—is the stuff fairytales are made of. A chateau with grounds so pretty you won’t believe your eyes, a Bride so lovely you’ll have a hard time not staring and a ceremony graced with the Loire Valley sun. Oh, did I mention these two cuties?! They are the cherry on top. I can’t even with their presh little faces. There is truly SO much more that I couldn’t cram into the main imagery you see below—so make sure to click through the full gallery too.

From the planner, Vanessa & Caroline Créatrice de Mariages… Amber & Jay wedding took place at the beautiful Chateau d’Artigny in Loire Valley. When we met them in Paris, we instantly connected and we knew what venue would suit them. They immediately loved Chateau d’Artigny and on their way back asked to book it! We had such an amazing time planning Amber & Jay’s wedding. They were so involved in the planning process with so many ideas and wishes. Their attention to details made us want to go further to perfect the wedding to the last little details. Everything was thought of: welcome signs, sunglasses engraved with their names, paper bags for the petal toss, the sparklers table with personalized matchboxes, the welcome boxes with chocolate and local sparkling wine…Amber and Jay wanted their guest to be pampered from the moment they arrived!

The couple love flowers and wanted to have a wedding surrounded by white flowers and greenery. The most challenging for the floral designer, Esther Lamarche, was not to use roses at all! The ambiance had to reflect the purity of their feelings and the French refinement. Amber wanted to use the Lisianthus, which was actually the flower of the season, as the main flower for all flower arrangement. Its purity and refinement reminded her of the majestic Chateau d’Artigny. A gem surrounded by nature. So, the floral designer selected very carefully some regional producers for a high quality variety of Lisianthus. The bride’s bouquet was only white lisianthus flowers which made it unique as it’s not usually a flower used for a bridal bouquet. The ceremony took place in the garden of Chateau d’Artigny and the idea was to have a wow effect with the arch, and it definitely had that effect! Everyone was amazed by this beautiful ceremony setting with the clear napoleon chairs, the arch and its crystal chandelier, the white carpet…everything was perfect.

We took time to work on the table top setting in white and gold. We wanted the table to be simple and elegant, not over the top. The menus had a touch of gold leaves and guest were offered gold macarons as well. The wedding cake was a marble cake with gold trim and was uniquely presented in a round flower arch.

Amber choose gold shades and calligraphy in order to match the delicate and romantic scenery of her wedding day. The use of gold ink for their place cards and gold leafs for their menus gave consistency to the overall while theme adding various textures to it. Also a monogram was created for their invitation and was used on the ‘day of stationery’. The choice of the paper was also quite important, as she needed the stationery to keep a modern look without shifting away from romanticism. As “details create the big picture”, Amber & Jay couldn’t go without adding custom signs for the day and little notes here and there for their guests, always while adding their signature calligraphy. Attention to details never go unnoticed, and stationery on their big day played a big factor in this.

The day started with preparations in the round room of the chateau with its spectacular arched ceiling. The ambiance was relaxed and the bridesmaids had a great time with the bride preparing for the big day. Once all the guests were seated and the groom and groomsmen were down the aisle, the bridal party made her way through the corridors to the garden approaching her groom. The processional was elegantly, accompanied by a classical duo of a harpist and violinist. The beautiful bride, Amber, with her hair down, in an all lace dressed walked down the aisle with her father by her side to the harp and violin version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. The ceremony was an emotional moment as it showed Amber and Jay’s intense love to each other. The cocktail, on the Chateau’s terrace overlooking the beautiful valley, was entertained by singer and guitar, who played as well during the reception dinner.

For the cherry on the top, the couple wanted to surprise their guests with a firework display at the end of dinner. The guests were invited to ‘sparkle’ the way for the newlyweds and after a moving toast from the groom, the fireworks surprised all the guests. Our surprise to the bride and groom was the electronic violinist who played accompanying the firework display.

The bridal party danced all night after the fireworks and it was truly a day they would cherish and remember forever!

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Esther Lamarche

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Modern Garden Wedding Inspiration at the Arizona Biltmore

Who says garden weddings have to mean flower crowns, wooden signs and casual flair – been there done that! This modern wedding inspiration from Elyse Hall Photography and Wild One Events is putting a sophisticated spin on that classic garden wedding style. And we’re totally obsessed. From the historic private estate venue to the elegant floral design to a wedding dress that’s the gift that just keeps on giving, take in all the pretty below…

From Wild One Events… There was a a lot of upfront planning put in to this wedding inspiration shoot between myself, the planner/designer, and Elyse, the shoot’s photographer. Right off the bat we knew we wanted to showcase a tented wedding reception, and the Arizona Biltmore was the perfect location to use as our foundation because of its classic infrastructure. We wanted to take the historical elegance of the Biltmore and infuse that into the details of the shoot. Overall, our main inspiration was making sure it felt as if this was a modern wedding with an elegant “private estate” feel to it, and to showcase what a different tenting can make when applied correctly to a venue to frame a space.

I chose a mild neutral color palette for the linens and soft seating so that it could be paired with the bolder more romantic tones of the florals. I wanted the flowers to not only bring in color but also give the tables visual interest with their organic garden aesthetic. Everything about the floral design added beautify and softened the other design elements. Our lounge furniture selection brought in an understated masculine elegance that was the perfect touch for cocktail hour and helped emphasize the “private estate” feel. The use of the ghost chairs in the ceremony and reception brought in a bit of modern that paired nicely with the venue’s natural surroundings without taking the concept too far, especially when they were set against some of the more classic elements in the reception.

In the back of my mind during planning was also wanting to ensure everything looked cohesive with the beautiful sailcloth tenting. The paper goods and invitation suite that was designed by Roots and Rain Creative were heavily influenced by the architecture and history of the Arizona Biltmore. This hotel is an icon here in Phoenix because of its rich history in our community and its famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. The main invitation features a hand drawn sketch by Emma (of Roots and Rain) of the hotel’s main entrance, and the vintage stamps that were collected for the postage feature Frank Lloyd Wright himself as well as other Arizona details. Each of these intentional design elements went in to tell the story of the inspiration for this wedding day.

The cake was one area where we took more of a classic approach in the design but still brought in a modern touch with the height and added gold texture on each layer. The colors from the flowers perfectly reinforced the floral color palette, and the placement of the cake table at the head of the tent was an exciting way to great guests as they entered for the reception. The beautiful Allison Webb gown from Schaffer’s our Bride wore felt like the icing on the cake because it was such a fun and modern spin on a classic ball gown! It played perfectly with the overall inspiration and looked beautiful on our bride. Overall, we felt as if everything came together nicely to tell this modern day love story of our couple.

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Elyse Hall Photography

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An Ethereal Garden Wedding at The White Sparrow Barn

The oh-so talented team at Moss Floral Design brought an ethereal garden scene indoors at The White Sparrow Barn – and the result was absolutely magical. Abundant greenery and a feminine color palette of soft pinks, blush and mauve danced across the barn’s blank canvas. The entire day planned by Ivory and Vine Event Co. was nothing short of a dream. Don’t miss a single moment of this enchanting affair at the full gallery of images captured perfectly by the always lovely, Stephanie Brazzle Photography.

From Stephanie Brazzle Photography… Ashley & Chad’s winter wedding was intimate, romantic and full of gorgeous details. Ashley and I began dreaming up her wedding with a palette of soft pinks, blush, muave and overflowing greenery, bringing an ethereal garden aesthetic to their stunning white barn venue, The White Sparrow.

The barn gave us an elegant, clean canvas to paint on, and we filled it with soft candlelight, french-inspired details like hand-monogrammed napkins for each member of the wedding party, and luxurious velvet textures. Moss Floral Design juxtaposed soft, refined garden roses with wild smilax, and added pops of deep pink, mauve and amber to contrast the bright, airy wood of the barn.

Ashley’s custom stationery suite designed by Scribbles and Swirls, incorporated a crest with French detailing, and nods to the anemone that were sprinkled throughout Ashley’s bridal bouquet and the arrangements that adorned the velvet-lined tables. Guests were nestled into the barn during a cozy, candle-filled ceremony, the barn doors open to let in the cool air and the sound of rain falling on the leaves outside.

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed jazz music, inspired by the couples love of New Orleans, and sipped champagne as we transformed the barn for moody, romantic dining. We wanted to evoke a feeling of closeness, denoted by the soft, plush linens, tall pillar candles and Southern comfort food; a stunning evening spent with close family and friends.

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Wedding Dresses

Sareh Nouri

Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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Bohemian Country Wedding with a Touch of Whimsy at Barn of Chapel Hill

A white barn, the goodness of Chapel Hill and boho details… this is the beautiful combo that makes up today’s Southern fete planned by Kast Events. We’re getting to know these two Bride babes—from the thoughtful proposal to their favorite memories of their celebration—dive into the interview below and make sure to soak up the full day documented by Krystal Kast.

1. How did you meet?

We met in high school, East Chapel Hill High School, where we played soccer together. We grew up less than a mile apart on the greenway in Chapel Hill but didn’t know each other until I was a junior at East and she and her twin sister, Leigh, were on the soccer team. We came back together when I moved from Atlanta to Chapel Hill for medical school and Paige moved back from Boone when her dad was diagnosed with cancer so she could be with her family. We saw each other again at our yearly East reunion at TOPO the Friday after Thanksgiving (We never actually have real reunions because we have them yearly at TOPO—it’s bizarre). We have known each other for 15 or so years but started dating about 6 months to a year after she moved back to CH.

2. How did the proposal happen?

It happened on Christmas Day at our house in Chapel Hill. I had a book made for her—its a hard cover book made by LoveBook—with stick figures of the two of us and it’s called, “I love you – My reasons why” and I gave it to her on Christmas. Her family was in town and staying with us for Christmas so the whole clan was there and knew what was about to happen. I asked them to stay inside so I could give her the book and ring but slowly, one by one, everyone somehow made it out to the patio where we were sitting and wanted her to show them every SINGLE PAGE of the book. I literally couldn’t get on one knee because her mom was nearly on top of me it was ridiculous! But also sweet and cute. The last page of the book asked, “Will you marry me?” To which she replied, “Of course!”- it was awesome.

3. When did you know she/she was “the one?”

I knew she was the one a few years before we even moved in together… to me Paige is a no-brainer, but I think she needed to think about whether or not I was worthy of being her wife. So I waited… and waited… and waiteeedddd… and it was completely worth it.

4. Tell us about your wedding inspiration:

Boho, country barn style, pintrested to the max. Cheryl-Anne’s style was exactly what we were looking for. Greenery, flowers, rustic.

5. Any special details or fun memories from wedding day you’d like to share?

Paige wrote me the sweetest card I’ve ever received – it was actually perfect because not only was it the most thoughtful and loving writing I could imagine, it was specifically meant to keep me from crying during the ceremony, and it did!

I thought having our family members be such a big part of the wedding was really special – our brothers played the music, brother and sister did the readings – Alex and Cliff who are as much brothers as anyone, wrote us a freaking poem and then read it and it was adorable! And John, my younger bro, officiated and crushed it! The selfie guestbook has some real winners in it – as the book progresses you can tell people are getting drunker and the pictures are absolute gems!

And then during the ceremony there were the shotguns that were going off the entire time – what the hell was that? I thought it was funny, a “shotgun wedding” perhaps? The bug that crawled up John’s neck that I had to save him from.

We had an absolute blast! There are so many wonderful memories from that weekend that I can’t even really begin.

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Wedding Dresses

Claire Pettibone

Couture Bridal

Fall 2015 Romantique

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Wedding Dresses

BHLDN

Bridal 2016

Bridal 2019

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Pastel Wedding Inspiration at Riverwood Mansion in Nashville

Spring is here babes! It’s finally here. That means wedding season is right around the corner and we’re rolling out a plethora of stunning color palettes to inspire you warm-weather fete. Nothing is more spring-classic than a pastel palette and that just what RSVP Events, Julie Paisley and Melissa Broadwell are delivering today. Dive into the dreamiest-ever gallery for more.

From RSVP Events… Our editorial focuses on pastel hues of lavender, pale blue, blush, and cream. The bride’s gown is a set of separates by Carol Hannah, with a billowy linen skirt and bustier in layers of tulle paired with a bouquet lush in dimension.

Her hair and makeup are rooted in simple loveliness, for the bride who truly feels like herself on her wedding day. Design elements focus on texture and intricate touches, from high texture florals and antique silver goblets to detailed chargers and the hand painted walls of Riverwood Mansion.

When Rustic Meets Romance at Hummingbird Nest Ranch

Today’s gorgeous wedding at Hummingbird Nest Ranch designed by Fancy Fete LA with planning from Love It Events will completely change what you think of when you hear the word “rustic”. Knot Just Flowers covered this sun-filled day with greenery and blush pink blooms galore. We’re obsessed with the organic ceremony design teeming with climbing floral on a towering tree – the scene is straight of a storybook! Being that I’m Armenian, I was so excited to see the traditional Armenian elements of their wedding ceremony! It was the perfect blend of both their cultural backgrounds. Check out all the magical details at the full gallery of images captured by Sposto Photography. Trust us people, this wedding is one for the books!

From the bride… We were traveling to Umbria, Italy for our friends’ wedding, and although I knew it was going to be an unforgettable trip, I didn’t know what was to come. Alborz proposed atop of the beautiful Park Güell in Barcelona, Spain overlooking spectacular views of the city. We were posing for a photo, and all of a sudden I noticed him dropping to his knee and all I was thinking was “Oh my God. What is he doing? Is this really happening??? Is this the moment? What do I do with my hands?” I had hoped he would propose on this trip, but I was in shock! It was a magical moment that I will forever cherish. We had been together for nine years, and I always dreamt of this moment – envisioning it in front of our friends and family, celebrating and sharing in the joy and excitement with everyone, but the trip was actually a great way to embark on this new adventure. We were able to soak it all in and enjoy our time together traveling through Europe in this state of bliss versus jumping into wedding planning right away. We FaceTimed with our loved ones who could not wait to celebrate with us when we got back which was really exciting.

The beautiful architecture and landscape of Spain and Italy during our engagement-moon definitely inspired me to incorporate old world charm and rustic elegance into our wedding design. Being in Europe felt like being transported to another world, and since we were unable to have a destination wedding, we really wanted to create the same romantic and whimsical experience for our wedding guests through our venue and design details. We had a hanging “Sofreh Aghd,” at our wedding ceremony which was our unique spin on the several thousand-year old Iranian tradition. My grandmother had passed away six months before my wedding, so to keep her close I wore her necklace and carried her favorite blooms in my bouquet. I know she was with me all day. Other than flower girls, we decided to not have a wedding party as we wanted to focus on each other and allow our closest family and friends to feel relaxed and be in the moment, but our parents and siblings walked down the aisle and participated in parts of our wedding ceremony which was really special.

I was really inspired by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding cakes, which was a sharp departure from the architectural confections of traditional weddings. We had three cakes with satiny buttercream strewn with blooms and one of the flavors was another unique and unexpected twist – cookies and cream! My father sang a beautiful song that he wrote for me called “My Baby Girl” which was a very emotional moment for me. I grew up singing with him while he played on his guitar, so it was a special nod to this memorable part of my childhood that we share.

After dancing off a family-style feast, I surprised my groom and our guests with an In-N-Out truck at midnight. He was so surprised and it was a total hit with everyone! It was nice to have something special and unexpected planned for him for once! Although we had a non-denominational wedding ceremony, it was important to us to incorporate cultural elements from both of our backgrounds; Iranian and Armenian, but we definitely put our own spin on these traditions. For the Iranian part of the ceremony we had a “Sofreh Aghd” display which includes many symbolic items, all of which represent an element of the couple’s new life together such as a mirror for a bright future, ornate eggs for fertility, gold coins for prosperity, honey for a sweet life, and so on.

Since we did not have a traditional Armenian wedding in a church, I wanted to incorporate some symbolic elements from my culture that were special and important to me such as: The Crowning, where the couple joins foreheads and are crowned as king and queen of their own kingdom, the home, which they will rule with wisdom, justice, integrity and loyalty. (This was one of our favorite parts of our ceremony. These beautiful and ornate crowns now adorn a credenza in our home as a reminder of this commitment.) The Common Cup; drinking of wine from a single goblet serves to impress upon the couple that from that moment on they will share everything in life, joy as well as sorrow, and that they will bear one another’s burdens. Whatever the cup of life has in store for them, they will share equally. A Pillow to symbolize the Armenian Blessing, “May you grow old on one pillow” wished to the couple to reinforce togetherness and physical closeness forever. Our “Sofreh Aghd” was a DIY dream that I had envisioned and it ended up being my favorite touch. Since we were getting married among trees in a beautiful olive grove, I wanted the table to be suspended from a tree branch like a swing, to appear as an extension of the tree, intertwined with greens and florals (as opposed to the traditional spread which is an elevated platform on the ground.) I searched high and low for the right mirror to turn into a swing to make my “Sofreh Aghd” dreams come true, and it turned out to be more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. Another DIY touch was our favor boxes which were filled with delicious Italian wedding cookies which we sealed with monogrammed gold wax seals and ribbon.

Our favorite and most meaningful moment of the day was exchanging our vows. In that moment, it truly felt like no one else was there except the two of us. Of course all the other parts of the day are special and important, but this moment was the true purpose of our wedding day; our eternal promise and commitment to each other. We were speaking to each other from the depths of our heart and that moment made it all so real. Our next favorite moment was definitely our grand entrance. We entered hand in hand, dancing into the reception and got the party started right away! Our friends and family rushed the dance floor and we were overwhelmed and in awe from all the love, laughter, and joy surrounding us. Another favorite moment was definitely our first dance. We selected “1000x” by Jarryd James featuring Broods after seeing them together live in concert. When we heard those lyrics, we knew it was our song. Amidst all the chaos and excitement of the day it was one of those moments where everything just slowed down and I was able to lock eyes with my new husband and enjoy this special moment alone, dancing to a song that meant a lot to both of us.

I think it’s really important to include personal touches where you can, whether it’s in your ceremony or in design details. Let your love shine through! Feel free to break the rules or put your own spin on traditions to reflect your love story- everyone’s is different, and that’s what makes each wedding unique. Also, wedding planning and even your wedding day can be stressful at times, and not everything may go 100% according to plan, but don’t forget the big picture and purpose of it all. Everything will come together beautifully and if you stay true to who you are as a couple, everyone will feel the love and is guaranteed to have a fun and fabulous time! As long as you’re having a blast, your guests will, too!

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Sposto Photography

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Intimate Greece Wedding at Poseidonion Grand Hotel

Not only are we getting a peek inside this gorgeously intimate soiree planned by Deplanv today, we’re also getting a dose of amazing advice from the beautiful Bride. Set in Greece at Poseidonion Grand Hotel, this duo wanted a fete that would feel completely and utterly them. With a few pointers below, they achieved just that – all captured by Les Anagnou Photographers and Jim Grillas Films.

From the bride… We wanted a celebration that would be a true and authentic reflection of ourselves and of our love story. I think that was the motto that Samuel and I defined from the very beginning, when we started planning our wedding. We had been to too many weddings that, although often very beautiful, seemed to be someone else’s doing, rather than the bride and groom (be it a wedding planner, a family member, or – often – the couple trying to please or impress other people). We wanted something that would scream “this is us”.

All the choices that we made were guided by that idea, starting with our wedding planners — we made appointments with six different planners and met with all of them. We then made a decision based on our personal feeling and on the impression (and hope) that they would be able, regardless of their personal opinion, to deliver the wedding that we wanted. And they totally were. Our planners were the best allies and support we could have dreamt of, and we often talk about how happy we are to have done it that way instead of relying on wedding planner recommendations from other couples which, although certainly great too, were likely not right for us.

And so we applied this method to basically all of our decisions (and trust me, there are A LOT to make). We made sure that we chose providers (photographers, videographers, music band, etc.) that we truly liked and whose work we admired. We made it a priority to talk with each of them before the wedding and clarify our needs, our taste, what we liked and did not like.

In addition, we made sure to put in as much personal time as we could to work on small details which seemed like nothing but would make our friends and family feel like this was really us, Sam and Diane, welcoming them into our celebration. So, for example, we ordered colored beach towels for everyone as a wedding favor, but instead of just randomly giving the towels to everyone, we spent hours choosing a specific color for each guest, with their own personality and taste in mind. We signed each welcome letter by hand rather than simply doing it on a computer, and visited each hotel before the guests’ arrival to drop the letter and wedding favor in the rooms. We replaced the traditional seating place cards with printed pictures of the two of us and wrote the guest’s name on the card, making sure that each guest had a picture that would make sense to them (so for example, all our friends from New York had cards with pictures taken in New York).All these small things might seem worthless and very time consuming, but they add up and make your guests feel at home, which is what we wanted. For us, it was a way to show them how grateful we were that they had made that trip to come and celebrate our love.

Looking back, I have to say that this wedding was more amazing that we could have imagined in our wildest dreams. And if I am asked why, or how we achieved it, I would give the following advice: first, choose providers that you trust and who believe in your wedding and share your vision. This is the foundation for any successful wedding — if you have to start arguing with your wedding planners, the rest is going to be even tougher. Second: prepare, prepare, prepare. Everybody tells you “enjoy every second, it goes by in the blink of an eye” — and that is SO true. But in my opinion the only way to be able to enjoy every second is to work on every little detail in advance and make sure that you will not have to deal with anything on that day. Third (and most importantly): remember it is YOUR wedding. I feel like you get that advice from everybody and it sounds generic, but it really is SO IMPORTANT.

Be strong, be focused on what you want for that day, and have the courage to voice it and stand by those choices. So many people (everyone, actually) will come to you with advice, saying that you “cannot wear red nail polish at your wedding, you should have a French manicure”, that you “must invite that cousin even though you don’t know him, because it is your cousin” or that “those glasses are not nice enough, you should pay the additional price to have crystal glasses “, etc. — it never ends. And if you agree with that advice, then by all means, go for it. But if you don’t: have the courage (it does actually take courage) to say no. It is your wedding and 20 years from now, you will likely regret choosing purple flowers although you hate purple just because your mother or wedding planner thought it would look nice; but I am pretty sure you will never regret wearing that red nail polish.

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An Italian Inspired Baby Shower!

A baby shower filled with pizza, gelato, and rosé floats, oh my! When planning her baby shower with friends, Katrina Scott of Tone It Up, enlisted the help of Be Inspired PR to bring her vision to life. “When Kat came to us with the opportunity to work with her on her baby shower for sweet Baby Bella, we didn’t think twice about it! Reminiscing on her and her husband’s babymoon to Italy, we worked together on bringing the ‘Ciao Bella’ theme to life. A champagne tap trailer (what?!) was out front to greet guests as they arrived, and this baby and her sweet mama were showered all day long!” Take a peak inside this dreamy shower, and get the new mamma’s tips on how to plan your own shower!

We transformed my living room into a comfy boho lounge. We don’t have a ton of seating so we rented a bunch of pillows, poufs, and cushions for guests! I needed more seating so I went to my favorite Southern California rental companies Archive Rentals for pillows, poufs, and cushions!

I contacted my favorite Macrame designer from Etsy, Macrame Elegance, to rent this beautiful tulle backdrop. My girlfriend Angela picked up a bunch of monstera leaves and palms to spray paint gold, which turned out to be the perfect touch of green all over the house.

Having a little champagne set up was the perfect way to greet everyone. Thank you to the entire team at Bubble Tap Trailer!

Archive Rentals also provided all of the place settings, flatware, green and pink goblets, more champagne flute! I love pink and green mixed together, so we went with those two colors with a touch of gold!

For all of the place settings Delovely Details made all the girl’s names in gold. She also made the amazing Ciao Bella sign! I think this was one of my favorite touches to the entire shower. It made everything feel so personal. Plus she made the cute drink stirs that say Baby Bella, which I packed some away for her future parties :)

I was also able to reuse the most beautiful pink depression glasses and cake stand I purchased for our wedding which was so special.

I am obsessed with fresh flowers! So for this special day I went to the talented Euri Wong from Bloominous and wow…she completely blew us away! Her arrangements made the entire shower. She did touches of dusty pink roses, marigold roses, tropical ferns, dahlias, and pampas grass (my faveeee). Everywhere we turned there was a breathtaking arrangement.

For rosé I went to my favorite local company, One Hope Wine! They’re based right here in the South Bay. They also sent these adorable mini champagne bottles for everyone as party favors! I bought the tags “Pop When She Pops” on Etsy.

The custom menu, rosé bar sign, and Photo Booth sign were made by Be Inspired. You can either have these made, or print something and put it in a frame!

My friend and talented chef, Jenny Messing, owner of Kitchen Vibes created the perfect menu! We were so inspired by the food during our trip to Italy, we decided to have a whole flatbread pizza spread and amazing charcuterie board!

The cake may have been the best thing we’ve ever tasted! We chose ‘Champagne Orange’, which was Plumeria Cake Studio’s top rated cake! They also put together the most delicious cookies, donuts, and treats! Treat yo self… and the baby!

Whether you’re planning a shower for a family member or girlfriend, or planning your own, here are my top tips!

Ask a few girlfriends to plan!
Cater or potluck style! This will make it sooo much easier for whoever is hosting.
Don’t overdo the games.
Make a playlist!
Buy containers for extra food. This is also something I forgot to do. We had so much leftover pizza, cake, and cookies that it would have been nice to send everyone home with some.
Use bud vases! If you’re doing the flowers yourself (or if you’re hiring a florist), flowers go a long way in little bud vases!
Hit up the craft store- this is where we got so many little things.
Polaroid Camera! This is always a hit!
Assign 1-2 party planners to take pics OR hire a photographer friend (I say friend too, since it’s such an intimate day).
Ask a girlfriend to take notes if you open gifts.

Tone It Up! [ ] Katrina Scott’s baby shower from Juice Box Media on Vimeo.

The Most Helpful Features to Add to Your Wedding Website, According to Past Brides

Between dress hunting and picking your bridal party, you, Ms. Bride, are one busy lady! And that’s not even beginning to address your inbox flowing with questions from guests (“Where are you registered?”, “What should I be wearing?”). Before the floodgates open, our advice to you is to set up a wedding website, STAT, to address all of these items in one resourceful space.

Luckily, our friends at Squarespace make that easy (because let’s be honest, most brides don’t have time to put learning to code on the itinerary!). Their user-friendly website builder is the all-in-one platform that includes the templates, tools, analytics, and security you need to create a beautiful hub to direct all of your friends and their plus ones. Better yet, they make it so simple to customize templates in the look and feel you want, all in just a few clicks.

So, now that we’ve got that covered, we tapped several past brides for their expertise on must-include items to make the most of your site. From geo-tagged maps to integrated registries, trust us when we say these tips will save you from stressing as you approach your big day!

Photography by Annmarie Swift

“Integrate your wedding theme throughout your website.”

“Don’t create a site, just for the sake of having a one,” says one bride. Make it really feel like it’s a natural extension of your day from the cursive font you use to the clever custom domain name you choose, she suggests. Luckily, Squarespace offers an extensive selection of award-winning wedding templates to cater to your event, whether you’re hosting a black-tie affair or a backyard bash. Then, once you have a template selected, you can adjust banners, edit pages, and add functionality to tailor it to your guests and their questions. “It’s that easy,” she adds.

Photography by Will Reid

“Add RSVP functionality.”

Dealing with extra stamps, postage, and follow-ups when it comes to your guest attendance is never fun. So one new Mrs. emphasized how helpful it was to integrate RSVPs directly on her website. (Since every Squarespace wedding website template comes with a built-in and customizable RSVP form, there’s no heavy lifting required on your end to make it happen!) This way, family and friends can simply click through to the page to mark their attendance and meal request, while she could manage all of the responses on the backend in a streamlined Google Drive document.

Photography by Tara Bielecki

“Showcase activities to do in the area.”

If you have several guests coming in from out of town, it’s a good idea to recommend options for them to fill their time over the course of the weekend. One newlywed found people appreciated a dedicated page of things to do in the area close to the venue. “We included our favorite brunch spots, watering holes, even places they could go to get their nails done,” she says. They also encouraged their friends to use their wedding hashtag so they could integrate all of the fun via photos in an Instagram block on their account.

Photography by One Love Photography

“Provide a helpful map for guests to plan out their weekend.”

There will be many moving pieces throughout the course of your special weekend. And all of these (think wedding-facilitated events, hotel check-ins, and ceremony location) require some coordination. Keep your family and friends in the know by including a map on your site, pinpointing the key places they need to know, suggests another Mrs. Bonus: Squarespace allows you to geotag these spots too, so everyone will have the addresses they need to navigate from hotel to ceremony, effortlessly.

Photography by Joseph Rogero

“Plan to include as much information as possible.”

Another helpful approach for creating your domain? Include everything they’ll need to know on the site (including questions that come up during planning). Day of details, like what to wear, the timing of events, parking, and transportation were all “much appreciated by guests,” says a newlywed, noting that several of her pals didn’t even bother bringing the stationary with them because of this. Just make sure your page is mobile compatible, she adds. (Psst: All Squarespace templates are automatically mobile-friendly, thank goodness for that!)

There you have it. Five bride-approved ways to make your wedding website standout. Now, if you feel like you’re in a better place to start designing your own site, head to Squarespace.com/STYLEMEPRETTY for a free trial to get you started. Then, when you’re ready to launch, use the offer code STYLEMEPRETTY to save 10% off your first purchase.

Now go put those creative skills to the test!

Photography by The Lovely Drawer | Wedding Website: Aubrey by Squarespace

A Dreamy Dusty Blue Pelican Hill Wedding Teeming with Hydrangeas

If you’ve been thinking all these years that hydrangeas are just a filler flower – then think again, my friends. These cloud-like blooms are stunning enough to be the main event of any wedding, and these dreamy nuptials at Pelican Hill Resort planned by A Good Affair Wedding & Event Production prove just that. Prepare to dive into a sea of blooms in dusty blue and cream hues arranged beautifully by Nisie’s Enchanted Florist. Just wait until you see the groom’s reaction when he sees his blushing bride captured perfectly by Jenny Quicksall Photography. We couldn’t be more in love with this day.

From Natalie Good, A Good Affair… Allegra and James are the quintessential college sweethearts! After college they settled into tech jobs in SF. When James popped the question they knew exactly where they wanted to get married, The Resort at Pelican Hill in Allegra’s hometown, Newport Beach. They came to me wanting to create a unique design for their destination wedding weekend.

We created a gorgeous palette of dusty blues and set out to bring a Coastal Chic design to life. From the unique custom monogram to the dusty blue hydrangea, every detail was intentional and personal to their style and likes. The Jewish ceremony was under a chuppah made of driftwood and pale blue and white blooms.

An outdoor al fresco dinner for their 280 guests was complete with long wood dining tables, patterned textiles, and velvet napkins tied with jute. Guests were welcomed into the ballroom for dancing, desserts, and the band kept people on the dance floor all night long. A favorite detail of their day was the guest book, which was comprised of messages in bottles that the bride and groom will open on each anniversary – how sweet is that?

The bride’s favorite dessert is anything with chocolate and caramel, so we highlighted her personal fave with chocolate bar wedding favors branded with their monogram. The end of the night was finished with the arrival of an In-N-Out truck for guests to enjoy and wrap up the amazing day of celebrations!

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Whimsical Floral-Filled Wedding at Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point

You don’t typically see couples welcoming a baby together in the delivery room before they’ve even started dating – but today’s duo, Princeton and Michelle, did exactly that. You’ll have to read the full story below for yourself and then dive into their utterly beautiful and whimsical wedding planned by Couture Events (and filled to the brim with florals from Blush Botanicals!). There’s a stunner film from Elysium Productions to set the day in motion for you and a full gallery of gorgeous from Leila Brewster.

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How the Bride & Groom met…

Princeton and Michelle met on the very first day of his clinical rotations at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine – Obstetrics and Gynecology. She was his chief resident and was instantly impressed by his enthusiasm and work ethic. Then they delivered a baby together… well ultimately they would be delivering multiple babies together but Princetons first delivery was with Michelle – Although Princeton loved working with kids, he had been dreading delivering a baby; getting put on the spot to catch a slippery, squirming baby was something Princeton hoped to not have to do during his entire obstetrics and gynecology rotation. One afternoon, a pregnant patient, huffing and puffing, came up to Labor and Delivery. Michelle took one look at her face and knew there was a baby coming, and fast! The patient was placed on a wheelchair and quickly wheeled off to the delivery room, Michelle following behind them. “Princeton, I don’t think you’ve delivered a baby yet, please come with me!” Princeton and Michelle quickly followed the patient into the delivery room, where the baby soon began to crown. “Princeton, quick, throw some gloves on!” And there in a delivery room in Honolulu, Hawaii, Princeton delivered his first baby with Michelle’s hands over his, and together they welcomed a new life into the world. They quickly discovered they were both from Los Angeles and bonded over their mutual love for good food, arts, and music. Princeton eventually escaped the rotation unscathed, and through a mutual love of classical music, ono Hawaiian food, and epic travels, a true love was born.

What did you like about your venue?

Monarch Beach was a magical venue. Steps away from the Pacific Ocean, it was a perfect blend of luxury and Southern Californian ease. Both Princeton and I have a reputation for being foodies, so having the perfect meal at our reception was a must! Everyone raved about the delicious food! We’re already dreaming about our one-year anniversary get-away here!

What did you like about your wedding planner?

Couture Events is incredibly creative. From the very beginning, they did an amazing job incorporating our vision and her expertise! From the many text messages and panicked late-night emails, they were my voice of reason throughout the whole planning process. The Big Day could not have turned out more beautiful! It was truly a vision from my dreams!

Describe your vision/inspiration for your wedding day. Did you have a specific theme?

Right from the beginning, we wanted our Big Day to really focus on our beloved friends and family. We wanted the day to be a big celebration that was elegant and sophisticated but not too fussy. Also, we wanted everything to reflect who we are as individuals and as a couple! We aimed for beautiful florals that filled the venue and lots of quirky, unique details that made the celebration whimsical and fun.

What was your favorite part of your wedding day?

Everything! Turning down the aisle after we got married and seeing all our friends and family beaming at us just took our breath away! From the open-air cocktail hour on the terrace to our gorgeous dessert buffet to the late-night sparklers that led to our In-N-Out truck, everything was sheer perfection!

What was your color scheme?

Greenery, rose quartz, rose gold. Were there any new trends that you incorporated, or did you decide to go more traditional? We are a very untraditional couple so we went in a unique direction! We wanted lots of florals, details that incorporated our beloved ring bearer Schnauzer pup Sadie, and tons of delicious eats and drinks to indulge in! Our ceremony altar design incorporated lots of florals but also fully-functional chandeliers that took everyone’s breath away!

How would you describe your wedding style and fashion?

Princeton’s style is classic and timeless, and Michelle’s style is elegant with clean lines but with a fun and stylish twist. Princeton chose a navy blue tux and Michelle chose a classic Vera Wang mermaid gown with beautiful tulle rosettes.

What kind of flowers did you pick for your centerpieces and bouquet?

We chose peonies and greenery which reflected both our luxurious and down-to-earth sides. We wanted the flowers to just be overflowing in our celebration! We also had a beautiful flower wall that was done with the same flowers in an ombre style.

What kind of food did you serve?

We served classics with a twist: Asian-inspired cod with a beautiful mushroom wild rice; ribeye steak with wasabi mashed potatoes; a dessert buffet with macaroons, cupcakes, cake shots, and schnauzer cookies inspired by our beloved Sadie; and burgers and fountain drinks from our In-N-Out truck at the end of the night!

What flavor(s) did you pick for your cake?

We chose coconut cream as a nod to our meeting in Hawaii.

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

We went on our honeymoon a month after we got married, to Italy! We went for two glorious weeks in Cinque Terre, Rome, Florence, and even went up north to Alba for the annual Truffle Festival!

What was the most memorable moment of your reception?

The reception was absolutely perfect, but if I absolutely had to choose one moment I’d have to choose the sparklers lighting the way to our In-N-Out truck – it was the best burger I’ve ever had in my life! Having all our loved ones out with us, enjoying burgers and fountain drinks, was an incredible experience! The In-N-Out caps were also on point!

Any other details we left out, special considerations, or something you want to share that made your day unique?

As a tribute to their time in Hawaii, Michelle planned a surprise ukelele performance for Princeton during the cocktail hour. She sang Colbie Caillat’s “I Do” and the look of surprise and love on Princeton’s face was priceless!

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Elysium Productions

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Jenny Yoo

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Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

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Spring 2016

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How To Plan a Fine Art Wedding for Spring & Summer

With all the rain Southern California has been getting lately, it only means a beautiful spring bloom awaits! If you’re planning a spring-inspired wedding, this gorgeous collaboration by Mulberry and Moss and Perfect the Event, is the loveliest inspiration for all you babes crafting a romantic, spring-forward style wedding with fine art flair. 1011 Makeup created soft natural makeup with tousled updos that complimented both weddings gowns designed by Claire Pettibone. See the full editorial filled with femininity and vibrant elements, captured by Babsie Ly in the gallery.

From planner, Ilana of Perfect the Event… When you think “fine art editorial” you don’t always think of edgy or black accents. Thinking outside the box and pushing our industry’s norm limit is something that always inspires me when it comes to designing. This shoot was nothing short of pushing the limit, but still keeping that fine art touch we are all inspired by.

Using vintage furniture, delicate paper goods but also bringing in modern table top pieces with high end gowns made it all come to life. The icing on the cake was the floral. Trying to bring in some romance for fine art and yet still keep it artsy with free-standing blooms, Mulberry and Moss rocked it!

This was too much fun to pick out pieces, glam up some gorgeous girls, and highlight some very talented vendors! Long story short, don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone! When you do so, sometimes very magical things are created!

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Fall 2015 Romantique

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What’s Good Enough for JayZ & Beyonce, is Good Enough for Me…#showergoals!!

Okay, we’re honestly so overwhelmed by the beauty of this bridal shower that the only word I can say that might sum up how we feel is…. OBSESSED. I mean, this entire event is filled with so many details we could stare at it all day and find something new to love about it! The theme was inspired by the beautiful colors and scenery of the Amalfi Coast, which is where the bride and groom will be traveling to on their honeymoon. It’s complete with a flower wall that will make your heart flutter, a bouquet-making station and the most decadent and delicious dessert table we’ve ever seen. Everything was perfectly planned and put together by Aliana Events. The jaw-dropping florals were arranged by the amazing Celio’s Design. Keep on reading to see all the can’t-miss details of this day, all captured by Alissa Noelle Photography.

From Alissa Noelle Photography… When I photographed this bridal shower, I was absolutely blown away when I walked by all the color! Which matches my photography style perfectly! Coral, gold and tangerine lit up the space. There were so many details… Everywhere! Big and small. It is definitely the most creative + stylish bridal shower I’ve ever seen. What made it so special wasn’t just because of all the beauty, but also the meaning behind the theme. The bridal shower was all Amalfi Coast vibes. This is because it is where the happy couple will be going for their honeymoon! While you can’t bring your best ladies with you on your romantic getaway, the answer is simple… Bring the Amalfi Coast to Hollywood for your bridal shower!

The shower was at Casita Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. An open space industrial venue that is still new to the area. Because it is such an open blank space with beautiful natural light, they filled every inch of it with decor and on theme details. Such as; covering the entry way with hanging bougainvillea on the pergola. If you’ve been to the Amalfi Coast, you already know that this is a real thing there, especially in Positano! It’s actually where I got engaged and i’ll never forget the romantic walks to the ocean as bougainvillea’s hung above us while we were on cloud 9. There is nothing else like it! Can’t forget about this insane floral wall display by Celio’s Design (who also just did florals for Beyonce & JayZ… That’s right… This bride can now say that Beyonce also booked the same florist. GOALS)!!! Then as you walked into the main space, family style long tables with Oscar De La Renta plates, Limoncello bottles, endless floral and gold flatware created the table top decor.

The industrial pipes on the ceiling had hanging greenery and woven basket lanterns giving you the outdoor feel. A bridal shower is not complete without some delicious stylish cake, treats that the planner, Aliana Events, flew in from Italy (planner goals right there, too) and just the most beautiful dessert table made for a… BRIDE! Other details included a DIY project, a perfume making station where all the ladies got to create their own perfume with many scents to choose from. It was temping not to just starting making myself a perfume, haha.

Towards the end, there was a floral bouquet making station for all and the bride, Shannon, had to chose the winner. Then surprise! Here comes her lovely fiancé, Manraj, to surprise the bride before the party ended, and the look on her face when he walked in is priceless. So much love between these two!! I want to end this by saying that for all wedding events you are working on, you should aim to create an event where the theme/decor best represents you as an individual and the two of you together, as a couple. The theme is right there in front of you! All you have to do is rally up a dream team to make it come true while still staying on trend like this bridal shower. One for the books!

Glamorous Lake Como Wedding at Villa del Balbianello

Lake Como, you are lovely. I will never, ever, ever tire of experiencing weddings set on those dreamy cerulean waters against the foothills of the Alps. Alison and Frankie vowed their forevers to one another in this timeless setting, with AF Atelier, Terrain Styles and Tearose Events handling all of the delightful details. Le Secret d’Audrey and AG Studio Videography joined in to document the day for a collection of images and a film that will fill your heart with magic.

From the Bride… I have always been a fervent lover of European culture and civilization (having studied in Europe for a few months on European music, history and philosophy during my US college years), that Frankie has proposed to me at the beautiful Schloss Belvedere. Our parents are very open minded that we are allowed to host a very intimate celebration with immediate family at home so that we could spend most of our effort organizing a wedding of our dreams.

Lake Como is definitely one of the most picturesque places in Europe and since our wedding date coincides with the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (which is very important for families and friends to gather together on the day which the moon is supposedly to be the roundest on this date in the year), we decided upon the most special villa – Villa del Balbianello – for the wedding that our dearest friends and parents could watch the full moon with us over the lake, and with fireworks also. Our wedding was an intimate and cozy one that we were very fortunate to have 40 guests who fly over and celebrate with us which we wanted to share this special moment with our most treasured people. We had decided to have an attire of ‘Cocktail Festive’ that our guests can dress to impress with festive details, that they were in other colors as well but not only pastel.

Thanks to our event stylist, Terrain Styles, who understands our vision of holding a timeless event, we concluded to go with the color theme of different shades of pink and blush and a splash of burgundy (since it is a fall wedding) with hints of foliage. Our vision for the wedding was to take every guest from the real world to enter into a romantic dream for the day. Le Secret d’Audrey was my wedding photographer as she knows how to bring out the elegance and femininity and she has been our pre-wedding photographer as well. Being a fan of romantic European elements, we chose Grand Hotel Tremezzo for its history and elegant decor, which was best for getting ready shoots to match well with the wedding venue. The romantic European elements were also founded in the reception table set up that there were tall copper candles and golden cutlery. The Galia Lahav veil also had hints of vintage European style with the lace and beaded fringes and long train. I had picked a princess style gown ‘Gia’ from Galia Lahav that had a corset in the trunk and lots of floral appliques along the whole dress. When I first tried in on at Trinity Bridal @trinitybridal in Hong Kong, I did have the feeling of ‘this is the one’!

As all of our guests including us were not Italians, we reckoned it was best for our wedding stationer to create a map of Lake Como including the important spots; for instance, villa d’este, grand hotel tremezzo and of course our wedding villa!

While having a wedding in Italy, we simply have to hire a gelato cart from our Catering, Class Eventi, which all of our guests had enjoyed including our staff crew. To keep our guests entertained, we had prepared a first dance performance which Frankie did not have any experience in dancing before. Luckily, we did it so smoothly with the lifting that nobody believed we only took a 5 hour class! We also had our stationer to prepare a message card for every guest that our closest friends were to write down advice for us newly weds. We had the most amazing fireworks from Blunotte Eventi who also played the song of ‘Time of my life” from the Broadway Show Dirty Dancing during the performance. My evening Watters gown, from Miss Bride Wedding Shop, was very much fitted into the scene with its sparkly top and flowy tulle that allowed me to walk around the guests tables and talk to them easily! All our guests were very excited about it that they were comparing this to the official fireworks in Hong Kong. Blunotte Eventi was also responsible for the lighting and music that day, which we hired their harp plus violin duet for our ceremony.

Holding a destination wedding which is so far from home is not the easiest thing. But we were very glad to have organized the wedding smoothly. Logistics was well planned by AF Atelier that our guests were either placed at Sheraton Lake Como or at the town Como itself, which shuttle buses were organized and there was a boat taking the guests from Como and Sheraton Lake Como respectively. It also served the purpose as a boat tour for them since it was the first visit at Lake Como for most of our guests. We hope this wedding will remain dearly in everyone’s memories in the years to come, spending Mid Autumn together in a foreign country at one of the most beautiful villas.

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Modern Minimalist Wedding Inspiration That Proves Less Is More

This contemporary style shoot that took place at The Modern Bride, planned by As You Wish Weddings, is simplicity and minimalism at its best. The minute we laid eyes on the bride’s dotted Divine Atelier gown combined with Forever Wildfield’s bleached, organic bouquet we were instantly in love. The chic tablescape is complete with three of our favorite things: marble, gold flatware and textured velvet linen. Keep on scrolling to get inspired for your big day with these gorgeous bright images from Simple Lace Photography.

From As You Wish Weddings… For this creative shoot, we were inspired by the idea that less is more. Keeping to a neutral colour palette of white, grey, and gold tones across all elements, we were able to create a vibe that felt modern, clean, and sophisticated, yet warm and inviting at the same time.

The right venue was vital in setting the tone for this shoot, so we knew it had to be The Modern Bride – a gorgeous wedding dress store in Guelph, Ontario with it’s high ceilings, white walls, and plenty of natural light. For the tablescape, we wanted the florals to feel organic and filled with uncommon elements like bleached Italian ruscus, lunaria, frilly white tulips, and bunny tail grass. Place settings included gold-rimmed marble chargers and gold flatware that paired beautifully with the minimalist stationery and textured velvet linen.

Instead of having just one cake, we featured a trio in varying size, each with different yet complimentary design elements. Keeping the ceremony space minimal, with floral arrangements on a larger scale but in similar composition to the table designs, allowed the bride’s stunning “Dot” dress by Divine Atelier to shine.

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Dreamy Anniversary Session in Lavender Fields & Cobblestone Streets of Provence

Raise your hand if a visit to the Provence lavender fields is on your bucket list! If not, after today’s dreamy (read: GORGEOUS) anniversary session with Oliver Fly, it 1000% will be. Can you even imagine how divine the scent must be, standing right here? You can almost smell the calming aroma in the full gallery.

From the Bride… It has always been a dream of mine since I was a teenager to travel to France and see the lavender fields in bloom. While I have been lucky enough to travel extensively over the last five years with my job as a wedding photographer (and often to France!) the timing never worked out quite right so that I could see it in bloom. That all changed this year when I was hired to shoot a wedding in the South of France for early July. The lavender is only in peak season for 4 weeks or so out of every year, and it looked like we were going to be there just in time – I was so excited! In honor of my five year wedding anniversary with my husband Jordan, we decided that we would be in front of the cameras for our own shoot, in the lavender fields of France.

It took me about two seconds to know who I wanted to shoot our anniversary session – my wonderful friend and talented photographer, Oliver Fly. Oliver and I attended a photography workshop several years ago in France, and became friends through the process – often Skypeing with each other across the world or trying to meet up whenever we were in the same hemisphere to catch up and share lives as fellow photographers. Luckily, Oliver was already going to be in Provence at the time, so it was kismet!

After a whirlwind three days of shooting a wedding and teaching a workshop in Provence- we were tired, but so excited and ready for our shoot. Our dear friend Clari with Tepeino Puntocom had flown in from Argentina to be the hair and makeup artist for our workshops, and so she was able to do my hair and makeup for our shoot. It felt like such a reunion as she had done my hair and makeup five years ago when Jordan and I eloped in Argentina – and she is just magic! My close friend and talented floral artist, Twyla with Remi + Gold, was also in France for the wedding and workshops; she was able to pick flowers from the Saturday market to make a beautiful bouquet for me as well. Words can’t express how fortunate I felt to have this dream team around me!

We started the shoot off in Lacoste, a tiny Provence village filled with cobblestone streets and stone walls with French blue shutters – it was like being in a postcard. The town wasn’t very busy at all that day so it felt like we had the whole town to ourselves. We then jumped in the car and chased the sun to get to the lavender fields (and of course, Oliver knew of the best place!) When I stepped out, I literally couldn’t believe my eyes. Rows and rows of lavender for as far as the eye could see- it was endless. The air smelled so strong of lavender, and it was filled with the hum of happy, buzzing bees everywhere. We changed outfits and ran out into the fields to catch the last of the golden hour light with Oliver behind the lens.

I still can’t believe that after years of dreaming about being able to see the lavender fields in person, that this dream finally came true for me this year. Jordan and I are beyond lucky to have had this amazing team of professionals and dear friends who could join us for our anniversary shoot, to create photos that we will cherish for years to come. My greatest advice to anyone contemplating an anniversary shoot or any travel shoot is – just do it! It will be one of the best investments of your memories when you travel, when you experience that fleeting magic in time.

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Remi and Gold

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A Few Of Our Favorite Ways To Update Your Home For Spring!

Spring has finally arrived, so it’s out with the cold, and in with the new! And what better way to embrace the new season than with a few simple decor updates to refresh your home. Not sure where to start? From kitchens, to bathrooms, we’ve pulled together some of our favorite tweaks to revamp any room in your home!

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN

We love a plant filled home! Plants, branches or full trees look super chic on a shelf, beside the couch, or to greet guests in an entryway. An added bonus? They also help detoxify the air! But don’t fret if you’re missing your green thumb – there are plenty of fabulous fake plants that will fool even the most avid gardeners.

LIVING ROOM SWAPS

Ditch those thick wool blankets and cozy throw pillows. Instead, add a lighter touch to the living room with bright and bold throw pillows and an airy blanket.

PAINT THOSE CABINETS!

One of our favorite trends we’ve been seeing all over Instagram are colorful painted kitchen cabinets. Adding a bright pop of color to a backsplash or cabinets is an easy, and super stylish way to transform an entire room.

FILL IT WITH FLOWERS

One of the best parts about spring is the abundance of blooms we missed during the winter months. Filling your home with fresh flowers and bowls of fruit are sure to brighten any day.

TABLE SETTINGS

Embrace bright colors and seasonal florals when it comes to table decor. Mix and match colors and prints with placemats and fun napkins. And don’t forget about adding a few fun pieces of serve ware – like these bright blue goblets!

LIGHTEN THE BEDDING LOAD

Say goodbye to winter bedding! Put those thick blankets in the closet and opt for clean whites and a great quilt to add a light and airy feel to the bedroom.

ADD A LITTLE WALLPAPER

Playing around with wallpaper has never been easier now that peel and stick wallpaper is a thing! Try something small like a powder room, or create a fun accent wall. This adds a fun statement to a space without longterm commitment!

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Sposto Photography

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Glamorous Rancho Palos Verdes Wedding at Wayfares Chapel & Westin Pasadena

If you’re on the hunt for a truly unique venue (and one that will give you all the outdoor vibes, while keeping things indoors)—feast your eyes on Wayfarers Chapel, a.k.a. “The Glass Church”. Incredible right? It was the most stunning scene for Nancy and Simon’s I dos, followed by a reception at Westin Pasadena, all planned and designed by Modest Magnolia. Get to know this sweet duo below and soak in their celebration right this way.

From the planner Modest Magnolia… Nancy Chen and Simon Lu met at work and it took a few years before they actually went on their first date to the movies. It was against company policy to date colleagues at work so the two would act normal and professional during work days and then secretly go on dates after work. They were seeing each other nearly every day and that was when their love blossomed and led to their engagement!

When we got to know them as a couple, Nancy expressed that she had always dreamt of having an outdoor wedding, but that having a wedding in November wasn’t ideal for her guests with how chilly it can get in the California coastal evenings. We decided that we had to bring the outside, in!

We started with their ceremony at the Wayfarers Chapel, also known as “The Glass Church” located in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. It is noted for its unique modern architecture and location on cliffs above the Pacific Ocean designed with lush greens in any given view. We wanted to keep that lush green theme and invite all that nature that into their ballroom reception at the Westin, Pasadena.

With one of the deadliest fires in the history of California looming in our backyard, we felt defeated with the thick smoke casting over Los Angeles, days leading into their special day. To our surprise, it illuminated the sky with an unfamiliar hue that was absolute magic for our couple, Nancy and Simon, a day where guests danced until the very last minute of the wedding!