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

Elegant Garden Wedding in San Diego at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

I’m quite certain that any fete that starts off like this and ends like this is a wedding win. All the hands up emojis! Everything in between is pure inspiration gold my friends, thanks to Before I Do Events, Carmen Santorelli and the entire vendor team. Get your pinning on right this way babes!

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From the Bride… Richard and I met 8 years ago during college in San Diego. We were in a few of the same classes but were always too nervous to say hi. We finally met at a dance for my sorority and the rest was history. A little over a year ago while on vacation, Rich popped the question! Being someone who secretly loves to organize and plan, I was ready to dive into finally getting to plan OUR wedding!

We started our planning by finding the perfect location – that was easy. We chose San Diego because it’s where we met and fell in love. It’s a special place to both of us. I’m also lucky enough to have grown up in San Diego.

As we started looking at venues, we knew we wanted a place where we could be outdoors and also create a weekend getaway for our guests. We stumbled upon the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Since Rich and I were living in Los Angeles at the time, my mom stepped in and offered to visit the venue for us. As she was driving home she immediately called and said “We had to get down for a visit as soon as possible!” We did and from the moment we stepped onto the Inn’s property we were immediately overwhelmed by its beauty. From the sprawling green lawns, to the lush gardens and trees your breath is taken away. After one visit, we knew it was the perfect place.

After booking our venue, we had to put together an amazing team of vendors to help us pull off our dream wedding. In addition to finding vendors we absolutely loved, I felt it was important that they had previously worked together. There is so much planning and coordination that they each do, I felt having experience working together would make the day of that much easier.

We knew we wanted to focus on the design, florals, photography, and videography. We were recommended to Alicia at Before I Do Events. During our first call, we instantly connected and I felt that she truly understood the style and feeling we wanted to achieve – a garden party with a classic and timeless feel. Alicia was a huge help in providing us with amazing vendor recommendations, bouncing design ideas off of and guiding us throughout the entire planning process. She also made sure that our wedding day went off without a hitch.

For the ceremony and reception we wanted it to feel light, airy and effortless while highlighting the beauty of the venue. We decided on a neutral color palette, touches of antique brass and tons of candlelight on the tables to create a timeless and romantic feeling during the reception. Hannah from Modern Bouquet perfectly captured our vision. From our gorgeous bouquets to the lush and sprawling arrangements, Hannah truly outdid herself.

Rich and I knew that the day would pass in the blink of an eye. Knowing this, it was important for us to work with an amazing photographer and videographer. When we found Carmen Santorelli we were just in awe of her work. Looking through her photographs, she is able to capture so much emotion while emitting a soft, romantic and dreamy feeling. Her work perfectly aligned with the aesthetic we wanted.

Having a videographer was one of my must haves. I found Audrey Alba Films and loved what I saw. In every video I watched, they were able to capture so many of the special moments that happen throughout the day. Being able to watch and listen to our ceremony, my dad’s speech and see our first dance is something I’ll always treasure.

We really tried to make sure that everything was thought out and personal to us. One of the most memorable moments was asking my little brother Ryan be our officiant. It was important to us that we chose someone who knew us both as individuals and also as a couple – Ryan does. At first he was nervous but in the end he did such a great job! His ceremony speech was filled with heartfelt stories and memories that really highlighted our relationship and the love Rich and I have for each other.

You really can’t put into words how much excitement, love and happiness you’ll truly feel on your wedding day. All the time you’ve spent planning and thinking of every little detail is done. You’re able to relax and enjoy the day with your closest family and friends. Rich and I made it a point to stop and appreciate every moment throughout our experience. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Jenny Yoo

Spring 2014 Maternity

2016 Bridesmaid Collection

2016 Bridal Collection

Spring 2017 Flower Girl Collection

Spring 2017 Bridal Collection

Spring 2017 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

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Fall 2016 Separates Collection

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Spring 2017 Separates Collection

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Spring 2018 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

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Wedding Dresses

Pronovias

ATELIER PRONOVIAS

PRONOVIAS

Dancing Lights, Cruise Collection

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Magical Winter Wedding Inspiration at Foster Creek Farm in Big Sky

Attention all winter brides – this one’s for you! Today’s inspiration shoot captured by Larissa Cleveland Photography with design from Habitat Events is bringing so much life to winter in Big Sky. Habitat Floral Studio’s arrangements took the warmth of a winter sunset and turned all those cozy, romantic feelings into a bouquet. This shoot is complete with an intimate bonfire, a reception dripping in candlelight and a surprise visit from a four-legged friend! See all the magic unfold below…

From Larissa Cleveland Photography… When the evenings start to turn dark a little earlier and the weather begins to hover around the freezing mark we start to crave everything cozy: soft furs, intimate fireside dinners, and loads of candlelight. Most couples opt for an indoor ceremony with a slope-side feel during the winter months but there is something magical and unconventional about setting a cozy prairie scene under the winter sky.

The prairie landscape lends so much inspiration with it’s range of brown and caramel hues, providing a prefect warm backdrop complete with tufts of grasses peeking out from the snow. We wanted to play off this neutral palette and bring in complimentary tones with just a hint of the deeper almost black hues you see in the landscape this time of year; some might consider these elements stark but to us it is what makes this time of year special.

The design inspiration is pulled directly from the landscape. From the hand sketched invitations, the Montana inspired water colored sugar cookies in the welcome gifts, to the natural earthy grasses and branchy pods used in the floral pieces; we wanted all roads to lead back to the open sky and a Montana wintery scape. Early winter sunsets are perfect for a ceremony glowing with candlelight as the sun falls behind the hills.

To enhance the setting, piles of Mongolian sheep furs and cozy blankets accented the rustic wood benches. We used impactful blooms combined with textural woody stems, like magnolia branches, to really take the landscape outside and pull those elements into the florals.

The reception space was nestled up to a beautiful fireplace, perfect for an intimate meal. The tablescape combines delicate elements such as hand-died silk napkins with textural pieces like the leather place cards and aged pewter chargers to create that sweet spot where the soft and rustic mingle together. That same inspiration carried over to other elements such as the cake, which had a subtle embossed feel similar to the snowy hills surrounding the reception barn. And, of course, no Montana evening would be complete without cocktails by a bonfire!

Expert Decorating Tips for Your Lunar New Year Dinner Party

It’s the beginning of a new year on the Chinese calendar and we’re celebrating with our friends Joy Proctor, Carlos Hernandez and Heather from Myrtle et Olive! If you’re getting together with your loved ones tonight to celebrate the holiday, read on to find out a few tips from the expert herself, Joy Proctor Design, on decorating your table with meaningful decor moments that are perfect for Lunar New Year – from citrus fruits to bright hues that symbolize luck and happiness. Last but not least, don’t miss her recipe for Longevity Noodles that you have to try out!

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From Joy Proctor Design… 2019. Year of the pig. I invited some close friends to my home in Portland in celebration the lunar new year; a time to sweep away the difficulties of the past and make way for luck, happiness and longevity. I set the table with China and crystal from my cabinet, citrus to symbolize luck and beautiful menus and place cards by Steady Hands Creative. My good friend Heather of Myrtle et Olive arranged beautiful flowers for the table in colors corresponding to luck and happiness. My sister Elise assisted her boyfriend Andy, an incredible chef, in preparation of a lucky menu for our guests, each dish symbolizing a wish for the new year. Dumplings for wealth. Noodles for long life. Fish for a surplus of food, and sweet sticky rice balls to symbolize the togetherness of family. I invite you to celebrate life, luck and happiness in a celebration of your own using my recipes and tips for decor. From my home to yours, Happy New Year!

Decor tips from Joy Proctor Design:

1. For the table, choose a neutral linen so that the bright lucky colors pop. In Chinese culture candles are used for the dead, so don’t use any candles on the table as it will not bring good luck. Add fruit and citrus to the flowers and decor. Overflowing bowls of citrus symbolize luck. Break out your best crystal and neutral China to set place seatings. Rest wooden chopsticks on citrus fruits for added detail.

2. Remember that colors symbolize many things and shades of red, pink, purple and orange are more lucky. Avoid white, black and dark colors as dark colors are associated with death.

3. Don’t forget envelopes of money for good luck. These envelopes are often red or gold and traditionally list the families name on the outside. Heathers maiden name was on our envelopes which we used as beautiful favors.

4. Invite guests to get into the spirit by offering them hand embroidered fans to accessorize. The fans by Luneville were exquisite and added a conversation topic the history of embroidery which began in China and made its way to Europe much later.

5. Offer guests delicate sweets to take home like the gorgeous year of the pig and florals cookies made by Cake by Nicole.

6. Choose and use China that have patterns with meaning. The pieces we chose had the following meaning: Bird Crane present in Fans & Vases – Longevity. The pattern on gourd bottle – blessings & longevity. Floral & Bird Plate – Full Harvest.

Longevity Noodles Recipe

What you’ll need:

12 oz fresh thin, long noodles (chow mein or low mein. Tagliarini works really well too, but way less traditional)
3-4 T sesame oil (to coat cooked noodles)
1/4 c sesame oil (for cooking)
6 oz dried mushrooms (shitake, maitake, or whatever sounds good)
4 c water
1/2 c cornstarch
1/2 c fresh ginger, small dice
1/4 c garlic, chopped fine
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced on a bias, keep the whites and greens seperate
1 1/2 t white pepper, ground fine
1 T mushroom powder
3/4 c shaoxing cooking wine
1 c carrots, peeled and cut matchstick style
2 c snap peas, cleaned and de-stringed
4 c chicken and/or seafood stock
3 T soy sauce
Black+White sesame seeds and Togarashi to garnish

To Cook The Noodles:

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
2. Add fresh noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes (5-6 minutes if dried)
3. Strain the noodles and rinse them with cold water. Put them in a bowl, toss them with the 3-4 T sesame oil. Set aside

Mushrooms:

1. Put dried mushrooms in a small pot with the water. Bring them to a boil, then turn off the heat and let them steep until they’re tender.
2. Strain the mushrooms. Save the water! Put aside 2 c of that mushroom water in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the cornstarch to make a loose paste. Set aside.
3. Slice the mushrooms. Set aside.

To Finish:

1. In a large saute pan or wok, heat up the 1/4 c sesame oil on high heat.
2. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 min. Remove them and set aside.
3. Add the carrots and ginger to the shrimp oil and cook for 4-5 min, constantly stirring.
4. Add the whites of the scallion and cook for another 2 min. Then add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
5. Add the snap peas and sliced mushrooms, cook for 3 minutes.
6. Season with white pepper and mushroom powder.
7. Add cooking wine and cook just until the smell of alcohol is gone from the pan
8. Add stock and soy sauce, and bring to a simmer.
9. Once its at a simmer, stir in a small amount of the mushroom broth/cornstarch mixture ****If it sits, the cornstarch settles at the bottom, so it needs to be mixed up again before adding it.**
10. Adding that mixture will thicken up the sauce more, so depending on the consistency you’re going for, you may want to use more or less.
11. Add your noodles, make sure they’re hot, toss them with everything else and ready to serve.
12. Garnish with sesame seed, togarashi and the green tops of the scallions

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Joy Proctor Design

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Classic Fall Wedding at Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, North Carolina

If you’re stuck on where to start with the design of your Big Day, I always recommend pulling inspiration from your venue. Always, always. You chose your venue for a reason; whether it be on the water, for it’s clean whitewashed walls, for it’s Southern charm, for it’s stunning scenery, vineyards, architecture… the list goes on. Start there and I promise, you will be able to craft a day that is truly yours. Today’s fete, planned and designed by Lacy Geary is just that for Stacie and Phil—truly theirs. Take a peek through the full gallery from Laura Gordon to see exactly why we couldn’t wait to share this one with you today.

From Lacy Geary… When Stacie and Phil reached out to me they were very clear on the direction they wanted their wedding to take. They were both busy professionals and wanted their wedding day to be elegant and intimate while fitting in with the location but also to be fun and upbeat. We created a design direction that tied into the environment without being overdone and that mimicked the colors of the venue and time of year in the mountains.

They were married between the two apple trees in the garden at Old Edwards Inn. The florals and seating were low to the ground and as minimal as possible so that the backdrop of the tress was the visual impact. We carried the apple blossoms over to their invitations as well as into the escort display at cocktail hour.

Kelly Lenard brought in beautiful florals that tied in the color story we created of various neutral shades of ivories, taupes, dusty rose and an accent color of the richer burgundy. The large iron chandeliers that grace the ceiling of the reception space were covered in greenery to bring the outside in and soften the space without invading the architecture that Stacie & Phil were so in love with. Each element was carefully curated and represented the evening that Stacie & Phil had envisioned.

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Wedding Dresses

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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Timeless California Backyard Wedding Planned in Under 3 Months

Oh California, you slay me. Does it really get any more perfect than scenes like this and that golden light? While you might want to frantically scroll to the credits to find this stunning ‘venue’, you won’t find it. This fete was held at the Bride’s parents’ home and not to mention, all planned in just a few months. The lovely images by Kristine Herman will captivate you—and there are so many more in the full gallery.

From Kristine Herman… On a sunny day in Atherton, California, Oracle’s CEO Mark Hurd and wife Paula hosted the wedding of their daughter, Kelly to Tommy Umberg, son of Tom Umberg, currently running for State Senate this fall. Surrounded by friends, family, and some of California’s elite including Senator Barbara Boxer and Oracle’s cofounder Larry Ellison, Kelly and Tommy welcomed guests to a classic and timeless evening, complete with a private performance by the couple’s favorite band, Lord Huron.

Planned, designed, and coordinated by Hartmann Studios, the Hurds’ backyard was adorned with greenery and white florals, candles, garden lights, and several bar and lounge areas including an exclusively whiskey bar and the bride’s signature cocktail, a Moscow Mule. Guests feasted on a five star dinner, a dessert bar, and smores, while enjoying not one, but two live band performances west of the pool and lounge area. This backyard event was nothing short of classic, elegant, and timeless and all planned within two months!

Outdoor Malibu Wedding at Saddlerock Ranch + Day After Beach Shoot

After viewing this beautiful wedding gallery from Koman Photography, I was left with a feeling of complete happiness. That’s usually the case with any fete The Komans send our way, but this one? This one warmed my soul a little more. It might be the California sun, the undeniable love between these two, every thoughtful detail planned by Bliss Productions, or, all of the above—join in on all the beauty right this way.

From the Bride… The most important factors for us in planning our wedding were our family and friends. We have been living in Chicago for the past 5 years, but both grew up in California with very large, tight-knit families and many mutual friends. So, it was ideal for us to get married in California in a beautiful, organic space that could accommodate our many guests.

Planning a large-scale wedding for nearly 300 guests while living out of state (and keeping our sanity) was really made possible thanks to our fantastic coordinators from Bliss Productions and the countless vendors who worked so passionately to create such an incredible day for us. Our coordinators, Lindsay and Katie, did a phenomenal job getting to know us, bringing all of our ideas to life, and creating an absolutely spectacular day for us. They ensured every element of our wedding was a reflection of us. We had a signature drink menu that paid homage to our love of whiskey and personalized cocktail names that gave nods to Ryan’s alma mater (The University of Michigan – Go Blue!), our Disney marathon team name (Shipwreck), and our beloved pup (Zoe). We also brought in some of our favorite snacks like California specialties (In-n-Out and Bottega Louie) and Chicago’s finest popcorn (Garrett’s Popcorn).

We were also extremely fortunate to have Koman Photography capture so many meaningful moments throughout our wedding day, in addition to our post-wedding shoot. Knowing we had the post-wedding shoot relieved some of the pressure and time constraints that come with an already very eventful day. We spent less than an hour shooting pictures during the event, allowing us to spend as much time as possible with our guests and enjoy the moment fully. When it came time for our post-wedding shoot, we felt so much more at ease and relaxed since it was just us. It really ended up being a lot of fun, and we think the photos and video definitely convey that!

Additionally, since we were so torn between having our wedding on the beach and having it at Saddlerock ranch, the post-wedding shoot allowed us an amazing opportunity to capture and enjoy all of the beauty of Malibu’s oceanside scenery we love so much. Plus, it gave us a good excuse to put on our wedding attire again! We really give Koman Photography so much credit for all of their creative talents and ability to capture these absolutely breathtaking moments for us. They were absolutely brilliant, and we truly couldn’t be happier! Looking back on our photos and videos brings the biggest smiles to our faces and we are overwhelmed with the most wonderful feelings of nostalgia. We will surely cherish these memories indefinitely!

It was important to us to share this special moment with as many friends and relatives as we could, hoping to throw an epically fun party for everyone to celebrate together. We can’t say enough wonderful things about each member of the “team” who helped bring our ideas to life, and to our family and friends who truly filled the day with tremendous amounts of love and support. We are completely overjoyed!

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Koman Photography

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Stunning French Blue Wedding Inspiration at Château de Carsix

Whenever a few of our favorite vendors come together, we’re always awe-struck by the inspiring designs and sheer magic they create! Today’s gorgeous shoot with styling by Joy Proctor for Kayla Barker Photography’s workshop is every francophile’s wedding heaven. From the garden floral arrangements by Bows and Arrows to the stunninggg puff sleeve gown from Yolan Cris Haute Couture! Oh, and did we mention the cutest flowers girls of all time? Yup. We’re beyond obsessed.

From Joy Proctor Design… It was such an honor to design Kayla Barker‘s workshop in the Normandy region of France. The inspiration for my design was the incredible location of Chateau de Carsix.

The expansive gardens and incredible chateau were the most inspiring backdrop on which to design. As a nod to the country’s history, I chose a French Blue as the base color, playing with creme, taupe and peach tones (reminiscent of the brick exterior) for the color palette.

We watched as the bride got ready in custom Madeline Fig lingerie. Escorted by her two nieces, donning matching lace and tulle gowns, the bride chose flowers from the garden for her bouquet. The ceremony held on the front drive, with two beautiful arches of flowers growing around the place where vows were exchanged.

Dinner was held in the grand ballroom, with a long table covered in a soft blue linen. White porcelain, mother of pearl flatware and napkins with the menu printed on them in calligraphy were highlights of the look. Guests were gifted with favors of tea following the wedding, wishing them a beautiful evening.

Registration is open for Kayla’s next workshop – be sure to secure a spot before they’re all gone! Check out this gorgeous video by Ale Vidal to get a behind the scenes look at this heavenly day.

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Bows and Arrows

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Written Word Calligraphy

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Joy Proctor Design

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Organic Romance at Kestrel Park in Mauve, Rust and Burgundy Hues

Today’s gorgeous bride and groom had the most rom-com worthy meet-cute ever… they met waiting in line at the airport (!!), kept in touch ever since, and the rest is.. as they say, history! Their wedding at Kestrel Park, planned by Event of the Season and captured by Katie Shuler Photography, was just as gorgeous as the two of them of course! With a romantic color scheme of mauve, rust and burgundy and floral by Camellia Floral Design – you know it’s going to be a winner.

From Event of the Season… KC & Jordan’s love for one another was overwhelmingly apparent from the day we met them. They truly had an admiration and appreciation for one another, and their families, that we’ve never seen before. They love to travel, dance, and just really embrace each moment in life. They met by chance in an airport line, and after staying in touch over the years finally ended up together at the perfect time.

They chose Kestrel Park to celebrate their marriage for the unique, romantic grounds and lush gardens. To draw from the venues natural character in the in the fall we chose a palette of earth tones paired with rich mauves, rusts, and burgundy, accented with organic foliage and dark wood details.

Staying eco-friendly and organic was important to the couple. Lucky for us, the bride has a natural talent for ceramics and handcrafted pieces of pottery with the couple’s initials carved on the bottom for each guest to take home with them. The cocktail hour featured a wine tasting with the couples favorite varieties from Refugio Ranch Vineyards wines. The reception space was set under an open-air tent with lush draping and romantic pendants. Making the event more personal, each table was named after one of the couples favorite national parks and included an illustration of the parks focal point. The stunning wedding cake, which the couple sabred, featured poppy sugar flowers and fondant details drawing from those on the bride’s dress.

The night ended with an epic dance party and champagne toast with mini fried chicken sandwiches, a tradition for the bride and groom. Everything was captured perfectly by Katie Shuler. The day would have not been possible without the help of the unbelievably talented vendors who came together to bring KC & Jordan’s vision to life!

Elegant Australian Wedding in Greece at Tambakio

I think you’ll appreciate the simple and timeless beauty of today’s wedding as much as I do. With the planning skillset of Golden Apple Weddings, Kristina and Andrew, an Aussie couple, tied the knot with Greece as their setting and the Mediterranean at their backs, glowing with rays of sunshine. Their day is traditional, yet playful and you can play virtual guest right here thanks to Sotiris Tsakanikas.

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From Golden Apple Weddings… The reason we love this wedding is because it takes us back to another era… making our heart be full of sweet emotions, memories of the present but with an essence of nobility! A nostalgic vintage tradition, inspired by our couple’s authentic personality.

Kristina and Andrew travelled from Australia with their closest 70 friends and family to celebrate their union in Greece, the homeland of our bride! Feeling so bonded with her routes, she was totally touched during the bridal preparations.. Unique detail the charms with photo of both her grandpa’s weddings, which she carried on her bridal bouquet. Even the flowers has a special meaning for her… “Two of our flowers had very special meaning. Both yiayia’s LOVED Orchid’s and had so many of them. I actually have a few from them now in my garden as well. The Chrysanthemum is also a VERY special flower for me. My yiayia on my mother’s side (who I’m kind of named after) was Chrysanthi so you see, this flower is an important one for me as it has sentimental meaning and ties to her.”

Both Andrew & Kristina love cycling and this is what made them come closer… their relationship started with spending hours together enjoying their favorite hobby! This is from where their wedding logo was inspired! The bike’s wheel and details from their countries; Greek olive branches and African signs, as Andrew comes from South Africa! The hashtag #saffagreekwed was used through the preparations and wedding day!

St.Paul’s picturesque chapel was the ceremony location they fell in love at the very first time while scouting the options! In a beautiful bay in Rhodes, just next to the water, standing with its small size, white and proud! Stairs decorated with wooden candlesticks as you entered, a rice bar to prepare the perfect blend of rice and olive leaves in green and gold, and a beautiful lemon stand to refresh the guests after the ceremony! An imposing half arch olive garland beautified the chapel’s door with the amazing orchids’ synthesis.

Tambakio, a romantic restaurant located on the beachside of the bay, welcomed the guests in an amazing scenery that was designed for our wedding! The long dinner tables had a centered decoration with potteries filled with our flower synthesis! The art de la table was completed with gold cutleries matched to our colors, blue glasses and menus in blue velvet paper with gold foiled printing!

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Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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Wedding Dresses

Anna Campbell

Forever Entwined 2014

Spirit Collection 2016

Gossamer Collection 2015

Jewelry 2017

Accessories 2017

Eternal Heart Collection 2018

Ceremony Collection 2017

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Floral Spring Wedding at a Family Home in Charlotte, North Carolina

Choosing bridesmaids dresses—a task that might steal the top spot on many wedding planning stress meters. But for this Bride, it was simple. She gave her girls the freedom to go out and pick their own floral patterned numbers and the result is a group of mis-matched babes that made for one of the most epic ‘maids moments ever. The rest of this fete, planned and designed by Dina Berg Blazek, was equally charm-filled and believe it or not, set at the Bride’s family home. Anagram Photo took care in capturing every memory that this sweet duo will cherish for years to come.

From Anagram Photo… Sarah and Nate were married in Sarah’s parents front yard. Sarah loved the idea of tying the knot in the place where she was raised that meant so much to her. The most beautiful spring day set the perfect backdrop for this bright and beautiful affair. Sarah’s Monique Lhuillier dress could not have been more stunning, and the Valentino shoes rounded out this perfectly elegant bridal look. Sarah’s bridesmaids picked out their own floral dresses and what came together was probably one the the most fun and unique bridal party looks we’ve ever seen! All the florals together just screamed joy and light on this beautiful day. Sarah and Nate invited their guests to walk around to the backyard for a tented reception after the ceremony. The florals adorning the tables were a collection of colors and flowers – mirroring the playful feel of the bridesmaids dresses. The mix of colors, paired with the elegant farm tables, garlands, ivy details and outdoor lounge areas created the perfectly colorful spring affair for their guests to enjoy – even the family pups got dressed up for the occasion! Nate’s joy at seeing Sarah descend the aisle on her father’s arm was only multiplied throughout the day as these lovebirds danced, laughed and took it all in. Sarah and Nate share an exceptional bond, and it was such a joy to be a part of their amazing day!

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Wedding Dresses

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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Elegant Texas Wedding at Old Bethany Weddings & Events

Set at Old Bethany, a white-washed wedding venue just outside of Waco, Jacob and Julia celebrated their love with those nearest and dearest to them. And after only one look at this wedding gallery from Ashlen Sydney and I could instantly hear the laughter, see the smiles and feel the love as if I’d been a guest and witness to this sweet union. Join me here for the full day!

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From Ashlen Sydney… Jacob and Julia wed surrounded by their closest friends and family at Waco’s newest wedding venue, Old Bethany on November 10, 2018. The met in Waco, were engaged in Waco and so they thought it was only appropriate to marry in Waco.

While there story came in full circle filled with the deepest love, it didn’t necessarily begin that way. Jacob and Julia met during their time attending Baylor University. While Jacob tried fiercely to show Julia his feelings, she continued to “friend zone” him. She had no idea Jacob was her perfect guy until her birthday where he did everything and more to sweep her off her feet. The night ended with them sitting under the stars. Hallmark movie worthy, right there!

Julia walked down the isle wearing her sister veil as well as her grandmothers gold ring. The ring had been worn by her grandmother, her mother, her sister and now her down the isle.

No one except for her mom and sister had seen Julia’s dress. It was the greatest dress reveal I have seen yet. Every bridesmaid bursted into the biggest happy tears!

Julia chose lavender, dusty blue and grey tones to set the mood for her day and lush greenery. Which paired so well with the all white venue!

From the Bride… My biggest advice to a bride-to-be would be not to sweat the small stuff and that everything all works out in the end so soak up the day and enjoy it. It’s a magical day but it’s just one day and at the end of it the most important thing is you have married the love of your life. I really love softer color palettes and just love grays and blue toned things in general! I take simple over big and bold any day! And I really wanted my bridesmaids to have a say in the dress they wore so they could be comfortable so I gave them a color and they got to pick out they style.

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Dessy

Bridesmaid 2014

Women's Tuxedo

Tuxedo

Fall 2014

Spring 2015

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Wedding Dresses

Hayley Paige

Spring 2014

Fall 2013

Spring 2013

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

Spring 2016

Blush by Hayley Paige

Hayley Paige Occasions

Fall 2016

Spring 2017

Blush by Haley Paige

Spring 2018

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This Elegant Louisiana Wedding at the Bride’s Family Plantation Is Everything

Today’s gorgeous wedding from Greer Gattuso Photography with planning from Wink Designs and Events is a true Southern fairytale. The bride and groom exchanged vows under a canopy of ancient oak trees and an abundant arbor of white roses and greenery by Bella Blooms. Our favorite part? The floral-covered swing hanging from the oak trees that the bride’s father made – talk about the sweetest DIY moment ever! Check out the full gallery to see every perfect detail of their special day.

From the bride… Zach proposed on a private boat ride through the canals of Amsterdam, while on vacation. Our captain greeted us with a beautiful spread of cheese and champagne, and as we slowly rode through the charming little canals lined with flowers, I thought there was no way the day could get any better. Next thing I knew, Zach was down on one knee! It was such an unforgettable day of pure joy. Once we were back home in New Orleans, we met with our wedding planner, Kim Tran, from Wink Design and Events. We knew instantly that she was the perfect fit for us!

I had always dreamed of an outdoor wedding at my family’s home in Southern Louisiana. Lagonda is a gorgeous piece of land on the Atchafalaya River that is the site of an old sugarcane plantation. The original home burned down over 50 years ago and my parents spent years building their dream home in that same spot, surrounded by huge oak trees. My inspiration for the wedding really came from the natural beauty of this land and the pure warmth of it being my family’s home. I envisioned saying “I do” under the ancient oaks surrounded by moss. Zach and I couldn’t think of anything more perfect or more Southern. My parents built the house in a French style, which I also got a lot of inspiration from. We wanted everything to feel very classic and timeless.

It was important to Zach and l that our guests felt relaxed and at home, which is why they were greeted with champagne upon arrival, before taking their seats at the ceremony. The stunning boxwood champagne wall held champagne glasses with gold scrolls with the guest’s names and table numbers, and was a favorite feature at the cocktail hour. Guests then made their way to the clear tent, for a seated dinner of oyster rockefeller soup, lobster and filet mignon, and our delicious pistachio wedding cake. 26 antique chandeliers nestled in greenery hung over the dance floor, which was packed all night, thanks to our incredible band, the Party Crashers. When guests weren’t dancing, they were enjoying the MirMir photobooth, and the bananas foster station. We also incorporated a few surprises for our guests; a fireworks show over the river, a late-night Pizza Hut delivery (served on silver trays of course) and a confetti bomb finale! We also hosted a brunch the following morning complete with shrimp and grits, bloody Mary’s, and a jazz trio.

We really wanted to highlight the oak trees on the property. One of the most special features was a swing that my Dad made. My amazing florist, Dee from Bella Blooms, really brought it to life. It had such a whimsical feel and the guests loved taking pictures on it. The swing is still hanging from our favorite tree and every time we go home, it’s such a sweet reminder. We lit the trees with twinkle lights and chandeliers. We also set up little vignettes around the yard with furniture from the house, and blankets and pillows for guests to lounge on during the brunch.

I remember walking down the aisle and being surrounded by the faces I love, and seeing Zach waiting for me. I remember the wind blowing and thinking how magical it all was. It honestly felt like a dream and was the most special moment of my life. Our 11-year-old Bichon Frise, Sophie, made an appearance and that was another favorite moment. It was so important to Zach and I that we included her and we are in love with the photos with her!

I would say take time choosing your vendors and communicating with them. I’m a very detail-oriented person and a little old fashioned when it comes to email, so I ended up calling quite a few of my vendors. Both my videographer and my calligrapher told me that they couldn’t remember the last time a bride called them on the phone! For me, it was nice to hear their voices and get to know them a little bit. I was also able to better explain my vision and what I wanted. I am truly thankful for Wink Design and Events, Greer Gattuso Photography, and the many others that helped to make our dream wedding a reality.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Ethereal Brooklyn Wedding at Prospect Park Boathouse

Can we talk about boathouse weddings for a sec? They’re kind of the best of both worlds if you ask me. Waterfront, check. Charm, check. City vibe, check. Well, the latter is definitely the case for this Brooklyn affair at Prospect Park Boathouse! Jing and Chiyoon called on Brilliant Event Planning to elevate their Big Day, while Sophie Kaye and Elysium Productions documented every detail and every smile so beautifully. You can feel the love jumping right off the screen—have a look here for even more.

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From Brilliant Event Planning… Jing and Chiyoon got married on a perfect July day in Brooklyn at the Prospect Park Boathouse! They first got ready at The Lotte NY Palace. Both the bride and the groom had two wedding day looks. The groom wore a classic black tux for the ceremony and then changed into a white tux for the reception. The bride wore a ballgown and veil for the ceremony and then changed into a simpler dress for dancing.

The day had oodles of special details! The color palette was grey, green, ivory, and a touch of blush, which complemented the green tiled ceiling of the boathouse. The menus were custom and printed directly onto cloth napkins. The escort card display was designed with wax seal, deckled edge escort cards with gold calligraphy. At each place setting, guests had a small gift waiting for them – rosé gummies with hand calligraphy on ribbons for place cards. Gifting candy is a Chinese wedding tradition!

Poppies and Posies decked out the staircase in a cascading floral treatment complete with pillar candles, which gave the whole room a romantic glow in the evening! They also designed modern, lush floral tablescapes, utilizing gold brushed vessels to coordinate with the gold flatware from borrowed BLU. During dancing, guests had the opportunity to get a fashion-style sketch of them in their gowns and everyone went home with a keepsake piece of artwork!

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Elysium Productions

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Modern West Hollywood Wedding at The London Hotel

If there’s one thing you learn from this bride, let it be this… “When you don’t have expectations, you are open minded to every suggestion, and you get to be inspired as you go through the whole process.” While having a vision for your Big Day can be super helpful, it can also box you in. Let this simply elegant fete—planned and designed by Jacqueline Hallgarth—remind you to trust your vendors and the result will be stunning. These images from Birds of a Feather are all the proof you need.

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From the bride… Honestly I had never thought about what my wedding would be like before planning it. I knew I wanted something simple, elegant and classy. I knew that I wanted to have lots of flowers everywhere. I think the best part of the wedding process was not having a vision and working with someone to help you create a vision. When you don’t have expectations, you are open minded to every suggestion, and you get to be inspired as you go through the whole process.

Our color inspiration and style came from our venue the London Hotel. We loved the modern clean lines and did not want to compete with the beautiful views. We love the color blue so that was an easy choice. Jacqueline was amazing and presented us with a few color palette options that complemented the London. Ultimately we landed on navy, white, green, and silver. Our vision developed over time but at some point I think we started referring to our style as an “english garden”.

Our ceremony incorporated so many family heirlooms I don’t even know where to begin. Our Yalmukas were hand crochet by my Grammy (maternal grandmother), Tallits were from 4 grandparents to make our chuppah. We incorporated the jewish parents prayer at the ceremony to recognize our parents. The welcome table had Brandon’s grandmas silver platters that she had brought over from Germany. We used a kiddush cup from Sarah’s grandparents and a kiddush cup from Brandon’s great grandma that is over 120 years old. I surprised Brandon by having his ring engraved with our wedding date.

Both Brandon and I agree that the best moment was standing under the chuppah made from our families tallits. Having 5 of our grandparents there to see us get married (the first grandkids on both sides) made the whole night that much more special. Both sides of our families really came together to make our wedding so personal and I think all of their love for us and our love for each other made the weekend that much more special.

Our flowers were by Wisteria Lane, we loved that they get donated to elderly homes the next day. My Dress was Pronovias and purchased at LOHO Bride in Los Angeles. Our Butter End cake was amazing. I ate it for breakfast lunch and dinner the next three days.

One piece of advice for future brides, be as present as you possibly can, the day flies by and you (hopefully) only get to do it once. I was so lucky to wake up surrounded by my best girlfriends and family that kept me grounded and laughing from the moment I woke up until 3am the night of our wedding.

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Jacqueline Hallgarth Events

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Wisteria Lane

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CMT’s Music City Star Jessica Mack’s Wedding at Moss Mountain Farm

If you’re a fan of all things Southern love, CMT’s Music City and utter romance with a hefty dose of blush, you’re going to do a little happy dance when you see the wedding Erin Wilson and Anne-Claire Allen are delivering today. Jessica Mack is the glowing Bride and her fete at Moss Mountain Farm is off the charts my friends—not to mention, full of lit-up smiling faces. Have a look for yourself right this way.

From Erin Wilson Photography… The bride, Jessica Mack, is a musician following her dreams to become a professional musician in Nashville on the show Music City on CMT, which follows her and a handful of cast members journey of being young in Nashville and following their dreams. Jessica is an absolute sweetheart and met Andreas (goes by Dre and he’s in med school right now) between season 1 and season 2 and they got engaged and started planning their wedding. They are a super fun and kind couple and they have a unique story about how they are saving themselves for marriage. They are truly what you see on the show and I was so honored to photograph their wedding. Just to know them is a blessing.

Their wedding took place at the MOST beautiful location in Arkansas. The venue is owned by P Allen Smith who has a show on PBS and he is a world renown Gardner and every location, and corner and view on the entire property is just breathtaking. The entire venue is 650 acres on the side of a mountain over looking the river. Each portion of the venue is broken up into sections and various perfectly designed gardens. Jessica and Dre had their ceremony down in the Rose Garden overlooking the river with is a circular garden surrounded by roses and it was absolutely stunning. The entire wedding was designed and planned by Anne-Claire Allen and she used Jessica’s favorite pastel color palette, specifically Jessica’s favorite color blush and accented it with small touches of buttery yellow and creams for a pop. Jessica is quite the southern belle and loved all the southern elegant classic touches for her wedding. Her gown was classic and soft and flowy designed by Allison Webb. The groom Andreas had a handsome custom made suit by a local Little Rock Arkansas tailer Barakat Bespoke. The couple wanted the day to be about their friends and family coming to gather to celebrate and they wanted everyone to know how much they loved and appreciated them. After the ceremony the guests could wander the gardens having an appetizer and taking in the view. They danced the night away in front of the buttery yellow classic southern home in the center of the property under the big oak tree and dancing lights. They wanted to have a big dance party and celebrate with their friends. They ended the evening with a beautiful sparkler send off and swept away in a gorgeous burgundy classic car off to their honeymoon.

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Erin Wilson Photography

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Intimate & Minimalist Celebration on the French Riviera at Cap d’Antibes

Coralie and Rei’s energy is like Yin and Yang, gentleness and strength, represented by the elements of water and rock in the background of their union, as Linda Champenois explains. The two actresses chose an intimate affair with a minimal vibe for ther union, letting their surroundings serve as a stunning backdrop. Jeremy Froeliger‘s imagery encapsulates their deep love with every breathtaking portrait—see them all here in the full gallery.

From Linda Champenois… Coralie and Rei’s relationship began three years ago; a meeting, a bombshell, some bursts of laughter, an “I Love You”, a proposal on stage. The actresses wanted an intimate ceremony with only the two of them and to celebrate their union in a way unique to them.

Their energy is like Yin and Yang, gentleness and strength, represented by the elements of water and rock in the background of their union. Coralie and Rei are like to opposite pieces but complementary. Their love and their complicity was palpable.

Linda Champenois took care of the scenography of this instant in life, natural and authentic, free like them… with a sophisticated floral design realized by Esther Lamarche. Solange, our celebrant who united them on this amazing place at Cap d’Antibes. Jeremy knew how to catch and immortalize this instant of life. Thanks to him, we can relive this moment through his gorgeous shots.

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Esther Lamarche

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A Vibrant Maui Destination Wedding at Sugar Beach Estate

When the bride is from Australia, and the groom is from the States… the only place that was the perfect halfway point and ticked every one of their wedding must-have boxes also happens to be a place of paradise. Yup, you guessed right! This gorgeous wedding day captured by SASs Photography and planned by Platinum Weddings & Events took place on the happiest little island of Maui at Sugar Beach Estate. From her chic Vera Wang gown to the tropical blooms from Dellables, we can’t gush enough about the gorgeousness of this wedding day…

From the bride… Scott and Lauren are the classic – Boy meets Girl. Boy likes Girl, Girl likes Boy. The complicating factor is that they lived over 5000 miles away from each other: Lauren lived in Australia and Scott lived in Washington DC. Long, long distance story short, Lauren moved to Washington, D. C. And their Maui wedding planning wasn’t far behind.

Lauren and Scott’s wedding day was more than the start of their marriage, it was their way of thanking their friends and family for supporting them through long distance, international move, and for helping make them the couple they are today. With that in mind they knew they had to incorporated these three factors: a) a location that combined fun with relaxation, b) amazing food, and c) a setting that would reflect them as a couple. Hawaii was an easy pick, particularly because it was half-way.

Lauren – a true beach gal at heart and Scott, a gentleman who will spend only so long sprawled on the beach, Hawaii ticked box a. It also has such amazing fresh food and local produce that we knew we would be in good hands for box b. Most importantly Hawaii had the ability to capture the essence of them as a couple: it could be as fun and down to earth just as much as it could be classic and elegant. We knew that the wedding was the end event of an amazing week on Maui and therefore, needed to be big, full of energy and packing all the “WOW” factor. Lauren and Scott knew when they started planning the wedding that we really wanted the beautiful backdrop of Maui to speak for itself and simply to add touches that highlighted and showcased what the island had to offer. This style fitted them perfectly: elegant, classic and fresh.

They choose a simple color scheme of white, gold and greenery. The venue, Sugar Beach Estate, provided the most stunning waterfront backdrop, which was ideal as the space did not overpower nature’s beauty, yet continued to wow even after the sun went down. Florals were a big priority, with dreams of hanging orchids and greenery. They trusted their planner’s recommendation for the florist based on the vision they had given her and they definitely exceeded the dream! (see the reaction photo alone!).

The vendors executed Scott and Lauren’s vision completely and then some… They definitely went above beyond, bringing extra lawn games, gifting chargers for the table setting, and adding additional florals. It was those little touches that made them realize how grateful they were for selecting incredible vendors with the huge help of Platinum Weddings & Events.

Family is incredibly important to both Scott and Lauren and they wanted to involve them as much as possible. Scott’s father, John, was the officiant. This was such a memorable moment, especially considering Scott’s grandfather had married his mother and father. Both mothers and the father of the bride performed readings which left the guests with teary eyes. The kept their bridal party small, consisting only of their siblings. They were truly surrounded by love and family. One of the most unforgettable moments was Scott’s cousin, Olivia’s performance. Olivia had never performed in front of the family before, so it was a special treat for her to perform. Everyone was in awe from the first note and her father, Rigo, had tears of pride streaming down his face.

Although, the tears had already started before Lauren took her first steps down the aisle, Lauren walked down the aisle to the song Scott wrote for their first Christmas together – “Loz’s song”, a one of kind and complete expression of Scott’s love for Lauren. It detailed their love story which was the perfect tune to take those steps to the pinnacle of their love story – their ceremony. Other special details of the day included: a veil borrowed from Lauren’s best friend Bernadette (who couldn’t be present because she had just given birth) and Lauren’s earrings that were remade from her grandmothers jewelry. Lauren also hand-painted flip flops for each of the ladies to change into when the dancing started which matched the handcrafted beach welcome bags she made for each of the guests. The two most unforgettable moments of the night happened after the band started playing. The first time Lauren travelled to meet Scott’s family, he sent her a warning – “Beware, our family has this weird tradition with the chicken dance.” Once the chicken dance begins to play, the whole family circles around cousin Lala and performs the dance. This has happened in the middle of Rome, restaurants, Thanksgiving Dinners, and so a wedding was no different. Their incredible photographer Sydney of SASs Photography took the most amazing photos of family members mid-flight. Not to be out down, the Aussies also rallied to some classic Aussie rock making a dance circle and belting out some true Aussie songs… By the end of one Australian Ballard, it was the Aussies and the USA crews mixed together. It was at this point the wedding met every single expectation. Families and friends coming together as one incredible group, who were there because they shared love for one incredible couple. It was truly a dream come true. When planning a wedding, selecting your vendors is the most overwhelming and important task – you are trusting them to bring your vision life. None more so than the photographer, what they capture is the one token you keep forever and display. Sydney from SASs Photography is a great friend of the couple and they struggled with wanting her to photograph the wedding and also attend and enjoy the wedding. With every photographer considered, no one could live up to the style and talent that they love about Sydney’s work. They are so glad she was the one to capture the day. Her eye is perfect for those in between moments that really evoke the emotion of the day. Because she was familiar to both the bride and groom, it was was easy to feel at ease in front of her camera and were able to communicate wants perfectly. The end result was a flawless album, where you can’t help but feel the emotion that poured out at every moment of the day. The day ran seamlessly, much thanks to Amber from Platinum Wedding and Events. Amber was like the best friend who was right there helping you plan your wedding. She was happy to give suggestions and got just as excited by Lauren’ little details. The team clearly had amazing relations with the local vendors, which was made even more evident by the vendors going above and beyond. Amber was even standing at the end of the aisle holding baby Palmer – the newest edition to the family.

Two things Lauren and Scott were grateful for on the day was, first trusting their planner and letting go of the reigns on the day. Lauren’s advice for future brides, “you know you have selected your planner so trust them,” Lauren explained that they had been in constant contact with Amber through the process and felt like they were old friends. Letting her do her thing on the day really took the stress and worry away. Secondly, Lauren and Scott did a first look. It may not be for everyone, but taking that time for just Scott and Lauren before the celebrations kicked off was such a sweet moment amongst a beautiful day. Scott’s reaction was beautiful and it allowed the couple to just enjoy their emotions. The upside was that after the ceremony they didn’t have to rush to doing couples or family portraits. Lauren and Scott had intentionally planned for their family to also have a “first look” and did all of their family photos before the ceremony had begun. This allowed them to step straight into the cocktail reception and really enjoy having that time with their guest. Lauren and Scott would highly recommend this to future couples, who maybe aren’t going the traditional ceremony route. With a venue as special and incredibly decorated, Scott and Lauren also wanted to look the part. Lauren prioritized comfort but did not want to sacrifice her classic and elegant style. The Vera Wang gown selected from Carine’s Bridal was perfect. Lauren said loved it the moment she put it one, it just felt her and when she walked out to show her mum and mother-in-law, they both had a slow tear run down their face, she knew it was a done deal. With some many beautiful gowns out there, Lauren knew her gown was the perfect choice, because no matter how many she saw after trying it on, she always came back to it. “I loved that it was a classic style, the material was heavenly and yet it allowed me to feel sexy and did not stop me dancing on the dance floor.“ Lauren knew that because her dress was simple and elegant, she could do something bold for her bouquet – orchids spilling down in a big bouquet, was one of her favorite decisions and really just elevated the dress to WOW! Lauren also decided to change into a party-dress to finish off the night. Laure is the one gal who will close down the dance floor! It was special day and she really wanted to shine… The full sparkle dress was brought form a small Australian store and was the perfect Cinderella moment to end the night!

A Traditional Southern Wedding in Savannah With Subtle Boho Flair

This is just a universal wedding truth – Southern weddings are the sweetest. They are charming, romantic, nostalgic.. we could go on for days. Today’s gorgeous wedding in Savannah is the perfect example of why we love Southern weddings so much. Emily Burton Designs knew exactly what to do when her bride came to her with a dream of combining her two loves – boho decor and southern tradition… and boy is it stunning… The Happy Bloom captured every must-see moment. Just wait until you catch a glimpse of Amy Osaba’s unreal floral arrangements. Don’t miss out on this major dose of southern sweetness!

From Planner, Emily from Emily Burton Designs… When Hannah originally reached out for me to plan and design her wedding, she was obsessed with all things boho. She went dress shopping and all of the Boho dresses she thought she’d end up “saying yes to the dress” to.. Just weren’t the one. When Hannah said yes to her very formal Anne Barge dress, I knew I had a challenge ahead of me (merging the Boho look, which was very casual, with her now very formal and timeless wedding dress.). So I came up with the theme, “Southern Plantation Boho-Pottery Barn Bride”. Hannah loved all things pottery barn, so the vision of cement flower pots, dough bowls massive wood tables, and organic linens popped in my head.

The Flowers:
I wanted a pottery barn floral concept, with “like flowers” in little urns and cement pots. Like flowers are when you place one variety in a pot only, this gives the look of a little more structure and formality, but the cement and wood textures help to balance out the formality with the casual vibe.

The Bridesmaids Dresses:
We found the perfect mixture of Southern + Boho in the bridesmaids dresses, the lace on top was nod to the plantation feel, while the skirt was flowey and gave way to more of the boho vibe.

1) How was your wedding perfectly “Southern”? From the bride, Hannah… Where to begin?! From the live oak drive guests came down (while riding in a Savannah trolley, of course) to the Spanish moss dripping from every tree in the venue to the menu packed with southern favorites, every bit of our day was perfectly “Southern.” Our wonderful catering team served delicious low country shrimp and grits, blueberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream, sweet potatoes filled with brown sugar and so much more. My dress was an off white ballgown which just seemed to be traditional southern to me. Kyle wore an ivory jacket, a feather bowtie and his favorite black cowboy boots (the boots took a lot of convincing on his part). The tent was filled with southern accents included in our beautiful signage, the greenery dripping from the woven chandeliers, and elegant flowers at every turn! I just loved how our wonderful planner/designer, was able to create a perfect, southern wonderland inside our tent!

2) What was your vision for your wedding day? What made you choose certain colors or decor? My vision was to create a perfectly elegant, just slightly boho, low country ‘garden’ wedding. I wanted flowers and greenery galore, wanted to play up on the beautiful trees and Spanish moss which covered the property, and wanted my guests to have the most fun! I wanted to include darker, richer tones as we were getting married in November. After lots of debating, we decided on merlot, oxblood and dusty blue for our colors. Although I couldn’t find pictures online or in magazines of weddings which had used the colors, I just loved the combination of deep, rich fall colors with the lighter dusty blue/greys. I frequently told my planner that I wanted a mixture of bohemian and elegant and provided her with about a million ideas I had come up with. Thankfully, Emily Burton is a design genius and was able to turn my rambling into beauty. The tent was exactly what I had envisioned but had been unable to articulate all along!

3) What is the moment you remember most about your wedding day? This is a tough one because so many moments were so absolutely perfect, but if I had to pick one moment, it would be standing at the back of the aisle with my dad, getting ready to walk down the aisle to the love of my life and give him ‘my forever.’ As I stood behind our guests and looked ahead to my handsome fiancé, my beautiful bridesmaids and all of our sweet family and friends who drove hours to celebrate with us, I was absolutely overwhelmed. That’s the moment tears started flowing. I held it together for most of the day, but in that moment, my heart was racing, my hands were shaking and I truly was stunned at the outpouring of love standing in front of me. I would have never made it down that aisle if it weren’t for my dad holding onto me. The sun was setting just behind Kyle and our wedding party, the breeze was blowing the girls’ dresses and the silk ribbons hanging from their bouquets, and my fiancé looked more excited than I had ever seen him. Everywhere I looked there were faces of people that I love, and I remember telling myself to always remember that moment. I can still see that beautiful image in my head… It was the sweetest moment!

4) What’s next for you and your husband? We are finally settled in our new home on Skidaway Island and we are loving every minute of living in the low country! We are looking forwards to warmer weather so that we can spend our evenings and weekends on the water. We plan to enjoy married life, just as the two of us, for a year or so, and then… Bring on the babies! We are also planning a trip to Europe in 2019 with my family, so that is our next big adventure! In the mean time, we will be burning dinners and figuring out this marriage thing!

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Emerald Empire Band

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An Interior Designer’s Fall Wedding at Santa Barbara Historical Museum

When Rachael Simon set out to design her own wedding, she pulled her style sense straight from her daily work as an interior designer—and oh, did it pay off. The result is an autumn wedding for the books, layered with burnt orange and dusty peach, a floral-backed Pronovias dress and a reception so cozy you can’t help but want to stay a while. This Modern Romance joined in on all the fun and took care in delivering the most beautiful images.

From the Bride… As soon as we saw the venue, Nick and I knew that the Santa Barbara Historical Museum was the perfect place for our nuptials! We wanted to get married outdoors in our home state of California and to have an intimate wedding that felt personal and romantic. The Spanish-Colonial style museum has two outdoor courtyards, an upper and a lower, each with a fountain and beautiful Californian foliage. The perfect backdrop to our dream wedding.

I work as an Interior Designer and knew I’d want to create and oversee the wedding details, especially the furniture selection and table settings. Though it was a big commitment to plan much of the wedding ourselves, we had a lot of fun with it! We were lucky to find a great coordinator for the day of the ceremony, who helped keep us on schedule and made sure everyone knew where to go. She helped take the pressure off and really allowed us to enjoy the day.

The theme of our wedding was based on our beautiful outdoor venue, Spanish-inspired and romantic. The museum’s dusty pink walls and terra cotta roof dictated our warm but neutral color palette. Because the wedding was in October, I incorporated fall colors as well; mustard, rust, and some beautiful pops of dark plum as seen in the florals. I found our amazing florist, Wild Club, on Instagram. Her flowers were one of my favorite parts of our wedding. She captured our color palette perfectly, and I was especially in love with the dry grasses and pampas she placed on the ceremony arbor.

Keeping with the Spanish feel, I used different types of Spanish tile house numbers as our table numbers. I turned to one of my favorite design resources, Etsy, for romantic vintage elements like graduated brass candlesticks and vintage champagne coupes. A friend created a hand- drawn sketch of the venue that we used on our invitations and menus. I loved that personal touch!

We wanted the ceremony to feel authentic to us as a couple, non-traditional and very meaningful. We hired a Spanish guitarist to play during the ceremony and cocktail hour. My beautiful mom walked me down the aisle to our guitarist’s rendition of Going to California by Led Zeppelin. My step dad officiated the wedding, and we had friends and family recite some of our favorite poetry. The flowers around our arbor attracted hummingbirds and monarch butterflies, and we were surrounded throughout the ceremony with what seemed like magic.

I’m grateful to have found an amazing band with a lead singer who’s voice is powerful and angelic. She sang a gorgeous rendition of Your Song by Elton John for our first dance. Halfway through, we invited all the other couples at the wedding to join us under the string lights on the dance floor, and it was one of the most romantic moments of the whole day!

My simple advice to other brides is to keep your wedding as personal and authentic as you can. Know that all the time planning and any stress will be worth it the day of the wedding. Our wedding day was truly the best day of our lives!

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Wedding Dresses

Pronovias

ATELIER PRONOVIAS

PRONOVIAS

Dancing Lights, Cruise Collection

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A Beautiful Autumn Wedding at Gainey Vineyard

There’s nothing quite like the romance of a warm autumn wedding in Southern California. Today’s adorable couple tied the knot at Gainey Vineyard with a little help from the wedding planning pros at Amazing Days Events and a lot of incredible memories captured by Anna Delores Photography! From bouquets lush with olive branches, white roses and eucalyptus from Ella & Louie to a vineyard-inspired escort display that is literally Pinterest perfection – see all the beautiful details below …

From Anna Delores Photography… Niki and Mike were married on a perfect autumn day in October just north of Santa Barbara, in the Santa Ynez Valley. They selected Gainey Vineyard for their ceremony and reception.

With the help of Amazing Days Events and Ella & Louie floral design, their neutral, organic decor added to the already beautiful setting.

Niki’s bridesmaids wore blush pink and carried bouquets of white roses, eucalyptus, olive branches, and thistle (each bridesmaid also had her own unique greenery crown).

The bride is Greek, so the couple’s ceremony concluded with a traditional Greek crowning, performed by Niki’s parents. Guests tossed lavender into the air as the couple recessed down the aisle, and then enjoyed a full bar, lawn games, and a photo booth bus for cocktail hour.

The reception began with Niki and Mike’s first dance as husband and wife, and then a short dance set of two songs before sitting down to dinner by DJ’s California Catering. The weather was warm and lovely, the couple couldn’t keep their eyes off each other, and everyone danced into the night among the vines. It was a stunning wedding!