The iconic Jackie O would definitely give her seal of approval to this classic Spring wedding at Meridian House in D.C, captured by Abby Jui Photography. Floral bridesmaid dresses, stunning watercolor stationary from Stephanie B Design and endless, romantic blooms by Sweet Root Village are just a few elements we’re living for. Don’t leave before checking out the full gallery of this beautiful day, all planned by Cheers Darling Events.

From Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography… Taylor and Walt chose the beautiful Meridian House in Washington, D.C. to tie the knot on a crisp, late March day. Taylor was the epitome of bridal elegance on her wedding day. 

Although their pup, Paddy, could not make it to the ceremony and celebration [he did stop by for some photos] he was present in the welcome bags, Sugar Studio Co designed cookies of Paddy’s face, and during cocktail hour, the mini burgers were accented with flags showcasing his face with the name “paddy’s patties’.

The gorgeous, blush and white bridesmaid bouquets arranged by Sweet Root Village paired perfectly with their feminine, floral gowns. 

As a nod to Walt’s favorite spirit, gin. Occasions set up gin bars during dancing, offering guests a selection of gins, tonics and garnishes to mix up the perfect after dinner cocktail.

“Sip & Sit” display was created for guests to enjoy a glass of sparkling rose [Taylor’s favorite] topped off with a flag indicating the guests table assignment.

With a love of charcuterie and cheese, Taylor and Walt opted for ‘roaming’ charcuterie and cheese displays throughout the cocktail hour. Servers wore the boards and mingled amongst the guests. The board was accented with indicator flags from Stephanie B Designs. A favorite [and seen as a must have] treat of both Taylor & Walt’s is Chick-Fil-A. After some time on the dance floor, the truck set up in the front courtyard and the couple led their guests outside for the surprise. The biggest surprise though? Taylor’s Dad, hopping in the truck and serving the guests [in a Chick-Fil-A chef jacket, that the staff later signed for a keepsake!].

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Photographer: Abby Jiu Photography | Videographer: Shutter and Sound | Floral Design: Sweet Root Village | Catering: Occasions Caterers | Make Up: Georgetown Bride | Hair: one80 Salon | Ceremony Music: Peter Kiral | Transportation: Limousines, Inc. | Venue: Meridian House | Bridal Suite: The Hay Adams | Late Night Food Truck: Chick-Fil-A | Paper Goods: Stephanie B Design | Planning & Design: Cheers Darling Events | Reception Music: Bachelor Boys Band | Rental Bar/Escort Display/ Outdoor lighting: Social Supply Events | Rentals: Select Event Rentals | Rentals : Nuage Designs | Welcome Gift Cookies: Sugar Studio Co | linen rentals: BBJ La Tavola | welcome bags: Marigold & Grey

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Bachelor Boys Band

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Hey guys! Justine Celina here! To kick off December, I had the pleasure of attending a wreath making workshop with the lovely and talented Rebecca Dawn Design! The wine and holiday cheer were flowing — and between all the eating, drinking and being merry, I created this Modern Holiday Wreath that I’m excited to pass along to all of you! If you have an hour to spare and a few really simple ingredients, this makes the perfect simple holiday statement (or a pretty awesome holiday gift!)

This year, I’ve definitely taken a more minimalistic approach to the holidays and decorating. If you’re looking for a simple DIY to add a festive touch to your minimalistic decor this holiday season, a fresh wreath is the perfect addition. Our home is brimming with greenery and lots of natural wood textures with a mid century modern vibe — so I selected Cedar, Pine, Brunia, Eucalyptus pods, Red Ironbark Eucalyptus and Magnolia Leaves for our wreath (it’s also makes the living room smell amazing — no tree required!). If you’d like to learn how to make an Asymmetrical Holiday Wreath of your own, throw on your favourite Christmas playlist, settle in with a glass of your favourite festive beverage and let’s get started!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• Wire wreath frame (you can break this one down into 3 single frames!)
• Paddle wire (green works best)
• Floral clippers
• A few boughs of each type of each of greenery, foliage and berries you select (Cedar, Pine, Brunia, Eucalyptus Pods, Red Ironbark Eucalyptus and Magnolia are a few ideas)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make a mockup of your wreath by trimming your ingredients and working clockwise to create a light version of the shape and design you’d like to achieve. Once you are happy with the overall flow of the mockup, snap a quick iPhone photo of my design so you can refer to it as you work.

2. Make 3 bundles with your ingredients. When creating your bundles, keep in mind the flow you mapped out in your mockup — pull in a mixture of long and short foliage, as well as a variety of colours. When you’re happy with your bundle, secure it at the base with paddle wire. My wreath has a very wild look to it, which I achieved by not being to precious with my bundle arranging! I also found it helpful to look for greenery and foliage with a natural curvature that mimicked the circular shape of the wreath.

3. Place each bundle down on top of my wire frame, arranging until you are happy with the placement.

4. Secure the bundles by attaching the base of each to the wreath frame with the paddle wire. Once secure, hold your wreath up to get a sense of how the longer pieces of greenery will fall. You may need to go in and secure certain pieces of foliage to account for the effects of gravity.

5. Add extra greenery and foliage wherever there are sparse area in your design.

6. To finish the edges, secure long, flowing pieces of greenery to the wire frame behind your bunches. You may have a lot of paddle wire showing at the base of wreath where you secured your first bundle, (I did!). No worries — this is an easy fix! Since you have lots of secure wire to work with now, start sticking pieces of greenery and foliage into the wire closure counter clockwise to conceal the wire. Repeat this process until your starting point is mostly covered — and if you can sill see some paddle wire, don’t worry! At a distance, it won’t be visible.

7. Finally, hold your wreath up to do a final check for any holes in your design or pieces that need to be secured. At this point you’ll have lots of wire holding your wreath together that you can pop extra pieces of greenery and foliage into to finish things off.

If you’re planning to hang your wreath indoors, I’d suggest simply swapping your wreath for a piece of artwork. That’s what we did — and it works perfectly (told you I was keeping it simple this season!). Make an extra festive feature wall by stringing some fairy lights along the wall behind the wreath.

You can also attach a piece of velvet ribbon or twine to the top of the wreath and hang it that way.

Floral Design, Styling, Photography: Justine Celina Maguire | Workshop Host: Rebecca Dawn Design

Maui is an island that will hold a special place in the heart of any who visits… so when it came time for this sweet couple to choose the locale of their intimate destination wedding, the decision came effortlessly. From the elegant, green and white floral design by Bella Bloom Maui to the groom’s tearful reaction to seeing his bride walk down the aisle – we’re basically in paradise over here looking at these photos from Brandon Kidd Photography. With LVL Weddings & Events as the brains behind this day – you better believe every detail was p.e.r.f.e.c.t…

From LVL Weddings & Events... Jenny was a long time assistant at LVL Weddings & Events so we were so thrilled at the opportunity to be there to bring her dream wedding to life at one of our favorite places on earth – Olowalu Plantation House on Maui. 

From the Bride… We knew that we wanted our celebration to be intimate and longer than one day. We both love vacationing in Hawaii and knew it would be a popular destination for the rest of our guests. 

Olowalu Plantation House was recommended by Lindsay and when we saw it online we instantly knew it was special. The venue had everything we were looking for.. Intimate, by the ocean, and not your typical hotel ballroom. I knew the style that I wanted was romantic and timeless with a Maui background.

Our wedding date was the most important factor in choosing a wedding venue. My Dad passed away two years ago from Dementia and I was super close to him. His birthday is on 7/7 and luckily it landed on a Saturday in 2018.

When he passed away Brian and I knew we wanted to honor him by getting married on his birthday. Funny enough Olowalu was booked on 7/7 but the couple ended up backing out and when the date opened up we knew it was meant to be! 

We both can agree that hands down our favorite memory was the ceremony and reading out loud our own vows. It was so emotional for the both of us. Brian is not one to wear his emotions on his sleeve but he let it all out for the ceremony and it was something I’ll never forget.

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Photography: Brandon Kidd Photography | Cinematography: Sunlit Films | Wedding Planning: LVL Weddings & Events | Floral Design : Bella Bloom Floral Boutique | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Wedding Cake: Cake Fanatics | Invitations: copper willow paper studio | Shoes: Valentino | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Shona Joy | Catering: Sugar Beach Events | Groom's Attire: Friar Tux | Officiant : Reverend Valentine Tino Rosette | Bar & Beverage: Garnish Craft Cocktail Catering | Beauty : Ry-n Shimabuku | Ceremony & Reception: Olowalu Plantation House | Earrings: Oscar De La Renta | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Musician & DJ: Kevin Miso Band | Pies: Leoda's Kitchen | Rentals: Inspiration Events Hawaii | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Signage: Miss B Calligraphy | Silk Runners: Tono Co | Table Top Rentals: Set Collections | Vow Books: Etsy Rebeccagreendesign

I’m pretty sure this might be the cutest holiday party I’ve ever set my mistletoe loving sights on. No, it definitely IS. From the birch log straws to the plaid tablecloths and throws to the festive bar, Twine Events nailed every inch of this ‘Après Ski’ shindig captured by Rebecca Yale. Want s’more? Find the rest right here in The Vault!

From Erica of Twine Events…. This year’s theme for the annual Hollis Holiday was Apres Ski! When you get to plan a party for the Rachel of The Chic Site, no detail is left unturned. How do you plan for the hostess with the mostess? Rachel loves a good entrance, giving back to the community, tradition, delicious cocktails and appetizers, and interactive elements for her guests.

Every year in lieu of gifts, Rachel asks her guests to bring nonperishable food items to donate to the local food bank, so we set out to create a statement piece in the entrance to collect the donations. We wanted it to feel like you were entering a ski lodge, so we created a little vignette of ski’s, scarves, and snowy branches.

Upon entering Rachel’s home, guests were able to help themselves to a charcuterie station, trail mix bar and themed desserts. We love creating food stations where guests can always go to on their own to grab some food. The tray passed appetizers included warm and homey style food like mini mac n cheese, sliders, arancini, and jiffy style popcorn.

In the backyard, guests were able to mingle to bluegrass music, grab specialty cocktails at the bar, visit the s’mores fire pit, and jump in the custom photo booth. At the bar, the specialty drinks included Moscow mules, blood orange margaritas, hot toddy’s and Rachel’s signature wassail sipper. You can find the recipe on her website!

Overall, we wanted to bring in elements of a ski lodge and that meant bringing in plaid decor, snowy terrariums to hang above, reclaimed wood furnishings, a large antler chandelier, faux fur blankets, and snowflake lighting!

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Christmas Cocktails

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Christmas Cocktails

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Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Event Planning: Twine Events | Floral Design: Of The Flowers | Invitations: Paperless Post | Caterer: Whoa Nelly | Calligraphy: Calligraphy Katrina | Bartenders: The Whaling Club | Music: The Get Down Boys | Paper Goods: Twine Events | Photo Booth: Amuse Booth | Rentals: Town And Country

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Photography

Rebecca Yale Photography

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We know that planning your big day can seem like an overwhelming ball of emotions, but we promise it gets easier once you choose the right venue to help guide you through the process. Why? Because finding that perfect locale can take away about three hundred years of stress, especially if it’s a hotel that knows exactly what they are doing. Keep reading for five reasons why you should definitely take that path.

Photography: Jose Villa

Onsite Experts

Nothing says “stress reliever” quite like an amazing team of wedding pros and, lucky for you, hotels happen to have those built right in. We love sweet locales like The Westin Galleria Dallas and the JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria because they are always up to date with the latest trends in cuisine and décor – and are the first ones to jump at the chance to try something fun and new. Bonus points for their relationships with amazing vendors, which means you can def breathe easy when it comes to literally everything – from your cake to your flowers to your band.

Photography: Shawn O’Connor for The Westin Galleria Dallas

One Location

We can all appreciate the beauty of celebrating in one locale, and hotels are a perfect choice if you want to give your guests the gift of convenience. Think rehearsal dinners, wedding brunches and in between get-togethers all happening in one place. The Renaissance Austin Hotel is one of our faves – we love all of the options when it comes to event spaces. That gorg outdoor gazebo basically had us at hello, and with 70,000 square feet of space, you know there are even more spots to obsess over. Not to mention the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa with its picture perfect oak groves and rolling hills.

Photography: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

Convenience

It’s nice to find a spot that is one part gorgeous scenery and one part convenient locale and hotels like the W Dallas – Victory offer just that. Located in the heart of Dallas, your guests will be busy in a good way (think shopping and dining) and wowed by sweeping views of the city when it comes time to say those vows. And don’t forget The St. Anthony, A Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio. Your guests can live it up at The Riverwalk and soak in the gorgeous decor later. It’s a win-win.

Photography: William Martin Weddings Photography for The St. Anthony, A Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio

Room for Everyone

We obviously love all things wedding, but what we don’t love is sleeping on a fold out couch. (Seriously.) That’s why we sort of breathe a sigh of relief anytime an invite comes our way with one of Marriott’s 30 brands listed as the venue. We know that means a roomy, comfortable stay in a place like The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel or the Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center. And a special shout-out to space for everyone attending, so you don’t have to shuttle back and forth between hotels to see everyone you know and love.

Photography: Jose Villa

Points!

The number one rule of wedding planning? Save where you can. And guess what? That all starts with the hotel. Yep, when you book your big day at a Marriott, you can take advantage of the “Vow to Get Away” promotion and you’ll earn triple Marriott Rewards® points for every dollar spent – good toward a vacation of your dreams. Yes, we said vacation. Because after all of the wedding excitement and planning, you’re going to need some downtime. Trust us on that.

Contact the Marriott today to get planning.

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Photography

Jose Villa Photography

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Not only are we getting a look into this stunning Italy destination wedding planned by Wanderlust Wedding (can you even with that charming ceremony backdrop?!), but we’re also chatting with the Bride herself today! From planning, dress shopping and flower selection to the most memorable moments and a bit of advice, she’s walking us through the entire fete from start to finish. Cozy up to Jeremy Ferrero‘s images and get ready to take notes!

How did you meet?

I (Melanie, the bride), was featured in a photo shoot for a digital marketing podcast. The photographer brought along his best friend, Tyler (the groom). In between posing for photos along Atlanta’s beautiful Jackson Street Bridge, we got to talking and the rest is history. The photographer ended up being the best man in our wedding.

Can you tell us about the proposal?

While on vacation in Belize, Tyler planned a surprise romantic dinner on the beach. The idea was to propose during the dinner. However, the day before the big dinner, after kayaking and riding bikes into town for a delicious lunch, we were laying in hammocks talking about how amazing the day had been. He decided not to wait for the surprise dinner and instead made an excuse to run back to the villa and get the ring. He set a GoPro against a palm tree on the way back. I sat up in the hammock when I heard him come back and he was on one knee. My hair was messy, I was sweaty and wearing an old, ugly bathing suit cover up, but none of it mattered. It was the perfect moment and he captured it on video. Every time I watch it I relive one of the greatest moments of my life.

How did you find your wedding dress?

I’m far from traditional, so I originally set out for something that wasn’t very “bridal.” However, upon choosing the historic venue, it was important to me to capture the old-world romanticism that makes Italy so enchanting. I tried on some beautiful dresses, but the typical big, white, embellished princess dresses felt stuffy, uncomfortable and disingenuous. When I tried on the Steven Birnbaum dress that ultimately became the one I chose, it just felt like me. Romantic without being stuffy. I have no idea how he made a lace bridal gown so comfortable, but wearing it was effortless.

What was the inspiration behind your wedding style?

I can’t take a whole lot of credit for this one, because Lisa and Franck of Wanderlust Wedding pretty much did everything. I showed them a few photos of things I thought looked nice and I asked that they capture the romantic, historic feel of the location. Trusting their vision was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made – I was determined to enjoy being engaged and not get caught up in the stress of wedding planning. This was captured so well by our photographer, Jeremy, whose ability to become invisible with the camera to capture authentic moments was wonderful.

Why did you choose the location?

Italy was our dream wedding destination. The beauty, culture and history of the country meant that there was no shortage of breathtaking venues. The most important focus for us was to find somewhere overlooking the ocean that had historic significance. When our wedding planners, who live in France and know Italy well, sent us pictures of a 13th century cloister from a Capuchin monastery overlooking the Amalfi coast, we knew this place was special. We travelled to Amalfi and the first time we saw the venue I was nearly moved to tears. The 800 year old ruins built into the steep Amalfi cliffs offering peeks of the Mediterranean sea were more than we could have ever dreamed. The monastery, which in recent years was thoughtfully transformed into a hotel, retains its historic integrity and charm while accommodating modern luxuries. Our cocktail hour and dinner was held on the “walk of the monks” overlooking the gardens and famous Amalfi coast. The food, sourced from the centuries-old gardens once tended by monks, was to die for. It still feels like a dream.

Did you have any DIY elements?

We created our own place cards and invitations. Everything else was handled by Lisa and Franck with Wanderlust Wedding. They were so amazing, I can’t say enough good things about them.

Can you tell us about the flowers you chose?

With the stunning location, we wanted to make sure that the flowers enhanced the beauty of the location rather than distract from it. We opted for mostly white flowers and greenery. Peonies, white roses, sprigs of olive branches and eucalyptus were used.

Favorite detail of the day?

There are so many. The hanging candle orbs over the romantic table setting made the already amazing dinner location magical. Above all, seeing the outpouring of emotion and love on the faces of those we care for was beautiful.

What advice do you have for other couples planning their wedding?

There will always be elements out of your control, especially if you get married on another continent. Like international travel, if something goes wrong, it will just become part of the story. We were extremely lucky that everything came together so perfectly, but the day was so peaceful for me because I stayed in the mindset that no matter what happened, we would still be married, in Italy, surrounded by people we love.

Additionally, on the big day, things happen so quickly. There is almost a shock when you are living the moment you’ve dreamed of for so long and you will be whisked around from one thing to another. Try to stay present, be intentional in building the memories of the day. I cherish the fact that our wedding planners and photographer encouraged us to take moments for ourselves throughout the day so that we could take it all in.

Most memorable moment?

This is impossible! There are so many. During the ceremony, when our officiant spoke to how overcoming a recent loss had made us so much stronger, Tyler pointed to initials of the one we lost embroidered on his cuff, only I could see it. It was such a beautiful, thoughtful moment.

Having a small,  intimate wedding also meant that I truly got to create memories with those who had flown thousands of miles to share in this moment with us. Being surrounded by so much love with the opportunity to genuinely enjoy their company was incredible.

Any other details you’d like to share?

When Tyler and I first met, we bonded over our love for Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy. We found out that we ended up being married in the place that the work was first translated from Italian, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

What was your honeymoon plan?

Since our destination wedding was a honeymoon in itself, we decided to space out the actual honeymoon by about 8 months. We’re headed to Africa for three weeks in January!

Any you would change? Or do differently?

Honestly, no. Everything – perfect and imperfect – led to the most wonderful day of our lives.

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Photography: Jeremy Ferrero | Event Planning: Wanderlust Wedding | Floral Design: Franco Di Bianco | Wedding Dress: Birnbaum and Bullock | Wedding Venue: NH COLLECTION AMALFI | Film Lab: Carmencita Film Lab

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Wanderlust Wedding

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Rom-com marathons, cozy fires and mistletoe at every turn – it’s no wonder the holidays mark the start of engagement season. There’s no better way to capture this exciting time than a celebratory photoshoot! But where do you start? Where should you go? What are you going to wear?! Don’t stress – we’ve got 5 simple steps to help style your engagement session to perfection. For a little inspiration along the way, we’re sharing the cutest Palm Springs e-session from Cavin Elizabeth Photography – it’s complete with the happiest bride-to-be, two super cute pups and lots and lots of PINK!

From Cavin Elizabeth… How often do you happen upon a hotel so Palm Springs you think they might as well place the city center there? The Sands Hotel features not only an exquisite mix of pink walls and black and white striped cabanas (hello summer!), but also makes gorgeous cocktails and allows dogs. Naturally, Taylor and Greg included their precious pomeranians (@pompalms) in their session along with fruity drinks, a tropical bouquet, and stylish outfits that were practically made for this venue! Every inch of the hotel is so chic and colorful and photographed beautifully on film. Taylor and Greg completely fit right in and loved every second of their session with their pups. For Taylor’s outfits, she chose a fitted green dress that she paired with a fun pair of tropical wedges from Michael Kors. Her second outfit featured a textured black dress with rose gold sequins. Greg wore complementing tuxedos from The Black Tux to ensure he looked as equally sophisticated and upscale. If you’re thinking about heading to Palm Springs for your own engagement photos, let these be proof that it’s always a great idea! 

From the bride… Greg, an operations manager in the cannabis industry, is from Louisville, Kentucky but met Taylor in her hometown of Manhattan Beach through a dating app. (Don’t judge!) After several weeks of giggly exchanges of Beavis & Butthead quotes, their favorite YouTube videos of sloths, and their favorite house music tracks, they decided to meet up at the local Starbucks. Which after about 4 seconds turned into a trip down to the local beach bar. Their second date quickly escalated into a sweet 6 hour drive to Vegas the very next night. Four short weeks later Greg flew Taylor out to Louisville to meet his family and to attend his (now her!!) favorite music festival, Movement in Detroit, Michigan. It’s been all laughs and unexpected adoptions of small dogs to add to their fur family ever since! While Taylor & her family have been taking weekend & Spring Break trips to Palm Springs since maybe a couple of weeks after exiting the womb, after Taylor took Greg to Palm Springs for his very first, it’s fair to say they both fell in love with the quiet, yet colorful and architectural splendor of the desert, all over again.

It’s our escape from the LA traffic, and it’s where our love for one another grew even stronger, so we knew for a fact that both our wedding & our engagement shoot with Cavin should take place right here, where both our hearts feel their most whole. And of course, where traffic wouldn’t be a concern. We were so happy to have found Cavin through our wedding planner, Laura Kelly of Josefina Events. Cavin’s use of color and incredibly vibrant, warm light caught my eye instantly, and after meeting with her, I knew just as quickly she would be the perfect fit for us. I told her Greg’s one and only concern for our engagement shoot was that he’d look like a ‘sad guy on a farm’ to which Cavin got the biggest kick out of! Probably because her work couldn’t be less sad or less farmy, but moreover she got our vision and our vibe just instantly! When I showed Cavin a couple of photos of the newly opened Sands Hotel, it was clear that she fell in love just as quickly with the space as I did!! We both have a thing with pink, what can I say?! And the property is even more fabulous and incredibly chic in real life, which I didn’t think could be possible!!

Our session with Cavin was absolutely amazing. It felt like we were having a conversation with an old friend while we walked our dogs, who just happened to be snapping candid photos of us when we were laughing at her jokes! She loved both of our Poms, Coco & Winnie, and anyone who falls in love with our dogs are pretty much instantly considered good people in our book! We had both been kind of apprehensive about the engagement shoot and put it off as long as we possibly could (hence our illustrated “Save The Dates”!!) and now I have no idea why we were so against it?! We had so much fun with Cavin and now we’re sad it’s over and wish we could do it all over again!! Maybe just as an excuse to buy more new dresses and hang out with Cavin?! Or at the very least to see Greg in his tux from The Black Tux again!! First duty as a wife, might have to be encouraging my husband to wear his tuxedo as often as possible. I’m pretty certain my handsome future hubby was born to wear a perfectly-tailored tux!! 

Being featured on Style Me Pretty, oh my goodness I cried when Cavin told me the news! Then my planner called me and I cried for 10 straight minutes on the phone with her, we are all so beyond excited!! I’ve been following SMP probably before I even met Greg! Aside from just weddings, the loving community that SMP has built of those like-minded creatives who too, live for colorful, imaginative ideas captured gorgeously by incredibly talented photographers across the globe, it’s a website that brings me so much joy; and images that have constantly inspired so many various areas of my life, and well before I was even planning my own wedding! I’m living in my own dream. I’m so delighted and so deeply honored that we get an opportunity to contribute our own vision to not just a blog, but an institution, and a wonderful community, one that has been an inspiration-laden home to me for so many years.

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5 SIMPLE STEPS TO STYLING YOUR ENGAGEMENT SESSION WITH EASE

1. Pick a place that reflects your personal style. Whether you’re an adventure-loving pair who likes to spend free time hiking uncharted trails or you’d rather be snuggled up with a movie at home… make sure your engagement photos reflect what you love to do as a couple! Don’t ever feel like your photos need to look a certain way – if you want to set up a fort in your living room, get tangled up in twinkle lights and snack on junk food during your shoot – then by all means… GO FOR IT!

2. Wear something you’re comfortable in. This means if you feel your best in stilettos and a knock-out gown, then wear stilettos and a knock-out gown. If your vibe is more jeans and a t-shirt, then yup… you guessed it, rock those jeans and t-shirt! One of the most important things to remember when styling your engagement photos is making sure that when you look back on them in however many years – you still see you.

3. Choose a photographer whose photography style will best capture your love. When you start your search for your dream engagement photographer, take a good look at their style of photos. Are they bright and airy? Moody and romantic? No matter what they may be, keep this in mind when deciding which style will be the best fit for capturing your unique love.

4. Incorporate furry friends. (Our personal favorite) If you can’t imagine not including your furry friends when celebrating this exciting time – then totally bring them along to your session! Trust us, they will love every minute of it and the pictures will turn out to be too cute for words.

5. Lastly, relax and have fun with it! If we could only give one piece of advice to our readers on the topic of engagement photos, it would be to relax and just enjoy it! Don’t worry about learning poses you’ve seen on Instagram or looking perfect, just be yourselves and get comfortable! We guarantee any photographer would agree. And the more playful, the better… that’s how you’ll get those priceless shots!

Photography: Cavin Elizabeth Photography | Tuxes: The Black Tux | Hotel: Sands Hotel and Spa | Beauty: J'Russell Salon | Black Dress: Revolve Clothing | Black Shoes: Aldo | Bouquet: ARTISAN Event . Floral . Decor | Dog Grooming: The Healthy Spot | Green Dress: Lulu's | Save the Date Illustration: Blanka Abiernat | Save the Date Printing: Christie | Tan: Remedy | Wedges: Michael Kors

This Russian Hill apartment starts with some seriously good bones and only goes up from there. Crafted by Jen of Freckles on Fillmore, a 4th generation San Franciscan, it brings together stylish vignettes, cozy conversation spots and a layer of sparkling, holiday decor. Take the full tour captured by Torrey Fox right here.

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From Jen… Thank you for taking a tour through my San Francisco Apartment. A little history for my San Francisco locals, in th 1980’s my mom spent her Friday nights at Balboa Cafe, my Grandparents met and married at Saint Monica’s Catholic Church off 24th and Geary in 1952, in the 1930’s my Great Aunt Isabel worked at first See’s Candy in San Francisco and my Great Grandmother worked at the original Cliff House Gift Shop before it burned down in 1907 making me a 4th generation San Franciscan. A rich family history in San Francisco that I’m incredibly proud of. I did my best to bring elements of the city and history that inspire me into my Russian Hill Apartment. 

Photography: Torrey Fox Photography | Design and Styling : Jen Nordine

We thought we loved Danielle Moss’s gorgeous 1 bedroom Chicago apartment before and then The Everygirl co-founder sent us her home tour all gussied up for the holidays. DONE. Combining her modern and elegant black + white pied-à-terre with an abundance of garland, classic boxwood wreaths and a sparkling tree is a sure fire combo. Take the full tour captured by Emilia Jane below.

Kitchen and Breakfast Nook

dining table, custom top with vintage base | dining chair, West Elm | lighting, Rejuvenation | bench cushion, Loom Decor | window shade, Loom decor
pillows, Susan Conor and RH | cutting board, Food 52 | silver tray, Elsie Green | dishes, West Elm | flatware, West Elm | napkins, Williams Sonoma | cake mold, Williams Sonoma | white pitcher, Target | gold measuring spoons, Williams Sonoma | gold bell, Target | art, Minted | gold tray, West Elm | hot chocolate, Williams Sonoma | peppermint snow, Williams Sonoma | marshmallows, Williams Sonoma | house mug topper, Williams Sonoma | black pitcher, Target

Living Room

sofas, Interior Define x The Everygirl Caitlin sofa (in narwahl velvet) | curtains, West Elm | pillows, Susan Connor, RH, Serena & Lily
pom throw, Nordstrom | rug, Annie Selke’s Dash and Albert  | coffee Table, RH | chair and ottoman, Rove Concepts | side table, West Elm (old) | holiday candle, Nest | brass “cheers” object, West Elm | coasters, West Elm | lamps, vintage | smoke photograph, CB2 | media console, CB2 | art above bar, Artfully Walls | bar cart, Vintage | hurricane vases, Crate & Barrel | twinkle lights, CB2 | snow globe, similar | magnifying glass, similar
feather tray, similar | santa ornament, Pottery Barn | tree skirt, similar | pom garland, Rejuvenation | ball ornaments, CB2 | dog bed, similar

Entryway

chandelier, Lamps Plus | frames, West Elm | cabinet, vintage | mirror, Anthropologie | art, Artfully Walls | bust, Vintage | rug, South Loop Loft
 | ribbon, Target | silver ball garland, CB2 | stockings, Williams-Sonoma

Bedroom

bed, Restoration Hardware | pillows, Rejuvenation | nightstands, Kathy Kuo | lamps, Lulu & Georgia | bedding, Rejuvenation | basket, Serena and Lily | dresser, Meg Made | mirror, Candelabra | marble tray, Jayson Home | glass shadow box, West Elm | art, Josh Young Designs | curtain hardware, Rejuvenation | curtains, West Elm | light fixture, France and Son

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Step inside my 1 bedroom Chicago condo for the holidays – all done really simply with lots of greenery and some twinkle lights. I love Christmas but have had so much going on with work and our wedding (which was in Paris 2 months ago)! I know how busy everyone is and how overwhelming decorating can be, so I wanted to do something others could actually recreate. I moved in just over a year ago and renovated the kitchen and bath with my now husband so this is our first Christmas together in our home as a married couple. 

Photography: Emilia Jane Photography | Styling: Danielle Moss

‘Tis the season for holiday fetes and this inspiration is adding a gorgeous glam spin to traditional decor. Red and green are met with vibrant jewel tones, acrylic wreaths (my personal fave) and a tabletop that sparkles with gold details. Pore through this festive shoot masterminded by A Charming Fete, Andrew Thomas Design, Grace + Polish and Lauren Gabrielle Photography and get ready to add some sparkle and shine to the season.

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From Grace + Polish Interior Design…This year for the holidays we collaborated with our talented friends, A Charming Fête and Andrew Thomas Design to create a luxe jewel tone, festive dinnerscape. I love to showcase my home for a local home tour during holiday season and this year we wanted to take on a more glam feel. The graphic metallic wallpaper, taupe velvet drapes and dark wood floors in my dining room served as a perfect modern space with lots of natural light. Our curved staircase was a picturesque backdrop, dripping with fresh cedar, pink pepper berry and crystal snowflake ornaments strung on emerald velvet ribbon, created with Andrew’s special touch. A Charming Fête put together a chic tablescape with a soft textured neutral champagne linen, formal gold china and speckled gold stoneware plates which paired perfectly with the white Louis dining chairs. Vintage gold rimmed coupes and gold calligraphy placecards tied-off with emerald velvet ribbon were a personalized touch and the lush plum toned florals really popped, dripping onto the table. Modern brass taper holders paired perfectly with Andrew’s jewel tone centerpiece brimming with red peonies, burgundy ranunculus and white french tulips. The most delicious homemade plum galette from Tradishions was equally beautiful and tasty served with honey and fresh whipped cream. Andrew created his signature acrylic wreaths accented with pepper berry and ribbon to hang from the windows for a clean, modern accent.

Photography: Lauren Gabrielle Photography | Event Design and Styling: A Charming Fete | Calligraphy : Butler's Pantry Calligraphy | Acrylic Wreaths : Andrew Thomas Design | Floral Design and Styling: Andrew Thomas Design | Gold Speckled Plates : Anthropologie | Home and Interior Design : Grace + Polish | Linen, chairs, dinnerware : Event Source | Plum Galette : Tradishions Homemade Pies and Catering | Wineberry Napkins: BBJ La Tavola | wallpaper : Osborne Little

We don’t get white Christmases in California, but that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to have a festive holiday party. This gorgeous Orange County fête from Jenna Lam Events is proof that Southern California can do merry and bright as well as the North Pole. From the gorgeous seasonal floral arrangements to the Christmas carolers, this party will get you in the holiday spirit. See it all from Lacie Hansen in THE VAULT!

Photography: Lacie Hansen | Event Planning + Design: Jenna Lam Events | Floral Design: Brown Paper Design | Catering: Heirloom LA | Beverage Services: Camper Cocktails | Caroling: All American Boys Choir | Santa Claus: Santa Geoff Umpleby | Tent + Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

There’s nothing like a classic red and green Christmas spread to get you in the spirit. Chrissy McDonald of Harlowe James teamed up with Torrey Fox and Jen Nordine of Freckles on Fillmore to inspire your tables this Holiday season. Incorporating a traditional color palette with cute details like ticking stripe and homemade gingerbread men, this easy to reproduce spread can all be yours.

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Christmas is such a wonderful time of year for a festive and elegant tablescape. For this get together I stuck to a traditional color palette and mixed a variety of prints such as a red and white ticking stripe runner, plaid napkins and holidays themed plates. It is all about the fresh greenery when bringing a holiday table to life. A large garland down the center of the table and wreath accented on the wall brought in a lot of texture and color. The other addition that added a bit of sparkle to the table was mercury glass pilar candle holders in varying heights. Instead of doing a large floral arrangement I stuck to a simple array of white anemones and red berries in two small mercury glass vases.

Photography : Torrey Fox Photography | Event Design/Florals: Chrissy McDonald | Model/Wardrobe Styling : Jen Nordine

Combine a love for Christmas, calligraphy and all things sentimental and you get this genius DIY vow ornament. Crafted by Extraordinary Days Events, it’s perfect for your very first holiday together as newlyweds and such a special way to look back on your vows for years to come. Adorbs, right? Get the step-by-step below and see more captured by Kate Nielen Photography in The Vault!

From Meghan of Extraordinary Days… One of my favorite wedding traditions is the exchange of love notes by the bride and groom on the wedding morning. The weeks leading up to your wedding can sometimes be filled with family stresses, administrative headaches, and last-minute DIY projects. The act of sitting in a quiet room to write a heart-felt note to your soon to be husband or wife really brings everything back into perspective. These wedding morning notes are always filled with pure love, promises, anticipation, and joy. Then, after the wedding they are often packed up and forgotten. So, I started thinking about ways to honour these treasures. One of my favorite ways is to turn them into Christmas ornaments. That way, these private love notes can be pulled out each year for all those promises and emotions to be remembered by each of you.

Your notes to each other
A see-through ornament
Paper
Ribbon

First, copy your notes onto the paper you have chosen for your ornament. For these, I had a calligrapher write the notes onto burgundy paper. If you don’t know a calligrapher, there are a lot on Etsy! Just, send them your text and paper colour choice and they will return a beautifully written letter!

Next, insert the paper into your ornament. For this, you can either put it in a frame so it is easily read. Or, if you would like to keep them private, roll the note up and insert it into a clear globe.

Finally, tie a ribbon onto your ornament. These, make a perfect “first-married-Christmas” gift and can decorate your Christmas tree or home for years to come.

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Photography: Kate Nielen Photography | Floral Design: Blue Sky Flowers | Wedding Planner + Stylist: Extraordinary Days Events

Curling up with a cup of hot cocoa is just a must this time of year. Each sip makes everything more cozy and festive, so it also happens to make the loveliest of gifts. Perfect for neighbors, teachers, or really, anyone – this little DIY is as darling as it is delicious.

Basket can be made super quick with cute store-bought stuff, or you can make it more personal with homemade cocoa mix and marshmallows. You can keep it super simple with the basics or add things like hot chocolate on a stick, crushed peppermint, a nip of bailey’s or kahlua, etc.

Wire basket
Gold spraypaint
White & gold shredded paper
Hot cocoa- store bought or homemade
Marshmallows- store bought or homemade
Cellophane bag
Chocolate stirrers
Cute mug
Plaid ribbon

Place the wire basket inside a larger cardboard box (it’s a good way to keep all the spraypaint contained). Spray the basket gold from all angles in several light coats. Let dry 1 hour.

Tie a large bow of plaid ribbon around your hot chocolate. Bag up your marshmallows and tie off. Arrange the chocolate stirrers in the mug.

Fill the basket with shredded paper, then add hot chocolate, marshmallows, and mug. Voila!

Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Design & Styling: SMP Living | Invitations: Paper Source | Catering: Whole Foods Market Preston | Vendor: The Container Store

Sprawling views of the Tuscan landscape, Cypress trees for days and a glowing candlelit dinner… these are just a few of the details you’ll surely fall for when you peruse this Big Day planned by Weddings in Tuscany. It’s perfectly intimate and so full of the warmest love, all captured by Jeremy Chou. If an Italy wedding was on your destination wish list—this one is bound to send you over the edge!

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From Jeremy Chou… A beautiful wedding in the hills of Tuscany for a couple from Switzerland! Delicate blue & gold colors inspired by the couple’s love of watercolor paintings. They even had a live portrait artist at the wedding! It was a wedding for about 40 of their closest friends & family from Switzerland and Albania. The ceremony overlooked the beautiful valley of vineyards, and the reception was held under the stars on the lawn area of Conti Di San Bonifacio.

Mirdon & Albana were introduced by a mutual friend, and they wrote each other for a few weeks before meeting up. On June 21st, 2012 on a Thursday evening we met for the first time in Basel. it was a nice summer evening.

They decided on a beautiful/intimate wedding in Italy because even though they have traveled to many countries, but Italy remains their favorite travel destination. Tuscany is the most beautiful region in Italy and the source of their wedding inspiration.

They did not want classic white flowers but instead something colorful. Chiara (planner) has shown many collections of flower decorations, which we could then choose. The blue shades connect to green with turquoise, which were the couple’s favorite colors. The color blue stands at weddings for loyalty, purity, honesty, modesty, devotion and love. Mostly it is the garter that is worn as a blue object. Gold is the sun’s heat and is considered the color of confidence. Albana & Mirdon were originally from Albania, and they danced to the traditional Albanian dance “Valle” and folk music.

Photography: Jeremy Chou Photography | Videography: Emotionalmovie | Planner: Weddings in Tuscany by Chiara Sernesi | Floral Design: La Rosa Canina | Wedding Dress: Oh! Que Luna | Cake: Sugarcups | Stationary: Every Little Something | Hair & Makeup: Lara Navarrini | Lighting: Wedding Central House | DJ: DJ Francis | Suit: Hugo Boss | Wedding Venue: Conti Di San Bonifacio | Painters: shhh My Darling | Reception Dress: Custom Design by Elihav Sasson | Wedding Ring: Tiffany & Co.

When we meet Brides that tell us that Style Me Pretty was a huge part of their planning process and they spent hours right here on this site, we’re honored. And when we get to see the beautiful result that came from all that inspiration and hard work? We’re proud. Proud of the vendors involved and the way that each one of you find your own slice of style and infuse that into your Big Day. Today’s fete set at Willowdale Estate is no exception. Molly Anne‘s images are the beautiful proof.

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From the Bride… As a Pediatric Transplant Nurse, my patients and the lessons they have taught me are a huge part of my life. After my husband, family, friends and these incredible children I get to work with every day, my next love has, and will always be weddings. I found weddings to be the positive outlet I needed to balance with my often times emotional job. I even worked at a bridal salon for a while to help share in other brides happiest days while I was helping guide families through their absolute worst. I have been subscribed to bridal magazines for years, have browsed Style Me Pretty for hours, and have watched more episodes of “Say Yes To the Dress” then any normal person should.

My engagement to my husband Alec came as a complete shock on the night of my graduation for my Master’s Degree in Nursing. After so many years of adoring weddings, to say I was excited to plan my own was an understatement. Two weeks after our engagement, we took the trip of a lifetime to Spain. We were awestruck and fell in love with the beauty, cobblestone alleyways, stone architecture and greenery of a small town called Valldemosa in Mallorca. When we returned, Willowdale was one of the first venues we visited while wedding planning and as soon as we drove up to the estate, we knew this was where we wanted to get married. It was like our own piece of Spain, here in Massachusetts. The history of the country manor, in the depths of a state park, mixed with the greenery of the courtyard was the perfect location for our ideal outdoor wedding. Willowdale gave us the feeling of warmth, love and happiness. We felt at home.

While planning, we really wanted to incorporate our mutual love of traveling into our day. We were inspired by the places we have been, places dear to our heart, and places we have yet to go. From touches of french inspired florals and shades of blues to Boston themed table numbers, we mixed inspiration from my countless hours of browsing real weddings with our experiences together and made our wedding uniquely ours.

Some of the most special and beautiful parts of our wedding day were flower girl dresses handmade by Alec’s mom out of material from his grandmother’s wedding dress, the grooms travel scrapbook gift, a cherry blossom card given to me by Alec (symbolizing where our relationship began), bookshelves filled with loved ones wedding photos, a bouquet charm of my grandmothers given to me by my mother, a special Irish blessing, family members we haven’t seen for years that traveled long distances to be with us, a custom veil made for me by Michelle Roth herself, a signature drink named for our cat Lily, emotional toasts by my father, maids of honor and best men, and 4 birthday celebrations. We even had the breathtaking privilege of having a previous patient of mine, now thriving, at our wedding. Words cannot explain that feeling. These are just a few of the moments of our day that we will cherish forever and that made us feel so loved and so happy. We have never smiled as much as we did on our wedding day.

Surrounded by friends and family, we said I do on the most perfect August Day. It was 72 degrees, partly cloudy and absolutely beautiful (unheard of in New England in August!) Our incredible team of vendors helped us create our dream day, and our photographer Molly captured every last minute. The love, support, happiness and energy of our guests was palpable throughout the entire day and into the night on the packed dance floor. We are so grateful and so blessed to have had such a perfect day and cant wait to share our photos with everyone!

To those who are currently planning a wedding, my recommendation to you would be this; breathe, enjoy the process, and don’t settle. If you have a feeling something isn’t right, trust your gut and go with what makes you happy. I changed my mind so many times during this process because I wouldn’t settle for anything less then what I had dreamed about my entire life. Admittedly, it was stressful at times with having perfectionist tendencies because of my job (I cant tell you how long I debated the perfect blue goblet), but it was all SO worth it. Wishing you all so much happiness and many adventures in your wedding and marriage. Good luck, you got this!

Photography: Molly Anne Photography | Videography: City Point Films | Floral Design: Les Fleurs | Wedding Dress: Michelle Roth | Cake: Jenny's Wedding Cakes | Invitations: Wouldn't It Be Lovely | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Flair Bridesmaid Boutique | Band: Wilson Stevens | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Wedding Venue: Willowdale Estate | Accomodations: Hawthorne Hotel | Beauty: Kristen Kay Makeup Artistry | Ceremony Musicians: Atlantic Strings | Rentals: Peak Event Services | Wedding Dress Tailoring: Kleinfeld Bridal

Surprise! Christmas came early over here on SMP because today we’re sharing a jaw-dropping Bali destination wedding from (our faves) Ether & Smith – you seriously won’t believe this is an actual real wedding! A chic all-white dress code, a ceremony site unlike any other and a cliffside reception planned by Hitch’d Bali with florals from Flora Botanica that is absolutely unreal. Basically this is the official royal wedding of Bali, okay people!?!

From Hitch’d Bali… The initial brief from Olivia & Eric was always somewhat of an ‘enchanted’ feel, with the trees playing a big part in creating this look. Originally we were going to forego the smaller trees and just focus on the larger trees for their sweetheart table, but after putting it all together we decided to create the smaller trees to add to the overall look and feel of that enchanted, elegant and almost forest like feel, with the venue pairing perfectly with this concept.

We added some modern touches of the grey linens, lava stone chargers to ‘ground’ the overall design, and added in some elegant touches such as the acrylics with hand calligraphy, cut glassware and gold cutlery, playing to their enchanted wants.

The color palette was always to be white neutral, with a heavy base of greenery and touches of the white blooms throughout. By keeping it neutral it made everything stand out individually on the day.

From the Bride… When Eric and I first started dating, our first trip together was to San Diego. While walking down Laguna Beach, we witnessed a couple getting engaged by the sea. Watching a marriage proposal with a breathtaking sea view in the background was a scene we will never forget.

Years later when planning our own wedding, the idea of getting married away and by the water came natural for us.  Every year we try to go on vacations by the sea, and we wanted to choose a place which we never been-  so Bali it is!

We chose Tirtha Uluwatu as our venue, and it was stunning. We couldn’t get past the amazing Tirtha Chapel and the cliff view. If planning our wedding entirely by email and Skype didn’t cause much stress, the concerns of making the wrong decision to have our guests travel overseas definitely gave us some sleepless nights. We wanted to make sure they are not just celebrating for us, but also celebrating WITH us by having our guests create their own flower crowns along with the mini portrait station during cocktail. All with ocean views and the String quartet setting the tone in the background. 

I think one of the biggest reasons we got to enjoy the wedding preparation process was because our planner, Kira, shared the same view with us. She understood what we needed and went above and beyond with everything. The entire wedding setting was like a fairy tale. The beautiful wedding pictures say it all. We couldn’t thank our amazing photographers enough for capturing those precious moments. We wouldn’t have changed anything in this once in a life time memory.

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Photography: Ether & Smith | Videographer: FlipMax Photography | Planner: Hitch'd Weddings & Events | Florist: Flora Botanica Designs | Wedding Dress: Tony Ward | Cake: Butter Bali | Invitations: Elisabeth Sanders | Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Calligraphy: Pi Calligraphy | Entertainment: Moira Ensembles | Entertainment: Tartara Band | Groom's Attire: Ermeneglildo Zegna | Character Drawing: Wayan | Furniture: Bali Event Hire | Jewlery: De Beers | Jewlery: Piaget | Linen: The Host Table | MC: Rendy & Debby | Private Estate: Tirtha Uluwatu | Reception Dress: Alice Yu Couture | Sound & Lighting: Azimuth | Tableware: Semeja

Oh winter. It sure gets a bad rap. But you know what? It’s become one of my favorite seasons to entertain. Think fires, fun cocktails, stick-to-your-bones meals – see what I mean? Not to mention, snow acts as the most perfect chiller for bubbly. So if you aren’t on #teamwinter yet, check out these ways to warm up your festivities even on the coldest day. xo, Abby Capalbo

1. Keep ’em cozy

This is obvious. Being cold, no matter how cute everything is, is not fun. If you are going to have outside entertainment during the winter months, make sure you have plenty of heat sources, blankets, extra mittens, hats, scarves, etc. A little shot of cinnamon whiskey helps too. Particularly when served in cute little mini mugs.

2. Embrace the Chill

Snow is the most perfect cooler for all your beverages. Bonus points? It looks extra pretty too. The one thing you don’t need to worry about while entertaining in the winter? Beverages gone bad.

3. Up the Activities

Snowshoeing, cross country skiing, perhaps a little ice-skating – something to keep the blood flowing is crucial for being making the most of a winter day. But if you are just in your backyard, don’t rule out your favorite summer games like bocce (just use another target ball), croquet, corn hole – and make sure it’s all followed up with some delicious s’mores (we like to serve them on cookies!).

4. Channel your inner Canadian

My hubby and I visited Quebec around the holidays, and our friendly neighbors to the north taught us one very important winter lesson; there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. And it’s kind of true. As long as you are bundled to the brim, it’s amazing how fun it can be outdoors, even on the chilliest of days. We also learned how to make Maple Taffy on fresh snow, and that alone makes us keep our fingers crossed for the next nor’easter.

5. Have a Warm Meal Waiting

This is a no-brainer. Sometimes the best part of being outside in the winter weather is knowing there is a cozy fire, some hot cocoa, and a meal so good you can’t move waiting for you after. I like to stick to the classics – chili, pot roast, or an amazing winter pasta. All things that can cook in the crock pot while we all enjoy our very own winter wonderland.

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Photography: Erin McGinn | Styling : Abby Capalbo | Blanket: Pendleton | Champagne Flutes: Pier 1 | Dog Blanket: Pendleton | Mini Mule Mugs: Pier 1 | Red Lanterns: Walmart | Stir Sticks: Laura Hooper Calligraphy | Tartan Placemat: Williams Sonoma | Weekender: Sole Society | Wooden Tray: Target

What makes this gorgeous wedding day Down Under so incredibly special? (besides the most precious bride and groom)… it’s the sparkling, crystal and foliage filled reception. Think hanging arrangements, dusty pink blooms from Poppy’s Flowers and twinkling tea lights aplenty – need we say more?! Jasmine Pettersen captured every enchanting detail, all planned by the beautiful bride herself! Peep on over to the full gallery to see the all the Aussie sweetness.

A warm evening in early Autumn on the banks of the Swan river,  there is the clink of silverware and crystal; the murmur of warm conversation and laughter. Candle light shimmers and the fragrance of garden roses, jasmine, tuberose, sweet pea waft on a light breeze.

Danielle and Daniel’s intimate Perth black tie event, thoughtfully planned by the bride herself, was the stuff of wedding reception dreams. Under a clear marquee by the river at Matilda Bay, guests toasted the new couple, then danced the night away to a live band, finishing up with Greek dancing, lead by the relatives of the bride.

Tables were set with soft grey linens, elegant gold cutlery, and fragrant floral centerpieces by Poppy’s Flowers in white, dusty pink and green. A suspended arrangement of green foliage and garden roses above the bridal table, hung with sparkling tea lights in glass candle holders, along with oversized crystal bulbs over the guest tables, gave a light, airy feel to the space.

Earlier in the day, Danielle and Daniel wed in a moving Catholic ceremony, framed by a blush pink arbor, with the river as a backdrop. The couple then crossed the road for some portraits among the Italianate buildings of the University of Western Australia, Daniel’s alma mater, before joining their guests for a sunset cocktail.

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Photography: Jasmine Pettersen | Event planner: The bride | Floral Design: Poppy's | Wedding Dress: Brides By Design | Cake: The Cake And I | Invitations: Bespoke Letterpress | Rings: Cerrone | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Tuscany Bridal | Catering: Heyder And Shears | Make up: Rebekah Clarke | Band: VIP Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Celebrant: Father Joseph Tran of Whitford Catholic Parish | String Quartet: Dolce Ensembles | Bride's hair: Shane Dias | DJ and MC: Complete DJ | Favours: De La Rosa Cupcakes | Furniture hire: Villa Kula | Lighting and stage: OMG Events | Marquee: Pedersens Hire | Park: Matilda Bay Reserve | Signage: White Ink Design Co | Table settings: Hire Society

I had the honor of attending a few weddings this year and every single one took place outdoors—surrounded by the most gorgeous views, just like this fete at Crossed Keys Estate. To me, there is no detail that beats beautiful scenery, except for maybe this Bride in her Berta dress and her perfectly mismatched neutral bridesmaids in BHLDN. SO good. Dive into the full day documented by Bashful Captures!

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From Bashful Captures… Crossed Keys Estate is a hidden gem in Andover, NJ, where everywhere you look it’s picture perfect. There’s an adorable red barn, gorgeous outside garden where the ceremony takes place and a beautiful tent for dinner and dancing. It’s one of my favorite venues to photograph and I was so excited when Aubrey and Sean reached out to capture their wedding. They are the most sweetest and genuine couples I have had the pleasure of working with and so honored they chose me to photograph their amazing wedding weekend at Crossed Keys Estate.

Aubrey looked jaw dropping gorgeous in her Berta wedding dress and Sean looked so dapper in his Navy Enzo tuxedo. Their outdoor garden ceremony was so beautiful and it was so much fun photographing everyone at the reception having such a great time. Aubrey and Sean exude in joy through out their wedding day and they really couldn’t get their eyes off of each other! It was truly a perfect day for an amazing couple! Congratulations again to the newlyweds!

Photography: Bashful Captures | Cinematography: Lightning in a Bottle | Floral Design: Crossed Keys Estate | Wedding Dress: Berta | Invitations: Minted | Reception Venue: Crossed Keys Estate | Shoes: Sam Edelman | Rings: Jangmi Jewelry | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Groom's Attire: Enzo Custom | Make up and Hair Stylist: Larisa Roig