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

My Favorite Bride EVER at New Orlean’s Audubon Tea Room

Today, I feel old. Why, you ask? Well, because my sweet little Kory – whom I’ve known and loved since she was knee high to a grasshopper – tied the knot in the most sophisticated, chic New Orleans wedding ever and I get to share it with everyone here today! It’s a weird feeling. Seeing one of your favorite little squirts grow up into such a stunning bride, plan such a beautiful wedding, give such wise and thoughtful advice. Especially when the fondest memories you have of the aforementioned bride are in trying to get her and her big sister, Kellie, to say bad words without knowing it. And laughing our tails off when they did. I blame my best friend, Katie, who has been a bad influence on me for as long as I can remember. Anyway, I feel so lucky to call this pretty girl and her family friends and can’t wait for you guys to see the stunning pics from Laura Caraway of her lovely, lovely day.

From the Bride… Jake and I have known each other pretty much forever… my parents and his parents are lifelong friends. Although I grew up in Houston, we have deep-seated family ties in Louisiana and many family celebrations and holidays were spent there. One Easter, when my family and I were there for the holiday, Jake and I bumped into each other. We started dating about a month later. We dated for six years before he finally popped the question!

THE DRESS.

Dress shopping was NOT the most enjoyable for me. I am so very indecisive, I must’ve tried on every style there is. After leaving our favorite store and wavering on one dress in particular, I decided to revisit the store during a trunk show.

I put the dress back on, met with the designer and after being allowed to make a few small customizations, it wasn’t even a question any more! The (added) removable straps were a hit and my favorite part of the dress.

THE VENUE.

The venue was the easiest decision out of our entire wedding planning process. Having one big open area where everyone could be together, whether it be to dance or enjoy the food, was our top priority. No venue compared to the Audubon Tea Room. Their amazing New Orlean’s food didn’t hurt either!

BEST MEMORIES

I feel like I (and we) broke all wedding rules on the day of. Not only did we have a first look but we were (surprisingly!) running a bit ahead of schedule and were able to enjoy a few minutes with family, friends and a few guests before the wedding in the hotel lobby, in my dress and all!

Even though it meant that some saw me before coming down the aisle, this is one of my favorite memories from the day of — no stress, just enjoying all of our favorite people in our favorite city.

SPECIAL TOUCHES.

The first decision we ever made was to go with a non-traditional wedding cake and have a tiered cookie cake instead. If possible, it was even more delicious than it was gorgeous.

Glasses of milk were passed around for guests to enjoy with their slice of cookie cake!

ADVICE FOR FUTURE BRIDES

I spent a lot of time worrying “What will people think?” and Jake was so great at keeping me grounded and reminding me that the weekend and the wedding was about only the two of us. It’s definitely easier said than done but try to focus on what is important to you!

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Enzoani

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Southern Charm at this Blogger’s Oheka Castle Destination Wedding from NST Pictures

A year ago… almost to the day… fashion and life-style blogger Courtney Toliver married Timothy Ansley Guthrie in what can only be described as an utterly charming outdoor ceremony at New York’s fairy-tale OHEKA CASTLE. Courtney had dreamed of this venue for years, but never thought she’d be able to be married there. After a little research she found that if their wedding was on a weekday, her dream of being married there just might work out!

When Courtney’s mom showed them a wedding film shot at the very same venue by NST Pictures, they were sold on the idea of having a film from this, their once-in-a-lifetime, event. It’s a decision they will never regret! Before you watch the film, though, think about it… using a videographer who has filmed other weddings at your (same) venue can have a distinct advantage. With aerial coverage being so hot these days (hmmm… or should I say really cool!)… this add-on to a standard cinematography package provides that extra wow (!) factor to the finished film. OK – now… you can watch!

From NST Pictures: Courtney & Ansley’s OHEKA CASTLE Destination Wedding Trailer
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Tell the truth… did you watch ’til the very end when Courtney sang? Didn’t she blow you away? I had already done a little research about Courtney and was really impressed with everything she’s doing on her blog. But when you see this couple on their film, you’ll fall in love with both of them and their families within the first minute. Plus, when you hear them repeat those time-honored, traditional vows (words spoken by millions of people through the years), don’t you still get goosebumps and a lump in your throat? I know I do.

Their film is a moving example of one couple with huge hearts, and a loving family supporting them in love… and in life. Sharing their faith and their belief in the institution of marriage, itself. As NST Pictures says on their website, “A wedding film is a family heirloom that captures the true essence of the union of two families.” A precious… and priceless investment.

Did you see the stunning aerial views from NST Pictures of OHEKA CASTLE?… if not, don’t scroll a fraction of an inch forward until you go back and watch it (again)!

Cinematographers almost always offer a variety of options in their time availability and their finished product packages. If you’re not all that familiar with all of the terminology, or you just need a place to learn more about wedding videography, in general, NST Pictures’ website covers it all. And the best thing? They either ARE – or will GO – anywhere your heart wants to go!

Here are a few pages from NST Pictures’ website to get you started…

NST Pictures: What Is Custom Aerial Drone Coverage?

NST Pictures: What Is a Social Sneak Peek?

NST Pictures: What Is a Same Day Premier?

NST Pictures: What Is a Cinematic Montage?

Courtney‘s thoughts on the decision to hire a cinematographer… When we first started planning our wedding, we just weren’t sure if we wanted to spend the extra money for a wedding film. We knew that our photographs from Donny Zavala were going to be incredible… and we thought that might suffice. One day, my Mom, who has a special talent for finding things on social media, came across NST Pictures and told us that we should check them out. We did and could tell, instantly, that they were a team of incredibly talented people. We loved the style of each and every one of their videos. What stood out to us the most, though, was that NST had filmed at OHEKA many times! Watching those weddings, at our venue, helped us make the decision to sign on the dotted line! We finally realized that there are some moments that are just more special in cinematic form… NST was the perfect decision for us.

Bringing Garden Vibes to an Austin Ballroom at Hotel Ella

This Austin wedding is proof that you don’t have to stick with just one wedding style. Nope, mixing and matching can be downright gorgeous. Highland Avenue planned a day that blends bright and happy garden vibes with a classic ballroom backdrop, a champagne truck (!!!) and layers upon layers of sherbet colored blooms by Gypsy Floral. Get inspired to think outside of the traditional wedding style box with this collection of stunning images captured by Sophie Epton.

We met in Texas but do not live in the lone star state anymore. When we got engaged, we couldn’t think of a better spot to get married, than the place that brought us together! We chose to host a destination wedding in Austin, one of our favorite cities in the world.

We decided against a fully outdoor setting due to the inevitable Texas heat but really wanted to bring summer garden vibes indoors. Our florist, Gypsy Floral, helped achieve this with bright peonies and english roses and lots of deep greens, including a gorgeous greenery installation above the head table.

We held our ceremony at Central Christian Church, a beautiful downtown sanctuary. Bret’s youth pastor and a longtime family friend married us. Our reception was close by at Hotel Ella, a stunning mansion near the University of Texas campus that now serves a boutique hotel. It was the perfect mix of classic architecture and modern, updated decor. Our guests were able to enjoy the lovely veranda and pool area during cocktail hour! We then transitioned to the ballroom for dinner and dancing.

Our escort card table was particularly special to us. It featured wedding photos of our parents and grandparents. One of our favorite details was the champagne truck that greeted guests as they entered the cocktail hour at our reception! We decided on a table full of sweets for dessert, including two types of cake, mini-pies, chocolate covered strawberries and more. We also tried to incorporate small bits of our hometowns through the favors at the end of the night. We selected sea salt caramels from Alexandra’s hometown and beef jerky from Bret’s. Bret booked the getaway car – he loves Teslas, so we rode off in one at the night’s end after a sparkler send-off!

It sounds like such a cliche, but it really was the best day. We envisioned being surrounded by our closest friends and family, with lots of champagne and dancing, and that’s exactly what we got! We felt so much love and gratitude.

We also hosted several other events throughout the weekend and provided Austin-themed welcome boxes for our guests upon arrival, in hopes people would love the city as much as we do!

A Sunrise Wedding at Horseshoe Bend in the Grand Canyon

I am the type of person (aka crazy…) who is willing to wake up at insane times to get a glimpse of a stunning sunrise while vacationing, so this remarkable intimate wedding at Horseshoe Bend is right up my alley! The Grand Canyon views alone are enough to take your breath away and we couldn’t LOVE bride Taira and groom Evan’s casual-cool, adventuresome vibes more! The legendary photos by Melanie Gabrielle Photography and Taira’s lovely Carol Hannah skirt are giving us life today…

From Melanie Gabrielle Photography… Evan and Taira love adventuring together, so when wedding planning began to feel stressful instead of exciting, they decided taking a few close family members on one of their bucket list adventures sounded like the perfect wedding day! And it was. The morning of April 20, 2017, Taira, Evan, and their guests set their alarms for 4am, got dressed, and met at the parking lot for Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, one of the Grand Canyon’s most beautiful lookouts, and began the 1 mile hike to where Evan and Taira would soon wed.

Once everyone was ready, Taira, her sisters, and her mom made their way to the ceremony, and the 1 mile hike became a 1 mile aisle to the groom. Just as she arrived in front of her groom, the sun made its way to the horizon, and they shared their vows under the most beautiful sunrise on what also happened to be Earth Day.

After the ceremony had ended, the guests went back to the hotel to change before the tour through Antelope Canyon! When the tour came to an end, everyone made their way to the lake where the houseboat Evan and Taira were staying on was docked waiting for the reception. The stars that night were some of the most magnificent I have ever witnessed. It was an absolutely breathtaking day, and such a special way to spend Earth Day with their closest family members!

A Classic Franciscan Garden and Basilica Wedding

Jen Huang is the photographer behind some of our most loved weddings on Style Me Pretty. She one of those names that is synonymous with quality and an attention to detail that absolutely will take your breath away. Thus, whenever I see Jen’s name in my inbox, I get excited. Because I know it’s going to be good. Case in point? THIS. Flawlessly coordinated by All in the Detail Designs with florals by Flower Allie, catering by 24 Carrots and gorgeous rentals by Archive…we have fallen in love over and over as we got ready to share this wedding with all of you.

We’d always wanted a unique outdoor wedding, which was completely different from any weddings we’ve attended previously. Our planning took an entire year and we seemingly explored almost every vendor possible, searching for the best people who understood our vision and were excited to help make it reality.

While we’re both from Los Angeles and there were many options in our backyard, our dream venue was actually in San Juan Capistrano – The Franciscan Gardens – which we fell in love with immediately. In addition to the small town charm and intimate venue, we were fortunate enough to have our ceremony at the historic and beautiful Mission Basilica, located just an easy walk away from the venue.

In the end we were able to produce a small, intimate garden party with close family and friends surrounded by lush greens and flowing music.

The food was so flavorful and light, and the mood was very relaxed. The color scheme was green with white flowers, accented by a touch of gold décor and tableware. The pergola area was staged with vintage furniture and lit by Edison bulbs, combining several looks that blended seamlessly with the rest of the party.

I wore three fun dresses that day from Hayley Paige (ceremony), Vera Wang (reception), and Neiman Marcus (dancing). My husband wore two tuxes, blue in the morning and classic black in the evening.

We asked guests to come dressed for a black tie event, and the formal style worked very well with the organic nature of our venue. We also rented a vintage Porsche Speedster that everyone loved posing for pictures in front of.

Our amazing vendors really helped make our dream wedding come true and our guests were delighted with every detail. Our wedding coordinator, photographer, videographers, furniture vendors and reception staff made our day unforgettable.

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Photography

Jen Huang Photography

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A Feminine, Pastel Dream of a Wedding in Provence, France

If I had to pick my all-time favorite place on Earth, I would choose Provence, France without hesitation. I am a self-proclaimed Francophile (aren’t we all…), but it’s the countryside of Provence that has my heart. Amie and Dan’s sweet, pastel destination wedding at Chateau Talaud is what bridal dreams are made of and the incredible blush and lavender bouquets by Laetitia C. make my heart flutter!

From Katie Shuler Photography… Amie and Dan’s wedding in Provence was truly a pleasure to capture. Their wedding took place at the exclusive Chateau Talaud, a romantic 18th century Chateau surrounded by its own vineyards. Amie, (famous London blogger), and her fiancé, Dan, both live in London and wanted a warm, outdoor wedding so traveling to the South of France was the perfect destination.

Dan designed a Pergola for their special day, and with the help of his family, gathered the necessary supplies and built one the week of their wedding. Dan’s mother sewed the lovely drapes and Amie’s mother did the electrical for the lighting and chandeliers. Truly a family affair! Amie wanted a timeless feel for her wedding utilizing cream, lilac, and blush shades. The bridesmaid dresses and florals perfectly complimented the venue and Amie’s vision.

For the ceremony, rose bushes decorated the aisle and petals were strewn along the path. The lush green landscape made it feel like a garden party. For cocktail hour, there were different drink stations throughout and plenty of delicious appetizers. Amie and Dan really wanted everyone to enjoy the food so they spent a long time with their caterers perfecting all the dishes.

The reception was beautiful and intimate with plenty of heartfelt speeches during the setting sun. Amie had Macaroons as the wedding favors and lots of desserts for the guests. The party itself lasted until 3 am with everyone dancing the night away.

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Jenny Yoo

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3 Ways to Refresh Your Space Without a Full Remodel

There are so many ways to give your space a good refresh without a full on remodel situation. Christie Leu Interiors is showcasing a few perfect examples with her latest project; a gorgeous refresh using A) board and batten wall treatment B) crazy good wallpaper and C) a bright and happy front door. Take the full tour of this happy space captured by Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

From Interior Designer, Christie Leu… I worked with Scott Taylor for several years on other people’s’ projects without ever meeting him. He is a talented and caring general contractor and we finally met in person on a very intensive project last year. We have always admired one another’s work and worked beautifully together so when he wanted to refresh his own home, he came to me for advice. He had the skill and manpower to make some changes and I had ideas! With his wife, Barbara, purging and cleaning ahead of us, we gave the whole first floor the face lift that it needed.

We gave the family room fireplace wall a fresh new look with paneling and removed the rock wall that looked great over a decade ago. I gave Scott a draft of the wall and within a week, he had it up! We simply changed out the front door to freshen the look of the exterior and foyer. A new wood front door is a project that takes relatively little time, money and effort for a huge impact!

The unused living room lost its antique family heirlooms to become a lovely light-filled room by day with blackout shades for tv watching. While the kitchen was in perfect condition, it looked dated. We changed the countertops, light fixture and backsplash, and painted the cabinets for a fresh look. The old countertops got recycled as a fireplace surround in the family room.

For the color palette, we chose more soothing tones in whites and greys for the larger items. Lots of tone on tone and texture. In the family room we chose pops of blush and in the dining and living room blues as accent colors. I always like color on the front door to make the entrance inviting and exciting! The blue seemed to go with both the outside and inside of the refreshed spaces.

To get the most out of the space, I like to use a few large pieces as opposed to a lot of small ones to make rooms feel open. The living room has a sectional that fills the room. Lots of seating and great sunlight make this a perfect room for guests or a couple to recline in front of the tv for the night. We got rid of the heavy storage pieces in the dining room to add a large dining table and comfortable upholstered dining chairs – much better for large lingering family meals. We added light linen draperies and woven wood blinds so that all the light can stream in when the Taylors want it. When they want blackout for TV the roman shades are cordless and blackout lined for easy transformation.

Garden Wedding Inspo at the Denver Botanic Gardens

“If you look in the right way you can see the whole world is a garden.” A beautiful garden with the prettiest of gowns and the most romantic love story ever. Claire Pettibone inspired this pretty garden wedding shoot with a dress that is equal parts tradition and pure romance. Planned by We Tie the Knots with floral and event design by Bare Root Floral, photographs by Tara Bielecki and gorgeous invitations by Bella Figura, this little slice of heaven is full of texture, style, color and detail that will most definitely become the blueprints for garden weddings everywhere.

For this editorial we really wanted to to take inspiration directly from the beautiful Santorini gown from Claire Pettibone and showcase how a colorful wedding gown can lend itself to your wedding day design.

Bare Root Flora did such a fabulous job with recreating the dress through her floral designs, she really brought the gown to floral life! We chose to accent the colorfulness of the gown and florals with soothing blues from La Tavola Linen and the lounge rentals from Max & Livie.

The greenhouse at the Denver Botanic Gardens makes for a stunning reception space for intimate weddings so it was important that we showcase the beautiful natural light that envelopes the glass structure. The modern chairs paired with the gold rimmed glassware were the perfect compliment to each other and really elevated the more formal elegance we were wanting to achieve.

Peacocks from the Bella Figura invitation suite were recreated in the plate choice, we love how unexpected this touch is and it was a fun way to add something playful into the design. Bella Belle shoes were paired with the Claire Pettibone gown to add some texture, they were the perfect compliment to the gown.

Our groom wore a tailored navy tux to compliment the colors of the Santorini dress, allowing the gown to really shine! The Botanic Gardens are so lush during the summer months and every nook on the property made for a perfect backdrop to let our couple relax into each other and really pop against the natural landscape.

A Whimsical California Winery Wedding with a Hint of Sparkle

Talk about a whimsical dream! Catharina and Adam’s ridiculously pretty California winery wedding was a girly-girl’s fantasy: a little sparkle here, a dash of blush Peonies there, oh and add in a bit of tousled braided hair for good measure… and we’re here for it. Can you imagine Adam’s face when he saw his bride in that va-va-voom Essense of Australia gown, too? Feel free to swoon over the perfect photos by the lovely Mallory Dawn Photography like we did…

From Mallory Dawn Photography… Catharina & Adam got married at South Coast Winery in Temecula, California surrounded by their family and friends. It was quite the celebration because their families come from different cultural backgrounds.

The venue itself has a very European vibe to it which created a beautiful backdrop for the two to tie the knot. Catharina kept her wedding colors pretty neutral which is always looks beautiful in my opinion. By choosing muted pastel colors, it really draws the attention to the couple and their love for one another. Their wedding had a very classic, vintage-chic feel to it which was so fun to capture. Catharina and Adam had such an amazing day full of love and laughter!

We absolutely adored how everyone felt so moved to get up out of their seats and watch the newlyweds’ first dance up close and personal! And dear bride-to-be: don’t forget the impact that simple ambient lighting has on the whimsy of your wedding.. see how pretty this looks? Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs.!

Now… please enjoy their highlight film from Theatre 10!
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For more from the day, head on over to the full gallery!

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Mallory Dawn Photography

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A Timeless Southern Military Wedding at Middleton Place in South Carolina

There are few places as magical and as soulful as Charleston, South Carolina. It’s her flawed but storied past. It’s her architecture. Her food, her characters, her cocktails. It’s the fact that you can walk around at any hour and the street lights still twinkle and the cobblestone still sparkles. And this wedding – photographed beautifully by Clay Austin and designed by Luke Wilson – captures the magic in a bottle that its Charleston backdrop provides so flawlessly. With the prettiest bride ever and a sense of family that permeates every detail. Favorite part? Everything. Second favorite part? The cake by Ashley Bakery. Love.

From Clay Austin, Charleston Photographer…Every detail of the Roberts’ July Charleston romantic military wedding exuded timeless elegance and no detail went unnoticed. From the custom monogram on the invitation suite, to the bride’s unique one-of-a-kind wedding dress, to the traditional Air Force elements, the gorgeous décor and planning by the talented Luke Wilson Events, it was a perfect day.

One of Maggie’s favorite memories of the wedding planning process was wedding dress shopping. Maggie, her aunt Peggy, her mom, Karen, and her future mother-in-law, Cheryl, flew to New York for a fun girl’s trip. And what’s a trip to New York for a bride without a trip to Kleinfeld Bridal. Maggie found a beautiful David Basso silk champagne ball gown, embellished with seeded pearls, crystals, and ivory lace and they had a wonderful weekend they will never forget.

After thinking more about the dress, Maggie decided to re-create the top of the gown to make it more unique. She worked with Sigrid Rothschild at the Silver Thimble in Charleston to order lace from Modern Trousseau Charleston to change the top of the dress into a beautiful off the shoulder, backless lace gown to compliment the silk ball gown. It was everything she had ever dreamed of in a wedding gown.

The wedding date was set for July 21, 2018 and the wedding planning began. Maggie and Matthew selected Luke Wilson Events to help plan their special day. They knew they wanted to get married at The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the church they had been attending together, and it didn’t take long for them to find a perfect venue for their reception, the beautiful historic landmark at Middleton Place.

Cole Johns of Greenville, SC designed their invitation suite. The monogrammed crest on the suite coupled the intricate designs from the molding in the church, and the elaborate design of the gates at their reception venue.

As Maggie and Matthew reflect back on their wedding weekend, they treasure the memories in the homes the couple’s parents had rented for the weekend. Maggie had found The Parsonage, a beautiful renovated 1846 home in the heart of historic Charleston, for her and her family and it was the perfect place to call home for the weekend.

All of the special ladies in Maggie’s life gathered at The Parsonage on Friday for the bridesmaids’ luncheon, and they made many more wonderful memories getting ready together in the beautiful home the day of the wedding. Matthew’s family stayed at the Governor’s House Inn, where they spent a lot of quality family time throughout the weekend.

Both Maggie and Matthew agree their favorite part of the weekend was the ceremony. Matthew saw Maggie for the first time as she walked down the aisle of the church to the choir singing “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel from the balcony. Escorted by her father, Maggie looked angelic in her off the shoulder ball gown with a cathedral length veil and blusher, accented with scalloped lace and beading.

Her exquisite bouquet was a cascade of beautiful white anemones, scabiosa pods, roses, and greenery. Following the age old tradition, Maggie’s “something borrowed” was her maternal great grandmother’s rosary which she carried with her bridal bouquet. Her “something old” was gifted to her by the groom’s mother the previous day, a beautiful monogrammed handkerchief the groom’s parents had purchased in Italy when Matthew was a little boy.

Bridesmaids wore dusty blue full length dupioni dresses by Alfred Sung while the groomsmen wore a mix of classic tuxedos and military mess dress. The bride and groom thought a lot about ways to incorporate Air Force traditions and memorabilia throughout the weekend.

On the wedding day, following the ceremony, the church bells rang and the guests gathered outside on the steps of the Cathedral. The groomsmen, dressed in military mess dress, gathered on the steps to form the Saber Arch for the newly wedded couple to walk through, a long-standing military tradition. After kissing under the Arch, a groomsman shouted “Welcome to the Air Force, Mrs. Roberts”!

At the reception, the couple enjoyed cutting the cake with one of the sabers from the Saber Arch earlier in the day. Fresh flowers adorned the beautiful five tiered wedding cake by ABCD Cakes, which included a Lemon Curd filling from the recipe of the bride’s late paternal grandmother.

Another highlight of the evening was when Matthew shared the surprise of their honeymoon destination during their first dance. Matthew worked with Abercrombie & Kent to plan a surprise, luxurious honeymoon to Bali and kept the secret from Maggie throughout their engagement!

The Sweetest Wedding at the 18th Century Millhouse in Ireland

I am now fully convinced Ireland is the prettiest spot in all the world for marrying. But all castles (or really cool 18th century mills) aside, it takes picturesque to a whole new level. Niall Scully captured this vintage inspired affair at The Millhouse, ripe with the prettiest florals by Fernwood Flowers, two Brides who are head over heels in love, and that token greenery that Ireland is known for. See it all right here!

Here is their story… Jenna and Aoife met in June 2011 on Inis Meáin, one of the Aran islands off the coast of Galway, Ireland. They had both returned to university earlier that year to study Primary Teaching – Aoife in Dublin and Jenna in Limerick – and had to spend 3 weeks in the Gaeltacht (an Irish only speaking region) as part of their training. Inis Meáin is a tiny island with only 160 inhabitants, one shop, one pub and the most incredibly rugged scenery. They had both chosen the location to get away from all the hustle and bustle; in fact, only 35 student teachers from all the universities in Ireland chose to go there that year.

Little did they know that among that small group in the most unlikely of places, they would find one another. During their very first Irish lesson, they were paired up to chat and from that moment, Aoife was drawn to Jenna. They would walk to and from “school” together every day and it immediately felt as if they were old friends. Although groups would set off around the island for a walk every afternoon, it always ended up being the two of them chatting away, oblivious to everyone around them.

In such a remote place and without phones and other distractions, you really get to know a person for who they are. They made the most of their time on the island: watching the sunsets every evening with their friends from the top of an old fort; ceilís and card games in the pub; adventuring down the sheer limestone cliffs; and late-night sessions with guitars and wine until the sun came up on the beach.

Inis Meáin is a magical place and very special to them both; they try to make time to visit when they can. At the end of the three weeks, although Aoife had to head back to Dublin and Jenna to Limerick and Cork, they stayed in touch and discovered the cheesy adage of ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ is absolutely true! What followed was two more years of trains, buses and car journeys back and forth as they fell madly in love. When they graduated, they set off on our next adventure and moved to Kent, England where they still live today.

It was on a December night in 2015 that Jenna proposed in Port Lympe. They had gone to stay in the manor house for the night – Aoife thought she was there to feed the gibbons the next day for my birthday but she came away with a fiancé! Jenna had designed the most romantic proposal: she had a wooden jigsaw made of a map of Inis Meáin, which Aoife had to put together. She completed the jigsaw but realized that there was one piece missing; she was handed a second box, in which was the missing piece and a beautiful ring. There was never any question of where they would get married.

They were so proud of Ireland voting for marriage equality that they knew they wanted to tie the knot at home. They loved every moment of planning the wedding and although they were planning from abroad, our venue and all suppliers were a dream to work with. They had met their photographer Niall Scully a couple of times and had some pre-wedding shots taken, including on one particularly wet and windy day in Dalkey harbour with waves crashing over us!

They had an immediate rapport with him and just knew that the photography on the day would be relaxed and great fun. Their wedding photos totally capture the feeling of the day and they love looking back at them and remembering all the little moments and details. They really wanted to make a weekend of it so they had time to celebrate with all their family and friends, especially those who had travelled to be with them. From their family dinner the night before, and the big day itself, to their after party the following day, every moment was filled with love and lots of laughter. They will never forget the feeling of love in the room as they said “I do.”

Their story started with an adventure to a remote little island and has continued with travels all over the world, which is quite fitting as they favourite quote from their favourite movie is “Adventure is out there!”

Casual Elegance at Brittland Manor – A Wedding Bursting with Love + Emotion

We know that you hear us say, “This is one of the most beautiful weddings [dot dot dot]…” on a pretty regular basis, but believe me when I say that Lauren and Harrison’s classic wedding at Brittland Estates IS the proverbial “all that and more!” With an inherent love for eastern-shore weddings, the talented team at Eastmade Event Company assured that this lovely couple would have a day that would create memories of a lifetime! With a dreamy bridal bouquet like this one from Sophie Felts Floral Design, you know it’s going to be spectacular….

The main reason we wanted to share Lauren and Harrison’s wedding pics from Rachel May Photography (other than the fact that the florals from Sophie Felts are just so-darned-awesome) is because when we opened the folder and saw the (more than 200) images, we seriously weren’t sure whether we could do it justice! I, personally, fell in love with their love — their fathers, their mothers, friends & family ~ as well as the emotion that our lives are all about! Thank goodness Rachel May and Josh Gooden Cinema were there to capture!

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Your wedding day won’t just happen. It will take hours and hours of planning and a pretty significant amount of work. Lauren and Harrison did their due diligence and chose East Made to help orchestrate the process. How on earth else could they have looked so incredibly calm and enjoy the significance of the day?!? ( a quick ps… we don’t often see the bride & groom at the Cocktail Hour!) Time-lines and Time-Alone are so important. With the right kind of planning, though, you can enjoy schmoozing with your guests! And you’ll even get to taste a few of those yummy appetizers plus your signature cocktail!

I’ve never written a post like Lauren & Harrison’s! So I do have to take a moment to say how much I’ve enjoyed it! Seeing the images that so clearly show their love, the joy of the day and the new family dynamics that will be with them – from this day forward – has been an honor.

Our best wishes for a lifetime of love to Lauren, Harrison and their family & friends! And a huge thank-you to all of the wedding professionals who helped make this day an incredible success. See all 207 of Rachel May’s pics from the day in the full SMP gallery!

More from Rachel May Photography…Lauren & Harrison were married on the most perfect Summer day at Brittland Manor this past June. As if the sunshine itself was not enough of a light, the pure joy and love from the couple and their family and friends brought a luminescent light of its own to the day. East Made Event Co executed a perfect event for them, featuring warm neutrals and lush florals from Sophie Felts Floral Design.

Harrison and Lauren first met during freshman year at Franklin & Marshall College. Harrison knocked on the door of Lauren’s friend’s dorm room wearing a Captain American costume – Lauren was not amused. Eventually their friendship grew and the two took a quick trip to New York to attend a concert together. The rest was history!

Harrison and Lauren dated throughout college and senior year got their beloved yellow lab, Gibson. After college Lauren moved to DC for two years and Harrison to New York. In 2015, Lauren moved to New York to live with Harrison. They created a weekend tradition of attending Central Park off-leash hours with Gibson. On November 5, 2016, Lauren was so excited to share the special tradition with her sister and brother-in-law that were visiting from Maryland. When they got to their favorite spot in the park, Harrison dropped down on one knee and popped the question! Afterwards, Harrison surprised Lauren with a brunch with the couple’s family.

Lauren and Harrison saw what felt like endless wedding venues in Maryland and New York. Finally, when the couple saw Brittland Manor, they immediately fell in love. The couple’s planner, Elizabeth Gopal, created the theme of ‘Casual Elegance’. They wanted to play off of the natural beauty of the venue and for the décor to reflect their laid back personalities. Their amazing team helped create the perfect day!

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Flower Girls

Joanna August

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A Playful Glamping Engagement in Joshua Tree

You know what is knock-out gorgeous? Mixing Joshua Tree glamping with a super fun couple, hair and makeup by Page Beauty and photographer Mariel Hannah in tow. Together they made engagement session magic. Get inspired to add a playful twist to your e-session with these crazy cute photos. Plus, we’ve linked our must reads for all things engagement sessions below!

Christian & Patsy chose Joshua Tree National Park as the setting for their playful & beautiful engagement session. Aside from a few beautiful portraits within the park, they also secured the cutest location for a picturesque evening – one of the many glamping sites near the national park.

They stayed in one of the tents, which serves as a perfect backdrop for photos. Patsy wore dresses from Anthropologie as well as one of Julia’s dresses from the GMG collection. This fashionable couple wore playful pastels which is the perfect compliment for a sunset at the desert. A real engagement to inspire others who are looking to do desert engagement, with a playful twist!

Engagement Session 101

How to Take Engagement Photos You Really Love

Why Destination Engagement Sessions are Everything

Inspiring Outfit Ideas for Your Engagement

How to Ditch the Nerves for Your Engagement Session

Photography: Mariel Hannah | Hair & Makeup: Page Beauty

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Page Beauty

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The Blueprints for My 6 Week Dining Room Overhaul

Are you ready for some serious mood boarding? I am so excited to dive into all the pretty pieces going into this dining room revamp. It is One Room Challenge Week 3 and the space is currently half-painted, being prepped for wallpaper and lighting installation and a tad off schedule. (eek!) But what fun is adhering to schedules anyways? So instead of boring you with nitty gritty to-dos, I will throw a bunch of pretty interior design pieces your way. Sound good? Here we go…

Table – This Article Tavola Dining Table was the very first piece that I picked out. I loved it from the moment I spotted it but was a tad nervous about going with an outdoor table indoors. The thing is, it is crazy sturdy and hefty (and also insanely good looking) so it checks all the boxes for a table that works for a family of four with two very rambunctious twins. And then I spotted an image of the Tavola Table in the most gorgeous home during my internet travels and the deal was sealed. I was bringing that baby indoors and making it the center of my dining room masterpiece.

Side Chairs – These Rus White Dining Chairs from Article are the perfect mix of classic and modern which describes my design style to a T.

Head Chairs – I waffled between going cozy with a linen upholstered chair or doing something a bit more design savvy. And I would be lying if I said I didn’t have nightmares about toddlers slinging spaghetti sauce all over a fully upholstered chair. So design savvy won out with these Kouboo Rattan Chippendale Arm Chairs from Hayneedle that I am going to reupholster in the prettiest pale blue linen fabric, Concord Sky from Fabricut.

Chandelier – Originally I was all the heart eyes for this gorgeous blue Leigh Lantern from Hudson Valley Lighting but it had a longer lead time then I could make work, so I considered the pink version. My husband went on to have a mini heart attack and thus I landed on the most gorgeous hand blown glass chandelier I’ve ever laid eyes on. Meet the Washington.

Wallpaper – I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to wallpaper the space.My dining room gets amazing light and with white floors, I felt like I could go bold without it feeling dark and overpowering. This Vern Yip Collection wallpaper from Trend Fabrics is exactly what I had in mind. A not too light, not too dark shade of blue in a fun ikat pattern.

Layered Rugs – To add a bit of coziness I am layering a large Couristan herringbone rug from Hayneedle with a smaller vintage rug over top

Pillows –Les Touches Blue is such a fun fabric and will add the perfect pop of pattern with these Arianna Belle pillows for the head chairs

Woven Woods – Doing a happy dance for new window treatments and decided on a combo of light filtering woven woods to add texture and drapes. These Fiji Bleached White shades from the Select Blinds are the perfect match to my dining room design.

Drapes – I will be finishing off the windows with Faded French Stripe – Blue by kristopherk custom drapes from Roostery. I love pattern on pattern but this is subtle enough to not feel overwhelming and gives a classic touch to the room.

Storage – Because our dining room is on the smaller size, I opted to forgo a large credenza and instead found two HomeFare White 3 Drawer Chests (with the prettiest ever lucite pulls), from Hayneedle to flank one of the windows. The drawers will be perfect for stowing kids’ art supplies, table linens and we will be topping with his/ her bar trays. Think whiskey for him and allll the rosé for me.

Sconces – Hudson Valley Lighting is basically my bestie. I love, love, love everything in their lineup and these aged brass Garden City Sconces are no exception. They will be placed over the storage chests and floating shelves to shine a little light on all the pretty bits and bobbles I’ll be showcasing.

Shelving – I am scooping up IKEA floating shelves to install over each chest for optimized storage. Cook books, cake plates and pretty glasses mixed with art will be on display.

Art – Ohhh the art. I could scroll through Minted for days and still find new loves each and every minute. For this room, I decided on a large and in charge print of Below the Sea by Melissa Marquardt in the prettiest herringbone frame.

Pottery – From the second I spotted Jill Rosenwald in the list of sponsors, I started doing cartwheels. Her pottery is literally the stuff of dreams and will be such a pretty addition in the dining room as a catch all for fruit or flowers.

. . . . .

Up next is wallpaper installation extravaganza with the help of my mama bear. (Thanks Mom!) I’ll be sharing pics and lessons learned as we paper our buns off with count down to reveal day fast approaching. Until then, here’s the smallest sneak peek at the pale blue French Doors I painted over the weekend.

If you missed it, read my One Room Challenge Week 1 and Week 2. And don’t forget to catch up on the other ORCers awesome projects …

At Home with Ashley | Brepurposed | Dabito | The English Room | Erin Kestenbaum

Harlow & Thistle | House of Brinson | J & J Design | Kelly Golightly | Linda Holt

Megan Bachmann | Michelle Gage | Mimosa Lane | Murphy Deesign | Vestige Home

Old Home Love | SG Style | Shay Geyer | Sita Montgomery 

Media Partner Better Homes & Gardens | TM by ORC

A Romantic Tuscan Inspired Wedding at Malibu’s Cielo Farms

Imagine the uber romantic Tuscan countryside, now plop those alfresco vibes in Malibu and you get this wildly romantic celebration crafted by Two Hearts Event Design. It’s florals on top of florals by XO Bloom, paired with Malibu views and all the gorgeous imagery to back it up photographed by Jenny Quicksall. Catch it all right here, plus press play on the video captured by SJ Videography.

From the Bride & Groom…We met the summer after we graduated from high school in 2007 back in Chicago where we grew up. We’ve been together for 10 years now, long distance through college and all! I knew before we had to part ways for college I was going to marry him one day. After college, we moved back to Chicago for a couple years and then great work opportunities are what brought us to San Francisco (we’ve always wanted to move out to the west coast so it worked out perfectly).

The Proposal
In June 2017 we took a trip to Europe. We went to Paris, France; Mallorca, Spain; and Lake Como, Italy. It was such an amazing fun/romantic trip for the two of us. Austin proposed at Calo des Monjo in Mallorca, Spain on the cliff overlooking a beautiful cove & private rocky beach. The water was turquoise and so gorgeous. I was in all white ironically!

It was just the two of us. He kissed my forehead, gave me a big hug, and then got down on one knee. I of course started crying and laughing/smiling all at the same time. It was magical and so private and SO us. I loved it. So perfect. We could not stop smiling and giggling and crying (happy tears of course) the whole ride back to the hotel. I remember yelling out I’m engaged and you’re my fiance a million times haha. It felt so good to call him my fiance after 10 years.

What do you two like to do as a couple during the weekends?
When we’re not traveling (because we love to travel!…We love to wake up and make our coffee in our robes and relax a bit. Then we usually take our dog for long walks around the neighborhood and on the beach. We usually come back and lounge on our patio which has a 360 view on all of San Francisco — it’s amazing.

We like to go to lunch or dinner, but we also LOVE to cook at home. Usually we do one or the other. At night time we love hanging out with our friends or just staying in and watching a movie by our fireplace with our little pup Lola. Sunday nights we always cook a nice meal at home together. We throw on some Frank Sinatra or Amy Whinehouse and sip some wine while we cook. It’s the best lol!

Something special about one another
Ashley — “I love Austin because he’s so caring, intelligent, handsome, and always keeps me laughing. He’s also a great dad to our dog Lola and a wonderful partner in life. I feel myself when I am around him. He is my person and my sense of comfort in life. I can’t even put into words how much I love him.”

Austin — “Ashley is pure joy. She is the kindest soul I know and can’t help but make everyone around her feel comfortable and welcome. I love Ash’s smile, sense of humor (goofy), and kind heart. Some of my favorite times with Ash are when we are simply relaxing together or taking our dog Lola for a long walk. I couldn’t ask for a better partner to join me on life’s adventure. “

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Photography

Jenny Quicksall Photography

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Santorini Island Wedding Overlooking The Caldera

In love with love… that’s what Vana of White Ribbon Boutique Events says about herself. From the very early days (when she collected wedding inspiration and filled binder after binder of wedding ideas!), until today… after developing lasting friendships with her couples, Vana continues to fall in love, day after day with the sheer romance of weddings she and her team help plan. Not just because wedding planning is so very rewarding, but because each wedding — and every couple — are so unique, so personal and so significant. Can you imagine actually working surrounded by views like this? Well, how about getting married there!

From the bride… Tim and I met during our freshman year of college. Though we were friends throughout university, the timing was never quite right. After college, we both ended up in New York City… and of course, the rest is history.

Neither of us had ever been to Greece, but we knew we wanted a special destination for our wedding. After looking at many weddings on-line, we found that we were consistently drawn to the beauty of the caldera views… and the laid back atmosphere in Santorini. So we did it!

Right there, in front of the Caldera, we exchanged vows with our family and closest friends beside us.The dinner following the ceremony took place on a breathtaking balcony at two long family-style tables. The inspiration for the decor was a mixture of earthy tones with soft and romantic pinks infused in the flowers, tableware and linens. Our intimate dinner was followed by emotional speeches and a fabulous party.

Our sincere thanks to Anna Roussos Photography, Nice Plum, Spicy Bites and of course, White Ribbon Boutique Events for their continued support of Style Me Pretty!

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Lela Rose

2014 Bridesmaid

Fall 2014

Spring 2015

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The Sweetest Texas Affair at Kendall Plantation

This sweet as can be Texas affair captured by Lucille Photo + a film by The Crakes is the true definition of classic. Elegant, refined details, gorgeous pastel blooms by Evember and a Bride and Groom with a palpable kind of love. From vintage getaway car to portraits in the rolling fields, this is a celebration not to be missed.

When it comes to planning weddings, there are couples that define the details of how their day should look and feel as they progress, making various decisions along the way. And then, there are couples who know from day one, without a shadow of a doubt, exactly what they envision.

For Delaney and David, there was no doubt…. Their wedding day would be one that reflected a classic and refined beauty; it would be elegant and intentional. At the same time, it would be a day filled with laughter and joy and most importantly, celebration! It would be beautiful, and it would most definitely be a fantastic party!

The classically timeless Kendall Plantation set the stage, as details came in piece by piece to pop against it’s clean and elegant, Southern-style backdrop. Delaney selected soft blush gowns for her bridesmaids and Evember created beautifully lush centerpieces, bouquets and accent florals in complimentary shades of blush and ivory.

Crisp and classy accents were incorporated into the day through sleek black and white invitations and paper goods and a vintage black getaway car. And finally, special touches and details were incorporated throughout: Wooden calligraphed signage and accent pieces; a borrowed alter table from their church; and a Groom’s Cupcake Stadium that paid tribute to their alma mater of Texas A&M.

The day was filled with so much charm and joy and an incredible amount of love. It was my true honor to have been a part of their day and to have worked alongside this team of talented artists and vendors.

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Modern Pastels and Beautiful Details at a Malibu’s Triunfo Creek Vineyards

It’s so easy to look at a pretty wedding on the pages of a magazine or a blog much as you would a pretty dress. It’s beautiful, the end. But here’s the deal with pretty weddings. Tucked inside are often moments and details that are so charming, so personal, so thoughtful that they work their way into your hearts and that very pretty wedding because so much more. Jen Huang, one of our favorite photographers in the world, captured that very sentiment in this next celebration – the subtle, edited, curated and wildly personal details that transformed this pretty wedding into one of pure magic. With florals from The Heavenly Blooms and Event Design by so happi together, you’ll fall in love hard with this SoCal affair.

There were a few things that Jennifer and Lance knew they wanted for their wedding and most of these centered around their guests’ experience and enjoyment of the day! They had friends and family traveling from near and far for their beautiful Malibu wedding celebration and they wanted each person to feel truly attended to and cared for.

Once the venue, Triunfo Creek Vineyards, photographer, Jen Huang Photography, and beauty artist, Chiali Meng, were locked down, Jennifer and Lance knew they had to hire a wedding planner to assist in planning and designing their day since they would be long-distance planning from Albuquerque and Texas, respectively. They met with Nancy of So Happi Together and it was a match made in heaven.

She suggested a color palette of soft and romantic pastels that would give their timeless design a modern feel while effortlessly complementing the surrounding vineyards of the venue. They wanted to achieve an understated elegance with excellent food, refreshing drinks, beautiful furniture, live entertainment and unique details. The elements of design included lush florals, heath ceramics, vintage furnishings, handmade paper, hand-dyed silks, old-world calligraphy, custom wax seals, rose gold foil and antique crystal.

Even with over 200 guests, the wedding felt intimate due to the intentional details of design. The ceremony was held under a large heritage oak tree with the sprawling vineyards acting as a backdrop. Two close friends performed live as everyone witnessed the couple exchange the sweetest private vows and then honor their parents with hugs and flowers as their first act as husband and wife. After a joyous first kiss, the couple and bridal party recessed back to the farmhouse to, “Good Day for Marrying You” by Dave Barnes.

Servers awaited with vintage silver trays of champagne and signature drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic!) along the path that led guests to the cocktail reception area. Specialty drinks by Liquid Catering included Bourbon Summer, Strawberry Basil Margarita and Blushing Rose, served in gorgeous colored glassware or vintage cut crystal coupes and garnished with fresh lavender or rose petals. Urban Palate made sure that delicious and artfully plated food was plentiful at every turn. Guests enjoyed tray passed or stationary appetizers as they made themselves at home within comfy lounge areas provided by Found Vintage Rentals.

Jane from Red Letter Day calligraphed each guest name onto strips of handmade/painted paper and affixed them on to custom boxes of mini Korean rice cakes (nod to the bride’s heritage and traditional fare at celebrations) provided by Rice Blossoms with custom wax seals. These acted as escort cards and mini favors and were displayed on a large vintage shelving unit. The shelf was also adorned with fragrant and colorful florals provided by Heavenly Blooms.

After cocktail reception, this shelf was repurposed and used to house the pashmina favors that guests were encouraged to cozy up with during their mid-summer night’s dining experience. Heavenly Blooms also decorated the guest dining tables with various lush floral arrangements in rose gold, glass and heath ceramic vessels.

The tables and chairs were vintage pieces from Found and dressed with gauze runners from La Tavola Linen. Each place setting was curated from Casa de Perrin’s luxe collection and included colors that complemented the florals. Rose gold foil menus printed on muted lavender hand-made paper were placed on each heath ceramic dining plate and customized with each guest name.

Table numbers were laser cut white acrylic numbers and mounted onto gray driftwood pieces by Aether Workshop – matching the welcome signage that was greeted guests upon arrival to the wedding. In order to elevate the facade of the French country farmhouse, which is the heart of the property, Premiere Party Rents installed luxurious blush champagne pipe and drape and chandeliers along it’s adjacent patio. Then bistro lights were strung over the emerald lawn, including the dance floor and farm tables in order to create a magical ambience for their al fresco dining experience.

Guests danced the night away to music provided by live band, Soul Tones from Downbeat LA, while enjoying late night snacks and desserts by Urban Palate and wedding cake provided by MCakes Sweets. Mcakes Sweets also provided the groom’s cake, which was an elegant and abstract homage to The Dallas Cowboys. The night ended with a picture perfect send-off as the newlyweds drove off into the Malibu hills.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Photography

Jen Huang Photography

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Shimmering Candlelit Prairie Wedding At Pear Tree Estate

If you’re a romantic at heart (and who isn’t, really…), if you love candlelight as far as the eye can see, and you’re a sucker for father-of-the-bride speeches that will bring you to #happytears from the get-go… this one’s for you! Imagine a wedding venue set in the middle of a prairie, aglow with the flames of hundreds of candles and lanterns. That, my friends, is Pear Tree Estate. As you’ll see in the emotionally charged highlight film from PenWeddings, guests were beyond thrilled as the night sky blazed with a spectacular fireworks display perfectly timed to coincide with the end of the ceremony! The romantic images from Sweet Darling Weddings are sure to pique your curiosity about this “candlelit prairie wedding” … and we’re 100% sure you’ll walk away almost feeling the love that surrounded Annie and Troy’s wedding day!

Annie and her sister Lauren opened their catering business, L.A. Gourmet Catering, twelve years ago. Along with the help of their close-knit family, they created Pear Tree Estate and four years ago began sharing their event planning expertise with couples interested in this rustic, prairie setting with a modern vibe.

From PenWeddings… We were thrilled when Annie and Troy asked us to film their wedding. She and her entire family are well known for their love and support of each other, so it came as no surprise to us that the entire wedding weekend centered around their guests’ happiness. Capturing the emotions and the excitement of each experience throughout the day was a true honor… and incredibly fun! It is our pleasure to share their highlight wedding film with you. (Don’t miss the ceremony fireworks!!)

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Annie, the bride, says of her wedding… It felt as if we were floating in a fog of romance, but our theme was clear – love. It was one of those days that couldn’t have been better, it was a dream. For the first time in my career, I was on the other side of the aisle. My sister and I worked for months to make sure that the wedding was molded around the very fibers of my soon-to-be husband’s, and my, lives. If something didn’t make sense, we took a step back and re-evaluated, making sure that every decision had meaning.

We (naturally) chose Pear Tree Estate, the property where we work and spend the majority of our time. Troy and I wanted our guests to experience the whole Estate from the sunset on the West side to the star filled sky on the East.

In lieu of a traditional processional, our best friends lit golden candelabras that flanked the aisle, lighting the path that we would walk for the first time together as husband and wife.

Our nieces and nephews, one toddler short of a dozen, showered the walkway with lanterns , candles and stems of sweet peas and ranunculus. Our flowers, designed by Flowers by Kristine, added to the romantic ambience we were hoping to achieve.

After our I Do’s (AND our celebratory fireworks!), our guests were greeted with blood orange prosecco cocktails. Flickering candles and hanging lanterns led them to the clear-tent reception space… set in darkness on the prairie.

Beckoned by decadent caramel dipped pears, guests were greeted with personalized hand-written notes and the first taste of our family style feast that was served.

We love good music, great food and amazing people; our night embraced all three, the greatest, being our guests.

During Annie and Troy’s wedding ceremony, the officiant quotes Albert Schweitzer saying, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us…. Be that light for one another. And when you can’t be the light, be the mirror to reflect the others light so that together, you can overcome any darkness.”

Love it!

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Wedding Dresses

Elizabeth Fillmore

Fall 2013

Fall 2014

ON - Going

Spring 2013

Spring 2014

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This Amethyst Gown Is The Perfect Accessory To This Fall Pippin Hill Wedding

A few months ago I mentioned on instagram that Pippin Hill in Charlottesville was my favorite wedding venue in the world. That’s a big deal. Because I see a whoooole lot of wedding venues around here. But, when it comes to Pippin Hill, there is no comparison. Knowing the owner, Lynn Easton, also means that I understand the care and thoughtfulness that went into to the planning, designing and maintaining of such a spectacular property. A property that can easily carry a design as beautiful as this one – planned by Events with Panache with florals by Mallory Joyce and photographed by Ashley Relvas – and elevate it to a place where wedding dreams are made.

From the Mother of the Bride…Kathryn and Robert knew exactly what they wanted on their wedding day and no detail was overlooked in planning this ethereal event. The couple’s love of nature led to the selection of Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia as the wedding venue. Pippin Hill has been recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful outdoor venues, and the couple knew they had found the site for their wedding the moment they arrived to preview the location. After thoughtful consideration, the couple decided to wed in late October 2017 to capture the glorious colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Kathryn always new she wanted two dresses on her wedding day. With this in mind, she set out to find a dress unique enough to match the splendor of the venue. Being a true southern girl, and after trying on countless dresses, Kathryn followed her heart and selected an amethyst dress by Hayley Paige — yes, amethyst! Kathryn wanted something classic with a unique twist for the ceremony gown, and she found exactly that in the “Hayley” gown. The delicate long sleeves, beaded bodice and color variations in the tulle were nothing short of magical and that is exactly what this bride wanted on her special day.

The groom was more than happy to play whatever role his bride-to-be wanted and little did he know he had just become the paper suite designer (no pressure!). Rob worked for months with Sarah Gluchacki, owner of The Windmill Paper Boutique in Boca Raton, Florida, to create invitations that not only reflected the couple’s unique vision for their wedding day but also something that gave a bit of a glimpse as to what was in store for the guests. The letterpress invitations were beautifully encased in ivory pocketfolds with a custom bellyband and envelopes adorned with gold calligraphy. The final touch for these one of a kind invitations was a wax seal bearing the couple’s initials.

Special gifts were also shared in advance of the wedding. Robert is an avid watch collector and Kathryn selected a timepiece for his wedding gift that was something truly special. She gave her husband-to-be a Cartier watch with the sentimental longitude and latitude of Florida State University engraved on the back. The place where the couple first met and their love story began. Robert gave his bride beautiful diamond earrings to wear on their wedding day along with a “Return to Tiffany” beaded bracelet that she never takes off.

Kathryn worked with her floral designer, Mallory Joyce, to create an ethereal vision for the ceremony and reception. Mallory’s unique floral designs, coupled with the gold tabletop accents including quartz table numbers by HelloPosh of Tustin, California, created a romantic ambiance for the entire celebration.

The cocktail hour and reception were magnificent. The couple chose to serve Moscow Mules in copper mugs as their signature cocktail.

The band, Six Stylez, was even better than imagined. The guests had an amazing evening and are still talking about it! The guests were surprised at the end of the evening when Carpe Donut began serving hot apple cider donuts prepared on site, along with demitasse cups of Cioccolata Calda. The evening concluded with a sparkler send off that was captured perfectly, like every other photo, by Ashley Relvas.