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Creating a Modern Garden Masterpiece at Millwick Loft in DTLA

Garden weddings don’t usually come to mind when dreaming up a Downtown Los Angeles wedding but this gem designed by So Happi Together is proving that an industrial venue like Millwick can be completely transformed into garden magic. Gorgeous florals, twinkle lights and stunning tabletop details from Casa de Perrin are all apart of the beauty captured by Natalie Bray Studios. And the first look is pretty dang cute too!

When two people fall in love it is a special and beautiful thing! Marianne and Mike had nothing short of a perfect Modern Garden Loft wedding with elegant touches and wonderful fun! With a color palette of grey, purple, green, blush, and gold the reception area sparkled. So Happi Together worked her amazing skills to plan and design everything effortlessly.

Photography: Natalie Bray Studios | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids dresses: Jenny Yoo | Ceremony & Reception Venue : Marvimon | Design and Planning: So Happi Together | Desserts & catering : Hungry Bear | HAMU: Studio MM&B | Invitations & paper goods : Minted | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Menu and Seating Chart: Velvet and Gold | Rentals : Chivari Chairs | Ring box: The Mrs Box | Second Shooter: Anna Lord Studio | Table rentals: Casa de Perrin | paper goods: Minted

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Elegant Olive Grove Wedding in Costa Navarino, Greece

We ooh and ahh over wedding submissions all day long (oh what a tough life we lead ;) The days we love the most, are the days we open a submission that quite literally stops us in our tracks. And we know in a flash that this one is “going up” on SMP. You see, we do what we do as a sort of standing ovation to the couple as well as the team of vendors that they hand-picked to choreograph their celebration of love. Today’s wedding sent to us by White Ribbon Boutique Events and Vasia Photography is one of those weddings… a wedding that we feel privileged to share with our readers. A wedding that every vendor involved should share on social media and be so very proud of! It is a time-honored story: boy meets girl in NYC… girls + boy fall madly in love… they don’t want to live apart anymore… boy proposes to girl… husband + wife are united…… their love story has only just begun!

From Wedding and Event Planner, White Ribbon Boutique… Alper and Eleni met in 2012 when they were fellow interns in New York City. On their first date, they strolled through Central Park, ending up at a Greek Restaurant. What started innocently enough blossomed into true love and at the end of that magical summer, they faced their first real challenge, as a couple. They were working in two different countries and spent much time traveling back and forth to see each other. After many collected air-miles, Eleni decided to move to Norway, the home of Alper…

Right before the big move to Norway, they took a trip back to the city where it all started – NYC! On their first day there, Alper surprised Eleni with a visit to the Rockefeller Center. They entered through a private elevator. Once they turned the corner, the bride knew it wasn’t an ordinary visit to the Rockefeller Center. They were alone with a violinist and photographer on a private terrace overlooking 5th Avenue where Alper asked Eleni to marry him!

Eleni and Alper were married in Costa Navarino, Greece at The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort

The concept for their wedding was inspired by the merging of two very distinct cultures, the Turkish and Greek.

We designed the menu to combine the two cuisines. For the decor we opted for a concept of classic luxury with dark navy linens to complement the green surroundings. 

We also sourced hanging lanterns from Istanbul along with hand blown glass containers containing Turkish delight for the guests to take home at the end of the reception!

We urge you to see more of the fabulous weddings designed by White Ribbon Boutique Events on their their blog and on Instagram! Our sincere thanks to Vana, Vasia and the newlyweds for sharing this amazing wedding celebration with us!

Photography: Vasia Photography | Event Design: White Ribbon Boutique Events | Event Planning: White Ribbon Boutique Events | Floral Design: Red Box Days | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture | Cake: Pavlov's Lab | Invitations: Minted | Reception Venue: Romanos Collection | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Groom's Attire: Made with Hart | Ceremony & Reception Stationery: Atelier Invitations | Dinnerware: White Lilac | Dj, Lights & Sound: music essentials | Fireworks: Nanos Fireworks

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Ditch the Orange This Halloween For a Spooky Swan Soiree

Blushing pink tutus are made spooky with this adorable rendition of a Halloween celebration crafted by Fable & Moon Events, with florals by Sally Rose Studio and loads of fun dress-up options by Florence & Bunny. Think Black Swan meets Halloween magic. It’s party inspo perfect for little ones and big ones too. So go ahead and trick or treat yourself to the full celebration photographed by Claire Mina White right here.

We chose a color palette of monochrome and all shades of pink and blush! We pulled together our favorite local vendors to create and supply items for the shoot and we are so please with how it all came together on the day! Claire Mina White our photographer captured the sweet swan girls beautifully and the girls had a super fun afternoon trying on the clothes and enjoying the party we had set up for them!

 We even had a little bit of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake playing for our little ‘bunheads’ to prance and pirouette to! The gorgeous Yoga Barn in Essex provided the perfect chilled space; how amazing are those fluffy light shades! We hope we have inspired others on how you can create an alternative halloween party to the normal black and orange without a tacky plastic spider in sight!

Photographer: Claire Mina White | Floral Design: Sally Rose Studio | Cakes: Wilma's Bakery | Children's Dress Up Collection: Florence & Bunny | Children's T-shirts: Tee by Charlotte West | Event Styling, Balloons, Props and Furniture: Fable Moon Events | Partyware : OtherLetters | Props and Furniture: Fable & Moon | Signage: Mother Wild | Swan Cookies: My Petite Kitchen

The Most Beautiful Vows Ever at The Excelsior in Pennsylvania

I wish I had a way to properly tell you how much I love this wedding. It’s the twinkle in her eye, her leather jacket. It’s his sweet smile and the way he picks her up despite her most formal gown. But truly? It’s the vows. The way he speaks to her. The way he loves her.From Renee Hollingshead, grab your tissues, this one…it’s a keeper. Read on for the beautiful vows.

His Vows…”I love you, my beautiful bride. You are so strong. And I love how strong you are. You are kind hearted. And I love the joy you feel in caring for others. You are always so supporting and encouraging. Sometimes I feel as though I’m looking into a mirror (met with laughter). But one look at you and the warmth I feel in my soul quickly reminds me that what I see isn’t a reflection at all. But rather the other half of me. Your loving, caring and infinite thoughtfulness is and forever will be the kindest part of me. And when I’m not strong enough. Your strength becomes my strenghth. And I am strong enough. You make me strong.” 

From Renee…When you think of Lancaster, Pennsylvania you often think of Dutch Country, the Amish, rolling hills, and farmlands. I had been to Lancaster plenty of times and had the most amazing Pennsylvania Dutch experience every time. It had never dawned on me there was a hip, trendy downtown with the most fun foodie and nightlife scene. So when Alexius and Tony reached out to me when they found their dream wedding venue, The Excelsior, I knew I was in for a gorgeous day.

Alexius planned this entire wedding by herself with no wedding planning experience. From her venue to her luscious florals, the small details to her gorgeous invites, her impeccable dress to her edgy leather jacket, delicious speciality cocktails to a surprise ice cream truck for her groom. If there was a detail to be thought of, our bride, Alexius thought of it.

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This intimate wedding was one of the most thoughtful weddings of 2018. You can truly feel the magic between these two. From the moment Tony looks at his beautiful bride to the fun-filled dance party the moment the reception began. Days like this truly remind me of how important our job is the capture these unforgettable moments for our couples.

Photographer: Renee Hollingshead Photography | Videography: Le Moment Capturer | Florals: Laura of Lauxmont | Dress: Badgley Mischka | Invitations: Minted | Wedding Bands: Smyth Jewelers | Bridesmaids: Katie May | Catering: Signature Catering on King | Makeup: Glam Qui - Marquia | Calligraphy: Peaches and pens | DJ: Ebe Amsterdam | Tux: The Black Tux | Officiant: Groom's Mother | Venue: Excelsior | Ice Cream Truck: Penny's Ice Cream Truck | Month of Coordinator: Simply Events Inc. | Rentals: White Glove Rentals

The 9 Most Loved, On Trend Bridal Hairstyles For 2018

I believe that I am responsible for the messy bun trend. I’m serious! And for those of you that just spit out their coffee, hear me out. I got married WAY back in 2005. And I told my cousin, who is the most amazing stylist ever, that I wanted a messy bun. And then she suggested a messy SIDE bun. And BOOOM. Mind blown. So that’s what I did and I am pretty sure that fireworks went off over Paris and the whole world took note. Okay I’m joking. Obviously. In all seriousness, the mess bun is still a thing because the world is awash with amazing stylists that are able to make a classic look feel modern and chic and right now no matter how long they have been around. So today, we’re talking the hottest bridal hair trends that originated from the classics..the Chignon, the Ponytail, the Up-Down Combo of Greatness. Paired with the most spectacular inspiration from the dream team – Birds of a Feather on design, Charla Stories behind the lens and Max Owens Design on florals and Fringe on beauty- this is one to bookmark before setting up your first trial.

Get it Twisted.

Twists are a BIG deal right now. Whether you wear your hair mostly down with a few twists going from the sides to the back, or you take a more classic hairstyle and update it with twists and turns, this is a look that feels both chic and sophisticated while still retaining a classic vibe.

Messy Braids.

Made famous on runways way back in 2014, the messy braid is still having it’s fashion moment. The bigger and chunkier the braid, the better. Stylists often supplement natural hair so that the impact of the braid can be more “wow” worthy. Whether you fishtail it, rope it, french it, halo it, waterfall it, chainlink it, braid it into a bun or a ponytail or another braid….make it big and beautiful and you will stay on braid trend.

Side Swept.

A bun or a braid, all up or all down or simply in beautiful waves…keeping things side swept ensures equal parts modernity and romance. It also means that in front facing portraits, you can see a whisper of what is sure to be your most beautiful hair moment.

Low Chignons. 

“Chignon” is the French word for bun – though in the context of the way we often use it, Chignon is an abbreviated term, originating from the phrase “chignon du cou,” or “bun at the nape of the neck.” Chignons are usually considered quite formal and traditionally, have been reserved for black tie affairs. But, times are a-changing. The “it girl” style for Chignons right now is to incorporate twists and braids and keep it low on the head which can translate easily into just about any style of wedding from casual to classic.

Simply Styled Up-Dos.

No tendrils hanging down, no fuss, no pomp, no circumstance. Just a classic, well done up-do is and always will be on trend.

Complex Ponytails.

Ponytails are my favorite hairstyle. Especially with a simple, black ribbon. Swoon. But the word ponytail has taken on a way bigger meaning in the bridal world. It’s a finish to an already beautiful style. You can twist or braid the hair, you can wear it low and loose, you can wear it high and quite modern. And best of all, you can pull the fastener out easily at the reception for a casual alternative. They key to a successful ponytail and one that feels and looks more special than your average styling, is to hide the ponytail holders by wrapping hair around them or using invisible rubber bands to create a bit of depth and dimension.

Tiaras, Halos and Headpieces.

We’ve seen barrettes clipped to the top of a gorgeous messy bun, tiaras fit for a princess, or simple pearled halos that just add a little sparkle to your look. Headpieces are especially beautiful if you have a super sheer veil that shows the jewelry’s beauty or if you are ditching a veil altogether and need something to dress up your look. Vintage styling is definitely on trend right now, using antiqued brass and gold as a foundation with delicate, feminine jewels to accentuate.

Half Up to Half Down.

The beauty of the braid and ponytail trend is that you essentially can have two distinct styles that can stand alone or blend together cohesively. By creating interest on the top portion of your hair, then finishing with a low, messy bun or a long and lose ponytail, you can easily transition your look from more formal (ceremony) to more casual (reception).

Hollywood Waves.

The beauty of this style is that it works on both long and shorter, bob style hair. Any texture. Any color. It’s one of those looks that always feels vintage and modern at the same time. That bleeds romance. That looks high end and yet unfussy. Pretty, old hollywood style waves are literally never ever going out of season.

So what are YOUR favorite hair trends for the season? The best advice we have is to scour the web (and good old fashioned magazines) to find inspiration that you can share with your stylist. BUT. And this is a big but. (a big but not a big butt). Give him or her a bit of creative freedom. A good stylist will understand what you want while still taking into account the length of your hair, the shape of your face, the style of of your gown, the texture of your locks. Let them have the space to show you something really beautiful that riffs on – but may not exactly copy – the style you present to them.

Now, a little more about this stunning inspiration shoot from Charla Story… Inspired by the colors of spring, touches of Pantone 2018 ultra violet, and textures galore we created a garden party editorial with al fresco vibes and bridal beauty fun. The Nasher Scuplture center was the perfect mood to pair with our inspiration, the sculptures, and lush garden packed with movement in the art, fountains and beautiful large weeping willow, create a perfect atmosphere. Who doesn’t want to have champagne and enjoy dinner surrounded by such an experience.

Peony season is always exciting, with gorgeous tree peonies, our table is romantic, lush and inviting. Southern Fried Paper created menu’s on beautiful blue velvet that are soft to the touch, and add a classic elegance to the table top experience.

With a fashion edge to this shoot we wanted to showcase several bridal looks, showing brides to be what several options for an outdoor garden wedding, while having fun with different beauty looks, detailed gowns and bouquets!

I think of friends when I see this many brides in one spot, and nothing if more fun than playing dress up.


Photography: Charla Storey Photography | Event Design: Birds Of A Feather Events | Floral Design: Max Owens Design | Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets | Beauty: Fringe Studio | Film Lab: Goodman Film Lab | Gowns, Bridal Salon: Warren Barrón Bridal | Linen: BBJ La Tavola | Museum Scuplture Garden, Modern: Nasher Sculpture Center | Paper: Southern Fried Paper | Rentals: Bella Acento

Emotional Outdoor Wedding at Sarah P. Duke Gardens

You know we love a beautifully styled wedding! From the bride’s intricate lace gown by Tre Bella, to the rich jewel tones in the gorgeous garden blooms by Tre Bella Floral at the Sarah P.Duke Gardens all the way to the breathtaking twinkle lights setting the scene during their evening reception… every detail was on point for this lovely fall wedding in North Carolina! But this lovely celebration was so much more than that. Allison and Paul’s relationship felt serendipitous from the beginning and we witnessed the deeply emotional moments, all captured by the talented Caroline Lima Photography.

Oh, and not to mention, Allison and Paul involved their family members every chance they could, even including the woman who introduced them (then performed during their ceremony… swoon!). The thought and intention put into every moment during their big day made the pretty details planned by Grace Leisure Events that much prettier

From Caroline Lima Photography… Allison and Paul were married at the the beautiful Duke Gardens. The Gardens were bursting with life, and clearly tended with love, so they made the perfect venue for the couple. Their ceremony was one of the most emotional I have ever had the privilege to attend (I love emotional weddings so much!). Paul’s father played the piano as his best man sang, his siblings also sang during the ceremony, so moving! Right before Allison walked down the aisle, I saw Paul press his eyes hard holding his mother’s hand, and I could see such deep emotion on his face; he knew that the love of his life was about to become his wife. A truly beautiful moment to witness!

And the bride…ahhh the bride! Allison radiated joy and grace in the perfect dress with an exquisite lace all-over. The delicate details of her headpiece and her romantic hairstyle were so lovely. And then, to everyone’s delight, this elegant bride absolutely rocked the dance floor! When a wedding runs the gamut from deep emotion to complete joy and wild celebration, it’s simply the best! At one point, Allison’s father took me aside and told me that he was blown away by my work. This meant the world to me.



I feel so very lucky to do what I love, and to share these moments with people as kind as Allison, Paul and their families. I hope you enjoy these photos from their day as much as I enjoyed taking them. A huge thanks to Grace Leisure Events, what a joy to work with them! Allison and Paul’s day was flawless.

From the bride… Paul and I had both recently moved from NYC to Durham when we were introduced by a mutual friend, one of my best college friends who was his pastor. Within the first half-hour of our coffee date I knew that we had a lot in common. Our bond grew from there as he took me on dates like independent movies and a lavender festival, we met each other’s family and friends (his friends and family were immediately fun, warm and welcoming) and discovered that we had a similar worldview.

Our engagement story is also full of synchronicity and it starts many years before we met. The High Line is my favorite place in New York City. I always felt it was a place worthy of something important and life changing, so when I first took my parents there to see it, I said, “I want to get engaged here!” (What can I say? I was dreaming big.) Sure enough, for my 34th birthday Paul took me on a trip to New York City and proposed on the High Line. When I asked him who tipped him off he said, “You did–when you talked about how much you love the High Line!”

We knew we wanted to be married outside and we planned our wedding around three of our most valued tenets: community, art and joy. The woman who introduced us performed the ceremony and we were lucky to involve our creative friends and family, so it was very personal. The whole day was magical! We want to thank our friends and family for their wonderful support as well as everyone who helped our wedding vision come together.

For more images from Paul and Allison’s North Carolina Wedding at Sarah P. Duke Gardens, head on over to Caroline Lima’s Blog! Plus… if you’d like to hear more of the couple’s story, take a peek at their equally charming Engagement Shoot.


Photography: Caroline Lima Photography | Videography: Jon Clark Weddings | Event Design + Planning: Grace Leisure Events LLC | Floral Design: Tre Bella Florist | Wedding Dress: Tre Bella Inc | Cake: Details Cake Design | Stationery: Paperless Post | Shoes: Nina | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Donna Morgan | Catering: Sage & Swift | Lighting: Get Lit Special Event Lighting | Ceremony music: Leigh Stringfellow Harpist | Wedding Venue: Sarah P. Duke Gardens | Groom + Groomsmen's Attire: Bernard's Formalwear | Hair + Make-up: Wink Hair & Makeup | Reception music: Bunn DJ Company | Rentals + Linens: American Party Rentals

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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This Chase Park Plaza Affair Was Coined the Royal Wedding of St. Louis

When you share a wedding date with Meghan + Harry, it’s a given that your Big Day will forever be coined “The Royal Wedding of St. Louis”. And this celebration photographed by Lauren Muckler is so living up to its name. Awash with garden-esque details designed by Megan Rusch Soirees and loads of blooms crafted by The Special Event Florist, this affair is bringing Spring to the ballroom.

Michael and I had been dating for 9 years before we got married, so our wedding day was a long time coming. We also happened to share a wedding date with Harry and Meghan so the whole day it became a running joke that our big day was the Royal Wedding of St. Louis. 

I was too excited to get a full night sleep, so I was up bright and early to watch all of the Royal Wedding day coverage and it really helped put me in the spirit for all of the festivities ahead. And because we shared a date with the royals we really strived to make our day as memorable and beautiful as possible.

We currently live in NYC— Michael is a lawyer and I’m a magazine beauty editor— but we’re both from St. Louis and knew we wanted to have our big day happen in our hometown. Planning from afar was overwhelming, but we are so thankful Michael’s mom hired a planner for us when we were seven months out. We had many Skype meetings with our planner Megan, who really got an understanding of the kind of wedding we wanted. 

It was important to us that our big day reflect our favorite season (spring), so our goal was to have a sophisticated garden party-like theme. Because weather in the Midwest is always so unpredictable, having the ceremony and reception inside were a must but we wanted outdoor space as well. The Chase Park Plaza was the perfect fit for our reception as it has space with two massive outdoor patios.

And even though everyone was inside, we didn’t want them to feel like it. So one of our must-haves was a floral installation above the dance floor. When a floral chandelier was a no-go due to lower ceiling height, we decided on a mix of string lights, greenery and orchids, which was even prettier than a chandelier! 

Other touches personal touches were gold-painted safari animal table number holders as a nod to our engagement in South Africa, a cardboard cut out of us taken on the patio of our reception venue and poppers that were personalized with our monogram and filled with paper crowns, confetti, jokes, whistling lips and bubbles. Another special detail that we’re glad our planner recommended was to tie silk ribbon around our napkins and menu cards— it was such a small and simple element but made such a big impact. Oh and that cake, talk about wedding cake goals!!

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One of my absolute favorite moments of the night was the appearance of our college mascot (the University of Missouri’s Truman the tiger) that Megan and I arranged as a surprise for Michael. The look on his face says it all and the mascot really kept the party going and people on the dance floor. Our wedding truly felt like a fairy tale and we even got our dream send off of sparklers on one of the patios, which are some of our favorite photos of the night. We couldn’t have asked for a more magical day.

Photography: Lauren Muckler Photography | Event Planning + Design: Megan Rusch Soirees | Floral Design: The Special Event Florist | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Cake: Sugarbelle Cakery | Stationery: On Three Designs | Ceremony Venue: St Anthony's Padua | Reception Venue: Chase Park Plaza | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Hair + Makeup: Savanah Summer | Lighting: PSAV | Tuxedos: Men's Wearhouse | Transportation: St Louis Trolley | Bridal Dress Shop: Kleinfeld Bridal | Cocktail Hour Music: Rosewood Ensemble | Dance Floor: Aries Company | Jeweler: Vincent's Jewelers | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Scape American Bistro | Rentals: Exclusive Events, Inc | Videography + DJ: Millennium Productions

Belmond Hotel Caruso is the Prettiest Spot on the Amalfi Coast…Guaranteed

After getting engaged in Ireland, this Bride and Groom set their sights on Italy for a true alfresco wedding experience. And if dining under a sea of olive branches doesn’t fit the bill, then we don’t know what does. Elegant white florals by Malafronte are paired with the prettiest Italian details choreagraphed by Tanya Matthews Event DesignThe Amalfi Experience and all captured by true artists – Sylvie Gil and Weddings on Film. Get lost in the magic of the Amalfi Coast right here.

Jaimie & John got engaged in Ireland, and chose Europe again for their wedding. After some deliberation they settled on the gorgeous (and warm!) Amalfi Coast in Italy for nuptials.

For a pre-wedding brunch, the couple boated their guests out to Positano, and the wedding itself was held on the cliffs of Ravello, overlooking the coast.

  Simple flowers – white and cream hydrangeas and cabbage roses – allowed the beautiful and rugged landscape to speak for itself.

Traditional Italian accents, like an Italian wedding cake and other confections, helped the ceremony feel at home in the setting. The reception was held under a canopy of olive branches.

Photography: Sylvie Gil Photography | Videography: Weddings on Film | Floral Design: Armando Malafronte | Shoes: Stuart Weitzman | Catering: Belmond Hotel Caruso Amalfi Coast | Makeup: Ashley Brook Perryman | Hair: Antonino Santoro | Calligraphy: Penned By Palmer | Lighting: Antares | Men's Attire: George Cleverley | Transportation: Amalfi Coast Private Car | Bride's Attire: Anne Barge | Bridesmaids' Attire: Lula Kate | Cakes & Desserts: Belmond Hotel Caruso Amalfi Coast | Ceremony & Reception: Belmond Hotel Caruso | Music & Entertainment: RMS Srl | Paper Suite: The Lettered Olive | Planning & Design: The Amalfi Experience | Planning & Design: Tanya Matthews Event Design | Rentals: Pressed Fine Linens | Veil: Anne Barge

The Villa at Sunstone Inspired This Couple’s Wedding Style

Sunstone Villa weddings are no strangers to anyone who frequents the pages of SMP! Sunstone – the vineyards and boutique winery – has become one of the premiere destination wineries on the central coast of California. It is now believed to be the oldest, organically producing vineyard in Santa Barbara County. The story of the Rice Family and their move to the nature-soaked Santa Ynez ranch is rich in history and (at least in my mind) part of the inherent charm of the Villa. As you’ll see in these beautiful images from Michelle Beller, the property is a nature-lover’s paradise. For those planning their wedding, Sunstone Villa is the place where dreams really do come true. With the design and planning expertise of XOXO Bride Events and the floral genius of Emblem Flowers, as well as a host of other wedding pro’s by their side, Emily and John’s wedding at The Villa was just that… their dream come true.


From the Bride… Three years before John and I were even engaged I would show people photos of the Villa at Sunstone and say, “This is where I’m getting married!” The natural elegance of the architecture and charm of the surrounding flora, not only made me fall in love with Sunstone as a venue, but inspired a lot of our choices for our wedding day.

We made sure that every element of our wedding complemented and enhanced the setting–from the layers of blush tulle in my Lela Rose gown, which glowed when the sun was behind it, to the hand made (by me!) paper goods featuring sprigs of lavender and rustic elements!

One of our main priorities for the reception was that we have a very active dance floor. By designing the space with dining tables and a lounge area surrounding the dance floor, we were able to contain everyone in one location and keep our guests dancing! One of my favorite moments was when our DJ announced that the dance floor was open and everyone rushed out in excitement… {Watch our highlight film and you’ll see!} Our cinematographer, Amari Productions did a wonderful job of capturing all the emotions of the day. Re-living the day through video and in Michelle’s photos is now one of our favorite pastimes!
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Planning a wedding does seem to take almost an army. All of our amazing vendors went above and beyond to help us pull together our dream day!

In preparing for a wedding, everyone has suggestions for how to make the day special. The best advice I received was to not get separated from John… so we held hands the whole night! We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect start to our marriage.

For more shots of all the wedding details and decor, head into the full gallery!

Photographer: Michelle Beller | Event Planning: XOXO BRIDE Events | Floral Design: Emblem Floral Design Studio | Bakery: Christine Dahl Pastries | Caterer: Field To Table Events | Hair + Make Up: TEAM Hair and Makeup | Lighting: Bella Vista Designs, Inc | Ceremony Music: Anthony Ybarra | Venue: Sunstone Winery & Villa | Bridal Gown: Lela Rose | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Photo Booth: Gavin Roy | Reception Music: Gavin Roy | Rentals: Town And Country | Video: Amari Productions

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
A Mountaintop Engagement in Norway That Will Take Your Breath Away

With portraits that could pass as paintings and the MOST incredible views of the Fjords of Norway, this engagement is sure to take your breath away. Tucked inside is image after gorgeous image captured by Rebecca Yale showcasing everything from lake dock to mountaintop and the sweetest couple too. Find even more right here.

M & J have been living for the last year in Norway so we decided to travel North to the Sognefjord, which a UNESCO World Heritage site, to photograph their engagement session and commemorate their time living in Norway. We spent the week exploring the fjord on land and by boat, taking in the breathtaking scenery.

In the Summer, Norway is the land of the eternal sun, and we got lucky to capture the beautiful blue hour that happens around 10pm when we went for a walk on the dock near our cabin.

A highlight was the portraits we took at the cliffs edge after a hike to an obstructed view of the cliff below.

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
Follow Along as We Overhaul a Dining Room in Six Short Weeks!

We have been huge fans of The One Room Challenge for a long time (read: obsessed) and we are soooo beyond excited to be participating in this Fall challenge that starts, umm TODAY! For those who are new to the series, the gist is 20 bloggers pick one space in their home to design in a mere six weeks, documenting the whole process along the way…the blood, the sweat, the tears, the wallpaper!!

Interior Design: Pencil & Paper Co. | Photography: Leslee Mitchell

The Room

From the title, you may have guessed that I decided to transform my…drumroll please… dining room. And when I say this is long overdue, that’s a complete understatement. This space has endured 5 years of pale yellow walls without a single change. I blame being pregnant with twins when we moved in and trying to raise said humans for lack of painting and redoing former owners’ questionable color choices.

Interior Design: Monika Hibbs

What this room does have going for it is really good bones. Large windows, pretty french doors and the cozy charm of our Cape cottage are all on its resume.

Interior Design: Bria Hammel Interiors | Photography: Spacecrafting

Over all, I want to create a space that’s gorgeous but livable. With not a ton of square footage, every room needs to work double time. Our dining room not only hosts family meals and fun get togethers but it also serves as art barn, office station and even dance party central on occasion.

Interior Design: JS Life & Style

Interior Design: Blackband Design | Photography: Tessa Neustadt

The Inspiration

I am a California girl born and raised who now calls a little sleepy seaside town South of Boston home. And my style is the perfect mash-up of all of the above. For this project, I am marrying my West Coast roots with my New England home. And I like blue, like a lot. So there will definitely be some #blueandwhiteforever vibes wrapped in the design. Add wallpaper to the mix a la this beauty below and we’re on the right track.

Interior Design: Pencil & Paper Co. | Photography: Leslee Mitchell

The Vibe

Modern meets Coastal New England meets cool West Coast vibes…with maybe a dash of boho. Can you dig it?

Interior Design: Studio McGee

Bring on the color, bring on the wallpaper installing adventures and bring on my happy dance as I say adios to pale yellow walls! Next week, I’ll introduce you to the before space and all the goodies I have up my sleeve. Until then, be sure to check out all the other fabulous designers whipping up rooms for this Fall’s ORC. We’re in such good company…

The One Room Challenge Crew

At Home with Ashley | Bre Purposed | 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 | SMP Living

Media Partner Better Homes & Gardens | TM by ORC

Bringing a Chic, Modern Aesthetic to Playa del Carmen’s Blue Diamond

When you travel the globe as destination wedding photographers, how do you decide where to host your very  own Destination wedding? That choice was a tough one for this Bride and Groom (so many favorite spots!) but after careful consideration and a short list of must-haves, the most stunning tropical locale won out. The Blue Diamond in Playa del Carmen played host to this modern affair planned by Love on Top Weddings with images by Kyle John and a film by The Film Poets too. And whatever you do, you must read the Bride’s story about the love letter at the end. It will give you alll the feels.

From the Bride… Garrett and I met our Junior year of college after a football game in the fall. We ran into each other a few weeks later. I worked up the courage to make the first move. It’s been six years and we’ve been glued to each other ever since. He proposed while we were traveling to shoot a wedding in the mountains of Arkansas.

After shooting so many destination weddings together we knew we wanted to have a destination wedding for our special weekend. Once we finished shooting each wedding, we would make a list of the things we loved the most about each one. When it came time to plan our own wedding we knew exactly what details would matter to us the most and what wed need to do to create the most memorable weekend. One of those details we wanted was a tropical location that had a small, boutique hotel. Garrett said he envisioned walking around the resort and no matter where we went, we would see a special familiar face. 

We decided on a location close enough to the US that still had the beauty of a tropical location. We settled on Blue Diamond Resort in Playa del Carmen. The resort is a large property filled with lush, lush greenery and wildlife even natural cenotes that flow throughout the resort between the different villas. It truly felt like we were in Bali when really it was just Mexico! Before selecting our wedding venue we took a “scouting trip” with my parents at the same time one year prior. We picked 5 venues in Playa to tour and stayed 2 nights at three different hotels. This allowed us to get a feel for the space, weather/lighting, food, etc. I highly recommend this to any bride planning a destination wedding! This was super beneficial to our planning process! We were able to meet face to face with our planner Paty and wedding site coordinator Yadira and that was also a huge help bringing to life everything we hoped for our weekend!

The beauty of a destination wedding is that we weren’t restricted to a specific number of guests or forced to make any “cuts” to who was included in our invitation list and who was not. HUGE plus so we never had to worry about hurting anyones feelings! We invited everyone and anyone we wanted on both my side and his side. We made it known that anyone was welcome to join us for our weekend and if anyone wasn’t able to make it we would totally understand! We made our wedding party large. I had 11 bridesmaids and Garrett had 8 groomsmen. Knowing it would be a destination wedding and anticipating that not everyone would be able to come – we selected our wedding party by who we wanted by our side the most. Knowing that if they were in our wedding party they would most likely come! And that was the case! We ended up having 84 guests come to our wedding – way more than we thought. Whether it would have been just our parents and our wedding party we would have been just as happy but having so many others join us was so amazing.

Aside from shooting weddings, Garrett and I get nervous having to speak in front of a bunch of people! We wanted to be fully comfortable while saying our vows to one another during our ceremony. But we had SO many people come to our wedding! The best piece of advice I can give ceremony related is to make your ceremony as personalized as possible catered to what you want out of the ceremony -whatever that means. Here are a few things we did to accomplish that. We wanted someone to officiate the wedding that made us and would make our guests feel comfortable.

We selected a very close family friend that is equally as funny as he is religious. His words were both inspiring and humorous. Garrett was very adamant about doing personal vows. He felt that speaking in front of other people – much less pouring your heart out in front of others, is something that takes a ton of courage. And professing your love to the people you mean the most makes our vows feel that much more solid and real. Neither of us are poets. We poked fun at one another during our vows – which is SO us. We never even had a rehearsal for the ceremony with our wedding party. Which may come as a shock to some since Ive directed so many weddings. But I truly wanted to remove any stiffness or formality to our wedding. When I walked down the aisle with my Dad I hugged my dad, I hugged Garrett, I hugged our officiant. We laughed, we cried, we didn’t think twice about what the “rules” were. Or what we were and weren’t “Supposed” to do. For our “readings” I had our parents write notes of “What I wish for your marriage” that we would hear read for the first time at the ceremony by our cousins.

Ceremony songs:

Wedding Party: God only Knows John Legend
Bride Processional: Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
Recessional: Signed Sealed Delivered Stevie Wonder

Another favorite moment was when we we entered the reception for the the first time. All our guests were lined up in two lines. We picked Guns N Roses “Welcome to the Jungle” for us to run through all our guests. At the very end of the lines my sister was unexpectedly standing there with two tequila shots. When In Mexico right?!?! We took the shots and then began to dance to our first dance! To make sure we had everyone dancing all night long we had our favorite wedding DJ make an upbeat mix for the band to play during the band breaks. So everyone was dancing the entire time!

My Wedding Dress:

I selected two wedding dresses for our wedding day! If I had to describe my personal style in two words it would be both classic and bold. I love modest, simple pieces typically in neutral tones but I also love mixing it up and wearing something super bold and on trend for special occasions. I wanted my Wedding dress for the ceremony to be a sleeveless simple, modest, and timeless dress that would stand the test of time with a uniqueness to it.

The ceremony dress was from an Australian bridal designer, Suzanne Howard. The neckline of the dress came up to my neck (which worked out perfectly because I had a bit of a sunburn snafu and my entire chest was peeling for the wedding. At the top of my waist and at the bottom of my dress and veil was a ladder detail that really made a statement to such a simple dress. It clung to my body to show the shape of my figure and flared out for maximum train effect. For the reception I wanted something that was flown and fun and reflected the location of our wedding in Mexico. The second dress was a slinky lace dress from Grace Loves Lace. Head to toe lace with a full lace cape that cascaded over my shoulders. You truly have to see the images of both dresses for the full effect as they were just breathtaking!

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The Letter:

When I was in high school I was sitting in class one day and pulled out a blank piece of computer paper and began writing a letter and addressed it to “my future husband”.

I finished writing the letter and placed it in an envelope.

Years pass and I find myself dating Garrett and I bring it up to my mom one day and say, “Mom, I know that I wrote a letter to my future husband in high school and wanted to save it for my wedding day – but I haven’t seen it in years and have not a clue where it would be.” We had no luck in finding the letter after plenty of searches to find it.

While helping my parents move out of our childhood home I was going through the drawers in my old room and I pulled out an envelope. I take a peak and there it is written, “ A letter to my future husband”.

My mom and Garrett were in the room and I immediately started crying! I found the letter that I had written when I was a young girl to my future husband. I decided that I would read it to myself that evening, but Garrett would wait to read it until our wedding day.

I finish reading the letter and of course my eyes were filled with tears. Until after reading it, I notice the top right corner of the letter was dated………March 3rd, 2008 ………..….and we were getting married March 3rd, 2018!

I predicted my own wedding date 10 years ago to the day. I thought about my future husband enough to write a letter to him 10 years ago and he would read it for the first time on our wedding day.

Out of 365 days in the year – that was the date we picked! As if the letter wasn’t special enough that just made it feel like fate! Garrett read the letter privately to himself before our ceremony and I shared the letter with our guests after dinner!

Photography: Kyle John Photography | Event Planning: Love On Top Weddings | Wedding Dress: Suzanne Harward | Shoes: Raye | Ring: Heidi Gibson | DJ: Dj Brian B | Band: Party Music Events | Wedding Venue: Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel | MUA: Zoe Elizabeth Makeup Artist | Photography - Assistance: Madison Hope | Video: The Film Poets

Colorful + Whimsical Wedding Done Oh So Right in Phoenix, Arizona!

We’ve noticed that there are a lot of colorful weddings going on in the SW regions of the US. And as much as the all-white or blush and neutral weddings fill our pages, you have to know that we LOVE weddings with brilliant color! Here’s the thing. It can be downright difficult to get the perfect blend of color + energy + ambience from your chosen color palette. The incredibly talented Charity Mauer Photography as well as the passionate team of wedding planners at Some Like It Classic, shared today’s wedding to show you how splendid a color-infused wedding can be. So – get comfy – pull out your reading glasses – pour that last sip of coffee (sub in beverage of choice!). We have a doozy of a recent real wedding from Charity & Kayla that mastered the color wheel at Royal Palms Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. It was SO hard to know how to stop with the images! Head over to the full gallery for more.

From Charity MauerThe perfect recipe for a color-filled wedding can be quite the enigma. Too conservative? Forgettable. Over the top? Garish! But KC, Ben and the incredible Kayla at Some Like It Classic found that elusive balance and executed it perfectly!

Their venue, the Royal Palms Resort, is naturally lush combining the soft greens and blues of desert succulents with the bright pops of red and purple from the geraniums and vincas cultivated by their master gardeners. The pools of crystal blue water reflect sparkles of dappled sunlight making everything in their labyrinth of courtyards shimmer and glow. KC and Ben’s wedding was set amidst this stunning array or colors.

The bougainvillea buds adorning the property seem electrified in the light of the sunset, creating the most beautiful floral backdrops for their romance.

The floral designs from The Flower Studio featured notoriously gorgeous black dahlias (swoon!) scattered amongst peach and orange roses and ranunculus. Blue lupine and sweepings of ferns and other foliage covered the ceremony altar making you feel as though you’d found your way into some forgotten secret garden overgrown with time.

The blue and white chintz tablecloths for their reception dinner paired perfectly with the dusty rose napkins and custom turquoise and fuchsia agate place markers for each guest.

KC’s guests even seemed in on the secret, dressed in gorgeous jewel tones and textured cocktail wear. From the subtle hints of turquoise in her wedding makeup and earrings (she does hail from Texas!), to their custom magenta cocktails, KC and Ben lived their wedding dreams awash in color and beauty. It was a treat to capture such a stunning display on film for this sweet sweet couple!

Photography: Charity Maurer Photography | Wedding Coordinator : Some Like It Classic - Wedding & Event Design | Florist: The Flower Studio | Stationery: Celebrations in Paper | Ceremony Venue: The Royal Palms Resort and Spa Phoenix | Reception Venue: The Royal Palms Resort and Spa Phoenix | DJ: Desert House Productions | Ceremony Music: Michael Land | Transportation: AZ Limo | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Photo Booth: Rendezbooth | Rentals: Prim Rentals | Rentals: Event Rents- Phoenix

Why You Should Consider a Boudoir Shoot Before The Big Day

This romantic photo shoot designed by Poco Uno and held at Sydney’s The Rift Estate is not only serving up inspiration for an unexpected, rich color palette but it also might inspire you to consider a couple’s boudoir. The pictures alone are so insanely gorgeous and when paired with photographer Lana Ivanova‘s tips, you just might dare to go bare and shoot a gorgeous boudoir before the big day.

Creating Intimate Heirlooms

Boudoir with your lover is a whole new experience giving you a chance to get intimate heirlooms from the day of your wedding or not long before the day. You can do it in the comfort of your own home or organize a getaway somewhere, rent a cosy Airbnb and invite a photographer in.

Consider Hiring a Stylist

Hiring a stylist is a brilliant idea. She/he will help the tone of the shoot, work out the details you might need, prepare a set based on the brief and will be a great assistance on the day of the shoot.

Let Your Natural Beauty Shine

If you are after a more casual environment just come as you are and be your everyday self and let your photographer capture the magic between you two.

Trust Your Photographer

We all might feel a little shy in front of the camera sometimes , especially if it’s a boudoir shoot, unveiling your vulnerability. Just let your photographer guide you through the shoot (I’m sure every photographer has their own tricks how to make you comfortable), be present in the moment, enjoy the experience and forget everything around you. Imagine it’s just the 2 of you in the room.

Have Fun!

Make each other laugh throughout the day, give each other little pinches and kiss each other’s faces. Those little moments are so precious. Spontaneous and fun are the best images there are and are the easiest to achieve. All you need to do is be you!

More from Lana…We started with some boudoir shots in one of the bedrooms. It felt so nice and easy and our beautiful couple was so natural in front of the camera sharing their embraces and kisses with each other. We made each other laugh all the way through and it felt so easy right at the start.

As the day unfolded we moved onto an official part of the shoot when our lovely stylist Miss Sierra Ramke surprised us all with mind-blowing gown from Vera Wang.

Stylish, modern cut contrasted by the black bridesmaid outfit was definitely a stand out and Maroon velvet jacket on the groom was a centerpiece of it all.

Photography: Lana Ivanova | Event Design: Poco Uno | Make Up and Hair: Sonia Allen Makeup | Calligraphy : Small Brown Writes | Wedding Venue: The Rift, Bowral | Gowns: Vera Wang | Gowns: Match Made Bridal | Gowns: Sofia Roe | Models: Paris and Otti | Wardrobe stylist: Sierra Ramke

9 of the Most Romantic, Low Key Ways to Propose Ever

When I was dating my now husband, the most romantic proposal I’d ever seen was one without any pomp or circumstance. It was from the movie Stepmom (I realize I’m dating myself here) and Ed Harris crawls into bed with Julie Roberts and gifts her a ring box with a spool of thread inside. Having been married before, he tells her – while tying the thread to her finger – that he allowed the thread of love to break once, then slides the ring onto the string where it beautifully falls onto her finger, promising her it will never break again. I die. It was warm and intimate and relaxed and easy. And that to me is romance. Alongside with a STUNNING proposal shoot by Hannah Alyssa – with florals by Branch Design Studio, design by WED and paper by Dear Jane Designs – here are 9 of the most romantic, so low key ways to propose ever.

Take her to one of the most romantic cities in the country.

Our picks? Charleston all the way for the number one spot. “From the cities’ cobblestone streets to their hidden alleyways, from their cozy cafés to their sophisticated style…Charleston is perfection.” –Photographer, Hannah Alyssa

Followed in random order by Aspen, Savannah, San Francisco, Honolulu, New Orleans, and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Write a love letter.

There are few things as special in this technology filled world as a simple, handwritten letter. In it, tell him/her about WHY you love them. When you fell in love. Where you hope to see your love go. Really think about those moments that made your story all come together.

Take her/him to the city, and the street, where you met.

I will never forget walking around the streets of San Francisco with my husband after he proposed, getting a coffee at our favorite coffee bar, having dinner where we had our first date, just wandering around and seeing the beautiful homes that outlined the place where we spent those early days in our relationship. So so romantic.

Plan a luxurious dinner set for 2.

Flowers, candles, a beautiful backdrop and a wonderful meal. The recipe for the absolute most perfect proposal. Even if it’s takeout from your favorite restaurant in your own backyard, setting the ambiance in a way that feels special is what will turn a regular dinner into a proposal worthy dinner.

Or rent out the whole place.

While this may not be very budget friendly, there are pretty incredible bed and breakfasts, small restaurants and even homes in most cities around the world where you can rent out the space and bring in a small team to help you build the dinner and proposal of your dreams.

Write a fictional story based on the two of you…and as she reads the end, get down on one knee.

It may sound cheesy but writing down “your story” is something that you will treasure for years and years. Something that you will share with your children, that you will read to your grandchildren. Something that you can visit each anniversary as a tradition that will make you remember why you fell in love, how you fell in love.

Drive around to all of your favorite places and propose at the very last one.

It’s a far neglected past time…going for a drive. Visiting the places most meaningful, watching the sunset, “parking” with a kiss and a great song. While visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea my husband and I parked the car, cranked up the heat, rolled down the windows and turned up the music. It was overwhelmingly romantic and frankly, he should have proposed all over again.

Hire a photographer to do a couple shoot … though have her really shoot the proposal.

There are very few times in your life where you have a photographer come follow you around. And while bringing up a “couples shoot” might clue her in, it’s still a wonderful way to get this once in a lifetime moment on camera AND will give you both an excuse to dress up.

Gift her a keepsake box filled with memories…and a ring.

From pressed flowers to ticket stubs, birthday cards to emails printed. From souvenirs to receipts, photos to train tickets. Fill the box with the mementos that tell your story and deep inside, tuck a beautiful ring.

Photography: Hannah Alyssa Photography | Florals: Branch Design Studio | Jewelry: Croghans | Makeup: Pampered and Pretty | Hair: Ash & Co. | Vintage Car: Lowcountry Valet | Venue: Lowndes Grove Plantation | Café: Good Food Catering | Catering + Pastries: Patrick Properties Hospitality Group | Day Dress: ALEXIS | Dried Florals: Southern Bloom Press | Evening Dress: Needle & Thread | Event Design + Décor: WED | Groom's Styling + Attire: M. Dumas & Sons | Heels: Shoes on King | Ottoman: Snyder Event Rentals | Paper Goods: Dear Jane Designs | Styling Board: OneStone West | Table: Event DRS | Table Runner: Silk and Willow | Tabletop Décor: Polished

Private Vows Before the Real Wedding At Marbella Country Club

Finding ways to personalize your wedding is one of the top five things we hear when couples share their thoughts on planning their big day. But… what IF that applied strictly to you (as a couple). This couple did something we’ve never seen before and it was the groom’s idea! He wanted a moment, before all their guests arrived, not only for a first look, but also to exchange their own private vows, alone. Just the two of them (plus their photographer, of course). Sara Weir was more than happy to oblige! As you’ll see in the full gallery, the emotional (and super entertaining) shots are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

From Sara Weir PhotographyThis couple has the most wonderful friendship and chemistry! They are a very private couple and wanted to share personal vows. The groom’s idea, actually…

At our first meeting the Groom expressed his desire to share their vows privately. He wanted to know what she’d say! So each prepared very special vows that they repeated to each other in Korean as we photographed their spontaneous reactions.

It was a beautiful moment I’ve only seen repeated one other time and something I would love for other couples, who feel similarly, to consider.

The florals from Finding Flora created the perfect color palette. This wedding at Marbella Country Club felt like something straight out of a European wedding shoot, but took place in Sunny Southern California!

Providence and Planning did a beautiful job creating memorable details for this sweet couple’s wonderful wedding day! All the lovely paper products were artistically penned by Ettie Kim Studio and included the place cards, welcome signage plus handmade paper for the vow books ~ and of course the calligraphy on all!

Our thanks to Sara Weir, the other wedding vendors and most especially to this lovely couple for sharing what might be the next new things in weddings!

Photography: Sara Weir | Event Planning: Providence and Planning | Floral Design: Finding Flora | Stationery: Ettie Kim Calligraphy + Design | Calligraphy: Ettie Kim Calligraphy + Design | DJ: HiFly Events | Wedding Venue: Marbella Country Club | Beauty: Kohnur | Bridal Boutique: Tomato Wedding | Day of Paper: Ettie Kim Calligraphy + Design | Linens: BBJ La Tavola

The Most Stunning Telluride Elopement With Only 7 Guests

Surrounded by the Colorado mountains and a handful of the most important people in their lives, Cammy and Chang celebrated their wedding day with the most stunning destination elopement captured by Sophie Epton. This is an alfresco affair in the truest sense. There’s nothing but fresh Telluride air, the prettiest floral topped tablescape by Remi + Gold, thoughtful papergoods by Boarding School Collective  and the happiest of celebrations. See the full day unfold right here!

Surrounded by nothing but mountains and a deep drive in from the highway, this magical place was the perfect venue for Cammy and Chang to make it official after eight years of dating. Originally from South Korea, Chang moved to the United States and met Cammy in Austin, Texas while attending college. After instantly connecting over a love of food and nature, they spent many nights talking until 2am and watching “Planet Earth,” in forts they built in Cammy’s living room. When Chang finally asked Cammy to marry him, she opened her door one Friday night after work to see rose petals leading to a fort that Chang had built in her living room, only this time he had strung lights inside and was down on one knee, asking her to marry him- so adorable and such a great nod to how their relationship first started!

Wanting to do something different than so many other weddings they had been to together, Cammy and Chang searched high and low for a place to get married for a destination elopement- considering everything from Mexico to Italy. One day, Cammy stumbled across Dunton Hot Springs online, and from the moment she saw it, she knew she had found the venue.

Although this wedding was super small (only Cammy’s parents and brother attended) the thought and care they put into this wedding was so precious and so representative of who they are as a couple. Being a nature lover, but also a girly-girl, Cammy wanted to make sure that the wedding really mirrored both the rugged outdoors and their love of nature with lots of feminine touches and a subtle ode to Chang’s South Korean background.

Cammy LOVES flowers more than most brides I’ve ever met, and so she hired Twyla with Remi + Gold to come all the way from Austin to create a stunning ceremony backdrop, and all the delicious florals throughout the day for her bouquet + the reception table- they included many garden roses to represent how Chang proposed, and Twyla also spent the entire morning of the wedding foraging greenery and brush from a nearby hillside to incorporate the Colorado location into her floral creations.

Circles and the idea of combined “yin” and “yang” are very important in the Korean culture, so that idea was also found throughout the wedding day. The ceremony site was specifically designed in a half-circle so that Cammy and Chang could complete the “circle” during their vows to represent that their two worlds would be connected, a true unity.

Even their gorgeous watercolor invites by Boarding School Collective included a family crest of “C” for Chang (another nod to Chang’s background) surrounded by a circle of roses, and a delicate illustration of Dunton Hot Springs on top as a forever reminder of their day.

After a short and sweet ceremony with handwritten vows amongst the Rockies, the bride and groom headed to their outdoor reception where they were greeted with champagne for a family toast. Cammy has a major sweet tooth and decided to serve dessert before dinner- a Triple Berry Cake- it was the first dessert she ever baked for Chang when they were dating, and she gave the chef at Dunton Hot Springs the recipe so they could recreate it for their day along with several other sweet treats.

The rest of the night was spent feasting and laughing under the stars, followed by a sunrise photo session at Trout Lake where Cammy and Chang were really in their element with nature.

Photography: Sophie Epton Photography | Florals: Remi and Gold | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Gold Flatware: CB2 | Invitation Suite + Signage: The Boarding School Collective | Silk Napkins: Silk and Willow | Table Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Velvet Ring Box: The Mrs Box

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Sneak a Peek at the Most Gorgeous Backyard Oasis

If you aren’t quite ready to give up warm weather and alfresco living, feast your eyes on the most gorgeous backyard retreat. Crafted by Molly Wood Garden Design, it has everything from glam poolside lounging spots, to a fire pit just begging for wine and s’mores and a blue door that definitely makes an entrance. Full tour and lots of Summer yearning captured by Lane Dittoe right this way.

Can you share with us a little bit about the owners?
The owners are a really sweet and stylish couple with an active, young son. They wanted to create more useable outdoor space to enjoy and entertain with friends and family. The wife has been shopping at my store, Molly Wood Garden Design in Costa Mesa, for a while now – so we knew our styles would jive.

What was the goal for this project?
Our goal for this project was to blur the lines from inside to out – to live with the doors open and really be able to enjoy the indoor/outdoor living year-round, as we are lucky enough to do in Southern California. 

They also wanted to add a pool, as well as a dining area, cozy fire pit, and a pool house with a TV and BBQ. It was a big project and we are so happy with how it turned out.

Do you have a favorite part of the project?
I love the fountain with gravel and plants in the entry – when you come through the entry gates it gives the feeling that you’ve entered into a special space. I also love the herringbone brick detail.

How would you describe the style/aesthetic of this outdoor space?
I use #CaliforniaGarden with all my projects. We live in such a dreamy state, why would we aspire to be anything else? In this garden we were going for a bit of a Napa vibe, loose and natural with a classic foundation.

We had a dream team on this project! The homeowners have worked with interior designer Mindy Gayer  for years and she helped develop their home and exterior details, it was fun to collaborate with her. The builders were Christiano Homes, a fabulous local builder.

I brought in wicker chairs from Sika-Design, a Danish line I love for both inside and out. Mindy brought in the umbrella from Serena & Lily that really sets the “relaxing poolside” vibe.

Photography: lane Dittoe fine art wedding photographs | Design : Molly Wood Garden Design | Builder: Christiano homes | Interior Designer: Mindy Gayer

NFL Star Levine Toilolo Ties The Knot at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort

We are so lucky to have such incredibly talented wedding pros to work alongside at SMP. We never take for granted the steady influx of absurdly beautiful content that comes in our door, thanks not only to the brides and grooms who share their dreamy days with us, but the wedding ARTISTS who are willing to work with us behind the scenes to craft the beauty seen here on a daily basis. Artists ~ because the word vendor doesn’t even begin to scratch the talent surface. Artists like Gloria and Cory, the husband and wife duo behind McCune Photography – a fine art focused brand that is responsible for some of our most favorite wedding moments ever. This wedding celebrates the marriage of NFL star Levine Toilolo with his supermodel wife Stephanie and their absolutely lovely, faith and family filled day that they hosted, designed exquisitely by Square Root Designs. Scroll down through all of the lovely and see the impressive list of vendors/artists that helped make this day a raging success.

After meeting NFL player Levine Toilolo, Stephanie was captivated by their instant connection and unforgettable conversation. From the very start, she knew he was the one. Levine proposed to Stephanie on his birthday.

They immediately fell in love with the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort since it had that dreamy outdoor California feel. They knew they would be able to have a gorgeous outdoor ceremony, followed by a luxe indoor reception where their friends and family could dine on the best food and dance until the wee hours. 

Showcasing a modern and timeless elegance, the décor was a mixture of white and gold with lush greenery dreamed up by Square Root Designs.


During the ceremony, Stephanie wore in a custom couture Inbal Dror gown. White florals and monstera leaves adorned the ceremony and reception space. 

Their wedding was infused with special details like her custom garter made from his Atlanta Falcons Jersey and a photo of Stephanie’s late father lovingly carried in her bouquet.

Honoring Levine’s Samoan heritage was accomplished by flying in leis from Hawaii and including the Taualuga dance during the reception.

Levine and Stephanie’s priority was to make the day all about their family and friends, making it unforgettable.

 

Photography: Mccune Photography | Cinematography: Hoo Films | Wedding Dress: Inbal Dror | Cake: Nomi Restaurant | Invitations: Minted | Wedding Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Sherri Hill | Makeup: Faces by Rob | Hair : Design Visage | Entertainment: Vive Entertainment | Band: The Katinas | Groomsmen's Attire: Vera Wang | String Quartet: Subito Strings | Ceremony & Reception: Park Hyatt Aviara Resort: Luxury Carlsbad Resort | Day After Session: Greystone Mansion | Day After Session Bouquet: Nisie's Enchanted Florist | Desserts: The Sugar Phiosophers | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Floral Design & Rentals: Square Root | Garter: La Gartier Wedding Garters | Lighting & Dance Floor: TMMPRO | Martini Luge: Carving Ice | Rentals: Chiavari Chair Rentals | Veil: Wedding Salon Of Manhasset

Luxury Al Fresco Wedding in Provence at Hotel Du Castellet

Welcome back to the Little Black Book Blog! Yesterday we featured a wedding film from one of our beloved LBB cinematographers, Chromata Films ~ a French Riviera Wedding… an enchanting three-day weekend celebration. Today, we have a Sunday Matinee Feature from another of Chromata Film’s most recent weddings! This wedding weekend takes place in the very heart of Provence ~ it’s full of light-hearted merriment and all-out fun. And yet, when the Rabbi speaks, during the ceremony, the full significance of the occasion rings clearly thru. He says, “… the promises you’ll make today are genuinely above and beyond everything else. A declaration of faith, not only in each other but in the very purpose of human existence…. because one of the greatest purposes of human existence, is to bring yourself to another person… and share that faith with them.

From Kevin & Laura Lopez from Chromata FilmsSome days you wake up and you just realize how lucky you are and because of that… how grateful you must be. When we got to know Mikela and Alan and knew we were going to shoot their incredible Jewish Wedding in Provence, we knew that the time to be grateful was here again.

Spending two entire days with them and their lovely family was such a great experience ~ on so many levels. Mikela and Alan’s wedding weekend is unforgettable and will be etched in our minds forever.

Between the wedding venue, the surroundings, the bride and groom, the incredible wedding dress designed by Elie Saab, the jewelry, the guests and the beautiful wedding decor, it was breathtaking, to say the least. When you watch their wedding film you will understand how unique and incredible their days were. We hope you will enjoy watching this wedding film as much as we enjoyed creating it! Mazal Tov!

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Liz from White Label Events not only did a fantastic job of making the couple’s dream wedding a reality, she also made sure that we had everything we could possibly need to shoot in the best conditions. Also working with Sebastien Boudot, the main photographer, was a breeze and our collaboration went extremely well.

If you missed Tracy and Thomas’s Luxury French Riviera Wedding featured on Style Me Pretty yesterday, you can view it right here: French Riviera Wedding at Cap Estel

And… here are a couple more of our lates films:

Fairytale Wedding at Villa Ephrussi Rotschild

Wedding in Provence at Chateau Valmousse

You can see more of our cinematic-style wedding films on our website, blog and Instagram … we’d love to hear from you!

Wedding Cinema: chromata Films | Wedding Planner: white label events | Wedding Dress: Elie Saab | Ceremony Venue: hotel du castelet