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

Fun Colorado Rocky Mountains Engagement Shoot

In collaboration with Little White Dress Bridal Boutique and Eden Boutique, Decorus Photography hosted an engagement session giveaway to one lucky bride in Denver who won a portrait session, an engagement session outfit from Eden Boutique and a credit toward a wedding gown from Little White Dress Bridal! Florals provided by

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” – John Muir

After deciding to host a beautiful garden wedding in the heart of the city in Denver, Lily and Keegan wanted to capture their engagement session in the mountains, and we couldn’t have chosen a more picturesque location. Their adorable fur-baby Jack joined in on the fun! This little guy was made for the camera and ate up every bit of attention we gave him! Sharing this experience with these two was such a joy and you could tell that they had something totally natural and truly heartfelt.

From the Bride… Back in 2014, Keegan was living in Denver and working for a small tech company based in Charleston, SC. On one particular trip to Charleston for work, he met Lily, a southern belle that had roots in SC, but also loved the Colorado Mountains and had recently returned to Charleston after living in Crested Butte for a winter. She missed the mountains dearly. When she crossed paths with Keegan at work, they were immediately drawn to each other over their love for Colorado. Keegan cancelled his flight back to Denver and stayed in Charleston to spend a few more days with Lily. Fast forward six months, and Lily was moving back west to be with her two loves – Colorado and Keegan!

….. The rest is history!

Photography: Kristina Svezintsev | Florals : byBello Events | Wedding Dress: Little White Dress Bridal Shop | Engagement Dress: Eden Boutique Denver | Silk Ribbon: Tono + Co

Julia Engel’s Gorgeous Backyard Makeover Will Make You Crave Eternal Summer

I am SO not ready for summer to be over. But we’re in the last stretch here folks… and that means soaking in as much sunshine an al fresco dining as I can get. You with me? If so, you may want to take a gander at the darling little patio of one of our favorite fashion bloggers, Julie Engel of Gal Meets Glam. It’s equal parts cozy and gorgeous and it’s beckoning for a perfectly chilled glass of rosé and a fresh, summery meal. Granted, she lives in Charleston, so she can probably enjoy this scene a lot longer than some of us! But more the reason to live vicariously through these pretty images.

This summer, lifestyle blogger and designer, Julia Engel, is all about the natural earth tones, and through her partnership with Lowe’s, recently incorporated this color scheme into her newly renovated Charleston home backyard. Check out below a few ways Julia incorporated pops of blue and green throughout her outdoor space via products, projects and gorgeous greenery that helped transform her backyard into a dining and entertaining oasis.

Refine the Dining Area

To make her dining terrace look and feel lighter, Julia refinished her patio chairs with white Krylon spray paint, which is a durable primer and paint in one. She then replaced the chairs seat cushions with, dark navy ones, creating a cool atmosphere in the warm Charleston heat! To finish the look, Julia set the table with her favorite dinnerware. The pops of blue and white in the dishes perfectly compliment the luscious greenery in her potted plant centerpieces.

Revamp Your Shutters

Want to add a subtle touch of color to your house? Shutters are a great place to start! Julia’s Charleston home is aligned with pastel-blue shutters, which adds a soft touch of color to the outdoor space. To achieve this look, Lowe’s recommends using a paint with a gloss finish, as it is easy to clean and provides a nice contrast to house siding.

Adds Pots that Pop

As we know, plants are an easy way to add a touch of color into a space, but so are the pots they’re planted in! Subtly stealing the show in Julia’s backyard, ceramic blue pots filled with delicate blue and white flowers make a mark of their own on the warm, blonde bar cart and throughout the patio entrance.

Home Improvement Supplier: Lowes | Krylon Fusion All-in-one General Purpose White Spray Paint: Lowes | Lifestyle Influencer Gal Meets Glam: Gal Meets Glam | Pennington Blue Ceramic Nantucket Planter: Lowes | allen + roth Canvas Navy Patio Chair Cushion: Lowes

Glamorous + Rainy Bohemian Wedding at Palm Springs’ O’Donnell House

Dreaming of sunny skies without a stitch of rain on your wedding day? You are not alone! But this Palm Springs wedding is here to prove that sprinkles can be downright glamorous (and make for really sweet photo ops… just saying). Layered with that signature bougainvillea of O’Donell House, gold accents, and a few peacock chairs too, Ether & Smith’s images showcase a stunning affair that ends with dancing under a sea of raindrops.

From the Bride… Aaron and I met in Austin in grad school. He was quiet and thoughtful and I was a loud social butterfly. We eventually became close friends bonding over a mutual love of fashion, Tex-Mex happy hours and British period dramas. There was a lot of sheepish flirting and finally some liquid courage lead Aaron to confess his feelings. Not too long after that, we began dating. And then even quicker still, fell in love.

After graduation, he moved to San Fransisco and I moved to New York for separate jobs. Being apart made us realize we never wanted to do it again. Four years later we went to a floating lantern festival in the desert, and as fireworks went off and the lanterns floated into the sky he got on one knee and popped the question. I was delighted. He reminded me politely that I didn’t actually say yes. So then I finally gave him his, “yes!”

We decided to get married in Palm Springs because it had become a favorite escape for us and it seemed the perfect place to bring all our family and friends together. Palm Trees, beautiful mountains and blue pools everywhere you look, it’s hard to beat. We wanted a scenic garden vibe and the O’Donnell house had the perfect combination of lush bougainvillea and an awe-inspiring view of the whole city.

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We kept the color scheme relatively neutral with some copper and blush to let the greenery and deep pink flowers at the venue do most of the work. Overall we wanted a bohemian, romantic feel. We played up the natural garden vibe, by incorporating lush garlands and flowers throughout the venue. We couldn’t have been happier with the result, and although it rained on the day, we were so delighted with the overall feeling amidst our closest friends and family that we *barely* noticed.

The ceremony was everything we could have asked for. We had a close friend officiate and everything felt personal and custom to who we are as as couple. Hearing each others personal vows was so special. We laughed the entire time.

Another highlight was seeing our wonderful friends and family embrace our weather problems and just dance their hearts out in the rain. The whole wedding should be a reflection of you as a couple as much as possible and not who you think you should be, or what others think you should do. We cut certain “traditions,” added things we liked, cut things we didn’t and, despite the rain, it turned out perfectly.

My advice to other couples is to realize that something will go wrong at your wedding, and that it is beyond your control. No amount of spreadsheet checklists could stop the clouds opening and raining down on notoriously sunny Palm Springs. You just have to laugh and realize that the unplanned moments will become the most memorable. Also, enjoy and focus on all the good things while you’re in it.

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Wedding Dresses

Rue De Seine

Young Love

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Exchanging Vows Among the Sycamores at Santa Ynez’s Kestral Park

Because great things come in pairs, we have another wickedly stunning affair captured by Tenth & Grace coming at ya. This Santa Ynez wedding reads like a who’s who of crazy good wedding backdrops. Everything from the lavender infused 17th Century Norman style barn, to golden fields for portraits and a tree-lined ceremony can be found tucked inside. And we haven’t even started on the pretty, pretty details planned by Alegria by Design, with florals by Precious and Blooming. Dive in friends, it’s a good one.

From Tanya at Tenth & Grace… Santa Ynez in the summer is a perfect location for a wedding, and Emily and Todd’s wedding at Kestrel Park was no exception. The beautiful sun-drenched weather was the perfect complement for the lush greenery and colorful florals designed by Precious & Blooming and Alegria by Design. The couple exchanged vows underneath the Sycamore Allée, lined with lush trees and surrounded by their friends and families. Guests moved to cocktail hour in the gardens before dining al fresco on the reception lawn.

Emily and Todd had a joyous celebration with their guests, but what struck me most was how present and loving they were with each other. The love they share is evident in the way they looked at each other throughout this incredible day!

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TEAM Hair and Makeup

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Modern Maui Romance at Olowalu Plantation

As a wedding planner, my approach to being ‘The Bride’ was less formal than most. My fiancé and I knew that we wanted a venue that was intimate, romantic and exclusive. We had designed so many wonderful events in San Diego over the past five years, we thought a destination wedding would be refreshing! In order to blend both of our styles, we decided “Modern Romance” was fitting for our design aesthetic. ~ from Alyssa of Aly Ann Events

Crazy enough, we did not see the venue or meet any of our vendors (minus our photographer and officiant who we flew to Hawaii) in person before the big day!

On the morning of our wedding, my mother gifted me a book “Letters to my Daughters on the Art of Being a Wife”. Wow, what a special and loving gift! I have treasured the heartfelt notes presented inside over the last few months.

While finalizing our day-of details, there were two events that we included in the program that were special to our story. First, was the rose ceremony. Once the officiant pronounced us man and wife, he gave us each a rose. This was the first gift we officially gave to one other and a symbol of the commitment we had just made. He encouraged us to celebrate our love with a single rose on each anniversary and to bring one home when things were rocky. We thought this was a beautiful way to not only remember our day, but begin this next chapter together.

I adore the little things, especially delicate details, so it was a true joy working with a lilac/ivory color palette. This combination is subtle, yet sophisticated. We hoped to create a lush garden feel in paradise. The lilac/lavender duo was a gorgeous compliment to all of the greenery on the island.

The second special event was to set aside time after the formal dances to surprise my parents with their “first dance”. When they were married 26 years ago, they did not have the opportunity to have this special moment. My husband was kind enough to grace them with this time to the song they had originally planned to dance to many years ago, Chances Are by Johnny Mathis. I will never forget those few minutes of pure bliss. They were so happy.

After four months of marriage, my husband and I are still so happy with our wedding in Maui. It was so fun seeing guests (total of 70) all over the island the week before the big day and celebrating together. The smaller guest count allowed us to spend more money on specialty items, like the velvet rose linen that many of the guests loved!

Now ~ please enjoy this heartwarming short film of Adam and Alyssa’s wedding day from Sunlit Films!!
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Flower Girls

Joanna August

Babes of the Nile

Ceremony

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Lingerie

Plum Pretty Sugar

Castelbel & Trumpet

Signature

Lilli Tru

PomPon

Plum Pretty Sugar for BHLDN

PPS Couture

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Every Last Blush Colored Floral is Tucked Inside This Saddlerock Ranch Affair

Cloudy days have nothing on this flower filled wedding. Set against the sweeping views from Saddlerock Ranch, CCL Weddings & Events planned an affair completely decked out in charming details. We’re talking an overflow of lush florals by Honeycomb Affair, not one but two knockout gowns and a killer champagne tower all captured by Tenth & Grace. It’s a day 100% fueled by love and flower power.

From Tanya at Tenth & Grace… The weather may have been gloomy for Monica and Tim’s Malibu wedding day, but the pure joy and love that radiated from them throughout the day more than made up for the lack of sun. The day was full of lush florals, including the unique asymmetrical ceremony installation and a head table that has to be seen to be believed!

There were so many happy and emotional moments throughout this wedding, especially when Tim saw Monica for the first time during their first look. The love felt between Tim and Monica and their families and friends was so evident during the toasts – Tim’s brother brought the entire crowd to tears discussing Tim’s late grandfather. Monica and Tim met at a Swedish House Mafia concert, and their bridal party incorporated that into a sweet surprise for the couple at the reception. During the toasts, one of the groomsmen unveiled a custom Swedish House Mafia painting – just to remind Monica and Tim where it all began!

5 Ways To Make Your Home More “Life-Friendly”

Just yesterday, my toddler was tossing strawberries on the floor at breakfast and throwing his milk at dinner. I’m in the go-with-it stage of life right now friends, so these tips are coming at the perfect time! Plus, they’re coming from a designer that I adore beyond words—the ever-talented Bria Hammel. Bria also has kiddos (Brooklyn and Louie), which means I trust her advice 110% when it comes to “life-friendly”. And, she just launched her gorgeous new shop, Brooke & Lou this week, named after those little sweeties of course! It’s filled to the brim with beautiful, livable pieces for everyday homes… just what this toddler mama needs. Anyone else with me? Let’s read on for the tips!

(Pictured: Brooke & Lou Kiawah Coffee Table)

1. Rethink the Coffee Table.

Avoid sharp edges when you have kiddos running around! We love something made of Rattan like this piece from our Brooke & Lou collection. Not only does it hide crumbs, stains and imperfections, it’s not made of wood or glass so you don’t have to worry about scratches or fingerprints.

(Pictured: Caitlin Wilson Rug)

2. Play with Pattern.

We love to build our clients’ spaces around patterned rugs like this one from Caitlin Wilson. Not only are they beautiful, but a rug with heavy color and pattern will hide kids’ messes, food stains, and dog hair.

(Pictured: Brooke & Lou Eloise Sofa)

3. Pay Attention to the Fabric.

Invest in pieces with timeless styles and durability. Leather, prints, and darker fabrics are all a safe bet. But for those who would like to go lighter in color and still feel secure in their investment, we have some great options at Brooke & Lou. I worked with my team to create our very own life-friendly fabrics that withstand everyday messes (goodbye red wine stains and peanut butter fingerprints – you can truly just wipe them away!).

(Pictured: Pottery Barn Beachcomber Lidded Tulip Basket)

4. When in doubt, throw it in a basket!

Nothing hides a mess or makes for easy clean up like a chic basket. Perfect for tidying up a room quickly, these baskets from Pottery Barn can store toys, games, and blankets – you name it. Bonus points if the basket has a lid!

(Pictured: Brooke & Lou French Pine Dining Table)

5. Embrace the Weather.

Choose a dining table that already has a weathered or distressed look so that as time goes on, it looks natural and you don’t have to worry about the wear and tear.

Interior Design: Bria Hammel Interiors | Shop: Brooke & Lou

The Palm House at Brooklyn Botanic Garden Wedding That Barely Beat The Rain

From Jainé at Brklyn View Photography… A week before Sue and Chris’s wedding at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, the weather called for rain and heavy thunderstorms. We started to prepare for the worst. The happy couple purchased very cute clear umbrella’s from Kate Spade New York and went into their wedding day with positive attitudes hoping for the best. And guess, what happened? We beat the rain! As Sue began to put on her beautiful wedding dress from Rivini By Rita Vinieris at the Marriott Hotel at Brooklyn Bridge, the drizzle started to slow down. By the time we arrived at The Palm House, the rain had completely stopped! We were in luck!!

It was an emotional first look between Sue and Chris inside the stunning Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. Afterwards, we walked the gardens making stops at Bluebell Wood, the Rose Garden and Magnolia Plaza during their bridal portraits. As I photographed the very last family photo, the rain started again. It was divine timing if I have ever seen it! Our two hour window for photos was absolutely rain-free!!

Sue and Chris held their wedding ceremony inside the breathtaking Palm House at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. They recently renovated the space and it’s so much lighter and brighter now which of course, I absolutely love. What an incredible wedding venue to say your vows and become husband and wife.

The newlyweds shared their first kiss and celebrated their marriage with their closest family and friends. Hank Lane’s Sugar Lane Band brought the house down as everyone danced the night away!

Sue and Chris are a perfect match and it was so incredible to be part of their wedding from their engagement session to capturing their wonderful wedding day. I cannot wait to see where these two go (they are always traveling!) and I hope to stay part of their lives capturing all their important moments as husband and wife! Congratulations Newlyweds!! Xo ~ Jainé

See more of Brklyn View’s fantastic work in their Style Me Pretty Portfolio and on their blog!

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Jenny Yoo

Spring 2014 Maternity

2016 Bridesmaid Collection

2016 Bridal Collection

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Spring 2017 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

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Fall 2016 Separates Collection

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Spring 2017 Separates Collection

Spring 2017 Bridesmaids Collection

Spring 2018 Bridal Collection

Spring 2018 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

Spring 2018 Flower Girl Collection

Spring 2018 Bridesmaid Collection

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Step Inside Interior Designer Rachel Madden’s Warm, Organic Home

Home tours are my favorite features here on SMP Living. But when we get to step inside an that’s the home of the actual interior designer behind the beauty? It’s extra exciting. And what I love most about today’s tour, of the lovely Rachel Madden’s abode, is that it’s just SO incredibly inviting and practical, while still being off-the-charts gorgeous all at the same time. Helynn Ospina and David Livingston photographed every room to perfection—let’s take a walk through!

From Rachel Madden… This home sits on 1/2 acre and has stunning views of the SF bay, city and rolling hills. The home’s main draw are its large spanning windows and gorgeous views, and so I designed the house to let that take center stage. I designed the interior with a subtle color palate that mimicked the outdoors and chose earthy, textural materials to create a natural flow and connection between the indoor/outdoor spaces.

The great room which included the living, dining and kitchen has a stacked stone fireplace which acts as the focal point of the entire space. The natural colors and muted tones in the stone are carried throughout the 3 spaces to create a cohesive look.

With the great room as our only living/dining space, it was important to design it as a mulit-purpose space that was practical for us to live our everyday lives while still feeling elegant enough to host our guests. Creating something that felt casual and elegant all at the same time was the goal for the space, and we accomplished that with pieces that were earthy and relaxed, but fresh and modern

For the great room (including kitchen, dining, Living), we used lighting from Ro Sham Beaux, Sectional from Restoration Hardware, Chairs from Noir, side table from Made Goods, John Robshaw pillows, Galbraith and Paul pillows, Serena and Lily rug, throw and tray, Cisco Home mirror, Bungalow 5 dining table, Wishbone chair replica from Rove concepts, Serena and Lily counter stools.

Photography: David Livingston | Photography: Helynn Ospina | Interior Designer: Rachel Madden Interiors

Are You a Fine Art Bride? Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is Your Spot.

I’m crushing hard on today’s styled shoot… the bride, her Elizabeth Dye dress, that centerpiece from Kase Styles. Yes. yes. yes. My favorite aspect is that it coins a style of bride I haven’t yet heard of, but one we see a lot on SMP—the ‘fine art bride’. If you want to live, breath and swim in elegance, charm and all things soft, flowy and gracious, this one is just for you darling. And you’ll probably want to give Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum a good hard look, too. Natashia Nicole crafted a breathtaking gallery that you’ll want to pin your heart out in, see it all here!

From Natasha Nicole Photography… Inspired by the historic Villa Terrace in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this shoot centered around classic, old world, and romantic styling. The neutral white stucco and vibrant corals and pinks of Villa Terrace set the mood for this light, romantic inspiration. We also drew inspiration from the stunning, feminine Elizabeth Dye gown. Delicate calligraphy, soft neutral silk ribbon, organic florals, and touches of elegance were offset by a minimalist tablescape. We wanted to understate the design to not draw attention away from the stunning architecture and landscapes surrounding Villa Terrace. This inspiration was designed for the fine art bride.

When Savannah History Meets Miami Modern Wedding

From Josh Morehouse, Masi Events and Colonial House of Flowers… Elsie and Alonso call Miami home, but decided to have an intimate destination wedding in historic Savannah, Georgia! Lucky for them, Elsie’s sister Jessica is the owner and designer of Masi Events. Elsie does acting on the side in Miami, and Alonso does film production. One day, they happened to be working on the same project and met on set. From what we’ve heard, there was an instant attraction from both….

From Josh Morehouse… On their wedding day, we were spared about 10 minutes for the first look and a few portraits before the rain came poring down. Although they were hoping to explore more of downtown Savannah, and even Wormsloe Plantation, the rain simply couldn’t dampen their mood.

Some couples just have something special, and it was an absolute honor to photograph and be a part of their wedding day!

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Event Planning

Masi Events

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A Dark Unused Office Transformed Into a Bright, Colorful Space

Having an extra all-purpose room in a home is sooo nice. Especially when you’ve got kiddos (big or small!). That’s exactly what this stunning space, designed by Lindsey Brooke, serves as. Think: homework room, movie room, game room, and a place the kids can go to escape… genius! The best part—not only does it have the functionality factor, it’s beautiful to boot. See every bit captured by Amy Bartlam, right here!

From Lindsey Brooke Design… We turned a dark unused office, into a bright, colorful teenage hangout space the whole family can enjoy. Since the family loves the ocean (and lives so close), we used that as our inspiration and starting point. We pulled in lots of blues, warm blushes and whites and then mixed texture in the rug and other textiles. We really needed to make sure this space was comfortable and designed for two coed siblings. Since the room is small we started with a modular sofa that can be shifted in many different ways and designed the rest of the space around it. This space has been used as a homework room, movie room, game room, and a place the kids can go to escape. Blending in functionality with design was key here and we were able to accomplish that!

Photography: Amy Bartlam | Designer: Lindsey Brooke Design

Looking for the Perfect Engagement Ring? Here are 10 Things You Should Know.

With vintage-inspired sparklers and colored gems definitely having their moment last year, we’ve been excited to see the stunning engagement ring trends of 2018—it sure has been a gorgeous year for left-hand bling so far. And there are still plenty of proposals waiting to happen this year! So, who better to guide us on everything we should know, than the experts at PGI and Blue Nile? Scroll for a Q&A on what you’ll be seeing a LOT of in the coming months and into next year. #beplatinum

1. What popular engagement ring trend do you see phasing out in 2018?

Blue Nile: I would say it’s not so much a matter of trends phasing out but subtly shifting. We’re seeing the same classic styles revamped with modern twists, like a detailed prong or profile.

2. What metal is having its moment in 2018?

Blue Nile: Rose gold is still trending but the most buzzed-about engagement rings (think Ariana Grande’s pear-shaped diamond) are usually set in platinum. #beplatinum

3. We’re all about the classic diamond, but is there any other gemstone 2018 brides should keep their eyes on?

Blue Nile: Sapphires or rubies are a great alternative center stone for an engagement ring. Aside from a diamond, they are the hardest and are also the most resistant to scratches, chips. With proper care will retain their luster the longest.

4. Why do you think online ordering is so hot right now?

Blue Nile: It’s really a matter of modern love and relationships. Today’s couples want to be able to blend new norms with celebrated traditions. Previously, the engagement ring shopping experience was known to be confusing, expensive, inconvenient, and intimidating. With the option to buy online, couples can shop on their own terms and feel confident in their choice of ring because they have the best selection and value at their fingertips 24/7.

5. On that note, how can a groom feel confident when ordering a ring online? How can you be sure you’re getting a quality ring?

Blue Nile: When buying an engagement ring online, it’s important to know the diamond is accompanied by an independent grading report from a respected lab like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The quality of a diamond accompanied by one of those reports is considered guaranteed. At Blue Nile, all of our rings are accompanied by a GIA report and we stand behind every piece.

6. We know that platinum is always the go-to metal for engagement rings for a number of reasons. Is that a trend you see holding strong this year? Why?

Blue Nile: Platinum is always a good choice for an engagement ring because of its durability. It is stronger than gold, which makes it ideal for securing the diamonds in your ring, and it is truly white so won’t need to be re-plated to maintain its color like white gold. For those who prefer a non-white look like rose gold (see #2), we still recommend setting your center diamond in a Platinum Crown because platinum holds your diamond most securely and won’t cast any color into your diamond. #beplatinum

7. We loved all of the solitaire oval rings in 2017. What cut do you see rising in popularity for this year?

Blue Nile: The cushion-cut is definitely growing in popularity this year. It’s the cut of Meghan Markle’s center stone so that could be a driving factor.

8. How can a minimalist bride still achieve that wow factor with her ring while staying true to her aesthetic?

Blue Nile: Opt for a dainty setting with a high-quality diamond that is cut to maximize the brilliance. It will turn heads without being over-the-top.

9. What would you say to a bride who has fallen in love with a trend (like vintage-inspired rings), but is afraid to take the leap?

Blue Nile: If you’re afraid your tastes will change, consider taking aspects of the style you love and incorporating it into a classic setting. For example: If your current tastes lean towards vintage, art-deco and you feel it might be too much for you in a few years, consider a three-stone ring with a round center and baguette side stones in a classic platinum setting. #beplatinum

10. Halos are all the rage right now. What other setting do you think will have their moment in 2018?

Blue Nile: Twisting settings and surprise side details are popular updates to more traditional styles. They provide that unique detail brides want in something as personal as an engagement ring.

Paris Engagement Experience From the Other Side

From the Bride-to-Be …. I’m a wedding photographer based in Paris. It is difficult for me to tell you what it’s like to go to the other side of the camera for my own engagement shoot! I met our photographer, Tamara Gruner, during her workshop in Provence. I must thank her and the wonderful Stephanie de Wep for their advice for our engagement session. As the founder of Studio Ohlala, a collective of 40 artists from the world of fashion, hair, makeup and nail stylists, I know that fine art brings a timeless experience to all editorial photo shoots…

Tamara suggested that we start our shoot in the most iconic places in Paris. With her encouragement, we were able to feel natural and comfortable during the shoot. The day became a series of moments of intimacy, with my love, during a morning walk in Paris!

Tamara told us, “It’s a once in a lifetime experience. Enjoy it!”

Transforming a Garden Into the Most Glamorous Black + White Celebration

When these grooms declared “nothing but neutrals”, Jennifer Matteo was up for the challenge. The result is the most elegant alfresco affair in a sea of black and white. That classic combo was paired with all white florals by Tailored Twig, gilded accents and the lush green backdrop of Spanish Point. Does it get any prettier than a black tie affair under the stars? We think not and Katelyn Prisco’s images are the proof.

This wedding was like no other that we have done. From the couple’s personalities being completely electrifying when they were together, to watching their wedding set-up and unfold, we were the happiest wedding planning team in the world on February 9, 2018.

As both men requested they only have neutral colors, we decided to go with black and white. When planning this wedding, black and white weren’t boring to us, like others may think. We took it to a whole new level with different textures, levels of florals, lighting, and an overall romantic and intimate touch.

When you looked at the Reception space, you felt like you had been taken to a whole new place – it was amazing how an open grass canvas was turned into someone’s dream wedding. As the pictures don’t give this couples aesthetic justice, this wedding brought us to tears, made us laugh, and most importantly a day Derek and Herman will cherish forever.

From the Grooms…Herman and I met February 2008 in a provincial beach town in South Florida. On the evening we met, I knew that he was the one. Due to my tenacious nature, I then proclaimed to Herman that we were destined to be together forever. Herman was apprehensive and told me that I was crazy!

But none the less, exactly 10 years later, Herman and I stood before each other and proved that we were soul mates.

Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club Wedding With That Real Wow Factor

Through the years, we’ve featured many weddings from Michael and Anna Costa Photography, but today’s might be my all-time-favorite! For lots of reasons. Cascading orchids plus an abundance of white roses… that crisp California sunshine and a positively romantic dance on the beach… well, you’ll see for yourself! This black and white wedding took place at Four Season’s Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club. But before we get to that, take a look at these fun getting ready moments…

And then, of course… Rick and Annie’s first look…

From Michael and Anna Costa Photography…. Annie and Rick’s nuptials took place in the elegant setting of the Four Seasons Santa Barbara surrounded by their closest friends and family. Beneath cascading orchids and olive branches they said their “I do’s” and sealed it with a kiss!

Their celebratory feast was set on the incomparable La Pacifica Terrace of the historical Coral Casino with the ocean waves crashing in the background. The open air tent dripping with hanging crystal chandeliers created a serene canopy for this outdoor feast. The fresh scent of roses combined with the lush greenery dressed the feasting tables over which their guests toasted the bride and groom.

With their guests enjoying this beautiful soiree the bride and groom slipped away to the beach for a moment alone and a final kiss just as the sun sunk into the ocean.

Want to see more of Michael and Anna’s work? Take a look at their extensive SMP Portfolio of published features or head on over to their website and blog!

Celebrating Baby With Insanely Good Party Bites

This baby shower is so much more than your average mimosas and party games sort of shindig. There are pretzels people! And cookies. And donuts. And don’t get us started on the comfort food style sandwiches. You get the gist. Imagine all of your favorite food groups paired with the prettiest styling by It’s a Sparkly Life and captured by Lisa Renault Photographie. If you are on any sort of a restrictive diet, fair warning there’s a whole lot of yummy headed your way.

Fairly early on in my pregnancy I had decided that a traditional baby shower was not going to be in the cards for me! Instead, I wanted to throw a party myself for our closest friends that I knew would be a regular part of Baby G’s life. I wanted to have lots of food, delicious drinks and charming details that I knew my guests would appreciate it. We opted to even call it a Baby Bash party to ensure our guests knew that it wasn’t going to be what they expected!

We invited men and women, omitted the traditional games and made sure to have plenty of cocktails flowing! Being a life & style blogger myself, I knew I had to step it up a notch to make this Baby Bash exactly what I envisioned! I wanted the color scheme to be very soft and neutral- I’m having a boy however blue is not exactly my preferred color for party planning! I tried to incorporate soft blues when I could, and they blended so well with the other neutrals.

Aura Design is my favourite florist here in Montreal and they made us the most beautiful simple arrangements. I had my dear friend Lisa Renault photograph the whole event- I’ve been working with her for two years now and she just captures the best details! Since good food was a must for me, I reached out to Brera Catering for some amazing dishes. We opted to have a good amount of time reserved for passed appetizers and then treated our guests to a selection of sandwiches, salads and pastas. Not pictured? The mushroom pasta that finished three times over!

Bretzel et Compagnie also supplied us with amazing pretzels that I used to set up a Pretzel Bar. I have to give credit to my husband for amusing me and making the stand for me. I think he knew better than to argue with an 8 month pregnant woman! The result was one of my favourite features of the party. Add in a fun donut and coffee cart, some bubbly as favours, and a delicious St-Germain signature cocktail, and we were all set!

As this was a party we were throwing ourself, budget did come to play quite a few times! I opted to do a mix of professional calligraphy via Imagine Joy and balanced it with some Etsy and Minted purchases. Having a set bar menu like we did also helps you control the types of alcohol you need to purchase. Ps people loved being served a signature cocktail and we actually ran out of St-Germain. The Pretzel Bar was also a DIY that ended up being an inexpensive but aww worthy feature. All in all it was the perfect mix for us and will be a day that we won’t forget!

A Breathtaking Wedding at Manila’s Whitespace Venue

Every day, we feature beautiful weddings. We are lucky in that over the course of 10+ years, SMP has sort of established itself as one of the few places to share the prettiest of the pretty weddings and trust me when I tell you, there are no shortage of them. But every now and then we get a wedding that takes the word beautiful to an entirely new level. That truly takes my breath away. And this is one of those very special weddings. I can’t tell if it’s the exquisite photography by Kurt Boomer, the shockingly gorgeous design by Gideon Hermosa or simply the bride in her stunning loveliness that made me fall so in love. Regardless, this is a wedding that I will never ever forget.

From the Groom: Hannah and I first met in Signet, a menswear store that I co-founded with some friends. We had just opened our first store and Hannah was there accompanying her brother, Bryan, shopping. Our store manager called me because Bryan wanted to pay with a check. I gave my approval and decided to pass by the store but I didn’t think that they would still be there.

When I entered the store, I saw Hannah from the corner of my eye and thought to myself, “hey, she’s pretty cute.” but thinking that she must’ve been Bryan’s girlfriend. When they left, I asked our store staff and they told me that she was the customer’s sister.

I didn’t think I would ever meet her again but fast forward to the weekend, Hannah came back again with another friend to check out some shoes. This time I got to talk to her a bit and found out that she was traveling around Europe with her brother in a few months time.

She also mentioned that Bryan was starting to get into photography. I told her that we were going to be in Florence, Italy around the same time to attend Pitti Uomo, a big menswear trade show and invited the both of them to swing by and come take photos of all the menswear people hanging around the area. And that’s how everything began…

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/264748923 600 338]

Pippin Hill Wedding in Stunning Charlottesville

Pippin Hill has forever been my number one most favorite wedding venue here in the US. Probably in the world. It’s organically stunning and because of it’s innate beauty set against the Charlottesville backdrop and it’s incredible bones, Pippin Hill tends to attract vendors, brides and grooms who share the classic and yet quietly joyful aesthetic. And if you knew the amazing owner, Lynn Easton, you’d agree that Pippin Hill was built and bred to be just that. A place where laughter and family reign queen and the beauty takes a backstage to the pure happiness behind each and every wedding. So when my sweet friend, photographer Jen Fariello, sent over this amazing wedding at Pippin Hill – with florals by Southern Blooms and planning by Donovan Groves Events…I couldn’t wait to share it with you.

From the Bride… I always wanted an outdoor wedding with natural colors and greenery. When we first visited Pippin Hill after getting engaged last July, we immediately knew it was “the place” with it’s lush green vineyards, hydrangea entrance, wild flowers, and the beautiful backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We were lucky to have a sunny summer day and also have the hydrangeas in bloom for our wedding!

As we did not do a first look, our favorite part of the day was the short time after the ceremony when we were lead to the hydrangea area. We had a few moments alone to soak it all in!

William is French/Dutch and me, American. Since we were having an American wedding, we decided to honor his Dutch heritage with our color palette and styling. We chose shades of orange and Delft blue to start. Everything else soon fell into place with vintage blue and white plates, Dutch vases, and pops of orange in our florals and William’s bow tie.

We also displayed his family crest on an American bourbon barrel head which matches his family ring that he wore for the ceremony. The most fun nod to Willam’s Dutch heritage was the bicycles we used for our getaway! They also added a lovely decor touch to the ceremony entrance.

The definite highlight of the evening was when William took the stage with his friends for a short performance. I soon got pulled up for our own rendition of Twist and Shout! To tie in William’s evening guitar performance, we swapped out a guestbook for a guitar signing.

And now… please enjoy this quick look back at Jenna and William’s positively beautiful day in a short film from Shaking Hands Productions!
[iframe https://player.vimeo.com/video/293599388 600 338]

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Tyler Garden Love Shoot: The Path of Two Soulmates

The best of friends over a decade ago, Kiamarie and David would lose touch as their lives ventured down different paths. As they lost each other, Kiamarie would also lose her home, her job, her mother and her will to push forward through life’s ups and downs. David would suffer similar hardships. As nearly a decade passed, the two would pick up the pieces of their lives and find their way back to one another as a chance meeting out one night brought an instant connection between them once again. This time would be different though because they would become inseparable…

Pretty much love at first sight! They decided to celebrate this magical moment and their love for one another with a couple’s session photographed by the amazingly talented Lauren Fair in the beautiful location of Tyler Gardens. Kiamarie, now a successful and established wedding photographer herself (KSS Photography), knew this session with David had to be endearing. She incorporated lush large blooms in a colorful and beautiful bouquet to display her happiness and joy to be back with the man of her dreams, balloons to remind them of their younger playful days and laser cutouts with the saying “you’re my person” which was a surprise to David and how she told him he truly had her heart forever. Destined to be, the two NOW have each others hearts once again forever and always like meant to be soulmates.

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1. What popular engagement ring trend do you see phasing out in 2018?

2. What metal is having its moment in 2018?

3. We’re all about the classic diamond, but is there any other gemstone 2018 brides should keep their eyes on?

4. Why do you think online ordering is so hot right now?

5. On that note, how can a groom feel confident when ordering a ring online? How can you be sure you’re getting a quality ring?

6. We know that platinum is always the go-to metal for engagement rings for a number of reasons. Is that a trend you see holding strong this year? Why?

7. We loved all of the solitaire oval rings in 2017. What cut do you see rising in popularity for this year?

8. How can a minimalist bride still achieve that wow factor with her ring while staying true to her aesthetic?

9. What would you say to a bride who has fallen in love with a trend (like vintage-inspired rings), but is afraid to take the leap?

10. Halos are all the rage right now. What other setting do you think will have their moment in 2018?

Join The Conversation

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