I’m all for a good pop of color and these bursts of red are beyond perfect. With a vintage chic vibe, this Brooklyn wedding wows from start to finish with color and style, and Brklyn View Photography captured all the chic and sweet looks that make this a real winner. See it all here – and be prepared to start pinning pretty red bridesmaid dresses pronto (so good, right?!)!

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From Brklyn View Photography… On a perfect day in Brooklyn, Jenna and Evan prepared to get married in front of their closest family and friends at 501 Union. Jenna is an artist by trade and designed the couples intricate and beautiful wedding invitations. The Bride wore a detailed lace wedding dress with a mix of vintage and modern flare adorned with her grandmother’s clutch, mother’s earrings and crystal encrusted headpiece. Jenna’s engagement ring is a stunner! The diamond and slightly ovaled shaped diamond is a family heirloom that Evan had created into her engagement ring – so romantic!!

The bridesmaids each picked our their own dress in similar vibrant hues of red and coral creating such a lovely pop of color among the bridal party. Stems Brooklyn constructed an incredible floral Chuppah that had a tropical twist.

For the couples first look, we walked over the Gowanus Canal to find a bit of greenery in Brooklyn which made for absolutely perfect portraits. Their Jewish wedding ceremony was filled with honored traditions, lots of love and even a few happy tears.

Simple and elegant touches decorated the reception space at 501 Union while guest enjoyed cocktail hour at the bar and danced the night away under the disco ball. It was truly a magical wedding day and I’m so honored to have been there with them to capture all the special and shared moments.

Photography: Jainé Kershner Photography | Coordination: Modern Kicks | Floral Design: Stems Brooklyn | Wedding Invitations: Jenna Stempel-Lobell | Bride's Shoes: Altuzarra | Catering: Purslane Catering | Hair + Makeup: Rouge NY | DJ: Love Junkies | Groom's Attire: Nordstrom | String Quartet: Lucy Music | Wedding Venue: 501 Union | Bridal Boutique: Lovely Bridal Shop | Bride's Headband: Lovely Bridal Shop | Rentals: Broadway Party Rentals

Think pink and pineapples and you are well on your way to dreaming up this blushing airbnb in Sacramento, Ca. Masterminded by Melissa Johnson of Best Friends for Frosting, it incorporates all the things she loves in one sweet little spot. The #SOBestFriendsForFrosting Airbnb is a fun and completely pinworthy extension of Melissa’s happy, happy brand. Take the full tour captured by Ashley Baumgartner and Andy Johnson below!

The #SOBestFriendsForFrosting Airbnb was designed to give the Best Friends For Frosting website’s viewers a real life experience of the brand. The Airbnb itself was named after the #SOBestFriendsForFrosting hashtag which has over 115,000 shares.

Front Porch

Pineapple Door Bell | Door Color: Kelly Moore Paint: “Skinny Dip” | Pineapple Door Mat | Plant & Porch Light: IKEA

Living Room

Gray Sofa C/O CORT Furniture | Pink Tassle Throw Blanket | Table Top Books: Sweet Bakeshop, Lauren Conrad, Kate Hudson, Cupcakes & Cashmere, & Candace Cameron Bure | Hanging Globe Light (we ordered the 12 inch) | Pink Rug | Pink Chair C/O Joybird | Rattan Chair & Bookshelf were from a garage sale | Glass Coffee Table | Mirror above fireplace | Chinoiserie Vase

Dining Room

Dining Room Table & Chairs from IKEA | Brass Sputnik Chandlier | Bar Cart C/O Z Gallerie

Johnson combined her inspiration from the Best Friends For Frosting community and recent projects, to design each room herself. All elements of the home were crafted to reflect the popular and ever-growing brand.

Kitchen

Gold Handles. We ordered these and these | Blue Rug | KitchenAid Mixer | Hanging Globe Light (we ordered the 12 inch)

Breakfast Nook

White Tulip Table | Pink Chairs

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Photography: Ashley Baumgartner | Photography: Andy Johnson | Creative Direction and Interior Design: Best Friends For Frosting

Today is National Grandparent’s Day. Which is sort of a mixed bag of emotion. Why do we need a day to celebrate the best part of our world? And yet as life gets busier and busier, a day like today is also a simple reminder that we need to slow down, to sit alongside family, to open our hearts to the life well lived of the people who came before us and learn from the lessons that only that life well lived can teach. Today, we have the most beautiful love story – a marriage of 55 years, a love that began with one bridesmaid and a borrowed dress – with photographs by the lovely, lovely Hannah Forsberg. And a lesson that after all of the gifts have been opened, the kisses kissed and the hugs hugged…it’s the marriage that matters most.

From Hannah Forsberg… In a culture that often treats love and marriage as disposable, Judi and Dave are a couple that have a beautiful and rare story of just the opposite. Not only are they such a joy to be around and wonderful mentors, but they are also dear friends. I’ve had the privilege of watching their marriage for years and the way they love each other unconditionally is an inspiration and testament to the popular verse that is so often recited during weddings from 1 Corinthians 13:8 which says, “Love never fails”.

While getting coffee with Judi and hearing her advice on love and marriage, I realized that I needed to share their story with the world. During the wedding planning process, it is so easy in this visually-driven society we live in to become caught up in the things that will pass away – forgetting that your marriage is what matters most and that it is hard work. Love goes beyond the wedding day. You only have your venue for a few hours, your flowers will fade, your wedding dress will go into storage, and your wedding album will be sitting on your living room table. But your marriage? That is what matters most and that is what will have the lasting effect. I hope that these images serve as a reminder that love is a commitment – a commitment of humility, patience, and forgiveness. I hope that that these images inspire you to remember that love is walking hand in-hand together, growing, learning, and striving – that yes, while it is still hard work, true love exists.

Judi and Dave’s joy is infectious and they spent this afternoon wrapped up into each other, whispering secrets and telling stories.  I was left without words after spending that day with them, in awe of how tender and infatuated they are with each other. When Judi walked out in her gorgeous outfit, gorgeous Ginger Rose bouquet, and all made up by Erin Ryser, Dave said: “Wow, will you marry me all over again?” My heart melted. There were so many other moments like this, where he helped her out down a flight of stairs and continuously opening doors for her and knowing just what to say to make her laugh. It’s the days like these where I am left overwhelmed by the fact that it is such a privilege to be a photographer and reminded that it is because of love and stories like this that I became a photographer in the first place.

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From Dave, the groom… Judi and I met in Cheyenne, Wyoming where I was serving in the Air Force and where Judi was attending Stewardess Training for United Airlines. I was from Indiana and Judi grew up in Illinois, so we had the mid-west in common. It was a short 4 ½ weeks of getting to know one another and in that short time together, we fell in love and promised to marry each other. The only obstacle was I had an overseas commitment left in my tour of duty.  I was sent to Puerto Rico and we began writing letters to each other every day for the next two years until I finished my tour of duty. After I was able to obtain leave of service, we became engaged over a New Year’s weekend on January 1st 1963 at 12:01am. We married that same year in September after I was discharged.

What was important to both of us was to be together after waiting and being separated by distance for almost 2 years. We had hardly any money so our wedding day was very simple. We loved each other and that is what mattered. Our wedding was one bridesmaid, a borrowed wedding dress, and one best man in a church in Judi’s home town of Downers Grove, Illinois.

My favorite thing about Judi is that she loves learning and is very diligent in her pursuits. She makes wise choices with her gift of creativity, which is shown in every room in our home.  She is always industrious and I love telling others how much of a Proverbs 31 woman she has become in our almost 55 years of marriage. She works hard; plans ahead; respects me greatly; is a wise counselor; and is a wonderful model of a Godly woman.

From Judi, the bride… What I love about Dave is that He is a patient man, asks good questions, is not a rash decision maker. I have learned a lot from him. He is conservative by nature, orderly and thorough at everything he does.  I trust him implicitly.  He is kind and generous and has given me a lot of freedom to develop my interests without demanding anything from me.  Of course, this causes me to want to serve and love him more. The most honest thing that I can say about love is that love is learned behavior.  It can be romantic, but often is just living and serving each other, working together toward healthy living with family, children, parents, in-laws etc. The biggest thing I’ve learned over the years and advise other couples is to accept each other and don’t try to change the person.  Pray for your spouse, ask God to make changes in YOU, and let God move your spouse’s heart.

Photography: Hannah Forsberg | Florist: Ginger Rose | Cake: Gingerspice Bakery | Hair & Makeup: Erin Ryser | Calligraphy: Morphosis Studio | Film Lab: The Find Lab | Lace Top: BHLDN

From the Bride… As a little girl, I always dreamed of getting married in the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, Florida. This Gilded Age mansion was once Henry Flagler’s wedding gift to his wife. Once Oliver and I looked at it together, we knew, immediately that it was the place for us. With the help of an amazing team of vendors… Anthology, Masi Events, Katie Lopez Photography, Nuage Designs, Pinwheel Film Company (and SO many more!) we were able to curate a day that was the start of the next incredible chapter of our lives as husband and wife…

We wanted the day to represent who we were as a couple, where we came from, where we have been, and where we are going. With this in mind, we planned our wedding style to be a “New England meets Floridian” theme. New England – since that is where Oliver is from, where both of us still have family (my parents go there four months out of the year) and where I spent every summer in Chatham, Cape Cod growing up. And Florida – since that is where I am from, where both of us met, currently live and where we were getting married. 

Our theme was carried throughout our wedding day in all of our details, from the food (we served lobster roll and crab cake apps!) to the flowers (we used oranges and magnolias). The design was really first executed with our paper details and monogram by PAPEL & CO. In the monogram, we chose to use a hydrangea to represent New England and a banana leaf to represent Palm Beach. We used the monogram as our key visual, shown not only through our day of pieces, but also my wedding gift and our cocktail bars facade. Natalia from PAPEL & CO also did an amazing job illustrating the foliage of both locations in a cohesive way on our invitation pieces. We even had vintage stamps that represented both places, like a Cape Cod lighthouse and Florida Egrets.

In terms of the detail colors, both were a big significance in terms of our family. Blue and White china was incorporated into our design throughout as it represented the tradition of family – my grandmother and my mother, who are Danish, have both collected and used royal Copenhagen fine china throughout my life. The blue and white china detail was shown through our escort card display and day of signage (which were plates my mom and I collected throughout wedding planning), our cocktail linens (by Nuage!), our wedding card Ginger Jar, and our reception vaseware. 

My favorite crafted detail was the escort card display as it was a labor of love by my mom and our amazing vendors – Jessica from Masi Events and Veronica from Anthology. The display was the statement piece I always dreamed of.

Our cake – by Earth & Sugar was a mix of classy and casual. We used classic buttercream frosting and styled it with florals by Anthology but the flavor was more casual. Using funfetti cake and cream cheese frosting.

Our flowers exceeded all our expectations thanks to Veronica from Anthology. The florals really represented New England meets Florida — using foliage from New England mixed with oranges from Florida. They were subtle, yet elegant and using low mixes of florals in blue and white vases, it assured an intimate dinner party vibe.

Oliver and I met (and work) at Burger King Corporate in Miami. So bringing this fun element of our story was especially important when thinking about our “late night food.” We created a custom logo using “The Hurds” with BK’s logo. This logo was used on the packaging for burgers and fries. We even branded it a “whopper of wedding” and handed out crowns during the Hora Loca.

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More from the Bride… With the “New England meets Floridian” theme in mind, we curated our primary color palette and style to represent the scenery of both locations. Our colors were ivory, dusty blue, dusty green plus blue/white china and rose gold details. 

My gown was by Hayley Paige paired with Jimmy Choo heels. The dress was a modern take on a traditional style. The art deco sequins on the traditional mermaid style was just what I was looking for. I paired it with Jimmy Choo shoes that had an orchid on them which was important to me (as I was born in Hawaii). 

For personal florals, Anthology used silvery green sage, garden roses and peonies and tied the bridesmaids’ bouquets with dusty blue velvet. At the ceremony and reception, Veronica used cascading urn arrangements inspired by the urns at Flagler. The magnolia urn arrangements at the reception added height to the room without ruining guests view of each other.

Incorporating unique and personal elements was one of my favorites part of wedding planning. Jessica and I worked together to see what touch points would most exemplify Oliver and me:

• Oliver rowed at University of Penn so the men’s drink was served with a wood oar and I attended FSU so the female drink was served with a wood arrow.
• He is also a notorious instagrammer amongst his friends for constantly posting food with the hashtag #tubbyapproved. Since Oliver was the lead on all things food with the help of Chez Gourmet, it was important we used this hashtag as an Easter egg on our wedding details. We used this on our cocktail napkins and our menu cards.
• Although neither of us are Hispanic, the Miami and Hispanic culture of “hora loca’s” is important to us since we have attended many weddings with this element. We thought it would be an amazing touch to end the night.
• We added Jordan almonds as a personal favor on the tablescape. As this a Greek heritage and was also served at my parents’ wedding, it was important that we continued the tradition.
• For many years Oliver and I have always said our future family drink would be a “HURDicane” to represent our new last name and South Florida hurricanes. Having Chez Gourmet curate this for the first time and serve it at our cocktail hour was so special.

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My one piece of advice to brides it to make it a weekend event – I was so glad we had events starting Thursday through Sunday because it gave us an opportunity to really talk and engage with to our guests on other events besides the wedding day. So on the wedding day, we could focus on enjoying time with each other and seeing those people who were only there on the day of. Making it a weekend event doesn’t need to be too expensive either – on Thursday we did a Cheeseburgers in Paradise themed BBQ in my parents backyard with bridal party and family as a welcome party.

Photography: Katie Lopez Photography | Cinematography: Pinwheel Film Company | Wedding Planning and Design: Masi Events | Floral Design: Anthology Co. | Cake: Earth And Sugar | Catering: Chez Gourmet | Lighting: Globadyne Production | Entertainment: Tropics Entertainment | Transportation: Molly's Trolleys | Ceremony and Reception : Flagler Museum | Hair and Make-up: Sissi Ceballos | Invitations and papergoods: Papel & Co. | Linens and Rentals: Nuage Designs | Rentals: Elements & Accents | Rentals: Atlas Party Rentals

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I would be lying if I said I have never, ever googled “best front door colors according to feng shui”. Because I totally have; just last week in fact. And there is a whole system to picking the perfect hue. I love a good navy but for my West facing entry, that is a no go. So  download a compass app on your phone and figure out which way your front door faces. Then get to painting! May the chi be a flowin, friends.

Photography: Jen Rodriguez

North Facing Doors

compass reading from 337.5 to 22.5
Feng Shui Element – Water

Best Colors – Blue, Black 

Alternative Options – White, Gray 

Colors to Avoid – yellow, orange, green, brown, red, deep pink

Photography: Melanie Gabrielle

Northeast Facing Doors

compass reading from 22.5 to 67.5
Feng Shui Element –  Earth

Best Colors – Earthy/ Sandy Colors, Light Yellow

Alternative Options – Red, Purple, Deep Orange, Strong Yellow, Pink

Colors to Avoid – green, black, blue, gray, white

Photography: Pura Soul Photography

East Facing Doors

compass reading from 67.5 to 112.5
Feng Shui Element – Wood

Best Colors – Green, Brown

Alternative Options – Blue, Black, Light Yellow, Earthy Colors

Colors to Avoid – Purple, Red, White, Gray

Photography: Judy Pak

Southeast Facing Doors

compass reading from 112.5 to 157.5
Feng Shui Element – Wood

Best Colors – Green, Blue

Alternative Options – Brown, Black, Light Yellow, Earthy Colors

Colors to Avoid – Purple, Red, White, Gray

Photography: Anson Smart

South Facing Doors

compass reading from 157.5 to 202.5
Feng Shui Element – Fire

Best Colors – Red, Purple, Strong Yellow, Deep Orange, Deep Pink

Alternative Options – Green, Brown

Colors to Avoid – Blue, Black, all Earthy Colors

Photography: Anna Roussos

Southwest Facing Doors

compass reading from 202.5 to 247.5
Feng Shui Element – Earth

Best Colors – Earth/ Sand Colors, Light Yellow

Alternative Options – Burgundy, Purple, Deep Orange, Rich Pink

Colors to Avoid – Green, Brown, White, Gray, Blue, Black

Photography: Leslee Mitchell

West Facing Doors

compass reading from 247.5 to 292.5
Feng Shui Element – Metal

Best Colors – White, Gray

Alternative Options – Light Yellow, Earthy/Sandy Colors

Colors to Avoid – Blue, Black, Red, Purple, Orange, Deep Pink

Photography: Tessa Neustadt

Northwest Facing Doors

compass reading from 292.5 to 337.5
Feng Shui Element – Metal

Best Colors – White, Gray

Alternative Options – Light Yellow, Gold, Earthy/Sandy Colors

Colors to Avoid – Blue, Black, Red, Purple, Orange, Deep Pink

While Style Me Pretty has always been known for the Real Weddings that we feature, there has also always been a place for an exquisitely styled inspiration shoot. Why, you ask? Well, a few reasons. For one, an inspiration shoot is the opportunity for the incredible wedding artists and vendors to show off their chops. To create, to build, to develop new trends and beauty. But we also feature these shoots because of their ability to strip down a wedding to it’s basic design. So that you can clearly see color palette ideas, tablesetting ideas, invitation and favor ideas. These shoots are gems for really breaking down the design blueprint of your wedding and this one – planned by Hart & Co, with photographs by Cheyenne Schultz – is nothing if not one perfect idea after another. More here in the gallery!

COLOR PALETTE: Dusty Rose, Blushy Pink, Mauve and Pops of Green

WEDDING STYLE: Classic set in an Industrial, Modern Backdrop. The design marries the old and the new, the masculine and the feminine in an absolutely visually stunning way.

NOTABLE IDEAS: Escort cards tucked into gold frames and set on a lattice backdrop. Light hued wood tones bring a modern vibe to a traditional setting. Blushy pink lettering on black paper invitations is both modern and traditional. A painterly inspired cake in pretty pinks.

From the designers: Taking notes from the modern bride this styled shoot highlights a fresh industrial venue with soft romantic counterparts. Design elements such as clean lines and marble with a mauve and ash rose color palette, reflecting looks from London and NY spring fashion, were highlighted for the style conscious bride.

This concept continued through the table setting of simple ceramics, sleek candlesticks, and a soft rose fabric runner. For a masculine design balance and unique texture, the name cards are black metal plates.

The cake and florals carry the color palette and bring a soft organic feel. The handmade greenery backdrop allows nature into the urban space. Truly crafted for the modern creative bride who is chic and bold without drama and excess.

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Photographer: The Schultzes | Planner: HART & CO. Events | Florals: Julep Floral | Dress: Ladies Of Lineage | Cake: The Wow Factor Cakes | Rings: Trumpet & Horn | Make Up: Layne Barter Makeup | Suit: Men's Wearhouse | Paper Goods: Viri Lovely Designs | Silk Runner and Ribbon: Adorn Company | Tabletop Rentals : Emerson James Rental | Urban: Assembly Room

Having a “first look” is one of the many tough wedding decisions couples face now-a-days. You and your photographer will go through all the reasons to – or not to – to suit your particular timeframe. Today, we have a bride who didn’t just have one “first look”… she had three! Her grandfather…. her father…. and her groom… we love the idea and the pics from Christy Wilson Photography.

From Christy at Christy Wilson Photography… What makes a couple like Matt and Kaitlin so memorable to me is the air of sweetness that surrounds them. A kind of sweetness that is strong and uninterrupted. Each picture I took of them truly showcases the depth of respect and love they hold for each other.

Nothing captured this better than the moment they first saw each other as bride and groom. With tears in their eyes (and mine), they spoke to each other with the most sweet and gentle purpose.

This deep affection spilled over into moments spent with their family and friends. Especially the moments with people like Kaitlin’s grandfather who drove from hours away to make sure he was there for that special day. 

Matt and Kaitlin’s stunning spring wedding took place at RT Lodge that is tucked away into the quaint East Tennessee college town of Maryville. There was no shortage of natural, woodsy and simply unforgettable scenery at this unique wedding destination. And the gorgeous, sunny, spring day made this a location fit for a fairytale as you will see in these timeless photographs…

Family and Friends happily enjoyed the beautiful outdoor reception that offered the tastiest food! The buffet of delicate main courses and sides was an exceptional compliment to an unforgettable evening.

Toasts were made and tears were shed, happy ones of course. And the energy of the night kept going strong with an incredible live band. I think the band and the guests kept each other going all the way to the end! Kaitlin, Matt and guests all danced the night away and ended it with an impressive sparkler send off! 

Be sure and see the day – and all the love unfold – in this short wedding film from Along With You!

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Photography: Christy Wilson Photography | Florals: Colby West Designs | Dress : Jim Hjelm | Cakes: Magpies | Stationery: B Designs | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Revelry | Band: The Company Band | Suits: Suitsupply | Wedding Venue: RT Lodge | Dress Boutique: Wedding Angels Bridal Boutique | HMUA: Grow Knoxville | Video: Along with you

This post is so bittersweet for me. No. You know what? This post is actually just sweet. I’ve blogged 8 out of 10 of my daughter, Audrey’s, birthday parties. There was her first, her third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and now…double digits. Her 10th birthday. I can’t believe my sweet little baby is 10 and I can’t believe that SMP is now back in my hands (you can read about that ordeal here) so that I can tell you all about it. It’s truly an incredible journey our family has been on, right alongside all of you. So today, for me, is a good day. A day to share the details of my little girl’s birthday and to revel in the fact that so much of my life has been documented here on Style Me Pretty. Thank you Ruth Eileen for always being right there to make sure that our memories are as beautiful as they were in that very moment when you snapped the pic.

THE THEME

Remember that 6th birthday party that I mentioned above – the State Fair one where we had a whole bunch of baby animals? Well, Audrey has asked to have those same baby animals for basically every party since. And this year, I finally agreed. So she and I tried to figure out a theme that would make sense with the entertainment of the day – which was tough since she was turning 10 and she also wanted it to feel grown up. We decided on a fancy pants, upscale picnic. Boxed lunches with comfort food, but set against a pretty dining table in a super chic color palette. I kind of loved the end result.

THE INVITATIONS

Going with our picnic theme, the invitations set the tone of the party in the cutest way. I was actually an invitation designer in a former life, so I always do the invites for our parties. I’ve done teeny tiny American Girl invitations, T-shirt sleepover invitations, invitations printed on balloons, rolling pin baking party invitations, you get the drift.

But of all of our invitations past, I truly LOVED these little cuties. I found miniature picnic baskets on the cheap that I filled with Sour Patch Watermelon Gummies. I tied a very tiny little invitation to the front using delicate gold ribbon and…

what you don’t see is that I tucked them into white bakery boxes with pink and red raffia, then we hand delivered them to the 9 little girls (who live in our neighborhood so it sounds far more glamorous than it actually was) as a surprise treat in their mailbox.

COLOR PALETTE

I’ve always thought that simply defining a color palette, no matter how in depth or layered it might be, is the easiest way to make a party feel really cohesive. Seeing that we were going with a picnic theme, I started with a really good black and white Buffalo plaid.

Then, we layered on pinks, reds and golds. Keeping in that palette meant that every little detail made sense stylistically which made the decor a piece of cake.

THE FOOD

We went round and round on the food. As a host, you want something that you can prep ahead. As a kid, you want something delicious. As a mother, you want something that isn’t going to send them off the rails in terms of nutrition.

So tucked inside our boxes you had, Chicken Sandwiches (just Bell & Evans chicken patties & hamburger buns), little jars with cut carrots and ranch dressing and a bag of chips. I lined the table with small containers of strawberries family style and the girls each got a San Pellegrino or a water. Oh and I used a white paint pen to write, “let’s picnic” on the inside of each box. Cute, right?

BROWN BOXES | WHITE PAINT PENS | BLACK & WHITE RIBBON

THE CAKE (debacle) 

Okay the cake was quite possibly my crowning achievement of the day. I ALWAYS make my kids’ birthday cake. They are far from perfect but, it’s fun for me and the kids love watching them come to life. I’ve made lego cakes and unicorn cakes, pancake cakes and tiny little baby cakes, candy cane cakes, puppy dog cakes and pink flower cakes. This year, I attempted to make this gold sequined cake. Got all of the supplies, got my cake baked and set up, layered on sprinkles and got ready to paint. And then I started painting. And realized that it was going to take about 10 times the amount of gold luster dust than I had actually purchased. And I had less than one day. So – and this is where I just might be a baking genius – I called up the Cheesecake Factory, bought one of their dark chocolate fudge cakes and brought it home. Smart, right? Only to then find that the cake came pre-cut with paper inserts separating each piece of cake. No bueno. Pre-cut, pre-fab cake doesn’t not a homemade looking cake make.

Now, brace yourselves for this next part. My mom watched this whole ordeal and I thought she might have an actual heart attack (not really because we’re talking about cake, but kind of). I pulled out all of the paper from the cake slices and scraped off the entire top layer of chocolate ganache with an offset spatula. I warmed the busted up ganache in a bowl in the microwave until it was soft again and I put it right back on top and smoothed it all out. I then wet the spatula with warm water and “shmushed” the cut side of the cake together so that you couldn’t tell it had been pre-cut. Finally, I used fresh flower spikes and pretty florals to re-decorate the top. AND…. BOOOOM, people! A custom-ish cake was born.

CAKE | GOLD CAKE STAND | BEST DAY EVER SIGN | FLORAL SPIKES | FLORALS

FLORALS

There is one reason, and one reason only, that this party was as pretty as it was. Fifty Flowers. Who GRACIOUSLY sent us a whole slew of red ranunculus, pink peonies and other gorgeous stems to decorate the table. Having built a party or two in my day – though being FAR from a floral expert – I tackled the centerpieces myself and loved the result.

I used black urns fit with soaked floral foam and just added in one flower at a time until each had the look of a casual but fancy (yes, I know) garden vibe that I was going for.

DECOR

The centerpiece for the decor was our balloon garland. I’ve made one other balloon garland and it almost sent my sweet friend Jess into labor thanks to the fact that A. It was her due date and B. Watching me try to manhandle the beastly way that I approached it with massive balloons, chicken wire, actual cement and then a little rubber cement, was as close to ludicrous as you can get. So this time, I did things a little different. I followed THIS tutorial and it was a TOTAL BREEZE. As in, came together in an hour or two and looked completely adorable.

Our Flower Stand was another part of the decor and included just a whole bunch of mix-matched buckets filled with flowers of every kind. Confession time. Being a founder of a blog like SMP has its serious perks. One of which is that we often have leftover flowers from photoshoots that were provided by the INCREDIBLE Fifty Flowers – which is exactly what happened here and why we had this flower stand in the first place. If I were doing it without this very amazing perk, I would stick with inexpensive blooms like carnations and greenery.

RED BALLOONS | ROSE GOLD BALLOONS | PEARL PEACH BALLOONS | BUFFALO PLAID TABLE CLOTH FABRIC

GOODIE BAGS

Tucked inside of the goodie bags were picnic inspired, sleepover treats. A strawberry shaped bath bomb, a fruit shaped squishie, a sweet little gold scrunchie (yes, the are indeed back), a pink or red nailpolish and strawberry shaped eye masks.

I found the jute bags at Nashville Wraps and added tissue paper and a pretty black and white striped ribbon.

ACTIVITIES

Well first, Barn Babies. Adorable little baby animals that when swaddled, go completely docile and the kids can hold them and cuddle them. And while this may seem like an activity for younger kids… 10, was the PERFECT age.

The girls were gentle with the animals, they listened to the instructors, they were calm and they fell totally in love with each and every pet. It was quite cute. After dinner, we did two easy picnic games – find 5 gummy bears in a plate of whipped cream AND eat a donut off a string without your hands. The winners got a makeup bag filled with leftover goodie bag treats.

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After that, the sleepover portion began and I plugged them into a movie (Freaky Friday) and called it a day. Sort of. There was a lot of “can I have a water, can I have a snack, can we play tag,” screaming, jumping, running, laughing, LOUDNESS, you get the drift. As 11 o’clock came around, I told the girls that I was calling parents to do an early pickup for any that didn’t go to sleep. I lied. I would never. But it shut them right up and they were asleep in ten minutes. Perfection.

Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Flowers: Fifty Flowers

Normally we add a little ditty about the post we are diving into, but you know what? Shauntelle of Sposto Photography has such a good intro to this gorgeous home she captured (and I mean G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S), I’ll let her take it away…
San Diego, California, may not be the first locale that comes to mind when thinking Provençal-style architecture, but that wasn’t a deterrent for Dani Blasena, owner and creative director of HauteFêtes Fine Weddings & Events. One peek at the cornflower-blue doors, weather-worn shutters, slate roof, and nuanced stonework of the French farmhouse-inspired home they share with their four children, 6 chickens, 2 horses and goldendoodle, Milo, and you’ll swear you’ve been transported to the lush, rolling hills of Provence—minus the jet lag. 

From Dani Blasena… Being from England and raised all over the world, I’ve always been drawn to things that have history and patina. The romance of Europe has had a huge design influence on me, not just in my life and the way I entertain, but in my work in wedding design, too.

I approach home design in the same way I do weddings and events. I believe that spaces should reflect the people that live in them. Rooms and homes should tell a story. Just like my brides and grooms have a rich history and stories to share that are fascinating, so too is a home that has something to say. For our home, we wanted something that felt soulful. Even though it was a complete renovation, we wanted the house to feel like it wasn’t new and that it conjured up a place far away.

Accordingly, we focused on incorporating things that were reclaimed. We designed around my collections of vintage light fixtures, old mirrors, French market baskets and antique doors which came from garage and estate sales, antique shops, salvage yards and flea markets. Our collections each tell a story. For instance, the white enamel lamps in the kitchen were salvaged from the Anaheim Gymnasium – the first electrified public building in Southern California – which collapsed in the 1923 earth quake.

We gave them a new life and this meant the house had history before we had even lived in it. I also appreciate simple but meaningful details like the open shelves in the kitchen and pantry which are the original construction planks the stucco contractors used to stand on. I love that the planks tell a story of the many people who helped renovate our home.

In decorating our home, we wanted it to feel lived in and impart a warm, inviting feel. Even though we’ve collected lots of antiques, we also have four teenagers and twenty-somethings, as well as a rambunctious two-year old pup. Nothing is too precious that we can’t sit on it, put flowers in it or spill wine. Life happens in the home and it isn’t always perfect and pretty! That’s what makes it real.

Balancing color was really important to us. We wanted our indoors to meld seamlessly with the outside. We picked a palette that was appropriately Provençal, a neutral base onto which we layered the region’s ubiquitous blue color, as well as loads of texture and then filled it with our treasures. Each room in the house has its own color story, but because we started with a neutral color palette, there’s a lot of cohesion between the spaces.

Design elements like the European white oak floors, Carrara marble, un-lacquered brass fixtures and shades of the same Farrow & Ball taupey-grey paint that we used throughout the entire home, create a subtle flow.

Similarly, we approached our garden with the same design philosophy in mind, picking two or three colors that we’d repeat throughout the garden so the eye continues to move but never gets tired. I love all the lavender, the white iceberg and pale pink David Austin roses which work beautifully with the citrus and olive trees.

Our home wasn’t always like this though. When we first saw it just two years ago, it hadn’t been lived in for years – it was a real fixer upper! The looks on our realtor and contractor’s faces were priceless. But, we fell in love with it anyway, and especially the way the driveway curved around the property and opened up to reveal the façade of the house through the trees.

I just knew that every day would feel like a vacation and a place where beautiful memories – from weddings to birthdays to graduations – could all be celebrated. And, that’s where I got the name for our home, ‘Bastide de Bonheur’: bonheur meaning ‘happiness’ and bon heur meaning ‘good times’. It’s both and more to us.

My advice on decorating: take your time and have patience. Check in with your favorite stores regularly; look at items with an objective eye – does the piece have good bones and would new fabric or a new coat of paint make it a dream piece?; and, buy only the things you absolutely love, because that way you’ll never get bored with them and they’ll never go out of style. Then, once you find that one piece you absolutely love like a painting or a great pillow or rug, create your room around it. Don’t be afraid to add quirky touches, too – I love my two fat stone pigs that sit on the buffet in our family room – which allow your true personality to shine through. That’s when a house really becomes a home.

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Photography: Sposto Photography | Floral Arrangements: Plenty Of Petals | Home: Bastide De Bonheur | Owner and Designer: HauteFetes

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This couple, who’s meet cute happened on a soccer field, envisioned a butterfly garden come to life for their wedding day. And they totally nailed it. From the Liz Martinez wedding gown to the greenery infused invitations by Bella Figura and a whole grip of pretty florals by A Garden Party, this is such a beautiful rendition of a garden affair. See the full celebration unfold through the crazy beautiful images captured by Rachel Pearlman.

From photographer Rachel Pearlman… Rachel and Max’s story is the stuff that modern-day fairytales are made of; they played on the same soccer team in Brooklyn and were just friends until Max won over Rachel with his charm and humor in just a few short months.

Together, they quickly became dog parents to black lab Murphy (who was the official ring bearer at the wedding) and decided that an outdoor, Summer wedding in Bucks County would be the perfect way to celebrate their new union. When asked about planning their wedding, it was important to Max that their beloved dog, Murph, was involved in portraits. After all, he is family!

For Rachel, she wanted her wedding to feel like a butterfly garden come to life. Her bespoke Liz Martinez gown featured dozens of hand crafted butterflies and her bouquet featured three butterfly pins (something old, something new, something blue).

Aldie Mansion was built in the 1920s as a private residence, and now is preserved by the Heritage Conservatory of Bucks County. The estate’s 100 year old Oak served as the backdrop for their nondenominational ceremony. As guests entered, they were greeted with fresh cucumber water. Cascading florals of pinks, creme and greenery covered the trunk and limbs of the tree.

Inside the reception space, guests were able to seat themselves – acrylic seating charts by House of Catherine read ‘seat yo’self’ – a nod to the couples’ wit and laid back energy. Brian Fitzgerald played during cocktail hour overlooking the lawn as guests enjoyed treats like watermelon bites and mini burgers with shoestring fries. After dinner, Rachel and Max cut their cake – a traditional NY Cheesecake with fresh raspberries.

From A Garden Party… When I met with Rachel and Max at the venue for their final walk through of the space, it was clear that they wanted to really highlight the outdoor experience for their guests. Upon arriving to the ceremony, guests were greeted by the extravagant floral display on the patio fountain, featuring lilies, ivy, water oak, smilax, roses and snapdragons.

The magnificent old oak tree was a natural focal point on it’s own, but begged me to add the floral garland creeping up the massive trunk and branch. The ceremony aisle was lined with floral arrangements to echo the tree garland and to create more visual impact. A modern seating chart made by House of Catherine was displayed on a greenery lined easel in front of a charming brick wall of the mansion.

The garden vibe was brought into the reception with floral arrangements composed in rusty iron garden urns, mixed with candles and monobotanical clusters on the other tables. The classic collection of roses, peonies, orchids, hydrangea, calla lilies, freesia and sweet pea took a more modern twist with the addition of textural clematis, herbs and vines.

Rachel & Max knew they wanted a garden inspired night to remember, and we were honored to bring that to life. Rachel and Max live in New York City and honeymooned in Iceland. Max is a digital product designer and Rachel currently works for Canada Goose.

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Photographer: Rachel Pearlman Photography | Cinematography: Tweed Weddings | Floral Design: A Garden Party | Wedding Dress: Liz Martinez (by Kinsley James) | Invitations: Bella Figura | Ceremony: Jeffery Miller Catering | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Makeup: Kendall Griffith | Hair: Rebekah Sattler | Calligraphy: House of Catherine | Calligraphy: House Of Catherine | DJ: Beat Train Productions | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Officiant: Journeys from the heart | Bridal Boutique: SPINA

From Ambra at Query Events… Andrea and Aaron were amazing clients and an even more amazing role models. After Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer while she and Aaron were first dating, he immediately stepped up to help care for Andrea’s two young children. He played a vital role in her successful recovery and asked her to marry him after the wonderful news came that her cancer was in remission. They share a beautiful love story and I was thrilled when they reached out for help with planning and designing their upcoming wedding.

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Andrea came to me with tons of great ideas and an innate sense of style but needed help putting together a cohesive design. One of the most challenging factors was creating the elegant and soft look the bride was after in the very industrial venue our groom fell in love with. In the early stages of planning, I strongly encouraged the couple to utilize as much of the outdoor space as possible. Staying away from the masculine textures of brick, wood and stained concrete which composes the indoor space was crucial to the executing our airy design. Luckily our unpredictable Texas weather held up and the couple’s guest were able to share the beginning of Andrea and Aaron’s marriage under the stars.

Photographer: Amanda Lenhardt Photography | Videographer: GoMan Productions | Wedding Planner: Query Events | Floral Design: Query Events | Cake: Cake-aholics | Invitations: Minted | Catering: TCP Catering | Hair and Makeup: Beauty And The Blush | Calligraphy: Letter Love Studio | DJ: Le Force Entertainment | Wedding Venue: Mopac Events Center | Bartenders: TLC Staffing | Caricature Artist: Chandler Studios | Caricature Artist: Bernsen Art Caricature | Ice Cream Truck: Gypsy Scoops | Photo Booth: Photo Wagon | Rentals: Bella Acento | Rentals: Grand Events Rentals | String Trio: Versa Strings

It’s not often that I’m at a loss for words when it comes to putting together a feature. But for this vow renewal, it took me twenty minutes to even start typing (in the best kind of way). It’s so much more than a vow renewal, it’s a work of art. Jen Huang‘s images are sweeping, soft and graceful. Camellia Floral Design crafted a melody of blooms that sing to late summer. Enjoy cupcakes perfected the subtlest blush frosted cake, while the table was woven with Silk & Willow and Plume Calligraphy supplied the loveliest paper goods. And the Bride? She donned Monique Lhuillier with Chiali Meng to make her glow. Did I mention Sunstone Villa served as the setting? I think I covered all my bases here… so much for being at a loss for words. It’s the best kind of way to celebrate love—see it all here.

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From Jen Huang… Belle and Ivor wanted a special recreation of their wedding day at their vow renewal, with details that reflected their dream wedding, but simplified for two people. They spent the weekend at Sunstone Villa, wandering the vineyard and snuggling in front of the fireplaces. On the last day of their stay, we photographed them in wedding attire reading their vows, and dining in the informal dining room. The beauty of this shoot was heightened by all the details included by wonderful vendors who came together to create the design.

Photographer: Jen Huang Photography | Florals: Camellia Floral Design | Gown: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Enjoy Cupcakes | Hair and Makeup: Chiali Meng | Calligrapher: Plume Calligraphy | Design & Planning: Jen Huang Photography | Linens and Ribbons: Silk and Willow | Sunstone Villa: Sunstone Winery & Villa

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Dreamy destination wedding shoots are just one of the many things we love about what we see every day  on Style Me Pretty… our imaginations soar to all new heights! The amazing vendors who pull together all the details in the most romantic and do-able ways are our heroes. Today’s romantic wedding inspiration shoot, planned and designed by Sweet Love & Confettis, will take you to the shores of Lake Como, to Villa Balbiano. From there, we’ll let the images from Maddy Christina and film from Stephane M tell the rest of the story!

From Maddy Christina… This styled shoot is above all else, a beautiful study in contrasts. We had the honor of being able to organize our shoot at one of the most beautiful locations on Lake Como, the Villa Balbiano. We wanted to create a refined, elegant and soft styled shoot… finding that perfect balance between Italy and the famous “French Touch”.

Our color palette and textural elements contributed to the marriage of the French-Italian experience… brilliant shades of blue-green in the water and surrounding landscape contrasted beautifully with the velvety softness of the linens and stationery. The vibrancy of the fruit and floral design from Emily Alarcan in our tablescape played charmingly against the stone walkways and architectural elegance.  The three-tiered cake from Delicatesse Cake was a masterful combination of modern design and romantic imagination.  Brightly colored wisteria on the property served as the finishing touch for this extraordinary experience.

Our real life newlyweds came from Luxembourg to spend the day with us!

The beautiful stationery suite with hand-lettered calligraphy was designed by Callyane. From the adventures that began the moment our couple launched the Riva Boat trip to reach the famous Villa Balbiano… to the race for the perfect lighting under the harsh yet sometimes powerful Italian sun, it was a day filled with wonderful contrasts from the beginning. The French Touch in Italy from a truly united team!

Enjoy the day in it’s entirety in this short film from Little Black Book cinematographer, Stephane M 

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Photography: Maddy Christina | Cinematography: Stephane M | Wedding Planner: Marine Lebeaux | Wedding Dress: Elisa Ness | Cake: Delicatesse Cake | Stationery: Callyane S. | Ring: Pierre Lorin | Hair + Makeup: Justine Chery Makeup | Suit: father & son's | Venue: Villa Balbiano | Flower Designer: Emily Alarçon | Rentals: Tableset | Ribbons: Le Temps File | Riva Boat: Como Classic Boat

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Summer is probably the only season that just never feels long enough for me. So when it comes to late-August and early-September weddings, I start to miss my favorite season before it’s even gone (not until September 22nd, people). This one from Tracy Enoch and Events by Kristin is totally doing that to me today and I’ll be hanging onto it even when the leaves are underfoot and the snow starts to fall. Love live summer soirees and galleries like this one filled with the sweetest smiles.

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From Tracy Enoch… Nicole and KJ first met and dated in high school. KJ knew Nicole’s brother and father through football before meeting her, and although they went their separate ways for a time, they reconnected in college, where KJ played football at SMU. Nicole and KJ’s first decision was to bring Kristin from Events by Kristin on board to plan and design their dream wedding at Marie Gabrielle in Downtown Dallas. Trusting Kristin to bring the right vendors on board, Nicole and KJ married in front of their closest friends and family in an outdoor garden ceremony under a floral arch designed by Something Pretty Floral. Utilizing a soft floral print design palette, Kristin emphasized the surrounding gardens of the venue to create a flawless design. Perhaps one of the highlights of the evening involved KJ’s very special grooms cake. Presented with only a conceptual idea, KJ and Nicole left Heidi from Sugar Bee Sweets to work her magic and present them with a confectionary work of art in a wedding day grand reveal for the Food Networks show Dallas Cakes, which aired on June 18th, 2018.

Photography: Tracy Enoch Photography | Planner: Events by Kristin | Floral Design: Something Pretty Floral | Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets | Ceremony Venue: Marie Gabrielle | Hair and Makeup: The Styling Stewardess | Lighting: Absolute Lighting | Band: IDT Band | Officiant: Love Notes | String Quartet: Serenata Strings | Dance Floor: DFW Dance Floor | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Bella Acento

We’ve had a long running obsession with any and all things Royale Zieglar creates. She’s not only the head Entertaining Maven at But First, Party but she’s now adding Interior Designer extraordinaire to her long list of credentials. Peek inside her marble and blue-meets-green-meets-grey kitchen captured by Billye Donya. And so you don’t have to scroll, that perfect in every way cabinet color is Benjamin Moore Templeton Grey. It’s good, right?!?!

My absolute favorite part of my kitchen is the countertops. I visited close to ten slab yards to find the perfect marble, which felt a bit like shopping for a wedding gown. It’s like they say, don’t look at what you can’t afford! And, when you find the ONE, you will know. 

There was just something so beautiful about the veining and faint gold coloration swirling throughout the stone we chose. Marble really adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen, but with that comes a price, and not just the cost of the stone. 

I also really love the cabinet color, the Templeton Grey. It really changes hue with the light. In the morning it is a vibrant blue and after the sun starts to set, a deep green. The rug I found also has a similar coloration, which was perfect.

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Photography: Billye Donya Photography | Interior Design: But First, Party! | Kitchen Contractor: Houzz

George Clooney isn’t the only great thing about Lake Como. There’s also Villa del Balbianello. It is steeped in old world romance, and insanely stunning views. Now pair that backdrop with the mastery of Kaleb Norman James and O’Malley Photographers, and there’s not a single person on earth who won’t want to high tail it to Italy stat. Get inspired to infuse your wedding day with some Italian romance right here.

From Planner Kaleb Norman James… Lake Como is one of the places where it feels like time somehow, just kind of stopped. Where the character, charm and stories of it’s history remain ever present, waiting to be retold and continued. The richness of these experiences and the remarkable surroundings were the only inspiration needed for this shoot.

The towering green hills and aged orange/yellow tones of the surrounding villas set the mood for our color palette, while the architecture and lush foliage set the tone for the design. Villa Del Balbianello leaves little to be desired, so rather than competing with it, we simply embraced it.

We brought rich embroidery into the linens to mimic the balustrades and doorways of the Villa, and embraced a more traditional, old-world calligraphy for the invitations with old prints and paints of Como throughout.

The Villa’s wisteria trees were at peak bloom and inspired some of the accent tones with the jewelry and detailing in the gowns, while we kept the groom in a simpler look, with neutral tones in the jacket and shoes, pulling in the rich stone work colors throughout.

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Photography: O'Malley Photographers | Stationary: The Idea Emporium | Shoes: Alexandre Birman | Bridal Boutique: The Dress Theory | Ceremony & Reception: Villa del Balbianello | Hair & Make-up: Samantha Pretto | Hairpiece / Veil: Erica Elizabeth Design | Lavender Gown: Alexandra Grecco | Linens: Crown Linen Designs | Menswear: Noose & Monkey | Planning, Design & Florals: Kaleb Norman James Design | Rentals: Tableset | Vow Books: elmo Paperstories ltd. | White Gown: Flora

From the bride, Callista of Callista & Company….. When your life revolves around weddings, as mine does, it is a challenging task to plan your own in a way that feels distinct from the rest of your beautiful clients’ big days. I will admit, I had to remind myself on more than one occasion that I was indeed… the Bride.

With a background in fashion, I knew my dress would be a very important component of my wedding day. My struggle in being the bride-to-be was instantaneously eased when I walked into the Monique Lhuillier flagship boutique in Los Angeles for the first time after our engagement. I struggled in narrowing down my favorites, but ultimately chose Stella, an allover lace, ivory, cap sleeve sheath.

 After a major spinal surgery in high school, I was left with a collection of scars that I embrace, but that I didn’t want to be a focus on the wedding day. The talented team at Monique Lhuillier crafted the covered lace back of the dress and I felt truly comfortable.

With the very scary Sobranes fire seriously threatening the area, we were left watching and waiting in the weeks leading up to our wedding, as we saw the fire creep closer and closer to our venues. Just a week prior to the wedding, the fire was contained enough for Ventana and Post Ranch Inn to reopen, and we could not have felt more fortunate.

My brother, Alexander, could not have been a better Best Man to Jonathan, and I would have been lost without my sister and Maid of Honor, Mary, by my side.

We cannot thank our families enough for their inspiration, encouragement, and support! At my mom and dad’s 30th anniversary party, they were gifted a bottle of champagne from my dad’s best man with a vintage year of their wedding. My dad popped open the bottle during our wedding dinner to share amongst family and friends — such a very special moment!

We chose a redwood tree as our logo due to the striking coastal redwood forests at our wedding destination. The longevity of the redwood tree is a symbol for our marriage standing the test of time. Our redwood logo was carried throughout our stationery, featured on our welcome boxes, on handmade leather coasters, as well as on custom wooden taster boards holding a selection of local craft beers at our welcome reception for each of our guests.

On the dinner table, Heath Ceramics plates sat atop vintage wooden chargers, which were complimented by brushed gold and wood flatware, and elegant gold-rimmed glassware from Casa de Perrin. The dinner centerpieces showcased the dreamiest deep golden mustard roses from Studio Mondine.

One of the reasons why I love being a wedding planner is because I naturally prefer to be behind the scenes, ensuring every detail is perfect, and allowing those around me to shine in the spotlight while I take in the moment from the sidelines. As with all my couples, the personal details were paramount in our planning process. All our stationery was produced on handmade, 100% recycled cotton paper by Silk & Willow, an exceptional and ethical business located in Hudson Valley, New York where both of our families originated. 

After all our blessings, we wanted a way to give back, and The Good Beginning registry was the perfect opportunity for us to do so. The Good Beginning allowed us to select a few of our favorite charities, made it simple for our guests to donate, and for us to thank those who so generously contributed to our amazing day!

Last, but certainly not least, we sought out creative partners with warm personalities complementing their talents, and we could not have pulled off any of the above without the most incredible team. Words cannot express our gratitude to Lacie Hansen, Soarking Starkey, Amanda and Ivanka at Studio Mondine, Felipe, Elizabeth, Rachel, Ben & the incredible staff at Post Ranch Inn, Kenney at Fellini Salon, Daniel Tran, Libby & the Casa de Perrin team, Jill & Annie at Copper Willow Paper Studio, Lindsay at La Tavola, Sophia at Ventana, Sharon & Efi at Monique Lhuillier, Elan Artists, Viri & the Chic Event Rentals team, Kimberly & Sara at The Butter End Cakery, Jake at Carmel Valley Honey, Marie-Claude at The Wood Gift Box, Main Event Transportation, Blue Sky Papers, Mary at Tiffany & Co., Duke at Neiman Marcus, Beth & The Good Beginning team, Ted at Legacy Brand Leather, Shellie at Silk & Willow, Cindy at Larkspur Hill, Stephanie at Salt Root Soaps Co., TreasureFox, Edelweiss Post, GubbaGumma, Jenni & Ben Mueller at A Vintage Parcel, and every single other person who went above and beyond to make our wedding such a wonderful success. We are forever grateful.

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So many more images from the awesome Lacie Hansen in the full gallery!

Photography: Lacie Hansen | Event Planning & Design: Callista & Company | Floral Design: Studio Mondine | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Stationery : copper willow paper studio | Ceremony Venue: Post Ranch Inn | Reception Venue: Post Ranch Inn | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Rings: Tiffany & Co. | Calligraphy: JV Calligraphy | Lighting: Chic Event Rentals | Groom's Attire: Tom Ford | Officiant: Soaring Starkey | Transportation: Main Event Transportation | Catering & Cake: Post Ranch Inn | Coasters: Legacy Brand Leather | Hair Styling: Kenney Duy Of Fellini Salon | Linen: BBJ La Tavola | Musicians: Elan Artists | Paper & Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Registry: The Good Beginning | Rentals: Casa de Perrin | Stationery Design: Callista & Company

Speaking first hand (as the mama of a sweet pup), keeping a home stylish and clean with pets can be SUCH a challenge. Because for me? The two go hand in hand. After nearly 8 years with our girl Savannah, I think I’ve finally got a good routine figured out to tackle the not-so-pretty that comes with having a pet. Grab the tips below!

Hardwood Helps

If you can afford it (or you are moving into a new house like we did), go for hardwood! Seriously, such a lifesaver when it comes to the ease of vacuuming and getting all that hair up. You can always layer with pretty area rugs for a bit of fun, but I recommend keeping area rugs out of high traffic areas that your pets are using.

Learn to Love Vacuuming

Even still, if you’ve got hardwood?learn to love that vacuum folks. It comes with the territory of being a pet owner (if you want a clean house). We use our heavy duty pet-geared vacuum once a week for a deep cleaning and then supplement in between every 2-3 days with a smaller cordless vacuum that makes the task a little less daunting.

No Paws Allowed

I know it’s hard, I know—they are the best couch snugglers. But I highly suggest setting a no pets on the furniture rule. This really should be established right away, but if you’ve cracked at times (everyone needs a good fur baby snuggling on the couch every now and then), all hope is not lost. First things first, make sure you’ve got designated pet beds or areas just for them. Try our No-Sew DIY Pet Bed! I also LOVE this stylish striped one from Fresh American.

Avoid Meal Time Mess

Meal time doesn’t have to mean clanky metal bowls and slobbery messes on the floor. We traded our classic metal dishes that you find at a pet store for simple large white ceramic metal dishes. They won’t rust and they just look a whole lot better. Place on a pretty, durable place mat if your pet is slobber-prone, and if you’re finding things are still a mess?try bigger bowls to contain everything.

Home Grooming Station

Depending on your lifestyle and the activities you enjoy on a regular basis, you might find it helpful to have a pet grooming area. The laundry room is always a great area for this if you’ve got the space! Our pup doesn’t get too messy, so we don’t have a designated pet shower, but when we bring her to the beach a lot during the warmer months we make sure to rinse and dry her off pretty good before letting her back into the house.

Professional Grooming Routine

If you don’t currently groom your pet on a regular basis, start! It makes SUCH a difference with the hair. We thought we could bathe and groom our dog on our own in the beginning but after bringing her to a professional groomer for the first time, we never looked back. We usually try to bring our pup every 4-6 weeks depending on the time of year. Your pet might need more or less depending on their coat, but I swear it really is life changing when it comes to hair control, and keeps them smelling so fresh all the time.

A Space of their Own

I mentioned giving your pet their own bed or designated area, but if you have the space, dedicate a room for your pets when you need to keep them while you’re out of the house. Tiled rooms are great for this! If our pup is being naughty or super rambunctious we put her in our tiled sun room that we can close off with pocket doors. Also great for when we’re vacuuming and want her out of the way, entertaining friends and family or, if you’ve got babies in the house.

Tidy Toys

Toy baskets are a must have! Get something stylish that ties into the vibe of your home and fill it with stylish toys too, of course. Our pup does NOT mix well with cotton stuffed toys, so we have durable rope toys and antler pieces which are her absolute fave.

If you were to bottle up everything that I love about weddings, everything that has made me jump out of bed to log on to SMP every day for the last six years—this wedding, captured so beautifully by Caroline Tran and planned by So Happi Together, would be it. Classically elegant with attention to detail, yet totally unfussy and full of heart. SO much heart. It’s when a couple’s sweet love for one another meets a crazy good vendor team like this one… the wedding magic happens. I hope you’ll soak it in, pin it, show your mama or maid of honor and say “this is going to inspire my Big Day”.

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Photography: Caroline Tran Photography | Cinematography: Hoo Films | Event Planning: So Happi Together | Floral Design: Heavenly Blooms | Cake: Sweet and Saucy Supply | Ceremony Venue: Saddlerock Ranch | Catering: Urban Palate | hair and makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | DJ: Red Shoe LA | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Place Settings: Casa de Perrin | coffee: Cappuccino Man | specialty rentals: Found Rental Co.

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TEAM Hair and Makeup

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Heather and Karson came to me from Lubbock, Texas to plan their “destination” wedding in the Dallas area. From the moment we began our discussions I knew Heather and I would be the perfect pair! When we started focusing on design, we quickly discovered a shared love of the color pink. We played with all shades — from the palest of pinks to the darkest fuchsia and then added pops of dusty blue. The outcome was sensational and the perfect way to soften the barn at The Venue At Waterstone…. from Query Events with photography by Lauren Peele.

More from Query Events…. Sadly, Heather’s mother passed away several years back so we started working on the perfect details to include her mother’s memory. We placed a photo of Heather’s mother on her wedding day and laid a floral crown composed of pink carnations, her favorite flower next to it. Knowing that carnations were so important to Heather’s memory of her mother, we incorporated mini spray versions of the bloom in each arrangement throughout the reception space. Every detail from the centerpieces to memorial video played during toasts brought the essence of her beloved mother into the room.

This couple was amazing to work with and together, we compiled an all-star team of wedding vendors. Lauren Peele Photography, a Dallas based fine art film photographer, captured each image to perfection. What an amazing day with two wonderful families!

From Eddye at SMP…. There are always those amazing moments that come forward when we watch the films that recap the celebration of your oh-so-special wedding days! Today, we have one of those for you! From Adam Grumbo Films, listen to the words captured in a few short sentences – words from the bride’s Daddy – words that will stick with her for a lifetime!  Words that she will cherish forever and ever…. amen!! Turn the volume up and enjoy!!

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Then…. Enjoy the full gallery of images right here!

Photography: Lauren Peele | Videography: Grumbo Wedding Films | Wedding Planner: Query Events | Floral Design: Query Events | Wedding Dress: Liancarlo | Cake: Moonlight Cakes | Invitations: Cleggraphy Designs | Ceremony Venue: The Venue at Waterstone | Reception Venue: The Venue at Waterstone | Catering: TCP Catering | Hair and Makeup: Beauty And The Blush | DJ: Le Force Entertainment | Exit Car: Romantic Remembrances | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Bella Acento | Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals