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

A Perfect Summer Wedding at Great Oak Manor

This is what summer weddings are all about my friends. Braids and beach waves, flowy Jenny Yoo bridesmaids, sunsets that warm the soul, al fresco dining… and smiles for days. Just for starters. Kari Rider Events crafted a day that suits these two to a T. I don’t even know them, but I know that their day was uniquely them based on their utter joy that pours from Elizabeth Fogarty‘s imagery. Join me in the gallery for more summery sweetness!

From Kari Rider Events… University of Maryland grads Meg and Matt wanted to keep things cool and casual for their waterfront Eastern Shore wedding. So we got to work creating a scene that was equal parts modern, rustic and elegant at the picturesque Great Oak Manor in Chestertown. Wood farm tables juxtaposed by clear ghost chairs set the perfect tone inside the sailcloth reception tent, where layers of marble chargers, tile place cards and acrylic signs completed the look. Pops of dusty blue in the flowers and bridesmaids dresses gave a subtle nod to the waterfront venue, where guests enjoyed not one but four signature drinks from this fun-loving couple. A stunning acrylic seating chart proved an attraction in and of itself, as did the adorable cheese wheel cake and the ever-inspiring band Millenium, who kept the dance floor full all night.

From the Bride… We met in college at University of Maryland in greek life, but remained friends until several years post college. Almost exactly 4 years ago, I had a bunch of college friends to my parents’ house to go boating and for a crab feast, and Matt tagged along with some of his frat brothers. A mixture of sun, fun and bud light had sparks flying and we were nearly inseparable from then on! I knew that he was the one when I was ready to upend my life and move to DC after only several months of dating. I’m not one to accept change very well, but I was all in and knew I’d met my match!

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Jenny Yoo

Spring 2014 Maternity

2016 Bridesmaid Collection

2016 Bridal Collection

Spring 2017 Flower Girl Collection

Spring 2017 Bridal Collection

Spring 2017 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

Spring 2017 Accessories Collection

Fall 2016 Separates Collection

Spring 2017 Lingerie Collection

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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Wedding Dresses

Hayley Paige

Spring 2014

Fall 2013

Spring 2013

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

Spring 2016

Blush by Hayley Paige

Hayley Paige Occasions

Fall 2016

Spring 2017

Blush by Haley Paige

Spring 2018

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Add A Splash of Color + Elegance to Your Ranch Wedding

The inspiration for this styled shoot was all about vibrancy of color! So many times I find as a wedding planner that my brides love color in their day-to-day lives, yet are so leery about incorporating beautiful color into their wedding! I also come across many brides who love the idea of an outdoor, ranch-setting for their wedding, yet they want the formal elegance of a chic wedding. I blended these two ideas to create magic at the gorgeous venue of Whispering Rose Ranch in Solvang, California. ~ Detailed Touch Events

Photography by Cavin Elizabeth

Emily of Emily Reynolds Design infused a variety of pink and coral florals that set the tone for the color palette. I added in a splash of blue to create a bold dimension for the table scape setting provided by Casa de Perrin. La Tavola grounded the tabletop with a linen table drape and we finished the look off with a rustic yet sophisticated linen round back chair. Sophia of Sophia Loves Letters created beautiful watercolor stationery that complimented the playfulness that we were creating with all of the color.

Since this shoot was all about the colorful florals, I chose a stunning Marchesa dress from Kinsley James Couture bridal salon that was adorned with delicate floral petals. The feathers at the bottom of skirt and train were just an extra added bonus for dimension and spunk. To continue with the sophisticated, chic bridal attire, I chose coral toned, peep-toed Christian Louboutin heels. I can’t wait to share this styled shoot with my future brides to show them that strong colors and rustic settings can still be timeless, classic, upscale and beautiful!

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Detailed Touch Events

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Our Favorite Nurseries Ever (and the Baby Names that They Inspired)

I have three little ones at home with me. And while the first two babies found their names before exiting the womb, it took me five full days to decide on my third’s name. Which looking back, was so silly because she is such a little THEA, but giving a human being the name that they will be called for the rest of their life is sort of a big deal. If she had become Everly (the other name I loved), I can’t say for sure that she would have grown into the little spitfire that she is today. Anyway, names are a big deal. So we’re doing some of the legwork and looking back at our FAVE nursery designs to inspire a whole mess of gorgeous baby names. Scroll down!

Sweet as a Flower
Amelia, Scarlett, Eloise, Ella, Rebecca, Evelyn, Rose

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Storybook Inspired
Eloise, Evangeline, Julia, Adelaide, Josephine, Margaret, Martha

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Spunk & Spice & Everything Nice
Poppy, Lucy, Georgie, Zoe, Coco, Charlie

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Cool Girls Club
James, Blake, Frankie, Harlow, Elodie, London

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Boho Chic
Willa, Elodie, Evie, Hattie, Hazel, Lulu, Piper, Ruby

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New Take on Old Classics
Emma, Emmaline, Claire, Grace, Anabelle, Ava, Georgia

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Historic Loveliness
Charlotte, Cora, Nora, Blythe, Delilah, Emily, Vivian, Hadley

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Chic. Period.
Harper, Parker, Collette, Eden, Emerson

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Culturally Inspired
Isabella, Olivia, Phoebe, Sophie, Stella, Victoria

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Understated & Sophisticated
Chloe, Sloane, Blaire, Kate, Juliet, Vivienne

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Southern Belle
Tillie, Virginia, Savannah, Tallulah, Annabelle, Frankie, Georgina, Greer, Mae, Odette

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Organic Elegance
Gray, Quinn, Brady, Grant, Noah, Emerson, Jude, Asher

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Modern Whimsy
Quinn, Bowen, Odin, Beau, Brooks,

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Upper East Side Swagger
Kingston, Princeton, Sampson, Bradley, Parker, William, Baron, Preston

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Trad Meets Modern
Burke, Nolan, Wells, Cole, Ashton, Bennet, Colton

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Brooklyn Cool
Deacon, Ford, Grayson, Hayson, Rhodes, Truman

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Pops of Color
Teddy, Jack, Henry, Harrison, Beckett

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Easy Coolness
Jacob, James, Harrison, Asher, Theo

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Outdoor Inspired
Forest, Wyatt, Finn, Bryce, Heath, Jasper, River, Rowan

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Simple But Good
Matthew, Nicholas, Ryan, Jacob, Luke, Brandon, Tyler

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Edgy with a Smile
Jethro, Jagger, Smith, London, Reed, Jax

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Cool Boy’s Club
Gunner, Axel, Bronx, Hart, Jaxton, Otto, Vincent, Xander, Ace

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Adventure Awaits
Hugo, Graham, Felix, Bear, Christopher, Huck, Tucker

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Happy & Light
Leo, Aiden, Benjamin, Cole, Eli, Wynn

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Around the Globe
Bhodi, Miles, Noah, River, Wilder

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Chateau de Varennes Inspiration that Takes Beauty to a New Level

Sylvie Gil‘s annual workshop is something dreams are made of. Set against the backdrop of the French countryside, Sylvie brings together the best in the wedding industry to build out a shoot meant to teach her students the nuances and art behind photographing a wedding. And this year, Sylvie & Shannon Leahy built their inspiration shoot into a stunning look at how Fine Art can influence everything from the gown she chooses to the modest boudoir photographs that she will always look back on with love. Click here to see even more.

From Shannon Leahy, Event Stylist…For Sylvie Gil’s 2018 workshop, we were really inspired by the idea of bringing fine art into a wedding, specifically French fine art from the Renaissance period. In our research, we became very interested in the work of Primavera by Botteceili. Primavera means Spring, and being that the workshop is in April, we thought this was very fitting. There is something about Primavera that also feels bridal, which we loved. For the color palette, we chose to work with a lot of variety – from lavender to deep burgundy, mustard, sage green and golden tones. We knew we could spread this palette through out days of the workshop for different looks.

For the welcome dinner, we chose a tonal look of reds and yellows, we affectionally called it the “ketchup and mustard” palette. We wanted to bring in spring bulbs and trays of pears and fresh fruits, along with flowing arrangements by Moon Canyon, to echo the bounty of an outdoor seasonal dinner at the chateau. We found a beautiful setting behind a classically-inspired statue that we thought was very fitting to our theme; and even adorned the statue with florals to tie it into the story.

The boudoir look was one of my favorites. Inspired by Renaissance nude portraiture, we simply chose to drape fabrics in a dark corner of the chateaux that was lit only by natural light, Our beautiful bride in a simple robe from Girl And a Serious Dream was adorned with an epic floral crown by Moon Canyon. I love the nod to the Roman god, Bacchus, with the grapes in her hand.

Alexandra from Aerialist Press really took all our inspiration and tied it into a beautiful invitation suite that I think perfectly tells our story and gave our attendees, as Sylvie put it, “flat lays for days!”

The ceremony was a stroke of genius by Kristen of Moon Canyon. I loved her idea of placing the ceremony in the center of the church to create a ceremony in the round with flowers and greenery adorning the space. The vibe of this church felt very medieval to us, leading into the Renaissance. The inspiration came from the color of the writing that was etched into the stone walls of the church and the stunning Naeem Khan dress. The bridal look was completed by a modern interpretation of Botteceili’s Primavera in the hair and makeup style from Ava Belle.

Finally, the reception dinner we set in the foyer of the chateaux. We incorporated a Classic bust that we found on-site at Chateau Varennes. The table was lined with long candlesticks and another beautiful arrangement that incorporated our entire palette. We wanted this on a backdrop of tone on tone sage with nude chair covers to create a draped classical look that tied in the rest of the wedding . Overall, we wanted this workshop to feel moody, a little dark and different from the light and bright weddings we are used to seeing in California; we wanted this to stand out.

Working in France with such a wonderful team of creatives was truly inspiring; it was so much fun to be pushed creatively in a new direction. I particularly loved working with Kristen of Moon Canyon, her stylist prowess is unmatched.

A BRIDE AND GROOM PORTRAIT SESSION

For Sylvie’s workshop we were lucky enough to have not just one but two couples for the attendees to practice shooting with. Ivandra was the second model and we wanted to give her a completely different look. I love how the top of the Naeem Khan dress has the look of chain mail that reminds me of the renaissance but still feels very modern and fresh.

We decided to shoot the portrait session in my bedroom at the chateau because of the gorgeous natural light and the stunning red velvet couch that matched our palette. That couch is an antique and one of two in the world ( the second is on display at the louvre! ). I love the strong contrast in these portraits between Ivandra in the dress and the sofa in the room. This was the last thing we styled at the workshop and it felt like the grand finale!

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10 Tricks for Creating a Kid-Friendly Home with Style

I have a 16-month-old toddler boy, and this first image below is actually a room in my home. I’m not sure how I pulled that off… fist pump! But I did and I still am. Truthfully, it doesn’t always look like this, but with a serious determination to never sacrifice style for my kids (and a few tricks up my sleeve), a lived-in home that also translates to chic is totally possible. Today, I’m sharing a few of my own secrets with you!

Make the Practicalities Pretty

Inspired by Lori Paranjape, I was determined to ditch the classic baby gate and incorporate something beautiful into my office redesign. Working with a builder, we crafted this beauty above that I’ll still love long after my son has mastered the stairs.

Durability

Choose pieces that can handle wear and tear… from your couch fabric to your dining room table to easily wipeable (yet chic) kitchen island seating, consider how these larger items will age with time, a bit of damage and a whole lotta love through those incredible memories that you’ll make.

Be Wise with White

Just because you’ve got kiddos, does not at all mean you have to break up with white. Just know where to use it! If you want the vibe of a bright, airy space, go for white or neutrals wherever you can. Walls, countertops, tile back splashes, etc. are easily cleanable places to use white. It’s a good idea to give any fabric pieces a second thought. A white couch? Not so functional with babies. But if you just can’t live without it consider a durable, washable fabric choice or slipcovered version for easy washing when needed (because you WILL need to). Also, avoid white and neutrals for flooring, especially in high traffic areas where little muddy shoes will haunt you.

Embrace Simplicity

De-clutter and simplify your home. This doesn’t mean you have to go totally minimalist, but clearing out the un-used is one step closer to living stylishly with kiddos. Think everything from your pantry to your closets and all the nooks and crannies in between.

Change Up Your Shelfie Game

Place more valuable, breakable or dangerous items on the top shelves and decorate the bottom shelves with items like stacks of throws, books that you don’t mind getting tossed around and even stylish lidded toy baskets.

No Play Room? No problem.

I’m a firm believer that rooms should be multi-purpose and that having children means they fit into your lifestyle, not the other way around. Sure, it can be super convenient to have a play room dedicated just for the kids, but it’s so NOT a necessity. If you’re able to make at least one room in your home multi-functional to accommodate playtime, then you’re in good shape. Maybe that means your home office can transform into a play space (like I did with mine above), and your living room should naturally do that anyway. Just make sure each room serves everyone in the family.

Dirt Doesn’t Have to Mean Dirty

What is it about kids and handfuls of dirt? Or eating dirt! Don’t want your little ones eating dirt from your fiddle leaf fig? Get creative with plant placement by tucking them behind chairs for not-so-easy access (until they’re crazy toddlers who can magically get into anything and everything) or incorporate potted plants on shelving instead.

Tame the Toys

One of my first memories of playing as a child was with a good ol’ wooden spoon and all the pots and pans. I’m not saying to deprive your kiddo of modern toys, but consider that they don’t need every toy under the sun in order to be happy. Your home will thank you for it.

I also like to rotate toys in and out for my son to keep things interesting and fun for him. Every month or two I’ll swap a few things out. As he grows, some items get donated, some get boxed away for a possible brother or sister and some he still enjoys and delights when I bring them out again!

Don’t Overload on the Baby Registry & Birthdays

It’s so easy to get carried away when registering for or purchasing baby gear and goods. If you are one of those who went overboard on your wedding registry, you know what I’m talking about when your home feels like it’s going to burst at the seams with all those items you really don’t use that often. Try to only pick up the things you need—doing lots of research on what has worked best for other parents is a great place to start, so you’re not buying three brands of every item with a “just in case” attitude in mind.

Embrace a Lived-in, Loved Home

Don’t worry yourself over every little sharp corner, every sticky fingerprint or those days when the toy box explodes. Accidents happen and your idea of a perfect home will go out the window. There’s nothing wrong with aiming to live a well-styled life but remember that a lived-in home is full of love.

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Hudson Valley Wedding at Monteverde at Oldstone

From Bashful Captures… Monteverde at Oldstone is one of my favorite wedding venues because it’s such a serene and beautiful location. When I first found out that I was going back there to shoot Victoria & Kyle’s wedding, I was so excited and couldn’t wait for the day to come!

They both got ready at the venue and had their intimate, first look on the grand lawn of Monteverde at Oldstone over looking the Hudson River.

Victoria wore a beautiful Mira Zwillinger dress with delicate details with her sweet white bouquet made by Designs by Ahn.

Designs by Ahn also created this gorgeous arch for the ceremony and their tented reception was decorated with modern, white, romantic center pieces.

They were a sweet couple inside and out and I’m beyond honored that I got to be a part of their wedding day!

Summer French Riviera Wedding at Villa Ephrussi

I had the pleasure of meeting Greg Finck nearly four years ago and to this day, I can spot one of his weddings from a mile away. In a handful of words, his imagery is dreamy, thoughtful, soft and real—and today’s wedding, planned by Lavender & Rose is every single one of those descriptives. It warms the soul and makes you want to bookmark each and every pretty-in-pink detail. Hop on over to the gallery to do just that!

From Greg Finck… It’s not everyday that your bride is a professional model. Crystal is a model in Hong Kong and when you meet her, you get instantly hit by her effortless beauty. They got married on the French Riviera last summer, at the stunning Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. The day was magnificently planned and designed by Lavender&Rose, with touch of pinks, relating to the venue’s facade and Crystal’s favorite color. The invitation suite was stunning, designed by The Calligraphy girls, and Crystal had planned every single detail that make my job as a photographer so easy.

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Joyful Celebration at Calamigos Ranch

From the bride… I made it very clear before the wedding planning process even began that I would not DIY a on single thing. I am a minimalist, so I wanted the beauty of the venue to speak for itself and not clutter it. For me, the most memorable thing about the wedding were our vows. To hear my husband speak – so authentic, so vulnerable and beautiful, well… it just brought tears to my eyes!

~photography by Anya Kernes Photography

My best piece of advice to brides-to-be is to prioritize your preparation time and energy on the things that will bring you and your partner the most joy. Since I knew I had very limited resources and a tight budget, I focused my energy on getting the best possible Day-of-Coordinators, DJ/MC, and Photographer since I knew those vendors could make or break my day.

Remember, this is the one day where all the people you love will be in one place to celebrate yours and your significant other’s love. Be authentic and enjoy yourself! Don’t worry so much about impressing everyone.
See more of this Calamigos Wedding from Anya Kernes in the full gallery!

50 Wedding Planners Get Together for a Party of their Own

After planning my own wedding a few years ago, I had a whole new appreciation for event planners. While some of you might still be in the “how hard can planning a wedding really be?” frame of mind, trust me on this one—it is HARD. Planners are freaking magicians, and they deserve a lot of love for it. That’s what this lovely event, crafted by Adriana Marie Events, is all about—celebrating the genius wedding minds that dream up the pretty you find here on SMP daily. And, it happens to be the perfect blueprint for a summer soiree. Michael & Carina captured it all, don’t miss a detail in the full gallery!

From the planner, Adriana Marie Events… The Planners Affair was created two years ago and stemmed from the simple fact that as wedding planners and creative professionals, we constantly serve others and bring visions to life. It is long hours, filled to the brim with beautiful details and pampering others. The soul behind this exclusive event is that we wanted to create an occasion where the wedding planners were treated and loved on as we come into the busiest time of year, as well as build a community to be grown within our small wedding world. Life is better surrounded by those who support and uplift, and every year we aim to create something memorable and meaningful for the hard working woman and men who constantly make dreams a reality.

We styled the industrial chic space with two lush yet modernly driven long tables that sat nearly 50 planners from all over the DMV. As guests arrived, we created an intimate cocktail lounge with with lush velvet seating arrangements, textured linens, soft relaxing tones with a pop of personality. Just like most of us planners have quite the balance of!

Signature cocktails were enjoyed with hand crafted candy art in amber goblets to compliment the exciting yellow floral tones. The quaint cocktail space in all was curated to create genuine conversation and a friendly atmosphere that was warm and inviting. Eleven courses Catering Provided a spectacular selection of artfully made appetizers, followed by a three course meal while the group of pros were serenaded under the bistro lights at Prism Annapolis.

This event is so much more than a pretty evening. It is a night put together so generously by the partners who donate every penny to pampering the planners who ring so much joy and gorgeous to the world each and every day.

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Modern & Romantic Wedding at Nebraska’s The Diamond Room

Nebraska is showing up STRONG today. Lindsay and Alex tied the knot in one of the prettiest celebrations we’ve seen in a long time – with an attention to detail like no other. From the gorgeous welcome box favors filled with local favorites to the time spent alone in the reception space prior to the guests joining so that they could really feel the hard work pored into their wedding day, Lovestruck Events made sure every last moments was cared for and tended to. And the result, with images by Jessica Blex and STUNNING film by Buena Victoria, was a wedding that could easily be your favorite SMP wedding ever.

From Lovestruck… Lindsay and Alex’s wedding design was a true reflection of their unique personalities. The foundation of the design represented Lindsay’s desire for a garden-inspired celebration with a muted color palette and romantic florals.

In order to capture Alex’s personality, we added modern elements and introduced deeper tones into the color palette to give the design a masculine edge. Alex played a huge role in directing the overall vision and guest experience of the wedding day. As someone who loves to entertain, he wanted to create a unique and innovative atmosphere for their guests with surprises planned throughout the evening.

The invitation we designed set the tone for the celebration. Cheryl Dyer created an abstract floral pattern that was printed on a vellum envelope enclosing the wedding stationery suite. The modern floral design helped balance the invitation’s soft cotton letterpress paper, handwritten script, and elegant wax seal. Lyrics from their first dance song (I Would Do Anything For You by Foster the People) were foil stamped onto the envelope for a playful touch.

Lindsay and Alex were married on a Saturday evening in October in a clear top tent adjacent to the reception venue. The ceremony featured a custom gray-washed chuppah with a geometric design that was covered in lush floral blooms and greenery. Their ceremony was witnessed by just over 225 guests. A confetti canon was released when the couple shared their first kiss as husband and wife.

During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed French 75 cocktails, Lindsay’s signature drink, and a variety of passed and stationed appetizers. The dinner space was draped in white to soften the venue’s industrial finishes. We kept the guest table designs simple and functional, so guests could easily share the family-style bread and salad course before their plated entree.

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Wedding guests were directed back into the clear tent for dancing. A whiskey tasting bar, coffee cart, and 12 foot wooden bar were placed under the tent. Guests enjoyed wedding cake as well as beignets to satisfy their sweet tooth. Pizza was served from a food truck as a late-night snack. A live band from Atlanta kept the guests dancing throughout the evening.

A Q and A with the Bride and Groom

What did you envision your wedding being prior to planning?

Alex: To me, it was all about an experience. I wanted this to be a magical night not just for the bride and groom, but for everyone in attendance.

Lindsay: Whenever I imagined my wedding ceremony, it was always outdoors and was always in the fall.

What was your color palette and your style vision?

Alex: The vision for the wedding style was simple and unique. I didn’t just want a cliché pinterest wedding. I wanted something that would be unlike any wedding I had ever attended.

Lindsay: Everything I was drawn to evoked a chic, romantic feeling; soft palettes and muted hues. We chose a palette of blushes, peaches, grays, ivory with aged mixed metals and muted woods. I wanted my wedding to feel intimate and really beautiful.

What unique elements or DIY details did you include?

Alex: Putting the lyric of our first dance song on the back of our invitation was subtle, but very cool detail.

Lindsay: I agree with Alex, I loved that… Such a small detail with meaningful lyrics to us!

What was your favorite moment? Your favorite crafted detail?

Alex: My favorite moment was walking into the dancing tent and no one else was there, but my bride and me. It was stunning seeing the lights above us and the band playing and then just being the two of us for one moment before the party joined in. My favorite detail was having a hand-selected craft cocktail bar with a focus on bourbon. The chuppah and the tent were my favorite design details. And no one will ever forget the band…

Lindsay: My favorite moment was hands down the band, it was the moment everyone just let loose and had fun! My favorite detail would have to be the chuppah! It was simply stunning, they just nailed it!

Lindsay, tell us all about your gorgeous dress!

I felt most comfortable and most like myself in a more fitted lace dress. It had a row of pearl buttons up the back. My dress was a combination of two laces; to create the illusion of a pattern, which included an extra long train. Given the longer train I added to my ceremony dress, I wanted something I would feel comfortable in for the party. I knew I wanted a figure-hugging shape, but with enough movement for me to dance! For the ceremony I wanted a more traditional dress, but for the reception I felt comfortable with something less conservative, beadwork and embellishments in a subtle way that felt organic and dainty. My veil was simple, I just knew I wanted it longer than my train! My favorite accessory was a jeweled Jennifer Behr hair piece, I wore it for both the ceremony and the reception!

Can you share a little bit more about all of those important details…your flowers, the food, your favors, your cake?

Alex: The food was important. We chose menu items that could be executed well for our guest count. Rather than to-temperature steak, we chose cabernet braised beef short ribs. It was delicious.

Lindsay: Floral arrangements were organic – peonies, dahlias, ranunculus, anemones, eucalyptus, and garden roses.

For favors we put together a welcome box. Our approach was to include things that we would appreciate as guests at a wedding. We had a wooden box, which we filled with:

-A welcome program (which included a schedule of wedding events as well as a list of local restaurants and activities)
-Our favorite snacks: pistachios, strawberry macaroons and shortbread cookies, and sea salt caramels.
-Voss water

For our cake we ordered a vanilla wedding cake, semi naked, with flowers all over it. We also had it hanging from the ceiling, which made it fun and different!

What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be?

Alex: To grooms, it’s your day too. Everyone else tells you otherwise. Don’t listen. I think it’s an important start to marriage to realize it is both of your time. I loved every bit of it because I was involved. If I wasn’t involved it would not have been as special.

Lindsay: Do not get obsessed with details. Despite all your prepping and planning, some things do not turn out exactly how you imagined them, but nobody knows the difference! Remember, this is your and your future spouse’s day – and that should be your focus and priority. It is so easy to get caught up in the business of wedding planning that you can quickly forget what the day is truly about. After the wedding is all over, your real journey begins!

South Carolina Wedding with Classic Southern Hospitality

A fall wedding in South Carolina calls for Southern hospitality in it’s truest form! Jess and Scott wanted nothing more than to provide that for their out of town guests. As a transplanted New Yorker, Jess knew in a heartbeat that she wanted to be married in South Carolina. Alhambra Hall, in Mount Pleasant, suited her vision to perfection. Read on for more about their wedding day and then head on over to the full gallery for so much more pretty from Kristy Roderick Photography.

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From the Bride… My husband, Scott and I were married on Nov. 4th at Alhambra Hall. I was born and raised in NY (I now call Charleston home) and knew immediately I wanted to get married here! I wanted Southern touches, since we had so many guests traveling from out of town, but we also wanted to keep things fairly traditional.

We had the most PERFECT weather! We had our first look and took pictures downtown on Chalmers Street. We then had a sunset ceremony under the oak tree on the lawn at Alhambra. The sunset continued into cocktail hour where guests not only enjoyed bites and sips, but they were also treated to an interactive fragrance exploration where they selected a personalized candle as a favor.

For the reception we wanted a romantic fall feel. We kept things neutral on the color palette with gold, white, cream and pops of dusty rose and pink. We also incorporated a lot of greenery to keep things fresh feeling and to add to the romantic feel. The dark wooden beams, napa-like chandeliers and wood floors in the venue helped warm things up and really made our color choices pop.

All in all it was the BEST DAY EVER!

9 Things Stephanie Mark Can’t Live Without

Happy Friday friends! I always get so excited for our Things I Can’t Live Without series, and today, we’re hosting a serious boss lady. She’s a digital pioneer who transformed a passion project into a global media brand. Meet, Stephanie Mark, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Coveteur. Stephanie started Coveteur as a way to provide unparalleled access to the fashion, careers, and lifestyles of the world’s most influential figures and in doing so, she sure has inspired us! Having featured visionaries like Jessica Alba, Christian Louboutin, and Oprah Winfrey… how could she not? Let’s dive into her daily must-haves!

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A Modern, Floral-Filled Wedding at Legacy Acres

This wedding reminds me of my very own (minus this insanely beautiful ceiling installation!). I’m a sucker for a white-washed wedding venue and loads of blooms, so the combo of Legacy Acres with the genius of Zimmerman Events is just magical. And then, there are the puppy pics, which I’m guessing will be a hit when we debut their cute faces on Instagram. Now, feast your eyes the full gallery from Erin Wilson!

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From Erin Wilson… Brace yourself for the cutest little puppy family! Bailey and James were married this April at a venue that her mother built and they had the very first wedding at this brand new southern classic venue in the heart of Arkansas. If you know anything about Bailey and James you know they have the cutest southern accents and are obsessed with their *children* aka their dogs. We had to make sure to take tons of photos with their sweet pups and they are some of my favorite ever. Bailey and James’ vision for their day was a modern southern wedding filled to the brim with florals. Their florist and wedding planner designed the most stunning lush florals all over their wedding and you felt like you were in a garden. They exchanged vows in the prettiest white chapel filled with light and love and I was obsessed with the greenery framing the window they were married in front of. All day long they were surrounded by all their best friends and family and they had smiles on their faces all day long. I love the beautiful color palette of soft blues with pops of blush, mauve and deep burgundy in the florals. The wedding reception was the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Florals dripping from the ceiling surrounding a 10 foot wide chandelier, candles, draped fabric tables and florals and plants everywhere. They served southern foods, pies and drinks on the big wrap around porch of the venue. They ended the evening with fireworks and the prettiest classic town car for their getaway. I could re-live this day a million times!

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Tuscan Inspired Wedding in Central Florida at Bella Collina

There were no passports needed for this wedding at Bella Collina in Monteverde, Florida. However, you were immediately transported to the rolling hillside of Tuscany with the manicured gardens, breathtaking views and surrounded by the tranquil sounds of nature. This was all visible from the cobblestone villa atop of the hill overlooking the lake. It was the perfect setting for Kristy and Tim’s wedding. ~Masi Events + Katie Lopez Photography

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More from Masi Events… The inspiration came from the venue and all the details from the color palette with the serene blues and rose gold to the grey taper candles that complemented the setting perfectly. We created two different tablescapes with a mix of round tables and wooden tables to add dimension to the space.

The menu was also Italian inspired but personal touches were infused. The Cuban market carretta station served staples such as mini Cuban sandwiches and corquetas and served tribute to part of Kristy’s family’s heritage.

Towards the end of the evening, guests were surprised by a firework display and late night food was passed that included popcorn and chocolate covered bacon.

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Modern Pink Wedding Inspiration at the Machine Shop

Sometimes I get a little too comfortable in my neutral-loving ways, and then BAM, a styled shoot like this one comes along and reminds me how beautiful a splash of color really is. With planning and design by This Love Weddings and florals by Sadie’s Couture Floral and Event Design, there’s a whole lot of pin-worthy inspo that I hope to see in upcoming weddings of 2018 and ‘19! Have a peek at the full gallery captured by Laura Ivanova for more!

This editorial was captured at the historic industrial space turned wedding venue, Machine Shop. Inspired by velvet, we brought in rich colors and paired them with soft and delicate details throughout.

For a modern twist we incorporated calligraphy and geometric shapes to show that no matter the shape or pattern beauty can be found and infused anywhere. The intertwining soft textures with rich colors of coral, blush, dusty rose, and gold created what we envisioned to be a Velvet Dream.

Summer Essentials Every Host Needs in their Entertaining Arsenal

Did you join us last week for Emily Jackson of The Ivory Lane‘s insanely beautiful home tour? If not, pretty please, take a moment to check it out—you won’t be disappointed. With a home like that, you’ve got to have family and friends over on the regular, am I right? Well, Emily also happens to be a fab party host, so we had to get the dish on her summer entertaining essentials. Grab the deets below, paired with stunning imagery by Lindsay Salazar!

Serving Tray

If you are hosting a party and plan to serve food you will need a cute serving tray to hold it. Some of my favorites are: here, here and here. You can mix and match some or use the same style in different sizes. The prettier the food looks the more enticing it will be to your guests!!

Cake Stands

I love cake stands!! Here are a few of my favorites: here, here, here and here). I have used them for almost every event I’ve hosted at my home from family dinners to holiday parties and birthday parties! I don’t always use it for a cake, sometimes I use it as a simple centerpiece or stack several for decor. It always adds the perfect touch to every occasion!

Water Dispenser

I have a very favorite crystal glass dispenser that I use every time I host an event (similar style here and here). In fact, my mom and sister have the same dispenser because we all love it so much!! It’s worth investing in a good dispenser because you’ll use it over and over again, and it looks nice! I’ve used mine for lemon water, juice, and a variety of lemonades (I also love to have fresh fruit/berries floating in the water. It adds a nice touch!!).

Good Seating Area

Comfortable seating areas are crucial for entertaining. Whether it’s indoor or outdoor you need to have a designated space where your guests can relax and enjoy, full of pillow and throws! I love this one, this one and this one.

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Photography: Lindsay Salazar | Entertaining Tips: Emily Jackson

The Sweetest Couple Says “I Do” at Strong Mansion

The most exciting shot of a wedding (and one that I’m sure is intense for most wedding photographers) is the ceremony exit. It’s also one of my favorite moments of a wedding day—and couples like these two, are exactly why. Their pure joy jumps off the page, and Lauren Fair captured that moment with such care. It’s just one little piece of this Big Day, planned by Brielle Davis Events. Make sure to experience the entirety of love right here in the full gallery.

From Lauren Fair Photography… Chris and Joanne’s elegant, European mansion spring wedding was so dreamy! These two are the sweetest couple, with such a genuine love for each other and for others. The day was complete with lots of peachy tones, the beautiful architecture of Strong Mansion, a lush garden ceremony followed by a tented reception on the mansion grounds, and a surprise choreographed first dance to The Greatest Showman’s “Rewrite the Stars!”

From the bride… Before I was dating my now husband, I heard about this little website called Pinterest. For kicks, I looked through wedding inspiration and there it was! An adorable pink and gold backyard wedding on Style Me Pretty that captured my heart. So began my first Pinterest board. It’s fun to see how my tastes have matured over the last 7 years.

When I was finally engaged and it came time to plan for the real deal, I knew exactly the type of wedding I wanted. An intimate, romantic, light, and ethereal French garden inspired event. Of course being the big nerds we are, I wanted to throw in a dash of our love of video games and movies, and also work my artsy side. Spring was the perfect time and I gave myself a little over two years to plan.

We found our stunning venue at Strong Mansion and it was love at first sight. The beauty of the outdoors, the French Chateau styled mansion, and the history, exceeded our expectations. After we had our venue, everything else started to fall into place and I just had to find my dream team.

One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was hiring Brielle Davis as our wedding planner. She was my sanity and helped me find my top priority vendor, the photographer. I’m an artistic person and finding a creative mind that would capture my inspiration for our big day was crucial. Our photographers, Lauren and Tim Fair, were a dream! They are inspirational people who know their craft and have blown me away time and time again with their work. It was truly an honor getting to be a part of their art!

By the end of this process we felt like each of the vendors were our friends. Our baker Jimin made the most delicious Nutella filled almond cake, our officiant Jeff was such a professional and had everyone laughing and crying. We are that couple that’s always on the dance floor so we had to find the best DJ who could MC and read the crowd, and Mike killed it! Our videographer Dan made us feel like a part of those movies we love so much. The florals, rentals, food, and beauty – all of it – was spot on!

I learned so much from this process and did a great deal of DIY. Being a perfectionist meant my DIY had to look professional and so I threw myself into learning calligraphy for all our invitations, signs, escort mirror, marble name plates, bridal party gifts, and more! I also took macaron lessons so I could make hundreds of French macarons for our favors. It was such a labour of love and I’m opening an Etsy shop so I can make others just as happy on their special day! We even spent months learning a choreography to a number from The Greatest Showman and we blew everyone away with our lift!

Our wedding was pure magic. We were stunned at how amazing and blissful it all felt. Family and friends were all wonderful and my bridesmaids were stunning in their different shades of pink tulle. I felt gorgeous in my Hayley Paige dream dress. Seeing all my time and effort flourish… it was incredible. There wasn’t a single worry except the nerves of finally seeing my soon-to-be husband for our first look. Once I saw the tears running down his face when he turned around, all was right in my world.”

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Brooklyn Rustic Chic Wedding at 26 Bridge

From the Bride… If I had to pick a word to describe our wedding it would be ‘true’. Right from the start, Jeremy and I wanted our wedding to be true to who we were and what we believed. We met in college and our relationship naturally grew from a wonderful and true friendship. This idea of authenticity and truth carried over into every thought that went into the wedding between our party, venue, ceremony, and all details in between. ~ Cynthia Chung Weddings

We chose to get married in New York City not only because it was more convenient for both of our families than Washington, D. C., but because Jeremy knew that it would be incredibly special for me to be home. New York is filled with so many beautiful venues, but it still took some time to find a venue that felt ‘true’ to us, until we stumbled upon 26Bridge!

Located a hop, skip, and a jump away from Brooklyn Bridge park, the historic metal factory, now an open event venue, was a perfect fit for us. Visually, we loved that the space spoke for itself. Going into the planning season, I was inspired less by colors and more by textures like brick, metal, glass, and greenery, which helped to organically develop the neutral color theme that we went perfectly with the space.

Another highlight of working with 26Bridge was that we weren’t limited to a preferred vendors list, which allowed us to choose who we wanted to work with. One of my favorite aspects of our wedding was that everyone seemed to be personally connected to us in one way or another. Between our floral designer from DC, my makeup artist, our photographer, and more, I was not only working with people whom I greatly respected, but people that I knew and appreciated on a deep level. Sarena Edenfield, my hair and makeup artist, perfectly nailed the natural look that I had wanted.

On the other hand, I had been following the work of Cynthia Chung, our photographer, for years so it was a dream to be able to have her capture moments throughout the day. In many ways, getting to work with these phenomenal, yet familiar people made the whole planning and day-of process feel so much more like a family event. In the same vein, while Jeremy and I didn’t do a lot of craft DIY decor, we still executed many things on our own.

Katy Gale, our floral designer, helped order our flowers and create “recipe cards” for me to use so that my dear friend, Chanhee, and I could arrange all bouquets and boutonnieres. This allowed us to order flowers through a wholesaler and do our own floral arranging, while getting Katy’s expertise and guidance in floral design.

Another favorite part of my wedding was our stationery. My dream job would be to have my own stationery store because I love all things paper, but most of my favorite stationery brands were incredibly expensive. One of my bridesmaids had a logo made for Jeremy and me by one of my favorite graphic designers, Jessie Schnall. We used this and a custom font from Minted to design our own invitation, program, seating chart, and table numbers. I have loved Jessie’s work for years now, so it was such a joy to be able to use something specifically designed for us in almost all of our stationery pieces. I particularly loved our wedding program because aside from the ceremony details and lyrics, we included a hand drawn map of the nearby DUMBO area that Jeremy drew so that our guests could explore the area during our cocktail hour.

Overall, the day was filled with so much joy and we felt so grateful to have shared it with so many people that we love.

A Farm-to-Table Garden Welcome Party at Cedar Lakes Estate

Whether you’re doing a destination wedding or a staying local, chances are that a good portion of your guests will still be traveling to celebrate your wedding weekend, which is why a welcome party is always a good idea! I’m attending one this Friday for a wedding I’m in and cannot wait! It’s the perfect kick-off for any wedding weekend and such a fun way for guests to get to know each other. Today, this adorable farm-to-table soiree captured by Lauren Fair is the pretty proof. Cedar Lakes Estate was the gorgeous backdrop for this party, planned by White Hall Events. See it all right here.

From Lauren Fair… We’re so excited to share Camryn + Eugene’s breathtakingly beautiful rehearsal dinner at Cedar Lakes Estate! We always love when we’re able to capture the welcome party festivities, especially when they are held in such a beautiful place! The chef’s garden at Cedar lakes Estate was the perfect backdrop for a warm summer night + dining al fresco under white umbrellas + twinkle lights. The chefs at Cedar Lakes craft the most delicious, locally sourced menus full of their own fruits + vegetables – it’s truly a garden to table dining experience! Camryn + Eugene have such a warm, inviting presence about them and we loved getting to see how close they are to their families and friends throughout the night.

Photography: Lauren Fair Photography | Event Planning: White Hall Events, By Amy Hardisty | Florals: Ariel Dearie Flowers | Reception Venue: Cedar Lakes Estate

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A Romantic Winter Wedding at Park Chateau with Hundreds of Blooms

Whenever I see the name Lauren Fair in submissions, I know I’m in for a whole lot of wedding goodness. And today, she’s taking over the blog (and our Instagram account), so you can only imagine my excitement! Her weddings are filled with the perfect combo of moments and details that make for seriously inspiring soirées—ones you’ll want to pin every bit of. Case in point? This blushed and bloomed winter fete at Park Chateau, planned by Shannon Wellington Weddings. I’m betting there are hundreds of flowers layered into it, thanks to Fresh Designs. See it all here and stay tuned for more from Lauren later today!

Lauren and Tyler’s stunning winter wedding may have been one of the coldest days of the winter, but you’d never know it! Lush blooms and romantic design elements, combined with the soaring white architecture of their venue, created a stunning environment for their wedding day!

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