Photography: Mike Colón | Wedding Dress: Berta
This Santa Ynez celebration is the a shining example of outdoor elegance. From the Samuelle Couture gown to the prettiest french blue details masterminded by Joy Proctor, along with florals by Kelly Kaufman, it’s bringing old world charm to California wine country. See for yourself with every last gorgeous moment captured by Kurt Boomer.
Allie & Ryan chose the beautiful Sunstone Villa as a backdrop for their wedding ceremony. With a color palette of french blue, creme, gold and taupe, the overall look was elegant yet understated. Guests were greeted with champagne as they arrived in the winery, walking through the vines to the ceremony. Huge urns of flowers in creme and green tones sat at the alter, while guests sat at beautiful cane back chairs. The couples daughter was held by the groom as he entered. The bride came down the aisle with her Father wearing a Samuelle Couture gown in a taupe color. After the vows, guests, made their way to the front of the villa for cocktails. Linen upholstered lounge furniture and wooden bars added to the elegant outdoor theme. An oversized 7′ wooden board helped guests find their seats – each guests name was on the board on beautiful blue paper in gold calligraphy. Guest tables were covered in gorgeous creme flowers, with polish bread sitting at each place setting. The brides father gave a toast sharing their Polish heritage and invited the bride and groom to do a toast with vodka and water. Guests danced the night away under a criss cross pattern of string lights.
Photographer: Kurt Boomer | Florals: Kelly Kaufman | Catering: Duo Catering & Events | Hair & Makeup: Amy Clarke | Lighting: SPARK Creative Events | Invites: Lazaro Press & Design | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Planner & Designer: Joy Proctor Design | Rentals: The Tent Merchant
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Whether you run a biz out of your home or just need a workspace to pay the bills, having a dedicated home office is key to staying organized and productive. Working full-time from home myself, I’ve experience first hand how a chaotic workspace can negatively affect my productivity. This space designed by House of Jade Interiors and captured by Becky Kimball is anything but—and we’re breaking down how to get the look today, including five must-haves for office success.
A few weeks ago, the most incredible thing happened. After eight years together, my college boyfriend popped the question in Maine with our parents watching on. The whole weekend, as we ducked into little shops and bars (so many lobster rolls!) in rainy Kennebunkport, I couldn’t help but think what a dream it all felt like…and how I couldn’t have literally dreamt the weekend up. Here are five things I didn’t expect.
That yes, I can be surprised
Contrary to what I always thought, I can 100% be surprised. I pride myself on being a detective—knowing the scoop on everything and being one step ahead of the game. Not on September 2nd! Not only did I miss every sign and clue (his clammy hands, my friend taking me to get a manicure the day before), I was completely dumbfounded. It will forever go down as the greatest surprise of my life. And kudos to all of the people who were able to keep the secret.
I didn’t cry!
Whenever I envisioned that moment (generally on a long run), I pictured myself crying. But in the photos his dad snapped in a bush from afar, I am actually laughing, not crying. And so is he. The moment was overwhelming, and my instinct was to laugh and smile. Heres hoping the same thing happens when I walk down the aisle.
We didn’t want to share the news right away
We spent the evening drinking champagne with our parents, and aside from the few family and friends we told that night, we waited to share the news until we felt really ready. Spending a few days quiet away in Maine was the perfect way to kick off our engagement and only made it that much sweeter when we finally did tell everyone else.
Just how happy we would be
I had heard from my engaged friend’s that the actual proposal would feel like an out of body experience. And it truly was. I can honestly say that we both could not wipe the smile off of our faces for days. Even returning home and heading back to work seemed like a dream, a swirl of congratulatory messages and emotionally-laced moments. It was far and away better than we ever could have imagined.
Greg Finck
We felt really loved
Maybe it’s just that we’d seen far too many social posts from other couples thanking everyone for the outpouring of love post-engagement (almost standard language nowadays), but we truly had no idea how much love we would really receive. Near and far, friends and family reached out, sent cards, told us how happy they were for us. And just like that, we understood the whole “outpouring of love” thing.
Style Me Pretty Contributor – Briana Charlotte is a freelance writer residing in Brooklyn, New York. When she isn’t writing about all things bridal, she can be found on the dance floor at a wedding or bachelorette party or finally learning how to dance for her own upcoming nuptials.
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Did you know pineapples are a symbol of friendship and hospitality? So they were the just the theme for this modern, tropical wedding! Bliss Events turned L’Auberge Del Mar into a Hawaiian paradise, using clean and beachy furniture from Archive Rentals, geometric patterned linens from La Tavola, and exotic blooms by Isari Flower Studio + Event Design all accented with the fruit of the day. Taylor Abeel Photography captured the bright and beautiful affair, which is all waiting for you here.
From the Bride… Kyle and I moved to San Diego about two years ago. We have always loved the city, and when Kyle proposed at the La Jolla Cove in the summer of 2016, we knew we wanted to incorporate this beautiful coastline, and our new home, into our wedding. We visited many oceanfront venues, but ultimately fell in love with Seagrove Park and the L’Auberge Del Mar. The hotel screams southern California but is also very homey and comfortable. We loved the idea of moving into different spaces for each piece of the wedding day: the park for the ceremony, a pool-side deck for cocktail hour, the open-air rooftop for dinner, and finally the ballroom for live music and dancing.
I have never been a roses and glitter type of person. Instead, we took design inspiration from our love of both the lush landscape and warm culture of Hawaii as well as clean and modern style, which we coined “Modern Tropical.” We brought in color via exotic flower arrangements with greens and sherbet tones and kept the furniture clean, simple, and geometric. One of my favorite elements of the wedding was the hexagonal arch at our ceremony, which was stunning against the ocean backdrop. I also loved the simple but dramatic King Protea bouquets, which complemented the Groomsmen’s ties.
Pineapples ran as a theme throughout the wedding. Geometric and tropical themselves, they are also a symbol of friendship and hospitality. All of my Bridesmaids wore gold, pineapple pendent necklaces, which I gave to each of them when I asked them to be a part of our wedding day.
For the overall wedding experience, we wanted to incorporate personal touches throughout the day. We had POG juice, a Hawaiian staple, as a pre-ceremony refreshment. Both Kyle and I love tiki bars, and as a nod to that, we created a Mai Tai bar at cocktail hour with an assortment of fun tiki mugs for guests to choose from and take home as favors. I work for a local San Diego brewery, Ballast Point, so we made sure to have Ballast Point beers on tap. For cocktail hour appetizers, we served a grilled cheese to honor Kyle’s family roots in Wisconsin and a green chile empanada for my home state, New Mexico, with a toothpick state flag added to each. The pathway from dinner to the ballroom was lined with luminarias, a New Mexican Christmas tradition. Finally, as a late-night snack, we brought in Kyle’s favorite dessert, cookies, from a local shop called The Cravory. The spread included options such as birthday cake, red velvet, and of course, chocolate chip. The Mighty Untouchables complemented the entire event with live music. A simple ukulele for the ceremony, a singer/songwriter inspired duo during dinner, and a full 8-piece band, including a saxophone, in the ballroom to finish off the evening.
Our families played a big part in the wedding as well. My parents were involved in every step of the planning process and made frequent trips from Albuquerque out to San Diego to turn our wedding dream into a reality. Kyle’s family hosted an amazing dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant. On the day of the ceremony, I wore my mom’s favorite ruby bracelet. Mia Hamm, our two-year-old Spaniel mix, spent the morning getting ready with the girls in the bridal suite. Kyle’s brother, Connor, officiated a personalized ceremony; Kyle’s twin brother and my sister gave thoughtful and funny Best Man and Matron-of-Honor speeches; and my brother, Adam, emceed the grand entrance into the ballroom to kick off the party.
Photography: Taylor Abeel Photography | Cinematography: Anthology Films | Coordination: Bliss Events | Floral Design: Isari Flower Studio + Event Design | Wedding Dress: The Dress Theory | Cake: VG Donut & Bakery | Bride's Shoes: Via Spiga | Makeup: Juna Beauty | Hair: Audra Rene Studio | Band: The Mighty Untouchables | Groom's Attire: Bonobos | Transportation: San Diego Van Service | Venue: L’Auberge Del Mar | Aisle Runner, Stage, Risers, Draping: Platinum Event Rentals | Bride's Earrings: Kate Spade | Bride's Necklace: Blue Nile | Cookies: The Cravory | Foliage: San Diego Interior Foliage | Furniture Rentals: Archive Rentals | Gobo Light: SD Socialights | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Napkins: Hostess Haven | Photo Booth: Taylor Abeel Photography | Specialty Beer: Ballast Point | Tables: Farm Tables And More
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Inspired by one of their favorite memories – sipping wine under the starry night sky in Napa Valley – this couple decided to recreate the experience for guests at their Milwaukee wedding. Booth Photographics captured just how they transformed the Milwaukee Art Museum into California Wine Country, with help from planning experts, Événement, and floral design by Impressions. The result is a modern, rustic blend we can’t get enough of, and it’s all waiting for you right here.
Kelly and Cody shared some amazing memories during a visit to Napa Valley and wanted to recreate that for their guests. They chose a show-stopper of a venue in the famous Milwaukee Art Museum that gave the sense of staring up at the starry night sky sipping wine – their favorite experience together. They chose a venue that gave them that feeling of looking up at the stars at night, strung cafe lights to create some romance, and put a great glass of wine in everyone’s hands. Add in top notch catering for that quintessential Napa culinary experience, and they had created something truly distinct for their favorite people.
Kelly and Cody wanted their florist, Esther Fleming, to have free reign to soften their modernist space. They shared how they loved the way the vines grew in Napa Valley and showed her some samples. She took things from there, building them a long pergola for their head table and wrapping it in greenery and vines. Kelly and Cody recreated one of their favorite experiences together for their guests, and the result is pretty incredible!
Photography: Booth Photographics | Event Planning + Design: Evenement Planning | Floral Design: Impressions by Esther Fleming | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Reception Venue: Milwaukee Art Museum | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Milwaukee Art Museum | Photography Location: Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum
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What does a chic, boho living room and a salon with a pretty pop of wallpaper have in common? Riawna Capri! This celebrity hairstylist, who spends her days making Julianne Hough look gorgeous, teamed up with Lulu & Georgia to give her living room and salon a healthy dose of awesome. Tour both spaces captured by Monica Wang right here!
About the space… Designed by Amber Lancaster with Lulu & Georgia pieces, the seating area by the fireplace is true to Riawna’s California boho style. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee while listening to a record from Riawna’s extensive collection. Plus, the pups seem to like it too.
Living Room Sources
Swivel Chair | Moroccan Pouf | Gold Pendant | Brass Nesting Tables | Sanem Kilim Pillow | Derya Kilim Pillow | Rug
About the salon…The L&G design team worked with Nikki and Riawna’s inspo to create a space for their team to work in and to meet with clients. The Midnight Tropic Wallpaper by Cara Loren set the tone for a moody, glam feel. We brought in a boho rug for some texture and a white dining table to lighten the look up a bit.
Salon Sources
Midnight Tropic Wallpaper | Oval Dining Table | Sayan Pendent | Sheepskin Rug | Dining Chair | Lounge Chair | Emerald Daybed | Indigo Mudcloth Pillow | Black Mudcloth Pillow | Rug | Faceted White Vase
Photography: Monica Wang | Design and Decor: Lulu & Georgia
Is it just me or does it seem party season is now year round? Wedding season goes into holiday festivities, with charity functions sprinkled in between. I’m not complaining because I love playing dress-up. However, it can be easy to fall back on your go-to hair routine. So, in order to avoid the same tired look, I rounded up the beauty experts to share the most flattering hairstyles based on your fancy frock’s neckline.
For instance, a low neckline, like a strapless, provides the most hair versatility. Your options include a blowout, Veronica Lake curls or a boho beach waves, says Thumbtack hair artist Jonathan Reisfeld.
Get high.
“Updos flatter a high neckline,” says Jonathan. “Mainly because a higher cut takes away from the length of the neck, especially if the material is dark.” He points out the fact that darker fabrics remove the illusion of length and space, whereas lighter colors create a longer neck. The higher the neckline, the higher your hairstyle should be. He recommends going with an updo such as a top knot or a braided chignon, which provides length to the back of the neck
Bring sexy back.
Updos are also perfect for an open back dress. If you’re opting for this cut, you likely want to show it off. Holly Pistas, artistic director and hair designer at Gordon Salon, suggests a look that is up and off the neck. “Keep hair up towards the crown of the head or brought to the front to keep it clean and sexy,” she says. “Long hair can be curled and pinned to one side for a sultry feel.”
Avoid the cold shoulder.
The one-shoulder look is tricky to pull off because, at first glance, it looks like any style works. However, if you’ve ever worn one before, you know the struggle of styling your hair to balance the asymmetrical outfit. Holly recommends structured looks that keep hair pulled back and out of the way such as a low side bun, pulled apart fishtail braid or long cascading curls swept to one side.
Keep halters classy.
For a halter neck go up and off the neck says Dailin Davila, a stylist at G2o Spa + Salon in Boston. “You want to highlight how the strap hugs the neck and if you have a low updo it covers up the fabric.” Whether it’s a soft and romantic look like a braided crown or a super polished style like a high ponytail, Dailin says you can’t go wrong.
Holly agrees, saying “the top knot or a swept up style looks best because it prevents hair from rubbing on fabric. Which if that happens, can lead to a sloppy and disheveled look as the night progresses.”
This Love of Yours Photography
Opt for simplicity when showing off your décolletage.
Sweetheart and v-neck cut garments bring a lot of attention to the bust area. Keep it classy with a faux bob or messy French twist, says Holly. “The cut speaks for itself, especially if it’s a plunging v-neck. It’s a bold statement in and of itself, therefore, you don’t need to draw more attention to it.” She recommends finishing the look off with a pair of statement earrings or a simple necklace.
And remember, details such as texture, braiding, or hairpieces add another layer to your outfit’s vibe says Dailin. Consider those elements (and your own outfits fabric and embellishments) when deciding on how to rock your hair.
Ximena N. Larkin is a writer and publicist. She lives in Chicago with her husband and dog. More at: ximenalarkin.com
Photography: Galia Lahav | Floral Design: L'Atelier Rouge | Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav | Jewelry: jennifer behr
Photography: Galia Lahav | Floral Design: L'Atelier Rouge | Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav | Jewelry: jennifer behr
Having jittery feelings before your wedding is completely normal. As the most exciting and nerve-wracking day of your life approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in every emotion under the sun… a dash of anxiety, a sprinkle of nervousness, and loads of excitement! While this is perfectly normal, it can also become a tad annoying after a while. Take care of yourself by following these steps to avoid the bridal jitters!
Take a Spa Day
One of the quickest ways to ease those nerves is to have a long relaxing day at the spa getting pampered. When you’re at the spa for a while, you have time to relax, reflect, and meditate on the exciting days ahead. Take your sister, mom, and/or BFF with you and schedule a few different activities at the spa so that you have a nice long quiet day of mental health time. You deserve some bride time before the big day.
Keep the Wedding Week Open
If you procrastinate on some of the wedding items on your to-do list till the week of the wedding, you will quickly become overwhelmed. Instead, make an effort to get everything done before the wedding week so that you have a solid week of mentally preparing for the wedding and just enjoying the last few days as fiancés. With that free time you can go on a date just the two of you, schedule dinners for your families, and relax with your bridesmaids. This will give you time to get even more excited about the wedding, instead of running around being stressed at the last minute.
Go to Sleep
Everyone needs at least 6-8 hours of sleep each night. Not getting enough sleep each night can mess with your emotions, decision-making, and stress level. Set a bedtime for yourself each night and be intentional about sticking to it. Limit your phone time before bed and try to cut out any distractions. You will wake up refreshed and at peace as your wedding day approaches. We should also take a moment to acknowledge that beauty sleep is a real thing! Don’t miss out on those zzz’s.
Every bride experiences at least some level of pre-wedding jitters. It’s perfectly normal but easily avoidable if you are intentional about taking care of yourself.
Style Me Pretty Contributor – Kylie Thompson is a freelance writer, blogger and marketing professional from Grand Rapids Michigan, where she resides with her husband. When she isn’t working, you will find her exploring Grand Rapids’ newest culinary establishments with her husband, or traveling up and down Lake Michigan’s coast.
Photography: Greg Finck Photography | Wedding Dress: Rime Arodaky | Hair + Makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup
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