With the holidays just around the corner, the shopping frenzy is full on. And while we are all for gift giving, it’s always important to keep in mind the impact your gifts are having. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of our favorite items from brands that are dedicated to giving back to this world. Whether you’re shopping for the fashionista, for the littles, or for the new home owner, check out this guide to find the perfect gift that gives back.

For the Fashionista

Feed: A black, leather tote is a staple in any women’s wardrobe, and this limited edition one by FEED is a perfect, practical size with sturdy straps. Each one of FEED’s products has a number stamped on it for the number of meals provided to the hungry by the purchase of that item…You won’t believe the number on this one!

Everlane: I could basically own stock in Everlane, because their basics are not only high quality and well designed, but they’re also affordable. When you purchase this shirt, part of the 100% Human collection, Everlane will donate $5 directly to the Human Rights Campaign.

Gorjana: What woman doesn’t love getting jewelry for the holidays, especially when it’s as chic as this black and gold bracelet? Part of Gorjana’s charity line, proceeds from this bracelet benefit With My Own Two Hands, a non-profit organization that provides water and agricultural projects that fund education in African communities.

Warby Parker: for every pair of glasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need by either 1) Empowering adult men and women with training opportunities to administer basic eye exams and sell glasses for ultra-affordable prices or 2) Directly giving vision care and glasses to school-age children in their classrooms, where teachers are often the first to spot issues

Sseko: Sseko Designs provides employment during the 9 month gap between high school and university where high potential young women are able to earn and save enough money to pay for college tuition. 50% of their salary each month goes into a savings account that is not accessible until tuition is due. At the end of each term, Sseko Designs grants university scholarships that match 100% of the savings each woman has made during her 9 month session with Sseko.

For the Littles

Krochet Kids: Because what’s cuter than a little wearing a crocheted animal cap?
Nothing. Krochet Kids not only creates jobs for those in poverty-stricken communities, but they also also partner with Capable to provide a holistic set of programs which include education, mentorship, and financial services to equip their employees for all areas of their lives.

Parks Project: A coloring book is a children’s present classic, and this one happens to help keep our national parks funded.

Yoobi: The perfect partner to that Park Projects coloring book, these Yoobi color pencils are an essential for your budding artist. For every Yoobi item sold, a Yoobi item will be donated to a classroom in need in the U.S.A.

cuddle + kind: Not only are these knit dolls way more adorable than anything we grew up playing with, but for every doll sold, cuddle + kind provides 10 meals for the hungry.

Toms: The ones who started it all, Toms has given out over 75 million pairs of new shows to children in need through their one for one model. This velvety pair is particularly on trend…As a matter of fact, does it come in a woman’s 7?

STATE Bags: Metallic is always a good idea, and this backpack will be loved by any kiddo who receives it. For every bag purchased, STATE hand-delivers a backpack filled with essential tools for success to an American child in need.

For the New Home Owner

Sackcloth and Ashes: For every blanket purchased, this brand gives a blanket to your local homeless shelter. We’re obsessed with this light grey, textured style – perfect for a sofa or the to layer on your bed!

United by Blue: Because every home needs a good set of copper mugs. Bonus: These ones are monogrammable! For every product sold, this company promises to remove a pound of trash from the earth’s oceans and waterways.

The Citizenry: The lumbar pillow that’s all over your Instagram. Not only do they work with artisan entrepreneurs in developing nations, but The Citizenry also invests 10% of all proceeds directly back into the artisan communities through Entrepreneur Development Grants.

Art Sugar: Fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale of this fabulous Peacock Feather limited edition print will be donated to Flawless Foundation, which seeks to revolutionize the way the world perceives, prevents, and treats brain-based behavioral challenges. Plus, we think it’s a great addition to any gallery wall.

Parachute: Trust us, you’ll never sleep better than you do between these linen sheets…and we’re partial to the blush colorway. For every Venice Bedding Set sold, the home essentials brand with a cult following donates a life-saving malaria-prevention bed net to those in need through their partner, the United Nation Foundation’s Nothing But Nets.

Cover image photographed by Alyssa Rosenheck.

Insanely beautiful views are only the beginning of this elegant Malibu wedding. Nestled among the hilltops at Malibu Rocky Oaks, the skies blend with the most gorgeous neutral decor crafted by So Happi Together, all white florals by Heavenly Blooms and stunning tabletop accessories by Casa de Perrin. And just wait until you sneak a peek at Sally Pinera’s hilltop portraits. Now THAT is a gorgeous perspective.

Chicago lovers, Genia and Tim had the most beautifully classic yet sophisticated wedding at the Malibu Rocky Oaks Villa. With So Happi Together, they created a memorable wedding for their friends and family full of beauty and class. The color palette was neutral with lots of organic elements that gave an effortless, warm and inviting feel to the wedding. Neutral is always a good idea for weddings! With beautiful florals by Heavenly Blooms, impeccable tabletop by Casa De Perrin and vintage items from Found Rentals was featured in this wedding. Written Word did the invites, programs and special papered goods for an elegant touch of script. We are so excited to share this beautiful couple’s wedding.

Photography: Sally Pinera | Videographer: Steelhead Cinema | event design and planning: So Happi Together | Florals: Heavenly Blooms | Cake: Vanilla Bake Shop | catering: Urban Palate | hair and makeup: TEAM Hair and Makeup | dj: Vox DJs | venue: Malibu Rocky Oaks | Linen: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Casa de Perrin | Rentals: A Rental Connection | Rentals: Found Rental Co. | bar : Liquid Catering

It’s amazing to make a place your own and bring out your style. However, it’s so common to make easy mistakes along the way. After living in four different locations in three years, I learned a few things along the way—made some mistakes, cursed Pinterest for the rest of my life and finally found a rhythm and solution for my mishaps.

Not Measuring Things
A huge downfall when you’re buying decor and furniture occurs when you ignore the dimensions of things. You may be thinking, well, of course, you wouldn’t buy a couch that doesn’t fit.  BUT I’m talking about the small things. You may buy new dining room chairs that sit too low for your dining room table. Or you may get a TV console that isn’t as wide as the TV. Paying attention to dimensions and physically measuring your room will create a clean look. Don’t ignore those dimensions when you’re shopping, even if you have to be that girl that brings a measuring tape with you!

Not Paying Attention to the Fine Print
Each company handles shipment and delivery in a different way. Some will offer to unbox it for you and move it physically inside the house, some will leave it at the front door, and some will text you to schedule a delivery time so you can coordinate when you’re home. When you ignore these details, you forfeit your ability to plan well and stay on track with your decor process. Your brand new couch could be delivered while you are away and left outside in the dead of winter. The possibilities are endless. Don’t be the girl that leaves her couch in the wind.

Copying and Pasting Someone Else’s Style
Pinterest truly is a blessing and a curse. It’s great to get inspired, but it can be detrimental to your own aesthetic when you try to force a built-in breakfast nook situation in your teeny kitchen, or when you slap that blush pink paint on your front door that ends up clashing with your brick? Use Pinterest to find YOUR style, instead of using it to copy someone else’s style. Been there, definitely done that.

Not Using What You Already Have
Getting new decor and furniture can be refreshing but don’t forget about the items you already have. That weird old wooden dresser that you don’t like anymore can be painted white and given new modern handles, the ugly brown chair can be reupholstered, the glass candle jar can be used as a vase. Use what you have and find ways to transform it in a way that works with your new look.

Not Thrifting
I don’t think I need to go into depth here about how scary expensive furniture and decor can be. You walk into a store to “just browse” and you walk out with four throw pillows, a new bar cart accessory and BAM you just spent $120! Instead of buying everything brand new, make a list of items that you need to splurge on and items that you can thrift for. For us, the priority was buying our own brand new couch. And instead of getting a fancy new dining room table, we shopped for a thrifted one. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize.

Being Too Matchy
This is a tricky one. In an effort to have a nice clean look you end up buying everything that looks exactly the same. To avoid this, buy things slowly. Don’t rush into everything all at once. If you take your time you’ll find ways to match things without looking like you’re living in a perpetual store advertisement.

Not Budgeting
Like I mentioned before, money flies away FAST when you’re decorating. Before you start looking, plan exactly how much you’ll spend. Stay on track by putting together a spreadsheet with the list of items you start to buy and watch your budget slowly decrease. This will force you to be diligent in following along with your budget.

Decorating is fun, expensive, intimidating, thrilling, and relieving. Stay true to you, pay attention to the details, and don’t forget your budget. Oh and be careful with those freaking throw pillows!

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Kylie Thompson is a freelance writer, blogger and marketing professional from Grand Rapids Michigan, where she resides with her husband and golden retriever. 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.

‘Tis the season for engagement ring shopping and if you’re on the hunt for “the one” to call your own (yay!), we’re here to help. Think a little ring shopping 101 with breakdowns on the 4 C’s, the perfect setting, selecting the right metal and more. Find out how to choose the right sparkler below.

THE 4 C’S 

Cut, color, clarity and carat. If you’ve been ring shopping, then you’ve heard these four words time and time again. Because when it comes to finding the perfect diamond sparkler, choosing a diamond with the least color (A is awesome, Z not so great) and flaws (aka, clarity) is key. And since we all want our diamonds to dazzle, we’ll let you in on a little secret: the cut is THE most important. Why? Well, if the cut isn’t amazing, it really doesn’t matter if the ring is colorless or flawless… it still won’t shine the way you want. And what we want is a diamond that sends off signals the minute we step into the sun, amiright? And, don’t forget – bigger isn’t always better when it comes to selecting the right diamond. If your gem grades higher in the other areas (especially the aforementioned cut), it will shine brighter than a larger diamond that isn’t.

THE “OTHER” GEMSTONES

We’re talking a lot about diamonds, but if you’re one of those ladies that loves to think outside the box, we hear you. We’re big fans of mixing it up when it comes to your engagement ring – and that definitely includes looking into those “other” gemstones – from sapphires to rubies to emeralds and more. Yes, you can definitely show off your chic + sophisticated side with a choice that goes a little against the norm, like your birthstone, a gem that represents the month you were engaged or even something from your great-grandmother’s collection. Our tip? Don’t get caught up in what you “think” you should have – go with your heart and select the stone that best represents you and your love. (Like a champagne sapphire. We LOVE those.)

THE SETTING

Choosing your setting, diamond shape and style is truly where your personality will shine through, and it all starts with the setting. Whether you want your gem to sparkle as much as possible with a prong setting, love the look of a cathedral setting with the slopes on both sides, want to protect your stone at all times with a bezel setting or lean towards a more modern tension look (where the stone seems to hover), choose your setting first and the rest will fall into place. Because once you decide where your gem will rest, it’s easier to pick which of the NINE diamond shapes will look the best (round, cushion, princess, asscher, pear, emerald, radiant, oval and marquise) and which style will make that gem stand out – whether that’s three-stone, halo or something else entirely.

THE CROWN

So now that you have your gem, style and setting, it’s time to focus on the crown. Because you can’t spend all of the time in the world piecing together your perfect engagement ring and not make sure it’s safe. (Seriously.) But what is a crown exactly? Well, put simply: it’s the setting, plus the prongs. And we know you have a lot of options when it comes to metals, but honestly, we’re 100% platinum lovers for more than one reason. First, it’s stronger – which means better protection. Second, it requires less maintenance – which means zero trips to the jeweler to get your ring re-dipped. Third, it grows stronger over time – which means less worry on your part. And lastly, it’s brighter than white gold – which means a shinier, brighter diamond. You can’t argue with that.

Need even more tips on choosing the perfect engagement ring? Platinum Guild International is your place to go. They even have a handy ring buying guide that will have you walking into the jewelry store like a total pro. Do yourselves a favor and check them out before you go.

CLICK FOR EVEN MORE INFO ON PLATINUM!

There really is something ultra romantic about an Autumn wedding, when the brisk air makes it’s debut and the leaves turn golden as they begin to fall. This bride always knew she wanted her wedding to be during this glorious time of year and who could blame her! With a neutral color palette, an insanely gorgeous venue, and eventing planning by Ang Weddings & Events, this couple’s rustic barn wedding was done to perfection. Browse the beautiful gallery below, all captured by James Anderson of Judy Pak Studios!

From the bride… I always envisioned my wedding in the fall around my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. I envisioned close friends and family, great food and a lot of dancing. And I always knew I would wear comfortable–yet stylish–shoes. My style was “elegant rustic” as coined by my cousin. My color palette was cream, pinks and pomegranate accents. I found a vintage, cream colored mailbox that we set up on a table for “notes to the bride and groom.” We had so much fun reading them the day after the wedding. I think our chuppah was a real highlight. For an indoor wedding we had a beautiful, wild chuppa made by Saipua and it was placed in the center of the room so the guests could surround us. The ceremony was our favourite moment. We spent a year thinking about it and planning it, even though it was only 30 minutes, it was very personal and we were able to incorporate various elements from the traditional to the modern and include our families and friends. It was also lovely to have the guests seated in the round with our chuppah at the center. We felt surrounded by so much love.

The flowers and candles all designed and arranged by Saipua were amazing. We could not have been happier with the gorgeous and wild arrangements that captured the season and the space we were in. And the venue itself, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, was incredibly beautiful. The acoustics in the hayloft were wonderful. The cake was provided by Blue Hill and it was traditional, simple and like the rest of the meal, completely delicious. It was Apple, Crème Fraiche, Vanilla Chiffon Cake. The dress was by Jenny Peckham from Gabriella Bridal Salon. It was super comfortable with gorgeous beadwork and a vintage feel. Alterations by Susan Ruddy who did all of my alterations at Gabriella. She also has her own studio, The Wedding Dresser, and I’ve since used Susan for other dresses and other occasions. She’s amazing. The venue, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, was a total dream. From the space to the service to the impeccable food, it was one of the first and best decisions we made. We had our program and day of signs printed by Lion in the Sun, from Brooklyn. They were friendly and easy to work with and delivered beautiful work on time. Our rings also came from Fitzgerald’s, a jewelry designer in Brooklyn.

Our photos were by James Anderson of Judy Pak Studios. We loved working with James and Judy and they were considerate and attentive to all of our requests. We had the most amazing DJ. Sean Marquand of 74Events. They were so wonderful to work with and everyone danced all night long. People still ask us about our DJ and playlist from the wedding. My hair color was by Cassie Coen of Sally Hershberger Uptown and hair and make up were by Gary Noble of NOBLE Salon in Stamford, CT. Gary and his make up artist, Erica, traveled to the venue on the day of while he also specially opened his salon in Stamford to my bridal party. The very first and best decision I made was to hire a wedding planner. I did a lot of research beforehand and met with several planners but when I met Tzo Ai of Ang Weddings, I knew immediately she was the planner for us. This was a gift to myself so I could enjoy the process and especially the day. Making sure you have someone by your side who understands your goals and tastes and can make recommendations for your vendors and handle all the logistics is such a gift and for us, was a worthy investment. In the end, she saved us time, money and allowed for total peace of mind.

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Event Planning: Ang Weddings and Events | Floral Design: Saipua | Gown: Gabriella New York Bridal Salon | Invitations : Cynthia Hoffman | Hair and Makeup : Noble Salon | DJ: 74 Events | Barn : Blue Hill At Stone Barns | Day of Paperie: Lion in the Sun

When friends and family get engaged, guessing what their wedding will look like is a fun way to pass the time until the big day. That sentiment can extend to public figures, so it’s no surprise that people are delighting in the news of a royal wedding. With an American set to wed into the Royal Family, there’s a new level of excitement and questions on how the Harry and Meghan will blend their worlds.

Don’t expect to see them write their own vows, a commonality in American weddings. According to Babbel, the Church of England requires the ceremony to be conducted using a traditional set of vows. We’ll have the answers a few months from now, but in the meantime, we asked some wedding experts to provide their wishlist of what they hope to see. Read through for inspiration on your own nuptials.

“I would love to see a nod to Africa in the wedding. Through the years, Africa has been very important to both William and Harry, and the royal family. Maybe a small colorful hand-crafted card at the table setting announcing their support for Sentebale, a Botswana charity, founded by Prince Harry. Or perhaps using the colors of the Sentebale logo. Another option is to incorporate colors of the Botswana flag somehow (in the decor, or on the cake). The juxtaposition of the royal décor, blended with a pop of color and patterns from Africa could set new trends in festive décor and entertaining.” Cheryl Gentry, Glow Global Events

“My vision for the upcoming royal wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle is a mix between old Hollywood glamour and the classic regality of the British. Though it would be a daring choice, I can imagine Meghan in a flowy, flirty gown by Elie Saab that would show off her radiant smile. Prince Harry is a rebel and Meghan just exudes class. For them, a 007 inspired, art deco theme would show off their personalities and maintain a high standard of elegance. We’ve never had insight into the decor of a royal wedding.” Abena Patton, Abenafit Weddings & Events

“I’d love a bright, colorful bouquet. Since 1840, every single bouquet has included a sprig of myrtle from Queen Victoria’s garden. Because of that, bouquets have been primarily white for ages. Of course, we’ll see the sprig of myrtle, but I’d love it paired with colorful blooms.” Kylie Carlson, UK Academy of Wedding & Event Planning

“I want Meghan to opt for an ivory wedding dress because it complements her skin tone (as evident by the coat she wore during the engagement shoot!) and is a great option for a second-time bride. It allows her to bring in more traditional white tones while also remaining mindful of etiquette. Additionally, given this is her second wedding, it would be a conservative choice appreciated by certain naysayers. We have seen the blueprint for this, when Harry’s father, Prince Charles married Camilla. Camilla didn’t wear white and it went over well and looked great on her.” Jennifer Taylor, Taylor’d Events

“I would love to see them put a modern twist on the wedding and really allow their personalities to shine through. Their relationship and this engagement are a first for the Royal family with Prince Harry marrying a biracial American, and it would be a disservice if they overlooked Meghan’s heritage. With that in mind, I’d like to see a wedding day menu featuring Meghan’s favorites from the States, as well as global playlist for guests to dance to.” Kevin Dennis, Owner, Fantasy Sound Event Services

“At the reception, I want a Cirque du Soleil act showcasing their love story from the moment they met until the proposal. My dream dress designer would be Ellie Saab, who has a unique, one-of-a-kind style that would complement Meghan well. He’s not afraid to mix fabrics so I want a classic look with long sleeves that incorporates texture: be it imported lace, velvet or sequins.” Nahid Farhoud, Nahid’s Global Events

“Being based in New Orleans, I simply can’t help it — let’s skip the traditional open-air carriage processional following the ceremony and instead, incorporate a second line. Harry has always been the most fun member of the royal wedding — what a way to cement this reputation for the ages!” Emily Sullivan, Emily Sullivan Events

“I imagine, due to tradition and royal wedding protocol, there are many limitations on what Meghan can wear. But why can’t she vary things with a dramatic heel? Bright colors, fun details, lots of bling. Even if it only peeks out from the bottom of the gown, wouldn’t that be a great, modern twist?” Kim Sayatovic, Belladeux Event Design

“Fruitcake is the traditional wedding cake selection in the UK (and has been for years!), but it’s time to retire it. I want Prince Harry and Meghan to do a major pivot and select a sweet treat that can be equal parts dramatic and delicious, such as a croquembouche.” Heather Jones, Wente Vineyards

“I’d love more than anything to see Meghan walked down the aisle by both parents. It’s something I’m seeing more and more of and think it would be a modern update that won’t ruffle feathers. Also, all royal weddings feature [the bride wearing] a stunning tiara from the family collection. My vote for Meghan would be for the Burmese Ruby Tiara, which has 96 rubies set in gold paired with diamonds in silver. It would be a sharp contrast from other selections over the years. It’s time to bring in color!” Amy Kolodziej, Sunshower Photograph

“Since Harry is marrying someone from America, my biggest wish is that they incorporate some American traditions. For example, I would love to see them seal their marriage with a kiss at the end of their ceremony, versus on the balcony as is with tradition. It comes as no surprise that British designers are typically commissioned for the wedding gown but given Meghan’s American heritage, I would love to see a US designer brought on board, such as Vera Wang.” Becky Baker, Becky’s Brides

“I would love to see Meghan do two looks for her wedding day. One for ceremony to be a very proper, British inspired gown. For the reception, a true Boho California girl look.” Ashley Stork, Magnolia Vine Events

“The photographs that typically come out of royal weddings are pretty predictable- standard, fairly stiff portraits of extended family. Prince Harry and Meghan are, in part, helping to usher in a modern era and their photography should reflect that. I would love for them to release at least a handful of candid moments from the reception to help showcase the royal family in a new light. I want to see the happy couple enjoying their first dance, and of Prince Harry listening in on Prince William’s inevitable toast.” Keith Phillips, Classic Photographers

Style Me Pretty Contributor –Ximena N. Larkin is a writer and publicist. She lives in Chicago with her husband and dog.

Michelle and Dave’s gorgeous wedding just might go down in history as one of the sweetest days ever. All bright colors and stunning ocean views, they took their five-year engagement and made it official at Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa with just their super cute daughter and their talented photog and coordinator, Melissa Mercado, at their side. It was a day that was all about the LOVE, and we can’t get enough of every heartfelt moment.

From Melissa Mercado Photography… Michelle and Dave had been engaged for five years when the time was finally right to say “I do.” They had planned a vacation to one of their favorite corners of Mexico – Tulum. Michelle told me this about her original ideas: “We have always wanted something simple. We would like to make our marriage official and celebrate our vows with our daughter in a place we love before we start the next chapter of our life. We really want something simple on the beach, a symbolic ceremony that we can say our vows to each other.”

I offer Elopement Packages that include the ceremony, an officiant, flowers, champagne and, of course, the photography! They’re intimate ceremonies that I tailor to my clients’ desires. We arrange a time and location and then see what magic the universe brings us! We had to change last minute, as the weather wasn’t going to cooperate for a late afternoon affair. But it worked out amazingly as we got to witness an amazing sunrise and felt the universe really blessed this union in all of it’s gorgeous splendor.

I loved Michelle’s desire to have Avery, their 4-year-old daughter, be such an integral part of her day. I loved her flower choices, and love even more that their beautiful family of four was all present on this day (she was a few months pregnant when they said “I do!”).

Photography: Melissa Mercado Photography | Coordination: Melissa Mercado Photography | Floral Design: Floreria Jardin | Wedding Dress: David's Bridal | Location: Dreams Resorts

Beautiful shades of bright blue, colorful blooms and a fun octopus motif; a rustic elegant wedding with a dash of fabulous fun. And it all took place in a gorgeous olive grove in Greece. Pretty amazing, right? It’s no surprise that White Ribbon Boutique Events choreographed this celebration; it’s chic and stunning and the photos by 2Brides Photography showcase it all. See more right this way!

From White Ribbon Boutique Events… They have been together for ELEVEN years. They met at the age of 18, the first year of university and fell in love. The bride pursued the groom and when he rejected her first invitation for a date, the bride, Courtney didn’t give up. They soon started dating, fell in love… and never stopped. After eleven years of life, travel, and love they have formed a true partnership.

In 2014 they spent a month traveling and sailing in Greece and absolutely fell in love with the culture, people and beauty and wanted to share this with their friends and family. So three years later, 80 of their nearest and dearest, gathered on the island of Paros in the Cyclades for a four day celebration.

Celebrations were kicked off with a welcome dinner at the picturesque Lefkes Village. The next day the group enjoyed a wine tour and tasting followed by a sunset cocktail in Naoussa Town on the waterfront.

The next day was the big day. The couple planned a first look followed by an intimate ceremony by the Cycladic cliffs performed by one of their closest friends and the groom’s mother. The cocktail hour was held under an aged plane tree with custom cocktails the couple had designed for their guests. The most spectacular setting was that of dinner, which took place on the olive grove of a private villa, with long Italian style tables and glistening lights decorating each olive tree.

The celebrations were concluded with a traditional boat trip ride to nearby islands the next day in the majestic Aegean sea.

Photography: 2 Brides Photography | Event Planning: White Ribbon Boutique Events | Floral Design: Dianthos | Wedding Dress: Theia | Cake: Pavlov's Lab | Bride's Shoes: Pelle Moda | Catering: Art Catering | Groom's Attire: Klein Epstein & Parker | Wedding Venue: Villa Glyfa | Bar Service: Ramantanis Bros | Decor Design: White Ribbon Boutique Events | Music, Sound + Lights: music essentials | Rentals: Stylebox

There’s something especially Parisian about this Portland bridal inspiration session, dreamed up and photographed by Silvius James.  Perhaps its Tendue’s walls which boast picture frame molding, the large windows that let in the most gorgeous natural lighting, the bride;s effortlessly chic bridal jumpsuit by Lena Medoyeff, or the purple hued palette (hello, Pantone color of the year!). Whatever it is, it strikes that balance between modern and romantic the French have absolutely mastered.

From Silvius James… Editorial, modern, fresh – all words that describe this inspiration shoot. A new venue opened up in Portland, Oregon, and when I saw the simplicity of the white walls detailed with trim, I knew it was an opportunity to do something different and new. I pulled together an A-list of wedding vendors in the area and styled what I can only describe as a modern day victorian style.

Selva Floral created some unique, new-age florals in muted pastel tones and accented with lavender spray paint. She foraged the flowers and botanicals and created something truly unique and beautiful. My model, Kim, wore a stunning bridal jumpsuit from Lena Medoyeff Bridal, which was the perfect modern look for our bride. We also photographed a velvet gown from her new collection as well for the more traditional bride. Kelsey Malie Calligraphy created a custom suite with a mix of lavender and cream cotton papers and lavender ink. My favorite part was introducing some charcuterie boards by Lena Gladstone of Lena’s Kitchen. Her styling is amazing, and I had to have her be part of the shoot. I think it added another dimension to the shoot.

Photography: Silvius James | Cake: Olive and Artisan | Stationery: Kelsey Malie Calligraphy | Hair + Makeup: Renee Bruhn | Art Direction: Silvius James | Bridal Attire: Lena Medoyeff | Catering + Food Styling: Lena's Kitchen | Ceramics: Carter and Rose PDX | Floral Design + Styling: Selva Floral Design | Location: Tendue | Model: Kimberly Brooks | Rentals: Classic Vintage Rentals

Classic weddings can do no wrong in my book but add in a military influence and these elegant affairs go from good to great instantly. Need photographic proof? Look no further than this black tie Texas wedding, captured by Stephanie Brazzle. The color palette, the beaming brand new Mr. and Mrs., the saber arch; it’s all pretty perfect and I could go on and on forever but I recommend you just dive into this gallery and see it all for yourself (so good, right!?)!

From the Bride… Although Kevin and I met in college, we just remained friends and study buddies with an unspoken attraction. After college, Kevin commissioned in the Army and I moved to Dallas. He was visiting Texas on leave and decided to finally ask me out on a date to Taco Diner. We still celebrate our “Tacoversary,” as the anniversary of our official first date! We immediately knew that this relationship would be something special despite the long distance between us. We even went through a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan before we were able to live in the same state! Kevin’s service to our country is something that has significantly influenced our relationship, so we could not imagine a wedding day that didn’t have military influence. We loved the military traditions of the uniforms, the saber arch, and the cake cutting with the sword! We also loved the formality of the military, and thought a traditional, black-tie wedding would be best suited for us – not to mention a lot of fun!

Our family and friends were the most important aspect of the day to us. While we met living in Texas, we were engaged while living in North Carolina, were married while living in Georgia, and now I am writing this from our newest duty station, Germany! To us, this wedding was the perfect opportunity to visit with everyone we loved one more time before our big move.

Photography: Stephanie Brazzle Photography | Videography: Thompson Pictures | Event Planning: Shannon Schultz Events | Floral Design: Something Pretty Floral | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Cake: The Fort Worth Club | Invitations: Bering's | Ceremony Venue: Robert Carr Chapel | Reception Venue: The Fort Worth Club | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bari Jay | Calligraphy: The Vintage Hand | Lighting: Beyond Lighting | Band: The Walton Stout Band | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Transportation: Silver West Limousines | Bridal Boutique: Ivory Bridal Atelier | Dance Floor: DFW Dance Floor | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Monogram: Shuler Studio | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar

The Art Gallery of Hamilton proved a stunning clean slate for this contemporary classic. It’s awash with a crisp color palette of white, green and gold and beautiful modern details planned and styled by Shaw Events, with florals by Bloom and Co. Fun fact, the gorgeous gold chair the couple used in their ceremony was the same one used in the Bride’s parents wedding. From gilded seats to a sea of white blooms, see the full affair captured by Kayla Yestal, plus a film by Brian Flaman below.

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From the bride… Looking back on our wedding day, it’s impossible for me to pick out a moment that stands out as my favourite part of the day. From Jordan and I’s first look, to my veil flying off from the wind in the middle of our ceremony, to my dad surprising me with a choreographed dance to The Temptations alongside about a dozen of his friends, I can’t even begin to narrow it down. I feel like that alone let’s me know how much of a success our day was!

We picked the Hamilton Art Gallery as our venue because we loved that it was a clean, crisp slate that we could really make our own. We wanted our decor to compliment how minimal and modern the space could look. We opted for only white flowers with greenery in all of our floral design, and accented everything with subtle gold elements – including the chair we signed our marriage documents on which was the same one my parents used at their own wedding! One of my favourite aspects was our dessert table, complete with a full gold and white donut wall! Even when it came to my dress, I decided on a classic look that was very structured with the hem lines and really worked hand-in-hand with all of our other decor items. Jordan and I are huge dog lovers and we wanted our dog, Chloe, to be at the wedding in some form. We created stir sticks of her silhouette along with a small gold cat or dog at every place setting to let our guests know about an SPCA donation made in lieu of guest favours. If I were to give any brides a piece of advice while planning, I would say that hiring a wedding planner is an absolute must if it is within your budget! Even if it is just for someone to be there on the day of. Having Danielle of Shaw Events there to take away all of the stress of planning and deal with the logistics was absolutely huge! For me, besides marrying Jordan, investing in her as our planner was the best decision I made. I was so at ease and I truly think that is the reason why I was able to actually enjoy my wedding!

Photographer: Kayla Yestal | Videography: Brian Flaman | Floral Design: Bloom & Company | Wedding Dress: Tulle New York | Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations | Shoes: Badgely Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Pearl Bridal House | Makeup: Makeup Worx | Hair: Studio B By Brock Stacey | Calligrapher: Isla Kuronen | DJ: DJ Donna Lovejoy | Band: Running Red Lights | Transportation: Mermaid Limo Service | Venue: Art Gallery of Hamilton | Bridal House: Pearl Bridal House | Chair Rental: Special Event Rentals | Desserts: Dessert Garden XO | Donut Wall: Sweet Celebrations Wedding Cakes | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Linen: Simply Beautiful Decor | Perfume: Chloe | Photography Venue: Dundurn Castle | Planning and Styling: Shaw Events | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Signage: Straight Laser | Table Number Holders: BHLDN | Tabletop Decor: Plate Occasions

Now that you’ve completely mastered gift giving (we know you’ve been perusing gift guides like a total pro), it’s time to give yourself a little love and start working on your very own holiday wish list. This year, we’re all about the sparkly accessories, so we’re teaming up with Shane Co. for a list of Big Little Gifts that you’ll definitely want to see under your tree, and even gift to your loved ones if you can bare to part with them. See our picks below.

MODERN + EYE-CATCHING

Looking for more than one way to impress? We’ve got a combo for that. We suggest dressing up your winter look with accessories that sparkle, like this stunning aquamarine + diamond pendant, this vintage sapphire diamond ring and this gorgeous diamond bangle bracelet. You can never have too much bling, and this trio will definitely show off your glamorous self. 

Tops on our list this year? This diamond ring. It boasts pavé-set diamonds and an eye-catching design that will be the talk of any party… or that trip to the grocery store. Seriously – pair it with your finest attire for a night out with your hubby or slip it on for a pop of WOW in your fave casual outfit. It’s honestly that awesome.

CLASSIC MEETS CHIC

You know what we love? Classic with a twist, and this pink morganite and diamond pendant + matching earrings set checks both of those boxes. Shane Co.’s signature shade of rose gold is an elegant play on the more traditional yellow or white gold, while the dainty, star-like design is perfect for those holiday parties. It’s a win-win.

And speaking of classic with a twist, these diamond threader earrings def fall under that category… and they are so pretty without being over-the-top. We’re lovin’ this look for everything from your weekly office meetings to dinner out with friends. They create such a polished look.

CLASSIC

You know we love our trends here at SMP, but honestly… we’re classic ladies through and through. And nothing says tradition quite like a pair of diamond bangle bracelets.  We’re sort of obsessed with stacking these lovelies up for extra bling and love the pop of sparkle they add to any outfit.

ON-TREND

Did we mention that we love our trends? This simple + dainty curved bar necklace is perfect for wearing alone with your fave cashmere sweater, or with another necklace for a more modern take. You can even have it engraved for a totally personal look. Think your name, anniversary or wedding date, longitude and latitude of your wedding locale, etc. etc. Channeling your inner-Carrie Bradshaw has never been easier than this.

STATEMENT

So sometimes you just need to stand out in the crowd, and this head-turning diamond statement necklace is the perfect solution if you’re looking to make a fabulous entrance. It’s one part edgy and one part seriously sparkly and, let’s be honest – it doesn’t get much better than that.

SIMPLE + CHARMING

A beautiful diamond necklace that elevates your everyday style should always be on your holiday wish list and we’ve found just the right piece: this breathtaking curved diamond necklace in white gold. It’s simple and chic and adds just the right amount of bling to dinners out or ladies’ nights with your besties. We love it.

If you want to add a little something special to your wish list, head to Shane Co. to check out their Gift Guide for even more ideas and for inspiration for your loved ones. They have you covered when it comes to gifts with a side of sparkle.

The forecast looked dreary when this groom turned to an old wives’ tale as a last resort and buried a bottle of bourbon…and boy, are we glad he did, because this perfect wedding day turned out to be so darn gorgeous! Jump right in to this classic, Southern fête at The Tate House, captured by the always wonderful Sawyer Baird.

From Sawyer Baird… The day was one that I was worried would be rainy and dreary. We had our fingers crossed for the couple of weeks leading up to the big day. The groom buried a bottle of bourbon and to say that is a wives’ tale, well we will never know, because it has certainly worked for all of my couples who have tried it! The sun came out, and it was a beautiful sunny day.

Caroline and Jared shared one of the most beautiful, heartfelt days in the North Georgia mountains close to where they grew up and now live together as one. Caroline and Jared shared such a beautiful first look together before the ceremony to have time together (which is something I always suggest), and even though they did a first look you can tell in Jared’s face as Caroline walked down the aisle that in that moment things are still so special, and it is such an amazing moment for both the bride and groom. It was in that moment that I,  as an outside party, remembered why I do what I do. It is these moments that are reminders that even in the hustle and bustle of wedding days, the little moments are the ones that will get to you.

Clean and classic is the bride’s style, and I think it shows. Classic greens, whites, and a black tux is one look that I will never be tired of as a photographer. It is something that I know in 30, 40, or even 50 years will never be old.

Photography: Sawyer Baird | Cinematography: Black Hill Films | Floral Design: The Tate House | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Hair + Makeup: Vigilante Cosmetics | Calligraphy: Carolyn Lohman | DJ: Backwood Boyz | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klien | Ceremony Music: test | Venue: The Tate House | Paper Goods: Crane & Co.

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North America is home to cities that never sleep, sparkling landscapes, and an abundance of wildlife. Yes, wildlife. Buckle yourself in, because this intrepid safari ride is unlike any you’ve seen, as we take you from Canada to Mexico and all over the U.S.—Arctic safari, Caribou and Monarch migrations included. Interested in an experience? Head over to Black Tomato to speak to one of their travel experts now!

Once upon a time, Polina and Dimitri traveled to France for a destination wedding straight out of a fairytale. From the Jimmy Choo glass slippers that would make Cinderella jealous to the bride’s gorgeous ballgown to the fireworks finish, this day is worthy of a royal “I do.” And with Le Secret d’Audrey behind the lens, you’re getting the royal treatment with the most beautiful photos!

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Polina and Dimitri traveled to the beautiful grounds of the Château de Chantilly in France to celebrate their wedding with royal style together with their 60 closest families and friends! Polina wanted to experience an extraordinary celebration, so she hired Olga, from Wedding in France to dream up some ideas on how they could make her wedding fit for a King and Queen. From the venue, to the dress, Polina’s dreams started to become realty. One original idea the planner had: each dish for the reception was one served at a royal wedding ( like starter was from marie Antoinette wedding, main dish from Louis XVI,…) and to end the evening with a fireworks show. As a photographer, a chateau wedding is just the perfect setting for the most romantic and epic photos.

Photography: Le Secret d'Audrey | Cinematography: BKTFILMS | Event Planning: CTH EVENTS PARIS | Wedding Dress: Dior Bridal Salon | Venue: Château de Chantilly | Venue: Château de Chantilly

Have you ever been to Ojai Valley? No? Well then, book a trip pronto because it’s beyond fabulous. One viewing of this film by Robert Michael Films and we’re sold. The Ojai Valley Inn hosted this love and laughter filled wedding, with a beaming Bride (who wore a gown we can’t get over), her handsome Groom and all their friends and family for a celebration that they aren’t bound to forget anytime soon. I’d say this is a winner if we ever did see one – enjoy!

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From Robert Michael Films… Laura and Lauran’s wedding took place at the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn, where the city is affectionately nicknamed “Shangri-La” referencing the natural beauty of this health-and-spirituality-focused region. Laura and Lauran were married under one of the many oak trees at Ojai Valley Inn, which is great symbol of lasting marriage. The scenic venue provided a lot of great atmosphere without needing much added to it.

The bride’s style seemed to favor a timeless approach and she chose a photographer who shoots film which you don’t see often these days. I choose to grade the film with a heavy film look to match the feel getting away from the latest push for ultra high sharp looking videos and staying away from effects like slow motion and drones. I prefer to focus on the important moments of the day by being patient and letting the action unfold in front of the camera rather than chasing it or setting up fake scenarios. Natural emotion, solid composition, finding the light and great audio are to me what makes this film stand apart. The music was licensed via the Musicbed and I choose to edit this film in mostly sequential manner rather than jumping around too much so the energy would build to a climax through the ceremony and into the party. I loved the couples energy and my favorite part was when Laura asked if she could ditch her shoes and run/jump into her groom’s arms during the photo session.

From the Bride… Our wedding inspiration came from a love of natural beauty, being outdoors and elegance in simplicity. We felt the Ojai Valley Inn encompassed all of these things without needing much more support, so our intention was to enrich it but let the location speak for itself. Robert was fantastic to work with, let us be ourselves and capturing our wedding and us as a couple without any direction in his vision, execution and creativity – seemingly effortless.

Photography: Kurt Boomer | Cinematography: Robert Michael Films | Event Planning: Details Event Planning | Floral Design: TOAST Santa Barbara | Wedding Dress: Amanda Wakeley | Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Hair + Makeup: 10.11 Makeup | DJ: DJ Hye FX | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Officiant: Pastor Jason Matossian | Wedding Venue: Ojai Valley Inn | Decor: Bella Vista Designs, Inc

When the couple are high school sweethearts, the bride is an artist and designer, and Rachel Solomon is behind the lens, you know it’s going to be a spectacular wedding. Ashley Gain Weddings brought the bride’s colorful, romantic vision to life using the crest she designed as inspiration for the day. The result is one of those galleries we could spend forever in, and we’re oh-so-glad Something New Media was there to capture the celebration on film because we seriously cannot get enough.

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From the Bride… Kurt and I are true high school sweethearts from Nebraska. Not only did we grow up in the same town and go to the same high school, but we also continued our relationship into college and endured two years of long distance! After those hard couple of years, Kurt finally made the move and joined me on the East Coast. Since we had literally been together forever and seen each-other grow up, I knew a wedding was in our future.

On December 11th my parents were out visiting us in NYC to take in the holiday season. I was convinced that he was going to propose…I mean, it was the prime opportunity with all the Christmas spirit in the air. As the day passed, and no proposal, I was starting to think this just wasn’t the time. Then, after an evening broadway show, we took a stroll to see the tree at Rockefeller Center all lit up. In front of hundreds of people, he got down on his knee and popped the question! The entire moment was overwhelming but so magical!

We decided to get married in Scottsdale, Arizona, since we had both grown up traveling there to visit family, so it just felt completely right! With the desert hues being so naturally breathtaking, I knew I wanted to stick with a soft, romantic, and neutral palette. I fell in love with The Country Club at D. C. Ranch because it felt Tuscan, remote, and overlooked the city of Scottsdale. After choosing our venue, we found an absolutely incredible wedding planner, Courtney with Ashley Gain Weddings, who helped us with every aspect of planning and of our day.

Being an artist and designer myself, I had a very strong vision of how I wanted our day to look. I started with creating a custom crest for the invitations that we then incorporated into all elements throughout the day such as the cake, cocktail napkins, pillows, and escort card display. Every single detail and special moment of our day was captured perfectly by our photographer Rachel Solomon. For both our flowers and furniture rentals, we used the Flower Studio, which had beautiful pieces that accented the venue perfectly. Their team went above and beyond executing every vision that I had. Another one of my favorite highlights of the day was our wedding cake! Haley with Heartsweet cakes is a true artist and was able to incorporate our crest, linens, and sugar flowers onto the cake.It was truly a spectacular piece of art!

All of the amazing details aside, the most important part of our day was the Christ-centered ceremony. We flew in our pastor, Dave, from Nashville who had been our mentor growing up and was able to see us evolve as a couple. Dave made the entire day so much more meaningful, and it would not have been anything without him. We feel truly blessed to have had such wonderful family and friends who traveled long distances just to celebrate with us, along with our incredible team of vendors who executed my entire wedding vision! We felt so much love on that day and would do anything to repeat it again! Cheers!

From the Ashley Gain Weddings… Planning Libby and Kurt’s wedding was a true dream. Libby already had a great vision for her day and was so easy going. The entire planning process was so joyful and fun! Libby is an amazingly talented artist and was able to incorporate her ideas into all of the stationery and print work for her big day. She created a custom logo that included a crest and monogram, and it matched her florals and linens perfectly! All of her details really stood out and complemented the entire day so beautifully! As much as I loved the design work, the venue, and the amazing 10 piece band, the one thing that stood out the most was the love that Libby and Kurt have for each other. It is so effortless, and I know it’s a love that will be everlasting.

Photography: Rachel Solomon Photography | Cinematography: Something New Media | Event Planning + Design: Ashley Gain Weddings and Events | Floral Design: The Flower Studio | Wedding Dress: Sareh Nouri | Cake: Heartsweet Cakes | Stationery: Libby Rae Studio | Reception Venue: The Country Club At Dc Ranch | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Makeup: Ashley Nicole Makeup | Hair: Emily Hughes | Band: The JJ's Band | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Bridal Boutique: Kleinfeld Bridal | Bridesmaids's Dresses: Amsale | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Music: Sweetwater Strings | Photo Booth: The Foto Booth Bus | Veil: Oscar De La Renta

We don’t need to tell you that the Outer Banks in North Carolina is a gorgeous place to tie the knot – the beauty in this seaside paradise truly speaks for itself. But if you’re on the lookout for a resort that can host your Big Day sans any stress on your part, we can help. The Sanderling Resort sits right on the Atlantic and has some amazing venue + package options that will bring your entire vision full-circle. Check it out.

The key to any amazing wedding? Finding the right locale. And with Sanderling Resort, you can pretty much sit back and relax while their planners take care of it all for you, starting with helping you land on the right package option. Sanderling Resort offers five elopement packages for 15 – 60 guests that include everything from wedding cakes to s’mores around the fire pit. Their full-service package works for those larger celebrations for up to 180 guests and their winter package waives the facility fee and the food and beverage minimum, which is awesome. And if you want to talk venues – you can tie the knot seaside on their beautiful beach or Observation Deck, host a grander event at their House + Deck or Pavilion, or celebrate in an intimate soiree at their Kimball’s Kitchen or Keeper’s Loft.

From their fresh southern coastal cuisine to their team of pros that know everything there is to know about planning a seaside wedding, we love Sanderling Resort and their breathtaking Outer Banks locale. To find out more about planning your Big Day, call their fab team of wedding planners at 877.300.0624 or visit their website here.

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Incorporating a pop of color into your wedding design can be intimidating, let alone choosing a palette consisting of primarily rich, bold hues. However, it can be done…and done well, as The Graceful Host and Allison Kuhn Photography prove right here in this dramatic and beautiful editorial. Stunning floral arrangements by Amy Lynne Originals set against teal velvet linens by Nuage Designs create an alluring tablescape, and the pièce de résistance is a cake by Wow Factor that can only be described as a work of art.

From The Graceful Host… This styled shoot was a collaboration with Allison Kuhn Photography. We started talking about producing a shoot in order to create content that we don’t see a lot of, like the use of rich, bold colors. And it morphed into something we are both really proud of! The idea is a modern charm, which I describe as old world elements meets luxurious, high fashion style. I always want my designs feel fresh and new, so I took ideas that are classic in nature and gave them a little twist to modernize.

The colors were teal, lavender, blush, yellow, marsala, and ivory with gold accents. Since we were incorporating a wide variety of colors, I wanted to make sure the colors felt sophisticated and elegant rather than child-like. It should come together like a painting, which was the inspiration behind the cake and was repeated in the vellum envelope of our invitation suite. The floral design mimicked the artistic inspiration, as well, by playing up texture through the blooms and greenery.

Throughout our tablescape design, we layered texture upon texture – from the linen to the place setting to the paper goods. Our place settings incorporated contemporary designs through the dinner plates and flatware mixed with etched crystal goblets and gold rim glasses that are vintage in nature. Each place setting also had a vellum menu with a handwritten script-style design, and the table was draped in a bold teal, velvet linen.

The wedding dress was a classic, delicate a-line ballgown with on-trend and contemporary design elements including beading, an illusion neckline, and layers upon layers of tulle. The look was luxurious and fashion forward. Hair and makeup was understated elegance and fresh, paired with a bold plum lip.

Photography: Allison Kuhn Photography | Event Design + Styling: The Graceful Host | Floral Design: Amy Lynne Originals LLC | Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige | Cake: Wow Factor Cakes | Hair + Makeup: Lindsey Regan Thorne | Wedding Venue: The Barn at Reynolda Village | Bridal Boutique: Hayden Olivia Bridal | Linen Rentals: Nuage Designs | Paper Goods: Elisabeth Rose | Rentals: Party Reflections | Rentals: Evermore Classic and Vintage Rentals | Rentals: Carolina's Luxury Event Rentals

Stop whatever it is you are doing at the moment and point your peepers in the direction of this Villa Cimbrone wedding crafted by Exclusive Italy Weddings. I promise you it is beyond all wildest dreams. From a show-stopping Marchesa gown to museum worthy portraits by Simply Sarah, the backdrop of the Amalfi Coast (also reflected in the painterly stationery by Momental Deigns) and the move-you-to-tears video by Lovely Valentine, there’s so much to love about this celebration. Pore through every last detail and if you’re still yearning for gorgeous Italian style imagery, check out this couple’s engagement session right here!

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The Proposal…

After just over a year of datinh Theo and I went on a vacation with my family to Iceland. On the third day of our vacation, March 27th, we went on a tour to look at waterfalls that culminated in snowmobiling up a glacier. It was a magical day. We migrated up the glacier to a cave which we toured with a guide. It was a very romantic place, and there was even a wedding chapel inside with benches. As we were gearing up to leave, we stood in front of a radiant wall with color changing lights. He said, “Let’s take a selfie!” Those words were music to my ears since I never turn down a good selfie. We took two pictures but the lighting was terrible so we gave up. But as I was putting my phone away, he grabbed my hand, turned me to face him, and got on one knee. He asked me to marry him, and I just nodded my head because I was I was so in shock I couldn’t speak. It was so unexpected, especially inside a glacier!We celebrated on the mountain. He had apparently been lugging a champagne bottle all day in a backpack with the help of my family, and he kept the ring hidden in his snow pants so I couldn’t find it. The day was such a fairytale and got even better with a surprise solar storm that night that allowed us to see the Northern Lights in all their splendor. We couldn’t have asked for a better day!

Wedding Planning…

We always talked about wanting a small wedding surrounded by the people we love the most in a magical place. We are both foodies and love wine, so we said, why not Italy? I scoured the Internet looking for the perfect place that we would both fall in love with and the perfect planner to help us put together the most perfect weekend wedding. We chose to work with Laura Frappa from Exclusive Weddings Italy, and we absolutely loved her work ethic, attention to detail, creativity, and positive energy. With her help, we looked at many great options but ultimately chose Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, Italy. Neither of us had visited, but we decided it was our ideal location. It had history and romance and just as importantly a Michelin star restaurant with an incredible wine cellar.

Pretty quickly the pieces started falling into place, and all of our 5 AM Skype calls to Italy proved fruitful. A few months into the planning process, we still hadn’t found a photographer to capture our special day. We had interviewed countless photographers, but we never really clicked with any of them. However, one day on Instagram while shoe shopping of all things, I happened upon another photographer named Sarah. I immediately fell in love with her work and sent some of her photos to Theo to get his opinion. As a photography junkie himself, he was in charge of one thing and one thing only – choosing the photographer. Theo is one of the busiest people I know, so it took him awhile to review what I’d sent. But when he did, he knew immediately she would be our top choice. I will never forget when he finally had an opportunity to speak with Sarah by phone for the first time while we were shopping in New York City. She asked him to describe me, and he ran through my height, weight, ethnicity, and all of the physical features. I nearly died laughing. She laughed very hard as well, then followed up, “No, who is she on the inside?” I could tell she would be a great fit just based on that conversation.

The Wedding Weekend…

Our wedding weekend was an absolute fairy tale. In creating the decor, we drew inspiration from Italian tiles. Our favorite color is blue so we incorporated that into the theme of our wedding.

The weekend started out with a Welcome Dinner, and the theme was a classic Italian pizza party. We had pizzas to order and ate family style with our guests while enjoying some amazing music from a lively Italian quartet. We danced and sang along and even listened to some touching speeches. We just took in the warmth and cozy feeling of what a special moment we had created not only for us, but for all our loved ones. It seemed like it would be hard to top the Friday event at the wedding on Saturday!The next day was the big day, the day we had planned for the past few months. The morning seemed to breeze by, and by the time I knew it I was walking down the aisle into the hand of my dream man. My favorite memory of the wedding day was walking out of that church hand in hand with my newly official husband being showered by flower petals. It seemed like a clip out of a movie, but it was our movie. We met with all our guests in the town center for a toast and then proceeded the march to the villa with some Italian music playing for us until we arrived at Terrazza Dell’infinito, the infinity terrace where we hosted our cocktail hour. The view was breathtaking. We were stunned with how much more magical our day had become watching a sunset full of oranges, pinks, and blues. Walking into our reception space before our big entrance was another of my favorite moments. I could not believe how our vision for the reception had become reality. We danced our first dance under the dreamiest display of a chandelier and hundreds of candles hanging above us. We also had looked forwards to our wedding meal so much, and it did not disappoint. The wines I had so carefully picked out to pair with the dishes went perfectly. We couldn’t believe that we had pulled it off the wedding of our dreams.

Everything from our wedding was our favorite moment! The festivities did not end there because after two perfect days we had another on Sunday. We sailed to Capri with all our friends and family to relax, live in the moment, and take it all the priceless memories we had created together. We are truly so blessed to have been surrounded with so many people that love us, who wanted to share the start of our journey with us.

Recommendation to other brides…

We would absolutely, unconditionally recommend Simply Sarah to everyone that we know, and already have! She is one of the most professional, talented, and fun to work with people we have ever met. She immediately made us feel at ease as she shot photos of us throughout the city and went for shots that felt very natural. She’s efficient, too, and moved so quickly and effectively so that we had plenty of time to really enjoy the events throughout our wedding weekend. We LOVE Simply Sarah, and we couldn’t imagine anyone else capturing our magical wedding so magically!!! We can’t wait to invite her to our next big event!!!

Photography: Elizabeth Lanier Photography | Cinematography: Lovely Valentine | Event Planning: Exclusive Italy Weddings | Floral Design: Flower Addicted | Wedding Dress: Marchesa | Bride's Shoes: Dolce And Gabbana | Wedding Bands: Cartier | Hair & Makeup: Lara Navarrini | Wedding Venue: Villa Cimbrone | Bridal Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Invitation Suite: Momental Designs