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

Blending Culture and Neutrals in a Romantic Garden Affair

Who says neutrals have to be boring? This Calistoga Ranch affair is Team Neutral, and we’re officially obsessed. Designed by Cole Drake Events, with all white florals by M Design, it layers natural, unfussy details with the elegant Napa Valley backdrop and the most beautiful nods to the Groom’s Persian culture. Add in stunning imagery by Sylvie Gil and a film by LoveSpun, and we have ourselves a pretty party au naturel.

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From the Photographer… Hilary & Darian’s intimate June wedding is filled with sweet, cozy accents and references to Darian’s Persian background. From cultural elements in the ceremony to Hilary’s white fur stole, everything about this wedding was sweet and romantic. Dark wood furniture, copper and bronze decor, and string lights blend seamlessly with the Napa Valley setting. Cream and white florals mixed with olive and eucalyptus branches fit together nicely with the surrounding vineyards. Parasols for each guest made for a cute (and practical!) ceremony look.

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Cole Drake Events

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These Brides Rented Their Bridesmaid Dresses – See How It Turned Out

Let’s be honest – besties are awesome, but finding that perfect dress that makes them all happy isn’t always stress-free. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard brides say they’d like a way to streamline the entire process – making it more comfortable, convenient and less expensive. There is, you guys. And these brides know exactly how it turns out.

Photography (Top to Bottom): Jenavieve Belair Photography

I think we can all agree that renting your bridesmaid dresses is one of those genius ideas that makes your wedding planning life sooo much easier. And if you find the right company to work with, you’ll be wishing it could alllll be as simple. Vow To Be Chic is the only place to rent designer bridesmaid dresses, and they have the entire process down to a science, aka, four easy steps. Just browse their thousands of gorgeous dresses, curate your very own Bridal Suite, invite your bridal party to take a look + order and then track the progress, right down to the delivery. You can even book a consultation with a stylist to help you narrow down the right look for your girls. Take it from bride, Kimmie: “I’m biased, but everyone looked stunning. Every dress was so flattering and beautiful!”

Photography (Top to Bottom): Ashley Porton Photography

Want to make things easier for you and your girls, but don’t want to miss out on that try-on experience? I get it… I love a fun day with my besties and bubbly, too. But just because you are ordering online doesn’t mean you can’t still have it all. Vow To Be Chic offers at-home try-ons, and they’ll ship the dresses to you for your very own bridal shop experience, yoga pants and Real Housewives included. But they also know that it isn’t always possible for everyone to host a try-on, with girls scattered all over the country and time zones. That’s why they ship two sizes out two weeks before the Big Day, so you can be sure it’s perfect well in advance – and will send out a replacement size if you run into issues. And, honestly, don’t worry – when I received my Vow To Be Chic gown, it couldn’t have fit better, not to mention it was the perfect length for my 6′ frame. Yes, tall and short girls everywhere rejoice – Vow To Be Chic has you covered in every way.

Photography (Top to Bottom): Michele Maloney Photography

Ready to save time, money and, you know, your sanity? Gather your girls and let them know you’ll be renting your dresses from Vow To Be Chic. With prices starting at just $69, you can save your besties around $200, plus they get to skip all of the alterations with two custom hem lengths and sizes ranging from 1-18. Take it from me and these beautiful brides – it’s a no-brainer.

Photography (Top to Bottom): Pierre Atelier

What: Enter to win free designer bridesmaid dresses for your entire bridal party!

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What Every Bride Wants Her Bridesmaids To Know

Being a bride-to-be can be one of the most exciting, yet stressful times in any woman’s life. In preparation for all the stress any bride will face, she should surround herself with those that mean to the most to her- her bridesmaids.

There will be disagreements and “bridezilla” moments, but here are a few things every bride wants her ‘maids to remember.

You Were Picked for a Reason
You were not asked to be a bridesmaid because I thought you would look great in blush. You were asked because you have stood by my side through some of the best and worst moments in my life. It is unimaginable to not have you by my side on the very best day.

A Little Help is Always Welcome…
Whether it’s addressing envelopes or learning how to bustle my dress, your help is always appreciated. You may have organized my messy wedding binder or diffused a little family drama for me, and for that I am grateful in every way. I am grateful for you.

…but Don’t Try to Make This YOUR Dream Wedding
While I appreciate the help and the input, please don’t get mad at me when I choose to go with the dress that I loved, but you didn’t. I need your support, not your criticism. There are opinions flying at me from every direction, I need you to fall back on for the extra support.

I Want You All to be Friends
You are all some of the most important people in my life, and chances are, you will be seeing a lot more of each other through the various milestones we will all share together. It is my sincerest hope that all of you get along and become friends.

I Love You
I don’t say it enough. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for our friendship, your love and your support. No matter how, why, or when our worlds collided, I am so very happy they did. I could not do this without you.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Maureen Cromer is a wedding planner, blogger and public relations professional from Baltimore Maryland, where she lives with her fiancé and kitten. When she isn’t working, you will find her running through the scenic trails of Maryland or sailing around the Wye River with her water-loving family.

When Winter Wonderland Is The Inspo, It’s Going To Be Good

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and if you’re anything like us, it’s festive everything from here on through the end of the year, so when this winter wonderland wedding captured by Justine Milton landed on our desk, you bet we were all kinds of giddy. Think rich shades of red, a beautiful bride in an elegant Watters gown, an enchanting castle in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and a fresh coat of snow. Yup – pretty much holiday wedding perfection.

Colors

Seasons

Winter Weddings

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Hotels + Resorts Weddings

Styles

Glamorous

From the Bride… We based our wedding theme around the location and season. The Banff Springs Hotel speaks for itself – it is a timeless and traditional castle located in the breathtaking Canadian Rocky Mountains – and we knew we had to pay homage to that with an overall elegant theme with some rustic touches. We chose a winter wedding and picked warm, rich colours to complement that: golds and creams with some splashes of burgundy and French blue.

We met in high school, but we didn’t actually start dating until we reconnected at a bar in our hometown. We went on a couple of dates and the rest is history! We got engaged on a trip to Hong Kong – we were having a cocktail at a bar on the 118th floor of a high rise, and he completely surprised me when he got down on one knee as we were looking out at the spectacular cityscape. I couldn’t believe he flew all that way with the ring, but we both love traveling and it is something that brings us together, so it was perfect!

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Justine Milton Photography

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Wedding Dresses

Watters

Wtoo Brides Fall 2015

Willowby Fall 2015

Willowby Fall 2014

Watters Maids Fall 2014

Wtoo Maids Fall 2014

C20 Mothers 2012 Part I

C20 Mothers 2012 Part II

C20 Mothers Spring 2013

C20 Mothers Fall 2012

Seahorse Spring 2013

Watters Brides Fall 2014

Watters Brides Spring 2013

Watters Brides Spring 2015

Wtoo Brides Spring 2015

Willowby Spring 2015

Watters Maids Spring 2015

Wtoo Maids Spring 2015

Encore Spring 2015

Watters Brides Spring 2016

Willowby Spring 2016

Wtoo Brides Fall 2015

Willowby Fall 2015

Willowby Fall 2014

Watters Maids Fall 2014

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Blending Old + New for Unforgettable Bridal Style

The wonderfully preserved Mission San Juan Capistrano enchants us every time we lay eyes upon it, but this bridal editorial just took it over the top with its blend of old and new. Between the beaded, silvery perfection that is this vintage Gossamer gown, the soft blooms styled by Honeycomb Affair, and the always effortless looking photographs by Katina Patriquin Photography, it truly couldn’t get any better.

From Katina Patriquin Photography… When you step through the doors of San Juan Capistrano Mission everything slows… It is almost as if you just walked through the gates of heaven. Butterflies float softly above your head and you immediately feel a sense of of calmness. When you pair that with the essence and grace of a beautiful bride, you have perfection. From the delicately beaded gown from Gossamer Vintage to the softly perfected flowers from Honeycomb Affair the day was perfect! As we moved throughout the mission, every corner and spot was stunning, and the peace followed us. This mentorship with Tenth & Grace was everything my heart desired, and the styling from Chloe and Mint added that special something that put it all together! My wish is for every bride to pair the old with the new and create a classic, elegant, and timeless look for her wedding day!

When Life Hands You Lemons…Throw a Citrus Themed Holiday Brunch

Matching their holiday decor to their preppy coastal style, the ladies of Palm Beach Lately added their signature spirit to this bright and happy party. Think garlands and wreaths meet fresh oranges and pops of pink cabana stripes. It’s bucking tradition (i.e. no red in site) and is giving us major Florida vibes instead. See even more of this pretty celebration captured by Thompson Photography Group right here.

This holiday season, we incorporated our state fruit, the orange, into our holiday style because we love what it stands for – joy, happiness and hope. We always decorate our homes for the holidays with a variety of greenery like centerpieces, garland, trees and wreaths, so it was simple yet stunning to weave fresh oranges, lemons and limes throughout our usual decor. And because we love entertaining, we couldn’t wait to host a Christmas Brunch in true Florida style! For the brunch, Carla Tavolacci with The Event Group created the most beautiful floral and citrus centerpiece and citrus tree and also adorned our wreath by One Kings Lane and new pineapple sconces by Ballard Designs with florals, fresh fruit and greenery. We then set the table with straw placemats, bamboo chargers and gold silverware from our favorite tableware company, Juliska. And our tablescape wouldn’t be complete without our signature pink color, so we used whimsical pink and white plates from HomeGoods, pink cloth napkins, and pink wine glasses by Anthropologie! For a playful twist on the place setting, we included a menu card by Little Lovely Party and set a clementine and magnolia leaf on top. Our brunch menu featured yummy comfort foods, but the vanilla lemon cake with lemon buttercream icing that our good friend Jamie Fago of The Southern Bakery made stole the show!

Beautifully Blurring the Lines Between Outdoors and In

Blurring the lines between outdoors and in, this downtown Austin wedding brings romantic garden vibes to the industrial loft backdrop of Brazos Hall. The result is a lush, greenery-filled garden reception masterminded by The Nouveau Romantics and beautifully captured by Ryan Ray, with a film by Filmstrong. It’s so pretty, you’ll forget it didn’t take place in the great wide open.

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From The Nouveau Romantics… From the very first meeting, Kathleen and Michael had their hearts set on an outdoor wedding, but as the bride’s hometown, with a significant amount of guests from out-of-town, they wanted to capitalize on a location that was convenient and minimized travel. Enter Brazes Hall, with our promise that we would do just that – bring the outdoors in to soften the industrial appeal of brick walls and upper deck’s modern styling. We developed a palette that was grounded in shades of green, with touches of white, cream, soft lemon yellow, and touches of lavender — the perfect compliment to the spring season of their May wedding. The day’s flow was an important consideration, as the late afternoon ceremony at the downtown St. Mary’s church linked into a cocktail hour on Brazos second floor open-air deck, downstairs for a lush, garden-inspired dinner, and then back upstairs for a enthusiastic dance party compliments to The Flashdance. Kathleen’s request for a lush, greenery-filled dinner experience in the indoor first floor came to life via dainty twinkle lights draped lightly across the wooden beams, greenery hanging atop the central Bridal party table, and an escort card “wall” of nude floor-length fabric surrounded by lanterns, florals, and even more greenery. Upstairs was designed around the idea of a “speak easy” and “living room” feel, as we surrounded the dance floor with 8 separate, unique, and coordinated seating vignettes from a variety of local Austin vendors that completely transformed the space. Adding in some 14’ draped curtains to the steel beams helped to create that intimate feel. The Flashdance delivered an epic dance party that was fueled by late night Whataburger snacks and a full-sized Amy’s Ice Cream sundae spread that guests are still talking about!

From the Bride, Kathleen… Originally from Austin, I had always wanted an Austin wedding and Michael was kind enough to agree! My dream had always been to dance underneath the Texas stars with our family and friends. As most of our guests were from out of town, we wanted them to experience Austin as we loved it. We picked St Mary Cathedral, across from the Capitol, for its gorgeous architecture. We later chose Brazos Hall, just a few blocks away, for the amazing rustic feel downstairs and upstairs rooftop. We wanted to have a the causal feel of Austin but with a touch of elegance. I fell in love with greens, ivory, and maudes because of their muted tones but wanted gold touches to add some elegance. Liz and the team somehow made everything come together with ease. We were so fortunate to have the most experienced and kind wedding planners, The Nouveau Romantics, who made our dreams come true. I had a unusual request of dancing on the rooftop patio (to accomplish that dream of dancing underneath the stars). Liz and the team made it the most gorgeous setting with lounge areas, candles, and lights to set a casual but elegant tone I was hoping for. They also had the best recommendations for vendors, which I think fulfilled the whole weekend. From the perfect weather in Austin during May, to our amazing photographer, videographer, DJ, and other vendors, we literally could not have asked for a more amazing day. The most wonderful part of the whole weekend was the love we felt from all of our guests. Our family and friends traveled all over the country to celebrate with us in Austin and we were so fortunate to be surrounded by such loving people. Its cheesy to day ‘it was the best day of our lives’, but it really was.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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The Dress Every Bridesmaid Will Actually Want To Wear

When we heard Vow to be Chic was teaming up with Monique Lhuillier and one of our favorite brides-to-be, Rachel Lindsay from ABC’s The Bachelorette, to create an exclusive bridesmaid gown to rent – we were sold! The dress designed by Monique Lhuillier and carefully curated by Rachel is ultra elegant and feminine and let’s just say not your average bridesmaids’ dress! Oh, and did we mention we saw this beauty in person on Rachel herself? So, yeah we can attest! Browse more images of the Rachel gown below.

Call your gals and tell them you found a chic dress they can rent that comes in 8 different colors!

Photography: Grizz Lee | Bridesmaids' Dress: Vow To Be Chic

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Petit Bouquet

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Beautiful Blues Abound for this Seaside Wedding

Beautiful blues, gorgeous views and an equally stunning Bride. This is what we’re all about folks. Julie Livingston and Video Film Productions captured this seaside wedding on Seabrook Island and we’re ready to skip our to do list today to just spend some quality time in this gallery of pretty pics. Post Petals and Pearls outdid themselves with this one and we’re mighty glad they did because we just can’t get enough – see all the beauty right this way!

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Colors

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Summer Weddings

From the Bride… After meeting at the SEC Championship in December of 2011, Court and I “courted” for just over five years when he surprised me in my hometown of Louisville, KY to pop the question in front of my parents and lifelong friends (also a surprise)! With Court’s parents having a residence in Seabrook Island, South Carolina, it wasn’t hard to make the choice to be wed there because it is our favorite destination both for a couple’s vacation and extremely special for our families.

Our engagement was just under six months, but I wouldn’t have it any other way, because I was forced to make decisions quickly and my amazing wedding planners at Posh, Petals & Pearls knew the best in the business. Court and I ended up getting married the weekend of June 3, 2017. We had a weekend full of activities, from a welcome party at Red’s Ice House in Bohicket Marina on Thursday, to a full day of golf for the guys and beach games on Friday followed by an amazing rehearsal dinner in downtown Charleston, to the main event on the stunning Ocean Terrace at Seabrook Island. The whole weekend was perfection and our photographer Julie Livingston captured the most stunning photos. We were surrounded by palm trees, the Atlantic Ocean and friends and family. We each had 11 attendants, but we each only had one other person on the altar – his sister was my MOH and his Dad served as the Best Man; everyone else was in the second row behind our parents. I told my bridesmaids to wear “shades of true blues” that could reflect the feel of the Atlantic Ocean, so they were happy to have the freedom to go baby blue, royal, navy, long short and/or slit!

Because Court and I both went to the University of Georgia, everyone had red and black pom-poms to shake for the exit to the 1965 Bentley, which was really special since we could not use sparklers due to them being a fire hazard. I also gave Court UGA cufflinks for my gift to him.

Our special day was truly a special weekend and as everyone says – the evening flew by and we couldn’t believe it was time to go when the band played “Shout” and the drinks stopped flowing. We had the time of our lives and would not change a thing…. Can we do this every year?! #LauraGoesToCourt

See Why We Always Fall in Love With Southern Weddings

Wanting to introduce their friends and family to the State they now call home, this couple – originally from New York City – chose the Merrimon-Wynne House for their North Carolina garden wedding. With the help of A Southern Soiree, they put on a truly beautiful, Southern affair. Both Twenty-One Films and Theo Milo Photography were there to capture the pretty as a peach day, so scroll on and then press play!

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From A Southern Soiree… Having recently moved to North Carolina from New York City, this sweet couple dreamed of a wedding day where their family and friends could enjoy a taste of the place they now call home and have grown to love. In search of southern history and charm, the Merrimon Wynne House proved to be the perfect location for Blair and Danny’s southern, garden chic vision to come to life. Beautiful blooms in a palette of dusty blue, peach, and ivory paired with luxurious furniture and linens enhanced the beauty of the Merrimon Wynne House, creating an intimately warm space for loved ones to celebrate. A custom removable sheer train enhanced the bride’s stunning Vera Wang gown and added the perfect amount of fluttering romance to a magical affair. A Chilean three legged pig, a sweet gesture of love and friendship, welcomed guests to their seats as they dined a la fresco under a sea of greenery and market lights. A locally inspired and sourced meal from the amazing team of Snap Pea Underground and Catering followed by an evening of live music and even more delicious treats left guests departing a night to remember with their stomachs and hearts full.

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Amsale

Amsale Bridal Fall 2018

Amsale Bridesmaids

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

Amsale Bridesmaids Spring 2014

Additional Styles by Amsale

Amsale Bridal Fall 2014

Amsale Bridal Spring 2015

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Amsale Bridal Blue Label

Amsale Bridal Spring 2016

Amsale Bridal Fall 2016

Amsale Bridal Spring 2018

Amsale Bridal Fall 2018

Amsale Bridesmaids

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

Amsale Bridesmaids Spring 2014

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Wedding Dresses

Vera Wang

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

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Want a wedding day look that is glamorous, but still comfy? Here’s how.

Take it from brides who know: a lot of factors go into choosing your perfect wedding gown – from finding the right silhouette for your body type to choosing a style that will keep you feeling comfy all evening. (It’s a science, really.) But if you think that you can’t have glamour AND that cozy feeling, Paloma Blanca’s Spring 2018 Collection is here to prove that they can co-exist.

Guys, looking elegant and sophisticated on your wedding day doesn’t mean spending your entire night uncomfortable. You can definitely wear a dress that will make a statement and still have you dancing the night away. That’s because Paloma Blanca’s Spring 2018 Collection is known for their high-quality designs AND craftsmanship – with each of their gowns being made right in their Toronto home base. That means this family-owned company can be certain that their beautiful designs pass every quality control test and there’s absolutely no question as to how they were crafted. Not to mention that every design uses only the highest-quality fabrics and all of the those accents you love are hand-detailed and embroidered. And we all know that higher-quality everything means a better fit. And a better fit means a more comfortable wedding day.

Paloma Blanca’s Spring 2018 Collection is filled with gowns that are both stunning and easy to move in, which will def be your number one priority when the Big Day finally arrives. Trust us on this one, you’ll want to feel like YOU when it’s time to say those vows, cut that cake and take your first dance. But you’ll also want to feel like the princess you know you are. Paloma Blanca has that covered, too, with an entire collection of dresses that will show off your curves and showcase the latest trends with details that really stand out.

From beautiful lace appliqués to removable belts to figure-flattering silhouettes (you can even choose a gown with a colored lining!), Paloma Blanca’s Spring 2018 Collection has a little something for everyone. We’re obsessed with all of the modern, yet classic designs and can’t wait to see YOU, the real brides, wear these beauties well into 2018! Find a retailer here.

5 Must-Remember Wedding Invitation Tips

Your invites are the first impression of your wedding and the first thing people will see in regards to your nuptials. Picking out your design is the fun part, but there are few not-so-fun things that you can’t forget before sending out your invites.

RSVP INFORMATION
Your invites let your guests know all the details of your big day, but they also serve as your guide to the number of guests you are having. Plus, if you are planning a sit down meal, the invites will let you know what each guest is ordering for dinner—so don’t forget to add the RSVP information to your invites! A simple, separate RSVP card is the most popular way to go, but you can also lead guests to your website to RSVP to save on paper. If you do go the traditional route, though, just be sure you include a pre-stamped envelope as well.

POSTAGE
This one is so important! Go into the post office and weigh your envelope before adding any stamps. Different shapes and sizes will affect how many stamps you will need and if you don’t put the right amount of postage, the invites will be sent back to you with a ton of markings all over them, causing you to re-do the whole bunch.

HAND CANCELLING
Ever get a birthday card in the mail that is beautiful on the outside yet ruined by a ton of black stamps all over it? Prevent that from happening to your wedding invites by bringing them into the post office and asking them to hand cancel them for you. This is a free service that the post office will do for you—just ask nicely, especially if your guest count reaches into the 100’s!

HAVE EXTRA
Let’s face it: mail gets lost and the chances of one of your hundreds of invites getting misplaced in the mail is unfortunately quite high. Because of this, always keep extra invites on hand. Should a family member not receive theirs, or a friend moves without informing you, you will have extras ready to be sent as soon as they let you know.

PROOFREAD!
The last thing you want is to have 200 printed invites in that gorgeous gold foil only to find that they misspelled your mother’s name. Be sure to proofread the proof of the invite as many times as you can. It is also a good idea to send copies to your mother or maid of honor for review, too.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Jessica Tzikas is a freelance writer, editor, and content manager from South Florida, who recently moved back to the sunshine state after living in Philadelphia for the past few years. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading by the beach, practicing yoga, and exploring nearby towns with her new husband.

A Quaint Italian Town Makes for a Dream Destination

You can never go wrong with a destination wedding in Italy, so today’s sweet affair will undoubtedly pull you in with the charm of Borgo Petrognano, the beautiful lace and tulle gown, and the so-in-love couple captured by Rossini Photography while walking down the most quaint cobblestone streets. Head to the Vault to see the whole, lovely affair planned by Original Tuscan Wedding.

From the bride… We visited Italy in 2013 and fell in love with Tuscany, so when Mark proposed, we knew instantly that we wanted to get married there. Having a destination wedding also meant we could have the small wedding that we always wanted. We started out the planning by writing our five most important elements of the wedding down. These included – the photography, food and wine, reception and ceremony venues, my dress, and the styling. We found our wedding planners, Original Tuscan Wedding, on the internet., and after a couple of phone calls, we knew they were the ones to help us plan our dream wedding. We couldn’t have wished for better planners – they helped us with every element and had the best suppliers that understood our vision.

We picked our photographers, Luca and Claudia of Rossini Photography, with the help of our planners. The photography was one of the most important elements of our day to us, so we picked very carefully. Luca and Claudia captured the relaxed nature of our day perfectly and were such fun to work with. They put us immediately at ease even though we are not naturals in front of the camera. And we couldn’t be happier with the final result!

We visited Italy twice before the big day to meet our planners, visit venues, and choose our food. We knew that we wanted all our friends and family to stay in one venue and have one big weekend party, so Borgo Petrognano was the perfect choice. We had the most amazing weekend. The day after the wedding, we had a big BBQ and spent time with our nearest and dearest by the pool.

I couldn’t decide on one color for our scheme, so decided to have a palette of pale nudes with a stand out burgundy color that Mark picked up with his bow tie. My dress was not what I had originally planned as so often is the case. I had intended to buy a slim line destination dress, but when I tried on this dress, I knew it was the one. The dress however was not so practical for dancing, so I had a cute short dress so I could dance the evening away.

We wanted the day to have a relaxed, Italian feel, which the flowers really captured with a loose hand tied bouquet for me and loose greenery bridesmaid bouquets. The long wedding table had a sumptuous garland which draped over both ends.

On the wedding day, we got married in the medieval hilltop town of Certaldo, which was like a dream. I walked down the aisle to Canon in D performed by a string duet. After the ceremony, we went on a walk with the photographers, and we were greeted with cheers and applause from the locals – it ended up being one of the favorite parts of the day. Once we returned to the venue, we joined our guests for aperitif hour by the pool where we were serenaded by our string duet. Our wedding breakfast of 5 delicious courses was on the terrace where we looked out on the Tuscan hills. One of the surprises for our guests included a gelato cart outside on the terrace during the dancing – a great way to end an amazing day.

From Braids to Blooms, We Have a Beautiful Wedding Film Not To Be Missed

It may seem like a minor detail… but I noticed. This Bride is wearing her hair up in a beautiful braid and I just love it (all you brides-to-be out there, take notice! It looks fab!). But this was just one pretty detail among many that make this classic wedding stand out. From start to finish, we have a story as sweet as can be and Bear Hands Media Group captured it all, from braids to blooms. Take a little break from all that holiday shopping and enjoy some love and laughter right this way!

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Church Country Club

From Bear Hands Media Group… When Maggi was referred to us, we were already a fan of her art (maggidunwoodyart.com) and we were very excited about taking on the project of shooting her wedding day. We knew this was going to be an especially fun and creative couple. Maggi and Eric and everyone who surround them are so fun and funny, just so amazing to be around. We’re so lucky to have met them and we’re so grateful they chose us to be with them on their big day!

We started the day at a beautiful old church in Westheimer called Saint Anne where the ceremony was traditional, but had the occasional touches from the priest that kept their family and friends laughing. Then we all boarded busses back to Houston Country Club where, let us tell you, this group partied like no other. We have so much ridiculously awesome footage of the dance floor going nuts, we could have made an entire video of just that. Maggi and Eric danced with their guests all the way to the very end. They never stopped. It was such a blast. Maggi and Eric’s big day did not disappoint and will certainly go down in history as one of our favorites.

Warning: You Might Buy These Home Decor Gifts for Yourself

Putting on your Santa hat can be sooo much fun—but holiday shopping can also be quite a daunting task! Even the closest of family and friends can be challenging. A little trick I like to use? Shop by room! By putting yourself in your gift receiver’s shoes (and in their home), you’ll spark ideas that are sure to have their eyes light up. Below are some of our faves by room—fair warning, you might find yourself adding two of each to your cart!

Great Room

From game nights to cozy evenings by the fire, these gift ideas work for just about anyone. How cute is that black marble and gold tic-tac-toe set?!

Kitchen

I myself love being in the kitchen! It’s truly the heart of a home and a great place to start when you’re stumped with gift giving. I may or may not have snagged one of those marble cookbook/tablet holders above.

Dining Room

Have an entertainer on your list? The friend who loves to host parties? From cute flutes to fancy cake stands there’s plenty of pretty items you can gift for sprucing up the dining room or bar.

Bedroom

Shop for someone’s bedroom you say? Well, maybe you’re not going to buy them bedding—but there are plenty of goodies that pertain to all things cozy and comforting. I’ll take one of those cute sleep shirts, please!

Bathroom

The bathroom is another area that you wouldn’t think to gift for, but there are actually some really cute options! Everyone loves a fresh set of luxe bath towels and that ladder above? Such a unique touch for a powder room.

Office

Chic office accessories are always a win in my book and make things like paying the bills or taxes, so much less daunting.

The Joy at This Colorful Ojai Wedding Is Everything

Even more than the eclectic and colorful lounge stations from Found Vintage Rentals, even more than the fabulous blue patterned linens from La Tavola Fine Linen Rental, even more than Ojai’s Red Tail Ranch’s rustic charm and insane view, I love love love the moment of pure joy Michael + Anna Costa Photography captured when this couple said “I do.”

From Michael Costa… What’s better than shooting for a ridiculously fun, hip, chill client? Shooting for a ridiculously fun, hip, chill client who ALSO happens to be an amazing wedding associate of Mindy Weiss. This is our second wedding shooting for one of Mindy Weiss’ incredible associates, and it’s a complete honor for us to do so. The details and styling were absolutely impeccable! Duh. But what’s even better about this couple is that they are SUPER in love. I mean, talk about being in the moment and relishing in their wedding. A bomb could have exploded nearby, and they probably wouldn’t have even noticed! Their eyes were locked the whole day in a giddy-type trance of pure happiness. With the outdoor setting of Red Tail Ranch in Ojai that has a serene, far away feel and the amazing details with pops of color like the deep royal blue, velvet couch we used for creative photos, this wedding had that magical feeling that can only be experienced but not fully described. Thanks again to Rachel and Jeff for including us in such an epic day!

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Petit Bouquet

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Guaranteed You’ve Never Seen a Maui Wedding Like This Before

This gem is about to throw all preconceived notions of Hawaiian weddings right out the window. Mixing the bride’s Sicilian roots with the beauty of an olive farm, this celebration is in a category all its own. We’ll call it tropical upcountry without a beach insight. Or gorgeous. That works too. Planned by Belle Destination Weddings & Events, with vibrant florals by Mandy Grace Designs and images by Dmitri & Sandra, get cozy with this pretty olive grove affair.

From the Bride, Anna…Tyler and I met five years ago on a summer evening in Sacramento. We happened to sit by each other at an otherwise empty dive bar on a Friday evening – I was waiting for my friends and he happened to be walking by and decided to stop in. We both felt very unlucky and fed up with the dating pool at the time, but when we struck up a conversation instincts told us we wouldn’t have to look any further for our soulmate. We exchanged numbers and he called and asked me out on a date the very next day. Two years later we moved to Oregon together where we built a home (literally and figuratively – he’s a contractor!) and a year and a half after moving Tyler proposed to me. It was very low key – he simply asked me after I came home one day and took me to a romantic French dinner in Portland. For us, it was perfect.

We had recently been to Maui and I asked Tyler if that is where he’d like to get married because he grew up there. He shot it down at first! He used to make and sell leis at Mama’s Fish House to newlyweds and wedding guests on the beach and thought a Maui wedding could only be that one style. I thought it would be the perfect place though – Maui is gorgeous and it has so much history for him and his family. I found pictures of an upcountry wedding and immediately knew that was what we would do, and when I suggested the upcountry idea to Tyler his whole outlook changed. When our event planner, Lena of Belle Destination Events, shared her personal wedding venue of Calasa Olive Farm in Kula we fell in love. I have Sicilian heritage so it was a perfect representation of the two of us.

Our vision for the day was for it to be outdoor, romantic, and colorful. Sicilian tiles, the color of the venue and the natural beauty of Maui were the big inspirations for me in terms of the colors. I wanted the colors to be saturated to capture the heat of the summer and the lush surroundings. We wanted the furniture materials to be organic – a lot of wood, stone and metal because that’s what Tyler works with everyday. We bought tiles online used them as name settings and coasters. Tyler liked the tiles so much he used them for our invitations, which he designed himself. Mandy from Mandy Grace Designs did a wonderful job of bringing our vision of flowers to life. We were married during Dahlia season and I told her to go wild with the Dahlias – they’re my favorite flower. The deep red flowers are a particular favorite and were the inspiration for the accent color throughout the floral and table arrangements. I was especially enamored with the hanging installation over our dance floor, which was something I wanted from day one.

My dress is Yolan Cris and is two layers of hand made Spanish lace with a silk shell underneath. It is gorgeous and I’m still in awe of it. The train is reminiscent of my grandmother’s dress when she was married in the 1920’s – my sisters remarked that I did pictures “Adele style” when I wrapped my train in front of me. I grew up adoring my grandmother’s wedding dress from their wedding photo so that was a very special feeling for me that day. I had unfortunately sprained my ankle badly a month before my wedding so although I couldn’t wear the high heels I had originally planned, I wore beautiful embroidered sandals instead. My bridesmaids dresses are Show Me Your Mumu. I gave everyone their choice of dress design and the option of a print or solid. Everyone chose the print! I was super excited about that. I love colors and patterns and it was awesome that my girlfriends naturally gravitated towards the pattern.

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Dmitri and Sandra Photography

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9 Classic Gowns That Won’t Break The Bank

The royal engagement news is all anyone here at SMP can talk about and – ohmygosh – we can’t wait to see THE dress. We’re putting our money on a classic with a twist style gown that will completely wow, just like the breathtaking designs from the geniuses at Rebecca Ingram. From figure-flattering silhouettes to stunning embellishments, we’re counting down nine of our faves below. And, bonus: they’re also budget friendly.

Dresses Shown (Clockwise, Top to Bottom): Olivia, Helena, Kaitlyn

Dress: Olivia

Why We Love It: Guess what? You don’t need to find a real-life prince to have that fairytale wedding of your dreams, and the Olivia is proving that point whole-heartedly. From the illusion bateau neckline to the flowing layers of tulle, you’ll be channeling your inner Grace Kelly in no time at all.

Dress: Helena

Why We Love It: We’re never one to argue with the comfort of a spaghetti strap design and the Helena makes it so, so easy to dance the night away in absolute style. We can’t decide what we adore more – the crystal, pearl and bead accents, the gorgeous lace trim or the ruching detail that is sooo flattering. We’re going to go with all of the above on this one.

Dress: Kaitlyn

Why We Love It: You know it’s all in the details and the lace appliqués on the Kaitlyn are most definitely a stand-out feature. We’re also loving the keyhole back, the off-the-shoulder neckline and covered buttons. This one definitely screams princess.

Dresses Shown (Clockwise, Top to Bottom): Bernice, Carrie, Hope

Dress: Bernice

Why We Love It: When it comes to show-stopping ballgowns, it honestly doesn’t get much prettier than Bernice. Think a voluminous tulle skirt, a strapless neckline and a Swarovski crystal belt. This one is a show-stopper for sure.

Dress: Carrie

Why We Love It: We can always count on Rebecca Ingram to deliver the romance. Case in point? The Carrie gown. With a lace bodice and ball gown skirt, it’s all about the amour.

Dress: Hope

Why We Love It: Fact: you don’t have to rock a ball gown to look like a princess… sometimes a fit-and-flare in allover-lace will do the trick. We’re obsessed with Hope for its double-keyhole back and scalloped edging. It’s a little bit fairytale, a little bit vintage and all sorts of gorgeous.

Dresses Shown (Clockwise, Top to Bottom): Juniper, Debbie, Nancy

Dress: Juniper

Why We Love It: Soft and simple, the Juniper seamlessly combines sweet AND sexy. From the Aria Chiffon skirt to the beaded lace top, it’s perfect for a garden wedding or an “I do” in your neighborhood church. We love, love, LOVE it.

Dress: Debbie

Why We Love It: Did we mention that we can’t get enough of spaghetti straps? The Debbie rocks one of our fave necklines, plus textured tulle, lace motifs and covered buttons down the back. Oh, and there’s a detachable train. So awesome.

Dress: Nancy

Why We Love It: You know we love ourselves a sleeved gown, especially when it comes to the Nancy. This cap-sleeved beauty also boasts an illusion scoop back and a fit-and-flare silhouette that will show off all of your curves in all of the right places. Plus, it shimmers, you guys. It shimmers.

You don’t have to compromise style or quality to find that classic dream gown. Just head to Rebecca Ingram to find a retailer near you to peruse all of the lovely designs in one of their three collections – Olivia, Kaitlyn and Juniper. “The One” is waiting.

Blogger Bride Gabi Shares 6 Ways She’s Making Her Wedding Unique

Like many other engaged couples, my fiancé and I want our wedding to be unique. More specifically, we want it to be unique to us. Our hope for our wedding (aside from cooperative weather, of course) is that our relationship and love for each other shine through in a way that is so clearly us.

However, bringing that vision to life can be baffling at first. We found ourselves asking exactly how we could create a wedding all our own. It can be easy to fall into loving what’s popular now instead of staying true to your heart and designing a day around your blended styles. Trends are trends, well – because they’re popular. It’s tough to find what you truly love without getting swept up in what everyone else is doing.

Here’s how we’re ditching what we like to call the “traditional” wedding with a few simple changes.

The ceremony

Rather than hiring an officiant based on reviews and word of mouth, we’re opting for a more personal feel for our ceremony. We both thought we’d feel more comfortable with someone we know officiating, so we asked my little sister to officiate. Not only do we feel more comfortable, we also have the opportunity to include my sister in the ceremony in a special way.

Nixing the traditions

Neither my fiancé nor I have the desire to partake in the typical garter toss tradition, so we’re nixing that from the wedding day schedule, amongst a few other typical wedding day traditions.

No Maid of Honor or Best Man

You heard that right, we opted to not choose a Maid of Honor or Best Man. Quite frankly, we don’t want two of our friends (in particular) to feel stressed in any way about our big day. I’ve been a maid of honor once and it wasn’t the easiest walk in the park. We simply want our wedding party to have fun with the planning!

Incorporating our friends

We’re so lucky to know some folks who work in the wedding industry, which means that we get to hire some of our very talented friends! What that means for us is that we don’t have to worry one bit that the food won’t be up to par or that the photographer will miss important pieces of the day. We know and trust our friends’ talents and can’t wait to have them join in on the wedding festivities!

Hello, Atlanta

We’re planning an upside down destination wedding – if that makes any sense. Most of our friends and family are back home in Massachusetts, but we moved to Atlanta this summer. We’ve loved the city for years (Tim even lived here back in 2014!) and are using our wedding weekend as a grand opportunity to show everyone why we love it so much. In fact, we love the city so much that we had a full afternoon shoot with photographer, Kelley Raye, (featured here!) before Tim moved back to Boston in 2015 to capture moments in our favorite Atlanta spots. Long story short, while it’s not a destination wedding for us, it is for the majority of our guests. More on this later, all.

Adults Only

Another way we’re changing things up is by hosting an adults-only ceremony and reception – don’t worry, we’ll be setting up childcare options for our guests! We’ve also got a few more surprises up our sleeves, but don’t want to spoil it for our guests, so hopefully, you’ll stay tuned to see what we come up with!

Fellow brides-to-be, how are you putting your own spin on your big day?

Gabriella Valladares

A Picture Perfect Blush Wedding in Beautiful Puerto Rico

With the Puerto Rican sun shining bright, these two said “I do” in front of friends and family and got ready to dance the night away. Their smiles never faded and Love & Light Photographs captured every beautiful moment, from the Bride and her merry maids getting ready earlier in the day to endless sweet moments between the new Mr. and Mrs. Let’s kick off the week in a wonderful way with this gorgeous gallery and you can thank me later for that grin that just won’t go away.

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Hotels + Resorts Weddings

From the Bride… After my husband and I got engaged in Greece, we didn’t really have an idea as to where we wanted to get married; all we knew was that we wanted to plan the best party to celebrate our love with our favorite people. Finding the ‘perfect’ venue was probably that hardest part, and after endless searching, my husband was actually the one who suggested we go back to our favorite courtyard in Puerto Rico, which was at the Hotel El Convento. And then just like that Puerto Rico seemed the obvious choice for many reasons but the main reason was that it was the first place we traveled to together, fell more in love with each other, and fell in love with the island. Old San Juan was the perfect place to encapsulate our vision for our wedding which was: timeless, romantic, and a day you’ll never forget!

There was so much love that went around all weekend, between our friends and our family. From the ceremony at La Rogativa – my mom walking me down the aisle while my cousin sang the acoustic version of Empire of the Sun’s, “Walking on a Dream” (it was so hard to hold back tears); Will and I sharing our own written vows, to the reception at El Convento – both of us sharing special dances with our moms; Will’s family belting out the German toast, Ein Prosit, every hour; everyone letting loose and ripping up the dance floor; being thrown up in the air more times than I can count; surprising everyone with a five person Puerto Rican band called, Pleneros, to liven up the party, and the vejigantes to dance the evil spirits away, AND last but not least everyone belting out Bohemian Rhapsody (from memory) even after the DJ was gone! It was a complete whirlwind and we both wish we could re-live it again and again. Puerto Rico will always have a special place in our hearts!

More recently it’s hard to look back without crying because of the devastation Hurricane Maria caused to everyone on the island, including our friends and family. We ask that everyone please help our fellow Americans by donating in any way possible.