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

This Bride Went 100% Minimalistic With Her Dress + It’s SO Good

There’s a major wedding trend towards minimalism right now and it has found its way to bridal gowns. Structured, simple elegance is the foundation of this Rosa Clara gown which fits perfectly with the effortless beauty of this Pacific Northwest celebration. Crafted around elegant greenery and ivory florals at the hands of Kaleb Norman James, feast your eyes on a wedding au naturel through the lens of O’Malley Photographers.

From Planner & Florist, Kaleb Norman James Designs… Grace came to me with a single photo as the inspiration for her wedding. When she handed me her phone, the image was of one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Positano, Italy, on the Amalfi Coast. Grace had seen this photo randomly on Pinterest, not knowing where it was. I’m sure when she saw my facial expression she thought I was crazy, but after explaining my connection to this place and how many times I’ve traveled to Positano for the main reason being that restaurant, I think we both knew we were meant to work together. Grace & Phillips poise and demeanor, matched with their effortless kindness, created the rest of the inspiration I needed for designing their wedding. We kept everything very light and ethereal, again, almost effortless. The white linens, matched with white floral and clear glass throughout the place settings, let the organic nature of all the greenery that climbed up the walls and across the beams make the focal statement it needed to. The paper goods were simple, yet elegant and intentional. The simplicity of Grace’s gown matched perfectly, letting the richness of the sleeves and neckline do the talking, as opposed to any ornate lacework or beading. The wedding was a celebration of their love for each other and their love for the friends and family. Nothing was fussy or overdone as it needed to reflect Grace & Phillip in a way that everyone would know their wedding was uniquely, custom made for them.

Top 10 Luxury U.S. Properties for a Pre-Wedding “Earlymoon”

Our friends at Black Tomato introduce us to the luxurious concept of an “earlymoon”— and the absolute must-visit resorts in the U.S. to take one!

You’ve been through the meticulous details of the program design, custom cocktails, seating card display, and yes, even the ring bearer’s pillow. We all know that preparing the ceremony details can often be the most stressful period of planning before the big day, but it doesn’t have to be.

Why not start relaxing in full honeymoon style and total bliss on a pre-wedding moon for you or you and your spouse close to home? So, when the anticipated date arrives you’ll be relaxed, reset, and most importantly ready for your big debut.

Click through the slideshow for the best domestic destinations for a pre-wedding “earlymoon.”

Top 10 Luxury U.S. Properties for An “Earlymoon”

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Top 10 Luxury U.S. Properties for An “Earlymoon”

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P.S. Any of these resorts would make an amazing honeymoon for those looking to stay on U.S. soil!

Style Me Pretty Contributor

Rainbows + Spanish Moss for this Sweet Southern E-Shoot

We’ve got quite the double dose of Southern style for you here today! Not only do we get a peek into the colorful engagement shoot for these two cuties but we get to dive wholeheartedly into their classic “I do’s” at the stunning Cloister on Sea Island later today. Amy Arrington captured both special sessions and we’re oh so grateful she did! To kick start our special day, let’s love on this sweet e-shoot among the Spanish moss right this way…

From the Bride-to-be… Charles and I met about 10 years before we started dating. We met while we were at University of Southern California (Go Trojans!) when I decided to join the golf club, and he was the President recruiting new members. We had a lot of friends in common but just never connected in more than a friendly way during our years at college. Fast forward to 2012, I found myself back in LA and realized that Charles and I only lived eight blocks from each other in Manhattan Beach. We started hanging out as friends after realizing that we had so much in common, including our love of airplanes in particular. We started dating in May 2013, and just eight months later, I got offered my dream job in New York. Needless to say, we traveled long distance for the next three years, flying back and forth between LA and New York, and only missed a handful of weekends together. It was tough, but he was definitely worth the red eye trips back to New York! Because of my job, we got to travel a lot and had some amazing experiences together. We went to Norway in January and saw the Northern Lights, flew to Ireland to play golf for Charles’ birthday, and hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu for my birthday. We’ve had some amazing adventures!

We knew that we wanted to have our engagement pictures in Sea Island, Georgia because that is where we would get married. Charles grew up going to Sea Island with his family, and they always spent important holidays there together. Charles’ parents actually went to Sea Island on their honeymoon, and while riding around the beach on bikes picked out houses they wanted to own (as we all do in amazing places in the world.) Mr. Ralston ended up buying one of the houses they saw a few years later and they have it to this day.

A year into dating, Charles brought me to Sea Island to spend Easter with his family. I remember immediately falling in love with the Spanish moss hanging from the live oaks; it seemed to be the perfect combination of romance and Southern heritage. There are some beautiful golf courses down as well, and because we are both golfers, it was never hard for his parents to get us out to the island for a weekend. Sea Island is such a special place that has a lot of Ralston family history associated with it. It’s not just a beautiful place, but a place that has a lot of deep rooted meaning with our family.

We had pictures taken on the Avenue of the Oaks, a beautiful long drive on the way into The Lodge, part of The Cloister. The Lodge has ruins from the colonial era that we used as a really beautiful backdrop. We then went and took pictures at a secret driveway on the island (I can’t tell the location though!!) and at Charles’ house. The engagement scene was really wonderful because working with Amy and Brandon was so easy. They have the kindest of hearts and are just a joy to be around. They put you at ease the second you start talking to them, and you barely notice when they start snapping away! Our session was during the 4th of July weekend, and it was of course SO hot and humid the day of our photos (like any good Southern summer day). It rained in the morning but the silver lining to that was that we had a beautiful rainbow over the ocean when we took pictures at Charles’ house.

Photography: Amy Arrington Photography

Just Wait Until You See this Stunning French Chateau Wedding…

There was a time when we probably overused the word ‘smitten’ in our features, but I’m bringing it back today. This fete from bonphotage has me 110% smitten. As if the setting at Chateau Bouthonvilliers wasn’t gorgeous enough, the Bride is an absolute beauty in her Lazaro dress, the florals by Floresie are to-die and then you have moments like this and this that will have you on the edge of tears. Get your full dose of pretty in the gallery!

From bonphotage… I am so excited to submit this real wedding which took place at Chateau Bouthonvilliers in the French Countryside! I literally squealed when these film scans landed in my inbox from Richard Photo Lab! Like a scene out of a fairy tale, guests arrived through the long tree-lined driveway and were met with waiters serving champagne. Guests entered into a lounge area set in front of the chateau for perfectly French appetizers of foie gras and duck pate. Surrounding the guests on the far sides were beautiful horses and all white cows, owned by the chateau owners whose family has lived at the property for over 200 years. Quite possibly the most beautiful wedding I’ve had the privilege of covering, Nicole + Tarik’s special day was nothing short of a dream! The ceremony took place by the chapel steps at the historic Chateau Bouthonvilliers in the French Countryside. It had been raining in the morning but the skies opened up with the perfect amount of sun and light breeze right before they said “I do” (a film photographer’s dream!)

The flowers from Floresie were out of this world (see her bouquet!!) and I absolutely cannot forget Nicole’s blush Lazaro dress which literally stopped me in my tracks! Every detail was accounted for, from the oval emerald stunning engagement ring, to the hand calligraphed vow books to the studded louboutins, and all of it was perfectly executed by Mayra from The Event House.

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bonphotage

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“Something Blue” Inspired this Beautiful Backyard Wedding

“Something blue” might just be one of my favorite wedding traditions. I just love seeing how couple’s weave this hue throughout their day! And today’s fete, planned by Lindsay Lauren Events, sure is beaming with blue beauty; from the ribbons streaming from the Bride’s bouquet to the Groom’s navy attire to the tabletops, there’s no shortage. Have a look a the full gallery from Sorella Muse and let us know your favorite detail in the comments!

From Lindsay Lauren Events… Kathryn and Brad’s wedding was a dream to plan. The venue, the bride’s father’s beautiful Spanish-style home, set on over an acre with immaculate landscaping and architecture, was the perfect canvas for Kathryn and Brad’s special day. Olive trees, boxwoods, lavender and gardens created such a lovely setting. As guests arrived, they made their way to the backyard which was set up for the ceremony. A custom bridge adorned with greenery was built over the pool for the wedding party to walk across during the ceremony. The bridge is now the bride and groom’s dining room table at their home. How sweet is that?!

Guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the front yard on the circular cobblestone driveway and lawn. The Spanish guitarist, ginger margaritas, moscow mules and scrumptious hors d’ oeuvres made guests feel transported to another place.

The guests dined and danced in the backyard. We framed the pool with farm tables for the wedding party and family. Kathryn and Brad’s sweetheart table, set in the casita, was such a sweet spot, as they could look out and see all of their guests during dinner and toasts. The lace runners on the farm tables were covered with gorgeous garlands of bay leaves, olive and eucalyptus, and bright blooms throughout. The round tables were covered with a heavy Tuscany linen and white scalloped stoneware. The place cards and signage throughout the wedding were all made by a family friend of the brides. One of my favorite details was the beautiful blue and white napkins from La Tavola. They added such a fun pop to the tables, all while complimenting the Spanish inspired home. As if the evening couldn’t have gotten any better, Kathryn, Brad and their guests danced the night away under the stars.

From the Bride… I like to say that Brad and I met on several different occasions, but the third time was the charm. We sat at my father’s house in the backyard that became our wedding venue, and we discussed mountain biking and Gossip Girls (which he will never admit to) as he finished his Godzilla burrito.

  I had always envisioned a summer wedding on a warm summer evening, and I sure got that with 100 plus temperatures that day. Décor is something I have always been into; I can get a little crazy on Pinterest! Since my father’s house is Spanish style, and Brad’s one request was for the guys to be in navy suits, a blue vision for our wedding came to mind. I love that Brad’s idea was the start of the design, and he was there until the very end through my ups and downs of planning right by my side supporting me. I searched EVERYWHERE for the perfect napkins and blue goblets. My mother, who always supports my vision, went up to Sacramento the day before the wedding because that’s the only place I could find our blue chairs and goblets. My father went above and beyond to make sure that the yard was perfect, and he also helped play a role in part of the design. My father had built the bridge for us to walk across on for the wedding, which we are now working on turning into a dining room table. My mother-in-law helped assist through the planning and was constantly going back and forth with me to the floral shop. We feel so fortunate to have such amazing family and friends who all celebrated and helped us create our dream day – it would have been nothing without the support from them.   

Brad and I wanted our ceremony to be unique, something with meaning for us, so we wrote our vows to each other. Although I loved the moments of him taking the entire top tier off our wedding cake and him dancing for the garter toss, there were a few other moments that were incredibly special to me. One was the reading of our vows; we had no clue what each other wrote, nor did anyone else; it had so much meaning to us. The second moment for me was his aunt marrying us – it made the ceremony even more special. One thing I loved was that she asked us to take a moment to look out at everyone; I will never forget that, and I can still picture everyone in the exact spot.

I could not have planned this wedding entirely on my own. I was fortunate to have a wedding planner who went above and beyond. Luckily, we also had the same taste, and she helped make everything perfect. Fringe Flower Co. created my florals; I probably went into the shop five different times changing my mind, wanting to add or subtract things! That morning of the wedding, when I received my bouquet, I was beyond impressed – it was exactly what I wanted. I was so nervous about choosing the DJ, calling several different ones, until I finally found Rick with AMOS – he drove the wedding. All of our guests were impressed with the food and the service from Fraiche Catering. Also, we are so glad we hired a truly talented photographer, who captured our day beautifully. Nicole Anderson truly captured the day as a story book, and we will forever have these photos to look back on.

From BBQ to Black Tie in the Colorado Mountains

This celebration may have a rustic zip code but tucked inside is the prettiest of ballroom weddings planned by Gemini Event Planning, with florals by Vail Vintage Magnolia and stunning images by Rebecca Yale. It’s a wedding week filled with everything from a bridesmaids’ hike to a 4th of July bbq and a knock-out black tie celebration at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch.

From the Photographer…Lindsay and Steve were married at the Ritz Carlton in Bachelor Gulch, CO over July 4th weekend in a 5-day celebration in the mountains. The bride’s parents have had a vacation home in Bachelor Gulch for years and knew instantly that the wedding would take place in their “happy place” with other events including a welcome dinner, bridesmaids hike and July 4th BBQ all taking place in the Beaver Creek area. Each guest was welcomed to the Ritz with a personalized hiking backpack with the wedding’s hashtag “Red White and Berg” printed on it and full of local goodies from the area including the bride and groom’s favorite candy, red and blue sunglasses, trail maps and a program of the wedding weekend details. The weekend’s events ranged from casual to cocktail, but the wedding itself, set on the skier bridge and in the Ritz’s ballroom was black tie. The couple wanted to bring in an unexpected floral combination using more formal orchids with mass amounts of loose greenery to bring the outdoors in and create a romantic woodsy aesthetic. They kept their wedding invitation simple in tones of white and silver with a simple line drawing of the mountains and the bride’s mother found vintage map of the area to use as the backdrop for the schedule of events which was all bound together with a piece of leather. Escort cards continued the clean white and grey aesthetic and were placed inside hand calligraphed envelopes outside the reception.

The bride wore a classic Monique Lhuillier ballgown, which she loved for the drama with the background of the mountains and paired it with delicate lace louboutin shoes and a sapphire and diamond bracelet leant to her by her uncle. Her uncle is a jewelry designer and created the couple’s beautiful wedding bands, surprising her with an extra as a wedding gift. The bride also donned a seed pearl crown worn by both her mother and grandmother with her veil for the ceremony. The bride also payed homage to her mother and mother-in-law by wearing a re-worked version of her mother’s dress to the welcome dinner, which was re-tooled by her mother in law, and used a left over piece of lace from the dress to wrap around the stems of her bridal bouquet. The bride and groom exchanged gifts before their first look and the groom surprised her with a locket featuring a photo from their engagement session on the bottom and then a selection of cutout images of her favorite foods and favorite people that she could sub in and out in the other opening. The bride’s mother, also in a Monique Lhuillier gown, helped the bride into her dress before doing a first look with her father on the balcony overlooking the mountains. After the bride and groom’s emotional first look on the property they ventured out to an overlook near the bride’s parents house for a few moments alone and portraits with the incredible mountain backdrop.

The ceremony took place under a lush floral chuppah on the skier bridge next to the resort, overlooking the mountains. The bride and groom broke with tradition and elected to have a male and female usher to honor two of their dearest friends. The forecast was clear for the day, but minutes before the bride was to walk down the aisle the skies opened up and poured rain for about 2 minutes sending all the guests running back inside, but luckily it was just a quick rainstorm and everyone was able to return back outside for the ceremony. However during the ceremony the skies decided to sprinkle again and some dramatic wind made for some fun moments with the bride’s veil. In Jewish tradition the groom broke a glass at the end of the ceremony, but instead of smashing it, it rolled away twice, creating a great comedic moment, which the bride and groom embraced. The bride and groom wanted to keep the mood of the ceremony light and playful like them and had their wedding party walk down the aisle to two of their favorite musicals- Hamilton and Phantom of the Opera.

Vail Vintage Magnolia transformed the ballroom with a mix of high and low centerpieces, a large chandelier installation over the head table and lush greenery hanging from the chandeliers. The couple wanted the ballroom to be unrecognizable, but also wanted guests to still be able to talk to each other over the tale so created installations at two levels to not block any conversation. The couple were welcomed onto the dance floor for their first dance to Beyonce’s Crazy in Love, which set the tone for the amazing dance party that was the rest of the evening. After they cut the cake the bride changed into a tasseled short party dress to dance the night away in. The next day instead of a Sunday brunch they let guests recover at their own pace around the resort and then invited everyone over to the bride’s parents house for a 4th of July BBQ complete with red white and blue candy bar and the bride and groom surprised the bride’s parents with a custom “Bergs of Prey” official Beaver Creek trail sign installed outside their house as a thank you for the wonderful weekend. The weekend came to a close with a fireworks celebration back on the bridge where the couple said their I Do’s.

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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5 Tasteful Ways to Incorporate Holiday Cheer in Your Wedding

The holiday season truly is the most magical time of the year. I love dreamy winter weddings and am thrilled to share 5 tasteful ways to incorporate a bit of holiday cheer into your wedding.

From wood and fir natural elements to bold hues and plaid accents, there are endless ways to incorporate holiday cheer and merriment at your event—without going overboard!

Fir and Evergreen
While I tend to be a sucker for magnolia leaf garlands, the winter months are the perfect setting for an evergreen tablescape. Consider pairing your garland with a collection of potted Frasier firs as a band backdrop and you will truly create a winter wonderland.

Jewel-Tones
From deep burgundy and merlot to rich emerald hues, jewel tones make a bold and beautiful visual impact. They add much-needed warmth to an otherwise cool winter palette whether in bridal party attire, cake decor, or floral varieties.

Twinkle Lights
While bistro lighting is really having a moment, the colder months are the perfect time to bring back the sparkling ambiance created with string twinkle lights. String lighting helps to define the space and draw your guests into the intimate setting you’ve created.

Firewood Accents
I recently saw the most stunning custom bar back made of stacked wood and accented with smilax. This custom bar fit perfectly with the North Carolina mountain venue and had guests flocking to it all evening. The texture and variety created in the firewood bar was stunning and creative. Even if you would rather use firewood accents in a more understated way, a late-night bonfire is a wonderful idea.

Plaid
While an outdoor wedding on a snow-covered peak in Aspen is beyond idyllic, the reality is that it may be a bit chilly. I truly believe in carrying to aesthetic of your wedding day through to even the smallest details, and ceremony blankets are no exception. Stunning wool plaid throws in your colors that coordinate with your decor are the perfect multipurpose decor element that your guests will love.

So tell us, what are your favorite holiday wedding trends? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Hannah Nowack is a freelance writer, calligrapher, and event designer living in Atlanta, Georgia. When she isn’t working, you will find her decorating her Danish Modern-inspired apartment, frequenting the gourmet cheese counter, or enjoying a glass of Cabernet with friends.

Cozy Meets Chic For This Romantic Winter Anniversary Shoot

Cozy meets chic with this gorgeous maroon cape but add in the beautiful rich blooms from the bouquet and this anniversary session reaches stunning proportions. It wins style points from the start but with Mother Nature showing off and the love between these two radiating all over, it just keeps getting better and better. Amanda Wei captured it from start to finish and we’re mighty glad she did. Get in on all the warmth and romance right this way…

From Amanda Wei… What better way to celebrate your anniversary than a cozy, snowy and romantic anniversary dinner in the middle of Yosemite Valley!?!? Brittany and Chris did it right and went to their favorite national park to celebrate their love and tie it in with the magic of Yosemite Valley. We asked the couple if they had any marriage advice and this is what they said…

From the couple… Out of all of the marriage advice that was given before and up to our wedding, the one that has been the most valuable for us was my aunt’s advice to commit to honesty, no matter what. Even for the small things: communicate and be honest. Our transparency with each other has made any argument we’ve had smaller, our trust has grown stronger, our independence has survived, and our bond has strengthened because honesty is a direct vein to trust. Without trust, you have no bond.

Photography: Amanda Wei Photography | Floral Design: Type A Society | Hair and Makeup Artist: Camille Goldston Hair & Make Up Artistry

Blogger Bride Mackenzie Horan’s Wedding Reveal!

Our wedding day was hands down the most magical day of our entire lives and we are so lucky to have spent it with so many of our favorite people in the world, who traveled from near and far to celebrate with us on Nantucket. None of it would have come together so beautifully without our month of planner, Caroline of Milly & Grace Weddings, who is one of the loveliest human beings I’ve ever met and was truly put on this earth to make wedding dreams come true. I’m so excited to share our wedding photos captured by Cameron Clark Photography with you all today!

From Mackenzie of Design Darling… Will and I got married over Labor Day weekend on Nantucket. We started our wedding day getting ready with our bridesmaids and groomsmen. My bridesmaids and I had our hair and makeup done at RJ Miller, where we set up a little breakfast on the outdoor patio, including my lifelong favorite blueberry muffins from the ‘Sconset Market. I had done a hair and makeup trial at the salon a few weeks before our wedding day and decided to do a French twist on my hair — an updo that would keep my hair out of my face but that was undone enough for an island wedding. I had given my bridesmaids monogrammed pajama sets from J.Crew as gifts at my bridal luncheon the day before, so we all wore those while getting dolled up!

The boys got ready at a house in Tom Nevers. Will and I decided he would wear a classic navy sportcoat, a blue shirt, a striped bowtie, and white pants. We got suede loafers for the groomsmen but Will wore Tecovas cowboy boots as a nod to his Dallas roots. I didn’t learn until the day after our wedding that they had some time to kill before meeting up with us so they wound up playing a game of spikeball on the front lawn — in their white pants! Boys will be boys.

After hair and makeup, my bridesmaids and I got dressed at my parents’ house. My bridesmaids wore the most beautiful seersucker Coren Moore gowns with navy silk faille sashes that we’d found at A Little Something White in my hometown. I wore Sarah Seven’s Sullivan gown, a silk crepe t-shirt style dress that I’d fallen in love with long before I ever tried it on. I paired it with Christian Louboutin satin heels with a big silk bow at the ankle and I love that you could see a peek of my shoes when I walked thanks to the center slit on the gown. I accessorized with a pair of earrings on loan from Manfredi Jewelers and my mother’s wedding and 10-year anniversary bands on my right hand. I found my fingertip length veil on Etsy and love the way the horsehair trim floated out in the pictures we took on the beach just before the start of our reception. My mom helped button me into my dress before I did a little first look with my dad in my parents’ living room. Seeing him tear up was the first thing that made me cry that day (though it definitely was not the last!).

Will and his parents drove to my parents’ house to do our first look and I was so anxious to see him! Our photographers Cameron and Jamelle set us up in the backyard and I love the way they captured Will walking towards me. But my favorite candid moment from the entire day was looking up and seeing my bridesmaids quietly looking down on our first look from an upstairs bedroom. There were tears and a big round of applause after I turned around and faced Will!

After our first look, we took a party bus to pick up the groomsmen and head to Sankaty Lighthouse to take the majority of our group photos. Will initially thought I was joking when I said I’d found a neon pink party bus as it’s so not Nantucket, but cranking music on the bus to the lighthouse with all our bridesmaids and groomsmen wound up being one of my favorite parts of our wedding day. I was so relieved to have seen Will and to get to spend the day with literally all of our favorite people that it was so fun to get to let loose a little a couple hours before our ceremony.

My parents had taken their wedding photos at the lighthouse 31 years ago and Will and I had actually taken some of our favorite engagement photos there the summer before. It’s just a magical spot positioned between a golf course and the endless expanse of the Atlantic. My bridesmaids carried bouquets of fluffy white hydrangeas and I carried a mix of blue and white hydrangeas, my favorite flower and one that grows all over Nantucket.

Our ceremony took place at the Siasconset Union Chapel on Nantucket. My parents had gotten married there 31 years ago and I knew from the time I was a little girl that it was where I would one day walk down the aisle! Our cockapoo Rory was the ringbearer in a needlepoint collar and leash made by my Grandy. After our ceremony, we led our guests on a short scenic stroll through ‘Sconset to our reception at the Summer House, a beachside restaurant and inn that also has a piano bar where we had our after party.

I had ordered krazy straws for our cocktail hour on the lawn at the Summer House with our initials and ACK, the airport code for Nantucket. They were a fun prop but definitely not the fastest way to consume a cocktail! Will and I had some time to hang with our friends before sneaking away to take pictures on the beach for ten minutes at the end of our cocktail hour. These wound up being some of my favorite photos from the day — we both look so happy to actually be married!

Our reception took place under a Sperry tent set up by Nantucket Tents, who were a dream to work with from beginning to end and consistently went above and beyond to answer questions we had about hosting an event in that space. We rented tables, chairs, and place settings from Nantucket Party Rentals and our photographer Cameron actually helped me track down navy and white striped tablecloths via Instagram, which we finally found at RI Rentals. I love that they made a bold statement but felt totally true to Nantucket and my own classic, nautical aesthetic. We topped them off with alternating bouquets of blue and white hydrangeas put together by Sheila Daume, a family friend who also does the floral arrangements at the chapel every Sunday.

We had one long head table for bridesmaids and groomsmen and round tables for the rest of our guests placed around the dance floor. Delighted Calligraphy wrote everyone’s names in a classic white script on navy cardstock that matched the navy blue envelopes from our wedding invitations, which were designed by Albertine Press featuring watercolors by Kearsley Lloyd. My mom and I placed the escort cards in white trays filled with sand for a simple display that would stand up to the ocean breeze. We used acrylic frames for the table numbers, which combined the outline of Kearsley’s crest from our invitations with numbers drawn by Megan of Delighted Calligraphy.

My mom ordered affordable plain white napkins from World Market and had them monogrammed with our married initials at the aptly-named Nantucket Monograms in Milford, Connecticut. They were the perfect personal touch at each place setting and now Will and I have 130 monogrammed dinner napkins to get us through the rest of our lives!

The Sultans of Swing kept our guests on the dance floor all night (including between toasts, which we hadn’t even planned on!). My dad, the two best men David and Paul, and my sister Reilly all brought me to tears with their speeches — we are so lucky to have so much love in our lives! The band played right up until the outdoor music curfew (sadly 10 p.m. on Nantucket) when it was time for our sparkler exit (just up the stairs to continue the fun at the Summer House piano bar!).

She is the most organized, kind-hearted, thoughtful individual we met in our twenty months of wedding planning, and I’m certain our big day would not have been the same without her tireless efforts and generous spirit. If you are planning a wedding on Nantucket (or elsewhere!), she should be your first phone call. And if you have any questions about our wedding day, I’d be happy to answer in the comments! You can also take a peek back at our entire wedding journey right here. Thank you all for following along! xoxo

Mackenzie Horan

Blogger Bride

Design Darling

Top Chef’s Gail Simmons Go-To Holiday Dessert Recipe

It probably goes without saying, but Top Chef judge Gail Simmons loves to spend time in the kitchen and this time of the year is especially meaningful for her. “I love cooking around the holidays,” she says. “It’s an excuse to get in the kitchen, connect, slow down and make a home cooked meal together.”

Avoid feeling stressed by taking Gail’s advice: invite family and friends to contribute a wine, cheese or dessert to the holiday meal.

Whether you’re hosting or attending a dinner, consider adding Gail’s go-to dessert to the menu: a hazelnut tarte au sucre. “My tarte au sucre is a traditional Québécois dessert I serve often,” she says. “It’s always a show stopper because very few people in the States have ever tried it. It has a sophisticated (and not too sweet) hazelnut crust as well as the most delicious, gooey warm maple sugar center.”

Get the recipe below (from her new cookbook Bringing It Home: Favorite Recipes from a Life of Adventurous Eating) and serve it up the same way Gail does: with cold cream poured over the top, tableside.

Toasted Hazelnut Tarte au Sucre

Serves 8
Hazelnut Crust:

1/2 cup hazelnuts
1 ¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
Up to 4 tablespoons ice water

Filling:
1 cup maple sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup chilled heavy cream, plus 1/2 cup for serving

Special equipment:
9-inch tart pan with removable bottom

For the crust:
Heat the oven to 350ºF. Spread the hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven until lightly browned and the skins start to blister, 10 to 12 minutes. Rub the hot toasted hazelnuts in a clean kitchen towel to remove skins (it’s OK if not all the skins come off), then let cool completely. transfer the cooled nuts to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the nuts resemble a coarse meal.

In a large bowl, whisk together the hazelnuts, flour, and salt. Using your fingertips, blend in the butter until incorporated, leaving some roughly pea-sized lumps. Working with 1 tablespoon at a time, stir in 2 to 4 tablespoons ice water, just until the dough holds together. Place the dough in the center of the 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Using your fingers and a flat-bottomed measuring cup, spread and push the dough to evenly cover the bottom and sides of the pan. Prick the dough all over with the tines of a fork. Freeze until firm, at least 30 minutes or overnight wrapped tightly in plastic.

For the filling:
In a medium bowl, stir together the maple sugar, brown sugar, egg, flour, butter, and 1/3 cup cream until well combined.

To assemble:
Increase the oven temperature to 375ºF with the rack in the middle. Remove the tart shell from the freezer and bake until the dough is just starting to brown, about 20 minutes. Pour the filling into the hot crust and continue baking until the crust is golden and the edges of the filling are just set (the center will be fairly jiggly), 35 to 38 minutes more. Cool the tart in the pan on a rack for 1 hour (the filling will continue to set as it cools), then remove the sides of the pan.

At the table, just before serving, pour the remaining 1/2 cup chilled cream over the top of the tart, then cut into wedges.

The tart, without the cream poured over the top, can be kept, covered and refrigerated, for up to 1 day. Bring it to room temperature, then pour on the cream just before serving.

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

I’m Catholic and Didn’t Get Married in a Church For This Reason

When my husband and I got engaged, we entertained the idea of getting married in the church. After all, we were both raised Catholic. Up until high school, he attended a Catholic private school. And I started every Sunday with mass and then picked a Catholic university.

Charla Storey Photography

There was no way around it. We were engulfed in religion.

It was the primary reason we were even considering incorporating the ritual in our wedding day. Even though during our two-year relationship, and one-year engagement we had never attended mass as a couple, we felt like it was something we had to do.

So we began calling churches to inquire about pricing. I was shocked to discover our first pick required a $1,200 mandatory donation for 45-minute use of the church (more than 10 times the cost of our wedding venue for the evening). And from there, our options got less and less attractive.

A wedding symbolizes the start of a life together. The planning process is one of the first official steps in working as a team, and deciding what’s best for you as a couple. Getting married in a church is a beautiful tradition, but we had to look at our options objectively to decide if this was something worth sacrificing for and potentially going over budget for.

We decided it wasn’t.

Elizabeth Messina

The church had played no part in our relationship. We honored and respected the traditions held by family and friends, but realized we had to make a choice between what we ‘should do’ and what was right for us. For us, that meant promising to honor, love and respect each other every day. A pledge requiring work from both parties and not a religious deity to do the heavy lifting for us.

It was not a decision made out of spite or as a protest statement. But rather as a practical look at our finances and interactions with our religion. Not everyone was thrilled and it took time for some people to accept our decision. But ultimately, upon hearing our explanation, everyone understood our approach to the situation and welcomed it wholeheartedly. It helped that we were paying for most of the wedding ourselves, because it gave us the liberty to do what we wanted.

In the end, it all worked out. We got married without any church drama or protests. And that’s in large part because we analyzed the situation and did what was best for our relationship.

Family members still ask if one day I’ll get married by the church. Being Mexican and Catholic is part of my identity so the answer is yes. One day it’ll happen when we’re ready, not when someone tells us to.

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

Warm and Cozy Registry Picks to Master The Art of Hygge

Hygge, pronounced (pronounced hue-guh) is a Danish word that essentially describes the feeling, moment, or little pleasures associated with being warm, cozy and happy with your loved ones. The Danish are definitely onto something, and a recent United Nations World Happiness Report found that the Danish are some of the happiest people in the world.

So it goes to show that creating a cozy home, atmosphere and style of living during the colder months of the year truly makes a difference in your state of mind and level of happiness. In order to achieve hygge, try being present, lighting candles, listening to soft music, curling up under a blank with a good book, or having dinner and drinking wine with your friends and family.

Here are 10 things to add to your registry to help hygge your home!

Warm and Cozy Registry Picks to Master The Art of Hygge

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Warm and Cozy Registry Picks to Master The Art of Hygge

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Style Me Pretty Contributor – Julia Hurwitz is a freelance writer and Marketing Manager based in New York City. Her interests include travel, global craft, healthy baking, entertaining and exploring the outdoors.

This Bride’s Sister Planned + Designed Her Wedding

There are so many beautiful moments that surround Nikki and Kevin’s day; it is impossible to choose just one to focus on. Shall we start with the fact that the Bride’s sister, Krista Skellern, planned this gorgeous fete? With rentals from Casa de Perrin and Pretty Vintage Rentals, of course. And then, there’s the cute flower girl who happens to be the Bride and Groom’s sweet daughter. Can you even? And the twinkle lights, the cake, the everything… all captured to perfection by Rebecca Yale and Grimace Films. Want more? Right this way, darlings.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/238159727 600 338]

From Rebecca Yale… Nikki and Kevin threw a stunning destination wedding next to the vineyards at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu, CA. The couple are originally from Los Angeles but now live in New Orleans. They knew they had to return home to LA to tie the knot with their friends and family and their shared love of wine brought them to Saddlerock Ranch at Malibu Wines. The bride and groom even incorporated wine into their ceremony, pouring a glass for each other and toasting during the ceremony. The couple had a large wedding party with over 10 bridesmaids and groomsmen each and decided to let all the girls pick out their own white dresses making for a beautiful fashion moment! The couple was also joined by their one and a half year old daughter who made the most adorable flower girl and even joined them on the dance floor for some late night partying after a catnap during dinner.

The day was planned and designed by the bride’s sister who helped pick every detail from the plates to the invite suite. The ceremony was held down on the lower lawn right in front of the vines and was followed by a cocktail hour during golden hour with delicious passed hors d’ouerves and cocktails. The couple set up 5 lounge areas all over the cocktail space so guests would have plenty of room to spread out and relax to watch the sunset and later take a break during dancing. They set up escort cards on a vintage wagon hanging on twine with a Polaroid next to it so as each guest removed their escort card they replaced it with a photograph of themselves. Long farm tables were set up for the reception surrounding the dance floor with chandeliers and twinkle lights hanging from the trees above. Guests were welcomed to their seats with individual slabs of agate hand calligraphed with their names. A dessert table was set up nearby with a white and gold flecked cake and cake pops, macarons, cookie bars and other treats surrounding it. Guests enjoyed a lovely evening of dinner and dancing beneath the twinkle lights.

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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Modern Romantic English Wedding with a Gatsby Influence

College sweethearts always hit my soft spot as my hubs and I also met during that time in our lives. Charley and Oli have a love that jumps off the page and their day set in the English countryside is equally as beautiful. Anneli Marinovich captured it all for our viewing pleasure—here in the full gallery!

From Anneli Marinovich Photography… University sweethearts, Charley & Oli, tied the knot at Brympton House, a romantic medieval manor house set in the rolling hills of the English countryside. The wedding theme “Modern Romantic with a slight Gatsby influence” was beautifully executed with metallic & geometric details dotted around the venue, adding a contemporary feel to the medieval setting. Gold ran throughout the wedding, from their gold foil wedding invitations, to flecks of gold leaf on the wedding cake.

Charley works in fashion, so finding THE dress was so important to her. After a lengthy search, she chose Decklyn by Hayley Paige at Coco & Kate Bridal. The contemporary design was unique and I loved the draped ballerina bodice, open back and cascading skirt. It was the perfect dress for a few girly twirls, and we made the most of the movement on the day! Paired with golden Jimmy Choos, and a rose gold Posy Hair Vine, she was an absolute vision.

The girls arrived in style in a Vintage Austin Gordon Landaulette adding a touch of Gatsby to the day. After the beautiful ceremony, the happy couple enjoyed cocktails & canapes in the sunshine with their guests, before sitting down for dinner in the Salon, beautifully styled with golden candelabras and an abundance of flowers. Charley & Oli’s wedding was a feast for the eyes, and I loved capturing it all!

A Modern Wedding That Fully Embraces Spring…Rain and All

This Vancouver wedding falls squarely in the minimalist meets modern design category while letting the organic beauty of flowering branches and spring blooms take center stage. The drizzle added to that romantic air and cute umbrella portraits are an added bonus. Step inside this sleek and stunning affair designed by Spread Love Events, with blooms by Celsia Floral and images by Kaoverii Silva. It proves rain on your wedding day can be a beautiful, beautiful thing.

From the Event Designer… Without rain, nothing grows. Though the sky’s opened on Hayley and Andrew’s spring wedding day, the mood was pure sunshine. Held at the iconic Stanley Park Pavilion in Vancouver, with almost 200 of their family and friends, their wedding was non-stop fun from the moment guests arrived. Guests gathered closely on the patio for an intimate tented ceremony, followed by cocktails in the tea room and a family style dinner set inside the pavilion ballroom. Hayley and Andrew’s wedding was designed with their own minimalist and modern aesthetic in mind, and also to embrace the bounty of the seasons blossoms and flowering branches in Vancouver. Hayley and Andrew’s ceremony was set under a clear tent on the patio, in front of a blooming dogwood tree. The ceremony floral piece was designed to blend beautifully into the natural surrounding of the park. Rain poured over the clear tent, as guests stayed warm and dry below. It was a intimate and beautiful experience! The ceremony was followed by a lively cocktail reception and a family style dinner set inside the pavilion ballroom. Guests put their feet up in The Collection Rentals stylish lounge and danced the night away before hopping a shuttle to the after party! My favourite moment was the anticipation Hayley and Andrew showed before entering their reception to a room full of cheers. See more from their day below as captured by Kaoveri Silva.

8 Winter Coats Under $150

Ready or not, the colder months are coming for a lot of us! It gets increasingly harder to look fashionable while bundled up in layers.

The reality is that we will be wearing those layers for a lot of months, though. So, we should all find coats that we feel confident in! You know, coats that actually add to your look instead of taking away from it. It’s true…they exist! Yes, they can get pricey but don’t fret because all of these coats are $150 and under!

8 Winter Coats Under $150

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8 Winter Coats Under $150

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Style Me Pretty Contributor – Carly Robinson is a freelance writer and the gal behind The Cozy Curator, a blog that features all things life+ style. She lives in Hoboken, NJ with her husband. She considers herself a ‘modern hostess’ because she loves entertaining but doesn’t like all of the old school pressure that comes with it. Carly is a rookie wife, an ‘attainable fashion’ fan and a lover of food.

Top Trends in Wedding Stationery

Your wedding stationery is the first impression of your wedding. From the moment you send out your save the date, the vibe of your wedding is introduced to family and friends. So why not make it special? While the classic invite is still a beautiful touch, those looking for a bit of flair may look to these new trends in wedding stationery. First impression, conquered.

GOLD FOIL
Nothing catches the eye quite like a little gold. Use the gold foil trend to enhance your names on the invite or create a “wow” factor to the border. No matter what you decide to do, this trend is extremely versatile: add it to a simple design for a modern look or to a classic design for a sophisticated, elegant feel.

HAND LETTERING
Hiring a calligrapher to create your invitations may be an added expense, but the end result is so worth it. Hand lettering gives your invites that personal touch, while still looking elegant. If you don’t want to spring for the calligrapher, look to sites like Minted or Etsy for hand lettered invites—they offer a ton of options without the added expense.

WATERCOLOR
This is one of the latest trends to pop up in wedding stationary. The result is a light and breezy look that is sure to brighten up your guests day as they open it. If you are afraid of color, opt for muted tones that blend together to add just a little spark to an otherwise plain invite. If your wedding is all about the party, pick hues in red or orange. Keep the watercolor theme going by adding it to your envelopes and your day-of paper items.

ENVELOPE LINERS
If you feel your invites need something a bit more, an envelope liner is a great way to do that. Liners are also an easy way to add a personal touch to your invite. Include a black-and-white photo of you and your fiancé, a bold color, or an image of the city where you are getting married.

MINIMALISTIC DESIGNS
Sometimes the biggest impression comes from the simplest idea. This year, minimalistic designs popped up everywhere and we love them! Black calligraphy against a white background is a beautiful and simple way to kick off your wedding festivities and are sure to leave a lasting impression.

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.

From Disney to “I Do’s”, This Oceanfront Wedding Is Pure Magic

It’s pretty hard to top the fact that you met your soulmate at the happiest place on earth (aka Disneyland), but these two lovebirds did just that with their beautiful oceanfront “I do’s”. From the stunning sights to the Bride’s drop-dead gorgeous dress, it has everything you need to take a wedding from ordinary to absolute fairytale level lovely. Mallory Dawn captured every perfect piece and this gallery is where it’s at. Get inspired for your own happily ever after right this way…

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Beach Resort

From the Bride… Tyler and I met once upon a time at the happiest place on Earth, working at Disneyland. The beach has always been important to us; it is where we had our first date, where Tyler proposed, and we knew it was where we wanted to get married. Ole Hanson’s historic hacienda overlooking the serene turquoise-blue ocean was the perfect setting for our vision.

Walking down the beachfront aisle to the strings of the harp made the entire experience angelic. We felt like the luckiest couple having the best vendors partake in creating and designing our magical day. From our invitations to the custom tile place cards, Pirouette Paper let no detail go unnoticed. The entire staff at 24 Carrots Catering made every one of our guests, including our bridal party, feel like royalty. We completely trusted Unoaked Event Design and Production to bring our clean, neutral theme to life. They truly delivered above and beyond our expectations! Penelope Pots created textured natural greens adoring every table and bouquets. Mallory Dawn Photography was there to capture each moment of our day like it was a work of art. I also highly recommend Theater 10 Film; we are able to have a video for the rest of our lives of our happily ever after.

We are completely in love with every moment of our wedding day. Our oceanfront happily ever after was a dream come true!

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Mallory Dawn Photography

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Petit Bouquet

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Wedding Dresses

Vera Wang

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

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A Sophisticated Spin on a Traditional Blue and White Nursery

You know you’ve hit the nursery jackpot when both wallpaper and lucite drapery rods are part of the decor mix. This gorgeous space crafted at the hands of Jennifer Barron Interiors manages to be both classic and modern in the same breath. Perfect for a baby girl or a baby boy, get inspired to sing the blues with the full tour captured by Molly Culver.

Houston-based interior designer, Jennifer Barron, uses color, pattern, and her favorite medium (wallpaper!) to bring every room she designs to life. So, when she found out she was pregnant with her first child, she knew her nursery would be no exception. It didn’t matter if she was having a boy or a girl, Jennifer immediately began dreaming of what wallpapers she could use.

The “Dawn Chorus” wallpaper by Sanderson provided the perfect balance between newborn nursery and chic so that, once Barron decided on it, the rest of the room followed suit. She enlisted The CEH to restore and customize the room’s pale blue dresser, which she painted in Benjamin Moore “Blue Labrador.”

Barron turned to Serena and Lily for two of the most utilized pieces in the room, the crib and rug, and found crisp blue and white linens at Restoration Hardware Baby & Home. Working closely with a local upholsterer in Houston, Jennifer made a custom daybed for the room. The room’s glider is from Lee Industries, which adds another element of function to the space.

Both pieces make the room comfortable and cozy, as do the blue and white curtains that hang on lucite rods from Lux Holdups. Details like a gold rimmed mirror from Wisteria, baby animal prints from The Animal Print Shop, and a chandelier from Stray Dog Designs give the room the perfect finishing touches.

One of the Dreamiest Spots to Tie the Knot in San Diego

The Cali coast is generously dotted with beautiful venues, but when it comes to San Diego, this one gets all the heart eyes. Scripps Seaside Forum was the perfect setting for Lauren and Luke’s Big Day and with a pretty touch from Evelyn Francesca Events & Design, there was plenty of beauty for Natalie Bray to capture! See it all right here.

From Natalie Bray… On a beautiful day in July, Lauren and Luke wed in a classic church ceremony followed by reception on the water front of Scripps Seaside Forum. With Evelyn Francesca designing and coordinating an outdoor reception space of their dreams guests enjoy the breeze and soft sounds of the ocean while dining. With navy, blush, and white leading the color palette, everything shined beautifully on this summer day.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Natalie Bray Studios

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