This Ojai Valley Inn Wedding Is the Epitome of SoCal Chic

Jordan and Michael’s Ojai Valley Inn + Spa wedding is the epitome of SoCal chic – loose waves and dewy-looking faces by TEAM Hair + Makeup, drop-dead gorgeous florals by Stella Bloom Designs, and an organic yet luxe looking ceremony and reception set up that complements the natural surroundings with thanks to Found Vintage Rentals. Brandon Kidd photographed the day, which you can see more of here, and we guarantee you’ll be dreaming about it all night long.

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Summer Weddings

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Inn

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Rustic

From the Bride… Michael and I have known each other for over 20 years. He grew up in Calabasas, neighboring my home town Hidden Hills, and went to high school with my brother. They were best friends in high school, so he was always over our house growing up. Then years later at mutual neighborhood friend’s wedding in Palm Springs, we re-connected, started dating, and the rest is history.

Michael and I were in Palm Springs for the Stagecoach Music Festival with my two best friends (since I was three years old!), Courtney and Jill, and Jill’s husband James. We all rented a house in La Quinta for three nights. Everyone was involved with the proposal that weekend, and I had no idea. It was Courtney’s birthday weekend celebration, and the first night we all made dinner. Michael and James brought out a cake, and we all started singing happy birthday. Before I knew it, they placed the cake in front of me, and the lettering of the frosting said “Jordan Say Yes!” It was the best surprise of my life! Michael got down on one knee and asked for my hand in marriage. I of course said yes, and then we celebrated at the festival listening to country music all night. Courtney and Jill have experienced every major memory with me, so it was very special having them there that weekend to relish in the memory of getting engaged.

I loved all of my wedding vendors! We could not have asked for a better team! Brandon Kidd Photography is such a pleasure to work with and makes you feel so comfortable in front of the camera. His team was really organized with family wedding pictures before the ceremony and so stealth during the reception. I did not even notice the team during the reception, and needless to say, the photographs are just fantastic.

I will never forget dancing with my 95 year-old grandmother who promised us that she would stay alive to dance with both of us at our wedding, and she sure did!

My best advice to brides currently planning a wedding is sleep on your decisions. If you still want to move forward with that choice in the next couple of days, it is the correct one.

Our next chapter is starting to unfold as husband and wife and we are working hard to save for a house in the near future and our next big vacation. We love to travel the world and cannot wait for another adventure abroad. We are looking forward to starting our family soon and excited for the journey of parenthood together. We have had a little practice with our fur baby, Austin, and cannot wait to see our family grow over the next couple of years.

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TEAM Hair and Makeup

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A Ceremony Space That Will Truly Take Your Breath Away

Carolyn and Jack are two high school sweethearts that know how to throw a party. They took their love of travel and adventure and weaved it into a celebration that was all about having fun with their loved ones at Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica. Think scuba diving, zip lining and pool games, plus a ceremony that was all vibrant colors and beautiful blooms. See so much more from Madison Baltodano in THE VAULT.

From the Bride… A love for travel is one of the things that has always bound Jack and I together. As high school sweethearts, we would dream of the places we would go and the adventures we would share. From floating down the Mekong River in Vietnam to hiking to the top of Machu Picchu (where we got engaged), travel has been an important aspect of our lives together. When it came time to plan our wedding, we knew that a destination wedding was what we wanted. We considered many options before deciding on Costa Rica and the beautiful Dreams Las Mareas Resort. With family and friends traveling from Canada, the United States and England, it needed to be accessible but still a bit unique. Dreams Las Mareas provided a wonderful setting and plenty of opportunities for our guests to be as adventurous or as peaceful as they wanted in the days leading up to the wedding. Zip lining, scuba diving, pool games or just watching the local monkeys kept everyone entertained.

Our wedding planner, Daniel worked tirelessly to ensure that our wedding day was what we had envisioned. We didn’t meet in person until the week of the wedding but had been in contact through e-mail and by phone. The end result was everything we had hoped for and more! The day of the wedding was overcast and humid with a 90% chance of rain although the “official” rainy season was still many weeks away. Daniel’s calmness gave us the confidence that although we may need to make some adaptations, our day was still going to be wonderful. We were able to have the ceremony on the beach as planned but decided to move the reception to another location. None of the usual in-door venues felt quite right but Daniel and his team agreed to something they had never tried before: the reception would be set up in a long, covered passageway. When we arrived after the ceremony we were astonished with what Daniel and his team had created in a few short hours. Lights and flowers had transformed the space into something magical.

We ended the evening with a bonfire party on the beach. Only then did the rain finally arrive providing a cool and dramatic ending to a wonderful day.

Marrying Blushing Garden Details With a Gorgeous Beach Backdrop

Glitter shoes and ocean views are just a few of the pretty details tucked inside this Malibu soiree. With gorgeous images by Rebecca Yale, it’s a mashup of DIY garden details meets gorgeous beach backdrop and I guarantee it’s going to shoot to the top of your favorites list. Get lost in the prettiest shades of blue and the perfect blush colored dahlias too all right here.

From the Photographer… Hanna and Ted’s beachside wedding in Malibu, CA is an amazing example of DIY done right! The bride and her mother planned and designed the event to perfection with the help of Crystal from Orange Blossom Special Events. It was truly a family affair with the bride doing all of the calligraphy and the bride’s mother doing all of the florals, using the bride’s favorite flower- dahlias- as a centerpiece for the day. The Adamson House is situated in a beautiful garden adjacent to the beach in Malibu and the bride used elements from both the sea and the garden in the decor for the day. The bridesmaids donned different shades and silhouettes of Jenny Yoo gowns with long trailing ribbons and bouquets of Dahlias. Dahlia’s were also used in lanterns and terrariums placed on the side of the aisle for the ceremony, but the bride and groom decided to forgo a large floral installation instead choosing to leave the incredible ocean view behind them open for their guests to enjoy. The bride’s “man of honor” officiated the ceremony and the couple updated the jewish tradition of the groom stomping on the glass at the end of the ceremony by both the bride and groom stomping on it. After the ceremony guests enjoyed the bride and groom’s signature cocktails, “The Bel Air Bullet” and the “Rolling Hills Refresher” along with passed hors d’ouerves including mini ahi tuna cones and mini sliders in the courtyard of the house while also enjoying tours of the historic house led by docents. Guests found their names on hand calligraphed and watercolored escort cards made by the bride placed in individual seashells as they entered into the reception on the lawn of the house right on the ocean. Dahlia’s were used once again nestled in leafy green runners along with terrariums with gold candles on the farm tables paired with French bistro x back chairs and sea shells placed atop each napkin. While guests made their way to their tables the bride and groom enjoyed a moment alone taking a walk through the bougainvillea catching the last of the evening’s golden rays. Command performance set up incredible food stations all around the perimeter of the garden for guests to enjoy including street tacos, a California Grill, Feast from the East and a Mac and Cheese bar. Guests danced the night away under a canopy of twinkly lights and enjoyed cake from Sweet Lady Jane.

From the Bride… Although Ted and I met in law school in New York City, one of the first things we bonded over was that we were both raised in Los Angeles. 6 years later, when it came time to plan our wedding, we knew we would bring our guests to our home town to celebrate. I had a hunch that the Adamson House would host our celebration from the first photos I saw. We loved that the entire venue was outdoors–a formal, ballroom wedding wasn’t really our style, but a backyard cocktail party steps from the ocean was right up our alley. When we visited we fell in love with the Spanish tile and the view of the surfers on Malibu beach from what would become our ceremony space; it was the perfect place to treat our guests to a taste of LA and show them everything that we miss about home.

When I thought about what I wanted our wedding to look like I drew a lot of inspiration from our seaside venue, but wanted a more modern, organic take on a typical ‘beach wedding’. Luckily, I had the most incredible team who turned my vision into reality. My mom served as my crafter-in-chief, and incredibly, also as my florist. My favorite flowers are cafe au lait dahlias, and she managed to source them from a local dahlia farm, which we supplemented with succulents that we pulled from my parents’ and our neighbors’ backyards. With an army of my aunts who spent the week before our wedding tirelessly helping out, she created our bouquets with silk ribbon I sourced from Amazon, decorated lanterns that had been collected throughout our engagement for our ceremony space, and put together the driftwood centerpieces for the cocktail tables and the table in our sweetheart lounge area. My mom also made the eucalyptus and dahlia garlands that ran down each of our dinner tables, and knowing that my inspiration images were full of gold accents, she and my aunts took sharpies to the iron candleholders on each table and literally colored them in gold. For convenience, we used faux dahlias to create our flower wall photobooth backdrop, and one of my aunts had the genius idea to arrange them on a giant piece of astroturf that she found at Home Depot.

Another common element in my inspiration images was loose, organic hand lettering. Our invitation calligraphy was done in a style created for me by Jill of Copper Willow, but I also love doing my own lettering and decided to take on the rest myself. Another one of my aunts hand-washed the watercolor paper that we used for our signage and our escort cards, and I lettered everything in gold pen, from our guests’ names to our guestbook sign, to our menu of signature cocktails (named after the neighborhoods in LA where Ted and I grew up). I found a gorgeous image of oyster shell place cards on Pinterest, and my mom and I convinced our local seafood market to give us hundreds of their empty oyster shells for free. We fixed our escort cards in the largest ones with a bit of white decorative moss, and placed one of the smaller shells at each place setting. We found the gold Umbra frames on sale, bought as many as we could, and filled them with our signs and our engagement photos and used them throughout the space.

While our guests appreciated all of the effort that we put into executing the wedding, I hope what they remember most was how much fun we had. I knew our friends and family would be a dancing crowd, but my most memorable moment from our wedding was when we blew out a power generator just as the dance floor was heating up! Even though the music was out for a few minutes, our incredible friends stayed on the floor and sang an acapella rendition of every song they knew the words to, just to keep the dancing going– and it made sure that nobody left the dance floor once the music came back on!

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Coordinator: Orange Blossom Special Events | Cake: Sweet Lady Jane | Invitations: copper willow paper studio | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Command Performance Catering | Hair and Makeup: Kelly Zhang | Lighting: Revagio Productions | DJ: Red Shoe LA | Groom's Suit: Theory | Venue: Adamson House | Bride's Dress: Lihi Hod | Bride's Dress Point of Purchase: LOHO Bride | Photobooth: Drunken Pixel | Rentals: A Rental Connection | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Specialty Rentals: Circa Vintage {Rentals}

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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The Magic of This Southern Wedding is All in the Details

Just like it’s the little things that make you fall in love with someone, it’s the little things that will make you fall in love with this Georgia wedding because for Megan and Adam, the dream wedding was all in the details. From a playlist carefully selected to ensure a packed dance floor to alternative guest activities (like cornhole), this day wasn’t just about the bride and groom, it was about making sure everyone was as blissfully happy as the newlyweds! Scroll on down for all the special moments, captured by the one and only Amy Arrington Photography!

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From the bride… Our story began in 2011 during football season while attending Georgia Southern University in the small southern town of Statesboro, Georgia. Fast-forward to four years later in November 2015, and we were happily engaged at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

Within a week or so after our engagement, Adam and I were already visiting a potential venue, “Little River Farms.” The moment the tour ended, we canceled our appointments everywhere else and never looked back. Little River Farms immediately gave us this feeling of “home” which was really important to us since our goal as a couple has always been to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible.

Choosing details that allowed people to feel like they were celebrating “with” us was a huge priority. We had an incredible catering company that allowed us to taste all of our food beforehand so we knew what our guests were being served. We listened to every single song on our band’s list to determine which ones would connect with our family and friends and keep them on the dance floor the longest with us. Seating charts were a huge deal to us because we wanted our family and friends to not have to worry about finding a spot to sit or not fitting their large family at a table together. We setup corn-hole boards outside for the guests whom preferred the fresh air and perfect Georgia weather. All these small things (and more) truly allowed us to connect with all of our guests in different ways.

Speaking of details, one of the aspects of our big day that has an interesting story behind it was my wedding dress, or should I say dresses? If you’ve ever seen a Hayley Paige dress, you know they’re irresistible and are all so perfect it’s hard to decide on just one of them. So I didn’t. My mom and sister still laugh about it because my perfect dress was actually two. I took the top half of The Ellie Gown and had it sewn on to the bottom of The Elysia Gown. It may have been a total diva move, but the end result was more than worth it. I was a little nervous having not been able to try on the actual dress before it was created, but it was truly a masterpiece and something I will never forget.

Looking back at our magical day at Little River Farms, if there’s anything I could pass on to future brides, my biggest advice would be: don’t be afraid to step out of the box or go the extra mile to follow your heart. It may sound cliché, but looking back I realize that focusing on the details is what truly made the difference; we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

How to Answer The 5 Most Annoying Questions You’ll Get Asked as A Bride

Congratulations on getting engaged to your best friend and starting to prep for the most exciting and memorable day of your life! Now bring on the sometimes intrusive and overall- annoying questions you’ll get asked by friends, family, strangers, and more.

Learn these one liners, brush the question off, and move on with your life.

Still 55 Photography

How much does the wedding cost?
Many questions I received while I was engaged led me to question what the heck was going through people’s brains. This was one of those questions. I know in some social circles and cultural backgrounds, it may be completely acceptable to talk about money publicly like that but I personally find it to be rude no matter who is asking me. It is no one’s business how much your wedding costs and you don’t need to feel pressured to answer.

How you’d like to respond: Idk, how much does your house cost? Oh, I’m sorry are you feeling uncomfortable?
How you should respond: It’s a wedding so it costs more than a normal party, but we’re financially prepared.

Rebecca Yale Photography

Can I do “xyz” at your wedding?
Once you start planning a wedding, various friends and family members with varying talents (or let’s call them “hobbies”) will come out of the woodwork and may ask if they can sing, talk, play guitar, cater, plan, (etc.) for your wedding. It’s nice of them to ask but in this situation, you’ve already made your plans and do not want any additions.

How you’d like to respond: Sure send me your resume and we’ll set up an interview.
How you should respond: Oh thank you for asking. We already made our arrangements for that part of the wedding but I appreciate your offer!

Hello Blue Photo

So, when’s the wedding!?
Rolling my eyes so hard my head hurts…Let’s stop this crazy person right here. Like WHAT?? The first few days, weeks, and even months after most people get engaged are spent just enjoying being able to say “I’m engaged” and staring at the new ring. Getting asked this question after you tell someone about your engagement, is simply too soon because you want to enjoy the moment you’re in and feel like people around you are excited for you, not the plans for the wedding.

How you’d like to respond: I don’t know, when are you having a baby?
How you should respond: We haven’t set a date yet. We’re enjoying this initial stage of announcing and celebrating our engagement.

Tamara Gruner Photography

Are you inviting…?
I don’t care who is paying for your wedding or not paying for your wedding. None of your family members can pressure you to invite certain guests to your wedding. This question seems so innocent but it can quickly stress you out because if you say yes to THAT person, then you have to say yes to this OTHER person, or family. Of course, your mom may remind you of a friend from the past that may want to be invited but at the end of the day, it’s up to you and your future spouse, period.

How you’d like to respond: No but feel free to invite them to yours!
How you should respond: We want our wedding day to feel relaxed and we have to be mindful of the budget so that person/group/family didn’t make the cut.

Can I sit at a table with…?
One of the most mind-numbing tasks of wedding planning is putting the seating chart together. You have to fit the perfect amount of guests at the table with their family or significant other and you want to pair them with people they will get along with and enjoy chatting with. It’s a pain, and your mental bridal capacity will have no room for playing musical chairs. Once you set the seating chart, you do not want to re-arrange and let everything spiral out of control and you end up asking yourself, “Do guests even need chairs?” LOL, k moving on…

How you’d like to respond: Yes of course because that’s at the top of my bridal to-do list.
How you should respond: The guest list has been very tricky but I’ll try my best.

Being a bride sometimes feels like you’re walking around with a sandwich board and ringing a bell that says “ASK ME ABOUT MY WEDDING.” Frankly, we’re over it. Use these one-liners, then smile and walk (or run) away.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Kylie Thompson is a freelance writer, blogger and marketing professional from Grand Rapids Michigan, where she resides with her husband. When she isn’t working, you will find her exploring Grand Rapids’ newest culinary establishments with her husband, or traveling up and down Lake Michigan’s coast.

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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This Wedding Location is STILL Gorgeous on a Rainy Day

Lake Como could be faced with a down pour and it would STILL be absolutely breathtaking. Need proof? These misty I dos, planned with the help of The Lake Como Wedding Planner, will make you a believer. Captured by Gianluca And Mary Adovasio, it’ll have you ready to trade sunshine for a romance-filled gray day.

From the Bride… Set in the beautiful Lake Como, Italy, my husband (still getting used to saying that!) and I got married on May 12th, 2017. My husband is from Tunisia in North Africa and I am from Indiana, so we wanted a location that was between our two families that guests would also enjoy traveling to. And we also really wanted to get married on the water. Lake Como didn’t disappoint, particularly because we had an amazing wedding planner in Rachel Birthistle & Leonora Lepore from The Lake Como Wedding Planner. Not to mention the amazing Gianluca as our photographer and Figli Dei Fiori creating the beautiful floral arrangements (including the flower arch – my favorite design element of the day!). The wedding was an amazing cultural mix of Tunisians speaking Arabic/French and Mid-Westerners speaking English, with the ceremony and speeches at the reception translated into French & English. Because our families literally live on different sides of the world, it was also a unique time with both of our families and friends all being in one place and staying in the beautiful Villa Regina Teodolinda where we got married — the most charming Italian villa right on the water. It was truly like something out of a dream, and although we couldn’t return home with all of the amazing views, villa, food and flowers, I felt so lucky to leave Lake Como with my new husband.

(And if I could give one piece of advice to future brides — it would be that you SHOULD sweat the small stuff. I was so thankful that I spent the time sourcing biodegradable confetti from Amazon Italy, getting extra long sparklers to ensure we had enough time for the photo opp of the sparklers during the cake cutting, etc. You won’t regret the extra time and work it takes.

You’ll Love This Wedding’s Cool Venue + Whimsical Florals

The SmogShoppe just may be one of the coolest event spaces in LA, and it always hosts the most magical weddings. This purple fête captured by This Modern Romance is no exception. Bridesmaids dressed in the always gorgeous Jenny Yoo Collection and whimsical floral stylings by The Little Branch made for an unforgettable, must-see day!

Colors

Seasons

Summer Weddings

Settings

Industrial

Styles

Whimsical

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Want To Go Classic? This Elegant Ohio Wedding Shows You How It’s Done

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… when in doubt, go classic. It never, ever fails. Look at these pics by Nicole Clarey from this wedding in Colubmus, Ohio. Timeless. Elegant. Perfection. From the white peony bouquet to the gorgeous gown, it’s just oh so right. Join in on the traditional wedding loving wagon and see it all right this way!

Colors

Seasons

Spring Weddings

Settings

Church Weddings in Historical Venues

From Nicole Clarey… Timeless is the word that comes to mind when I think back on Abby and KC’s wedding day. Just one look at these two and they resemble a modern day JFK and Jackie O! Their wedding was full of class and sophistication, to the grand reception at the Ohio Statehouse, down to the crisp and clean bridesmaid bouquets. Abby and KC’s wedding is the perfect example that less is more. You don’t need ungodly amounts of details, or giant arrangements guests can’t see over, to make your day beautiful and memorable!

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Bluewater Kings Band

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Refreshing + Chic Wedding On The River

When you combine a dreamy color palette, a gorgeous bride and groom and a breathtaking venue tucked against a river, you get one chic and ultra refreshing wedding day! Filled with white florals, loads of greenery and modern design details, this couple’s big day was fresh and far from the cliche´ outdoor wedding. With Sara Lynn behind the lens, this gallery will be the playbook for outdoor wedding inspiration without a doubt!

From the photographer… I loved photographing Gina and Jordan’s wedding day because it was simple, chic and set at a beautiful location, River Bend. The little pops of blush, sage greens and blues made for the perfect color palette and worked so well with their olive branch greens and reflected the soothing sound of the river nearby.

From the bride… Jordan and I met while working together briefly in Denver, before his move to Boise. We reconnected via Facebook awhile later and dated long distance for over a year before moving myself to Boise. He (tried) to plan a surprise proposal at a nearby winery we had been wanting to visit. His ‘subtle’ hints of “get your nails done” and “make sure you like your outfit” that morning solidified my suspicion. It was still the sweetest and most heartfelt moment, all caught by a photographer friend for an impromptu photo sesh (to my actual surprise!).

We wanted to create an experience for ourselves and our guests. I didn’t want things too cliche and wanted a laid-back, social vibe. We wanted our venue environment to be the focus, so I incorporated simple, organic and soft decor elements. While table garlands are popular, I loved the look and did a mix of greenery to pop against the white table cloths. I used tinted champagne flutes to add color and interest to the tables, while being a functional piece of the table setting. I was excited to design/make the vintage windows that I would use as signage around the venue; I felt it added a personal and slightly unique touch.

As with many outdoor venues, the landscape speaks for itself and my aim was to compliment the calmness and simplicity of the environment that would encourage us and the guests to relax, enjoy and create a memorable event! I was inspired foremost by our venue, Riverbend. The elements of the sweetly flowing river in between an expansive lawn and towering rock wall piqued our interest from the moment we first visited. I wanted to expand on that with a classic, clean, simplistic vibe and include some vintage touches. I wanted to keep things understated and easy, and keep the focus on the beauty of the venue.

I don’t consider myself a big planner, and am more-so a procrastinator, so I put a lot of my efforts into NOT procrastinating. I can also be indecisive, so enlisting my mother and sisters was a big help. I prioritized what aspects of the wedding we wanted to make sure we loved. Pinterest was a great place to get started and get ideas of themes, decor, etc. I made an inspiration board of pictures to keep my focus on one look. Its so easy to get sucked into Pinterest and get pulled in other directions! I loosely used a planning timeline, but mainly secured the bigger vendors first and then focused on detail items and creating the vibe for our day.

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Ben Mallare Events & Entertainment

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A Southern Inspired Wedding With The Prettiest of Color Palettes

With nods to classic Southern style, the good ol’ Kentucky Derby and some of the prettiest shades of blue I’ve seen, this wedding has quickly risen in the ranks of “ones not easily forgotten”. Sera Petras captured this garden wedding at the gorgeous Market at Grelen and we’re already eager to see more. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the pics below – and even more in our gallery right this way!

Colors

From The Market at Grelen… A destination garden wedding of white and blue with pops of color. Anna and Josh are a truly sweet couple with exuberant light hearted personalities. Their day of design, designed with this in mind, was a combination of robin’s egg blue, white, with pops of peach and fuchsia wild flowers. A combination of hand crafted vintage plates with fresh flowers in elegant mint julep cups gave an nod to Kentucky Derby, old Southern style. The morning of the wedding, a large storm blew through, moving the ceremony inside Grelen’s real working Greenhouse. Guests celebrated the intimate moment with the couple among the live potted plants. Because of the storm, Anna and Josh’s sunset photos were a romantic showcase of pink. What a beautiful day it was!

A Dream Tuscany Wedding Among the Olive Groves of Florence

The romance of Tuscany can only be surpassed by, let’s say, a dream wedding among the olive groves of Villa Mangiacane. Infused with elegant details like white peonies and sparkling chandeliers, whimsical moments like a Pimp Your Prosecco Bar and breathtaking views that I’m sure guests are still dreaming about, this celebration planned by Victoria Donkina Carpe Diem Events lands firmly in that “Best Day Ever” category. Grab a front row seat to the festivities captured by Darya Kamalova of Thecablookfotolab plus a film by Emotinalmovie that brings it all to life.

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On a spring weekend in Tuscany, basking in the Mediterranean sun amongst breathtaking vineyards and the elegant grounds of Michelangelo-designed Villa Mangiacane, guests at this fairytale boho-chic wedding had to sneak in a pinch or two to make sure they weren’t dreaming. While all eyes were on the groom and bride, dressed in Lurelly, guests couldn’t avoid a few love stories of their own, falling for the breathtaking views of the Italian countryside and the enchanting green and white hues of the linens dotted with white peonies and olive branches sourced from the villa’s olive groves. As they lit up the night in the setting dusk with sparklers and laughter, a lifelong affair with Chianti Classico, local Tuscan delicacies, and everlasting amore began. Head on over to the gallery, artfully curated by Daria Kamalova, to see how this couple brought their dream to life.

The Perfect Blueprint for an Ethereal New Orleans Wedding

If there were a wedding dictionary, this photo shoot would sit right at the top of the list for all things whimsical. With SIX incredible Little Black Book members behind the beauty including Kim Starr Wise, Blue Gardenia Events, Nuage Designs, Melissa’s Fine Pastries, Bella Belle and Lance Nicoll to capture it all, the beauty is bursting at the seams. Which detail is your favorite?

From Nuage Designs… The following images, shot on film by Lance Nicoll, are inspired by Lord Bryon’s famous words “she walks in beauty like the night, of cloudless climes and starry skies.” In a place where dark and light come together, a place that time forgot – but, where memories hold fast. Abandoned ruins of a plantation that burned long ago provide the backdrop for this dramatic, ethereal, & deeply romantic inspiration.

Lush and grand florals by Kim Starr Wise adorn a dramatic tablescape with gilded details in a palette of soft grays, blush, magenta, & lilac with pops of teal and black. Our two brides are dramatic yet modern, soft yet vivid in their Kelly Faetanini and Berta Gowns. Two wildly lush bouquets are just the beginning of the floral touches. A floral sash is the perfect new accent for the modern yet classic bride; while an imposing floral headpiece is an ideal statement piece. The teal and black cake by Melissa’s Fine Pastries is perfectly set against a gently blowing blush damask linen by Nuage Designs. The lounge area again has dramatic florals cascading down a vintage settee with pops of teal and blush – a perfectly wild palette against a backdrop of lush overgrown foliage and pale gray columns. Walk amongst the ruins…to another time, another place. The ruins still stand, the memories remain, the romance continues.

13 Fall Wedding Guest Dresses Under $100

Fall weddings are awesome but they are definitely trickier to dress for than summer weddings, right!? During the summer, there are endless cute dresses filling the stores. That supply of ‘occasion’ dresses slowly dwindles as the colder months approach.

It’s important to feel confident and empowered in whatever you wear to a wedding. It also obviously has to be fun to dance in! We have been keeping up with all of the fall trends and have gone on the hunt for the perfect attire for every girl to wear to a wedding this season. The best part is that they are all under $100!

13 Fall Wedding Guest Dresses Under $100

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13 Fall Wedding Guest Dresses Under $100

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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.

Romantic Charleston Wedding of Blogger Bride ‘Pretty in the Pines’

Oh, have we been waiting to get our hands on this Southern celebration. It’s the Charleston wedding of our blogger bride, Shelby of Pretty in the Pines and after fun peeks at everything from her venue hunt to her bridesmaid brunch, we just knew this gem was going to be a good one. Get the behind the scenes scoop of the day from the Bride herself and pore through all the beauty captured by Jake + Heather, plus a sweet film by Heart Stone!

From Shelby of Pretty in the Pines…I am SO excited to share with you all of the details of our favorite day… June 10th (which is also my grandparent’s anniversary). Having spent a year and a half planning our wedding together, we were beyond ready for the day to finally arrive. The entire weekend was filled with so much love, was more perfect than we imagined, and we just loved reliving the day through these beautiful photos captured by our photographers Jake and Heather. Where do I even begin?!

When I woke up the morning of our wedding day, I felt the most calm I’d felt in a long time. I had this sense of pure joy and gratitude and I just couldn’t believe how I was going be marrying my favorite person in front of all of our family and friends. Soon after my bridesmaids and I arrived to the beautiful Legare Waring House, I snuck downstairs to peek at the reception being set up under the tent. Seeing the vision we had been putting together in our minds come to life was so exciting and all I could think about was how I wanted this day to slow down! Even the weather was unseasonably cool and pleasant (well, no humidity and in the 80’s for Charleston, SC is not normal). The sunshine was out and I was bursting with excitement for everyone to arrive! One of my favorite parts of the day was getting our hair/make-up done with my mom and bridesmaids. I treated each bridesmaid to a cute robe to get ready in and the prettiest crystal cluster earrings to go perfectly with their bridesmaid dresses. This was actually the first time that I had even seen all of the bridesmaid dresses in person. We decided to do mix-and-match dresses from completely different places in a variety of grey and blue shades with each having it’s own unique details and embellishments. I’ll always vividly remember the moments of getting ready with my girls and listening to 2000’s hip-hop music with Ash & Co.! Everyone just looked SO beautiful.

My husband, TJ, had a pretty epic morning as well. He was walking around downtown Charleston with one of his groomsmen looking for a place to have brunch and he ran into our chocolate lab, Colberson, walking with her pet-sitter! It made TJ’s morning to see her and we both say that it was a sign for how perfect the rest of the day would be.

TJ and I decided to have a first look for several reasons but mainly so that we would be able to spend more time with our guests during cocktail hour instead of taking photos. With our wedding being a “destination” wedding, it was important for us to spend time with each guest who traveled to be there. With an intimate 110 guest count, that was totally doable! Everyone always says this but it is true… your wedding day will fly by SO quickly. Before I knew it, I was in my dress and it was time to go see TJ for our first look. As I walked outside to find the guy I fell in love with over 7 years ago standing under a big beautiful oak tree waiting for me, I couldn’t help but just cry tears of happiness. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was, how beautiful it was outside, and seeing him felt like a dream. When I got to the oak tree, I tapped him on the shoulder, and gave him the biggest hug imaginable.

Our ceremony was set in between two rows of huge oaks trees with long branches that met in the middle to create a canopy of shade for the guests. My bridesmaid, Meredith, who also happens to own Oaks and Gray Paper, designed a beautiful welcome sign for us garnished with greenery that guests were greeted with upon arrival. TJ and I chose a few of our most special songs for the ceremony (we love Ed Sheeran’s ‘Tenerife Sea’) and we made sure the ceremony was very “us”, complete with a couple of our favorite readings and our handwritten vows. Our guests enjoyed cocktails after the ceremony overlooking a beautiful lagoon. TJ and I had to somehow include our dog in the wedding so we named our signature cocktail after her… which was a huge hit! We had our guests take mini polaroid photos to insert into our guestbook but ultimately resulted in our flower girls and ring bearers going around and taking photos of everyone… it was adorable!

Our reception was held on a large patio behind the house underneath a huge white tent. We loved that our venue was basically a blank slate which left us a lot of room for creativity when choosing the design behind it all. Grey-washed long farm tables, soft pink flowers and greenery, a grey wooden dance floor, and white beaded chandeliers filled the space. We went for casual yet classic style with a hint of boho incorporating soft shades of grey and white with pops of soft blues. We did our first dance to ‘True’ by George Strait, ate the best southern food, and danced the night away while our band, Steel Toe Stiletto, kept the party going.

Advice I would give for anyone else planning their wedding? Invest in what will make your day memorable, not just beautiful on the outside. Don’t stress about the small stuff. Our guests still talk about how great the band was, the food, how many “Colberson Cocktails” they enjoyed (named after our dog), the beautiful outdoor setting, and our vows. The chevron wooden bars or chandeliers? Not so much, although, they sure were pretty. We were also so thankful we had Stephanie Shaul Events there to help make the day run smoothly. Having an experienced planner allowed us to really soak in each moment with each other and with our family/friends! Words can’t even begin to describe how special that weekend was and how loved our family and friends made us feel. Promising your love to your best friend for forever is a feeling that is so surreal… it is simply the best!

Thank you so much for following along with our wedding planning journey on SMP! It has been so fun documenting all of the details and, hopefully, you’ve found some inspiration or helpful advice along the way! You can follow along with our marriage journey on www.prettyinthepines.com!

Follow Shelby’s Entire Wedding Journey!

A Charleston Engagement | Surprise Bridesmaid Brunch | Tips for Selecting Your Venue | How to Make Your Registry Meaningful | Travel Themed Bridal Shower

Shelby Vanhoy

Blogger Bride

Pretty in the Pines

This Romantic Santa Barbara Wedding Film Will Give You All the Feels

Take a second to gather yourselves, loves, because the second you press play on Robert Michael Films‘ masterpiece below, you’re going to get lost in a world of love and beauty. From the romantic vows to the sweet toasts, this day will remind you why it’s so easy to love love. And if you can’t get enough, there’s a gallery full of pretty moments captured to perfection by Michelle Beller Photography!

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From Robert Michael Films… When “Friends” star Lisa Kudrow makes a toast to you at your rehearsal dinner, you know your in for an epic wedding weekend! A glamorous bride, a stunning dress and one seriously dreamy wedding at the Four Seasons Biltmore! The universe conspired to bring Cari and Drew together on a clear November day in Santa Barbara. The super talented and always amazing to work with Event Planner, Lisa Gorjestani from Details Events designed a wedding that can only be described as beyond. It was really one of those days when everything came together as if it were meant to be. When the groom, Drew first contacted me to talk about the wedding he basically had one request. He said he wanted it to look and feel like a film. This was an amazing weekend filled with family and friends and great memories. I love filming the rehearsal when they have funny speeches and this one was off the charts. Watch as destiny unfolds at this dreamy wedding at the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara.

From the groom… What Robert created with our wedding video, in just under two months, should be submitted for an award to a short film festival. I could very well be biased because it was my wedding video, but I am probably the most harsh critic when it comes to film. What is incredible, aside from the shots and the editing, is the tone and voice he used. He was able to capture every moment throughout the weekend with a lens that only a true auteur could accomplish. If you want a wedding videographer that just gets the night then get someone else. If you want a wedding videographer that can give you the purity, the essence, and the moments of the night, then Robert Michael Films is your best choice. From cost to equipment to hours to deliverables, Robert is by far better than anyone out there. Trust me, I went through close to 50 wedding videos on Vimeo and made calls to 10 wedding videographers. Robert, thank you is an understatement for what you have given my wife, my family, my friends, and my future children.

Ultra Romantic Destination Wedding in Maui

The ocean air, gorgeous flowers and Hawaiian views all around… is there anything more you could want? The only thing that would boost an already beautiful scene like this is a beaming Bride-to-be like this lady here. Lucky for us, Amanda Wei captured her and every picture perfect detail of her wedding day – prepare for some major wanderlust right this way!

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From Amanda Wei Photography… Annie and Bernie are a Bay Area couple that took the celebration of their love to the island of Maui! With the cool ocean air, organic flowing florals, and the spirit of Aloha filling the day- their wedding was more than dream!

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Wedding Dresses

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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Must-See Gems Perfect for Your Bridesmaids

Putting together the perfect bridesmaid look isn’t just about finding the right dress – your ladies need some gem love, too. So today we’re sharing some beautiful pieces by Shane Co. that we’ve totally fallen for, and it’s a list that includes everything from earrings to bracelets to pendant necklaces that will guarantee your besties will sparkle the way they should.

ROUND MORGANITE PENDANT

Why We Love It: We’re fairly certain that adding an elegant touch to your bridesmaid look starts with this gorgeous morganite stunner. Think of it as the perfect mix of simple and sophisticated for a statement making piece that all of your besties will love.

DIAMOND CLUSTER EARRINGS

Why We Love Them: There isn’t a pair of cluster earrings we don’t adore, and this stunning pair by Shane Co. most definitely tops our list. We’re sort of obsessed with the unique design. And that sparkle? A total must for any bridal party.

WHITE, PINK AND LAVENDER CULTURED FRESHWATER PEARL NECKLACE

Why We Love It: Pearl necklaces are always a glamorous addition to any bridesmaid ensemble, but we’re especially smitten with this Cultured Freshwater Pearl Necklace that takes that classic look and gives it a modern twist. (Hint: It’s lavender, pink, AND white.)

CULTURED FRESHWATER AND TAHITIAN THREADER EARRINGS

Why We Love Them: And speaking of modern twists, these Freshwater and Tahitian Threader Earrings are just as classic in theory, but the fashion-forward style gives these pretties a very distinctive look. Such a great way to make your bridesmaids really stand out.

TOPAZ, MORGANITE AND AMETHYST PENDANTS

Why We Love Them: We’re never ones to turn down a pop of color, and – bonus! – these fab pendants in sterling silver do it with a side of diamond sparkle. Plus, we love how you can mix and match the pretty hues to fit your besties’ personalities. That’s a total win-win in our book.

AMETHYST CUFF BRACELET

Why We Love It: You know what’s better than one stunning amethyst? Two. And Shane Co.’s take on a sterling silver cuff bracelet delivers the goods with one bezel-set oval amethyst and one prong-set round amethyst. In other words? Your bridal party will love this. And so do we.

ENGRAVABLE ID BRACELETS

Why We Love Them: Sometimes a little personalization is all you need, and these 14k Yellow Gold Engravable ID Bracelets definitely fit the bill. Engrave the names of your leading ladies or an individualized message on the center gold bar for an extra meaningful touch sure to warm your bridesmaids’ hearts… plus, they’re tres chic.

VARIOUS BRACELETS + BANGLES

Why We Love Them: Have we jumped on the bracelet bandwagon? Yes, we have. From a classic Diamond Cluster Bracelet in 14k White Gold to a gorgeous 14k Rose Gold Bangle Bracelet, we’re all about adding a pop of charm to your besties’ ensembles with these delicate touches. They’re the perfect way to tie together the entire look.

Whether you’re in search of a beautiful necklace, bracelet, or earrings for your ladies, be sure to visit Shane Co. for some of the prettiest gems you’ll ever lay your eyes upon. You’ll definitely find that sparkle you’re in search of.

Hello, Week 5! #SMPBootcamp

Happy Week 5, my beautiful brides! You’ve officially made it halfway through the program! Are you feeling stronger? Leaner? More confident? Peter and I love hearing from you, so please share your thoughts with us in the comments below or on social media using #SMPBootcamp.

Speaking of confidence, that’s what Peter and I wanted to chat with you all about this week. You can diet and work out all day every day for months leading up to your wedding, but your self-worth is what is really going to make the difference come your big day. It’s the empowered, self-assured, happy brides who are the most beautiful, regardless of any extra weight they might be carrying around their middle. Of course, a healthy diet and regular exercise contribute to one’s sense of self, but there are other ways we can do this, too.

Here are three of my favorites:

Think positive

The power of positivity is so strong, and so underrated. When we’re overtaken by a negative thought or reaction to something, pausing to change our perspective and put a positive spin on things has the ability to make us happier people overall — and we all know that a happy bride is a beautiful bride.

Be grateful

Having an “attitude of gratitude,” as my mom likes to call it, is similar to positive thinking, but it takes it one step further. Taking time to express gratitude to yourself, your significant other, your parents, the universe, or whatever you believe has led to your good fortune makes you kinder and more loving to the people around you, and that will shine through on your wedding day, too!

Stand tall

Holy crap, my friends, is posture important. ESPECIALLY on a day when you are the center of attention and want to be glowing and beaming confidence out of your whole being! Standing straight makes you look thinner, taller, more sophisticated, and more poised – who doesn’t want that on their big day?!

So stand tall, stay positive, and be thankful that you are lucky enough to be marrying the best person you’ve ever known!

On the menu this week we’ve got taco salads! Made with lean ground turkey and tons of fresh veggies, this dish is sure to become a staple in your healthy eating arsenal. Plus, it is such a satisfying meal after a big workout, which of course, you’re in for this week. Peter does not believe in cutting us any slack, am I right?

Keep working hard and getting stronger, and remember that you are already amazing and beautiful just as you are – but standing up straight will make that even more apparent to the world.

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View Whole Bridal Bootcamp Here!

XO,

Molly

Molly Winding is a freelance writer and health coach who splits her time between Vail and Denver. She is a foodie, health nut, and lover of books, movies, and meditation. When she isn’t working, you’ll find her spending time outside with her fiancé and their goldendoodle. Follow her @windmol!

Delicious Turkey Taco Bowls – #SMPBootcamp

Turkey Taco Fajita Salad

prep time
15 Minute/s

cook time
15 Minute/s

total time
30 Minute/s

Ingredients

1 lb. ground turkey
Taco seasoning (ideally all-natural)
Fresh baby spinach
Red bell pepper
Green bell pepper
Onion
1 Tbsp olive oil
Diced tomato
Sliced avocado
Hot sauce

Instructions

Cook ground turkey on the stove over medium heat until browned, chopping into small bits with a spatula
Add in taco seasoning and with a splash of water to mix into the turkey, also over medium heat
Remove from stove and set aside
Chop bell peppers into long, skinny pieces and dice the onion
In the same pan, cook peppers and onion in olive oil over high heat until onions turn translucent
While the peppers and onion are cooking, place a bed of spinach into a single-serving sized bowl and place ¾ cup of 1 cup of the taco meat on top
Add the peppers and onions to the bowl when they finish cooking, then add chopped tomato, avocado slices
Drizzle with hot sauce for a little extra flavor and enjoy!

The Bridal Fashion Week Giveaway To End All Giveaways

New York Bridal Fashion Week is our happy place. The gowns, the shoes, the hustle + bustle of the city – it’s insane. So how do you spice up one of the best weeks of the year? By putting together a giveaway that includes access to an exclusive fashion show, a $1,500 credit + dress appointment at Kleinfeld AND travel + hotel. Oh, and that’s just the beginning.

We don’t like to brag, but if we’re being honest, this giveaway is the best ever. From a Jennifer Behr accessories credit to robes from Plum Pretty Sugar to a Bella Belle shoe credit and more, you’ll be bopping around NYC like the Carrie Bradshaw you always knew you were. Not to mention that you’ll be experiencing this adventure hand in hand with the guest of your choosing. Because you can’t glam it up in NYC alone.

What: The New York Bridal Fashion Week giveaway of a lifetime.

Who: One lucky SMP reader + Guest.

Entry Dates: September 7 – 21, 2017

Winner Selection: September 22, 2017

To Enter & Official Rules: Click Here

Illustration: The Littlest House

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