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

Some photo shoots are just so easy, breezy, you sense it immediately upon looking at the pics. And this engagement session is one of those. These two cuties are so full of love and laughter and these pics by Erika Brown radiate it wholeheartedly. They strolled through Central Park and dipped and danced, smiled and swirled… and we can’t get enough!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Erika Brown Photography… This was a simple yet truly unforgettable engagement session in the heart of NYC. Tim and Kristy are so incredibly sweet and completely in love so photographing them and capturing these special moments was so, so easy.

From the Bride-to-be… Tim and I met on Valentines Day 2014. We had a mutual friend throwing a Valentines Day party and after some persuasion from our best friends, both decided to attend. Our mutual friend introduced us almost immediately after I arrived and as the night went on, we kept finding our way back to each other :)

After a couple weeks, Tim asked me out and we had our first date at the Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC. I know it is super cliche but we pretty much hit it off from the very first date. Fast forward to April 8th, 2016…. I had thought I was attending a close friend’s birthday party but little did I know Tim had much more planned. We walked up to the Gramercy Park Hotel (where we had that very first date) and Tim proposed outside while inside awaited our parents and closest friends ready to celebrate our engagement with us!

As for the wedding… I am definitely most excited to marry my best friend and absolute love of my life. I cannot wait to get our lives started together as husband and wife.

The engagement shoot was an absolute blast! Tim and I were a little apprehensive about doing an engagement shoot to begin with because we felt like that just wasn’t us (boy were we wrong). After some persuasion from our amazing photographer, Erika Brown, we decided that it probably was a good idea. We went into the engagement shoot very practically. We would be able to get used to being in front of the camera while our photographer would get to know us. We decided to do our shoot in Central Park in NYC, a very meaningful location to us considering New York is where we met and started our lives together. The shoot itself ended up being so much fun and actually a very romantic afternoon together. Erika’s fun loving personality and professionalism made Tim and I feel beyond comfortable in front of the camera. We are so excited about the pictures we took during our engagement session. We truly believe they capture our personalities and love perfectly :) To say we are more than excited to have Erika photograph our wedding is an understatement!

Photography: Erika Brown Photography

My hubs and I sure do love to go out for date night. But sometimes, it’s a nice change of pace to stay home and create cozy memories together in our own abode. This love sesh captured by Simply Sarah Photography is proof that at-home is just as good. Keep scrolling for 4 utterly romantic things you can do with your love, without leaving the house!

Impromptu Slow Dance

Turn on the tunes and channel your inner dancing with the stars. OK, maybe you can skip the tango! A sweet slow dance is sure to bring on the smiles and laughter.

Brunch in Your Lingerie

Flip the switch and get fancy for brunch, instead of dinner. Throw on your sexy lingerie or robe and have a coffee and crepes date!

Read Together

Sure, you’ve probably read (separate books) while together, but have you ever read the same book to each other? Dust off an old romance novel and cuddle up after that brunch.

Snuggle

Speaking of cuddling up, simply take some time to snuggle in bed. Talk about future plans and dreams, tell each other silly jokes, reminisce about your first date or your wedding day, or you know, just make out like it’s the first time you kissed!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Elizabeth Lanier Photography | Styling: Molly McKinley Designs | Jewelry: Susie Saltzman | Makeup: Rachel Griffin | Hair: Hair & Makeup by Lynsey | Venue: The Cove Eleuthera | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints

Anything can happen while planning your wedding—the venue closes for repairs, your cake doesn’t show up, and a hurricane storms in to rain on your matrimonial parade. Even the most beautiful weddings encounter hiccups, either while planning or on the big day.

Here’s how to handle these five dreaded wedding disasters if they happen to you.

Christina Lily Photography

You’re out of a venue
It’s any bride’s nightmare: You signed the dotted line and handed over a hefty deposit, and then, the venue closes unexpectedly for repairs until next spring, as a popular New Jersey wedding venue, Battello, did in August to fix its pier, leaving many couples scrambling for a new venue.

Whether a flood ravaged your dream venue, or the event center went out of business because of some under-the-table dealings, you’re now out of luck. Avoid this disaster by considering purchasing wedding or special events insurance which will cover any monetary losses should you lose your venue and your deposit. Most reputable venues will refund your deposit in most cases and work with you to arrange an alternative venue, as Battello did with their customers.

Kelsey Combe Photography

The weather is deplorable
If your nuptials are outdoors, always create a backup plan. Whether it’s an unexpected soggy, rainy day or a hurricane blows into your beachside wedding, have a substitute indoor setting. Find out if your venue has a designated area you and your wedding guests can go should the weather turn sour. If you’re stuck with no roof over your head, grab an umbrella and ask coordinating vendors if they know of a place to host your wedding in a pinch. They may be able to call in a favor from a local restaurant or venue and save your wedding.

Sandra Aberg Photography

The cake doesn’t show up
A friend of a friend promised the buttercream cake everyone will be salivating over, but for whatever reason, the sweet treat is a no show on your big day. Again, turn to other vendors for recommendations for bakeries who may be able to quickly provide a wedding-worthy dessert in place of the cake. Worst case scenario: ask a friend or family member to make a special trip to the nearest bakery or supermarket for an assortment of playful sweets, like colorful frosted cookies covered in sprinkles, pies, tiny cheesecakes, and cupcakes for a dessert buffet guests will love.

You’re sick
Feeling under the weather? Don’t fret and have a friend run to the drugstore for tissues, medicine to subside symptoms, hot tea and honey, and plenty of electrolyte-infused water. Delegate tasks, so that you or your groom can rest up just enough to walk down the aisle. Have someone in the wedding party oversee administering medicine in a timely fashion, so your symptoms don’t worsen over the course of the evening.

Duffy Photo & Film

Your bridal dress shop shutters
In July, popular bridal chain Alfred Angelo abruptly closed all of its retail stores and filed for bankruptcy, leaving many brides without anything to wear–some just weeks away from their big day. Other retailers, like David’s Bridal, capitalized on the situation and offered discounts to Alfred Angelo customers, and some women even turned to social media to find past Alfred Angelo customers who may be selling their used wedding dresses to out-of-luck brides.

Should your bridal shop close without any notice and no chance of picking up your dress, call your credit card company immediately to dispute the charges. Unfortunately, if you paid by cash or check, you may be on the hook to wait for finalized bankruptcy proceedings to have even the slightest chance of seeing any money back. If you’re in search of the same dress, check online from a secondhand seller or directly contact the dress designer for help in locating a gown.

If you’re given notice from the dress shop, be sure to get every guarantee in writing and pick up your dress as soon as possible. Ask for references to have your dress steamed and altered. Many shops going out of business will also put veils, crinolines, and head pieces on sale, a perfect opportunity to save a few dollars on wedding essentials.

Thecablookfotolab

Take a breath
Remember, at the end of the day, it’s not about having the “perfect” wedding, because the chance of absolutely nothing happening is like seeing a glittering rainbow unicorn pull a chariot over the moon. It’s not real. Every wedding will face a bump in the road. Stay calm and composed, without allowing any hiccup, small or disastrous, get in the way of your celebration of love.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Ali Struhs is a freelance writer, blogger, and boy mama in Denver, Colorado. When not typing away on the computer, she enjoys exploring the great outdoors, rocking out at Red Rocks, and chasing around her toddler.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Photography

Kelsey Combe Photography

View Portfolio

From the stunning architecture of the Mission Inn to the gorgeous gold and gray color palette that touches everything including the Brides golden Marchesa gown, this wedding is a feast for the eyes. Pore through image after image captured by Sposto Photography and a film by Miguel Garcia Studios that tells the tail of a modern ballroom wedding filled with chic neutrals, the most perfect patterned tile and a sea of white florals by Posh Peony.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/225630090 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Sposto Photography | Cinematography: Miguel Garcia Studios | Floral Design: Posh Peony | Cake: Just A Little Dessert Co. | Stationery : Details Beyond Design | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mishka | Jewelry: Helzberg Diamonds | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Hair and Makeup: Glamarazzi Brides | Calligraphy: Pirouette Paper | DJ: Heart Sound Entertainment | Officiant: Alan Katz | Bride's Fashion: Marchesa | Bride's Fashion: Adrianna Papell | Bride's Fashion: Kate Spade | Ceremony and Reception: The Mission Inn Hotel And Spa | Groom's Fashion: Michael Kors | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Ribbon: Tono Co | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Vow Books : Seniman Calligraphy

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Sposto Photography

View Portfolio

A fruit and wine themed wedding? Count me in! And this romantic Moscow celebration captured by Julia Kaptelova is just as decadent as you’d expect from its culinary inspiration, from the boudoir session and the Bride’s dramatic lace-trimmed veil, to the rich red palette and the tastefully incorporated monograms. Head to the gallery to see the whole event planned by Margarita Moskaleva, because this one, lovelies, is definitely drool-worthy.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… We dreamed of a classic celebration – stylish and genteel with traditional family values and an emphasis on our story. Oleg and I are both from the south, so we love southern cuisine and wine, and August, which is when we got married, is the fruitage month. That is why we chose a southern fruit and wine theme for our decor. While we were creating the concept together with our wedding planners, we chose a bright room with light Provencal style outfitted in classic vintage furniture and kitchenware. In addition to that, we wanted our decorations to not just be a simple set of florals, but each have meaning and encompass our values and interests. One of the key elements of the concept became our monogram. It was used not only in prints and the seating plan, but also as the bespoke cake topper. 

Photography: Julia Kaptelova Photography | Event Design: Sweet William Wedding | Event Planning: MMWedding | Wedding Dress: Pronovias

Kristen and Kurt bonded over their shared passions for animal welfare, the outdoors, and music, so when planning their Napa Valley nuptials with the help of Erica Rose Design, they knew they wanted each of these to play a role. A donation to the San Francisco SPCA in lieu of favors, the gorgeous lawn of the SSS Ranch, and carefully curated music by Dart Collective meaningfully incorporated the couple’s passions into their darling day, which was photographed by This Rad Love – take a peak, below.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… San Francisco has long been a big part of our relationship. When we met, Kurt was living in the Marina District, and I was in the Mission. Despite coming from opposite sides of the city, we quickly bonded over a good cup of coffee and found that we had shared passions for animal welfare, the outdoors, and music. It was these themes that we wanted to incorporate into our fall wedding at the rustic SSS Ranch in Napa.

We knew that we wanted an intimate outdoor ceremony, and the serene setting at SSS Ranch Napa was the perfect fit for us. We chose to exchange our vows under a gorgeous walnut tree that had been decorated with draped fabric and an antique chandelier on the lower lawn of the property. The mature tree set the perfect atmosphere as it shaded each of our 120 guests under its leafy green canopy. We added very little to the already idyllic scenery, however the bridal party and I carried gorgeous bouquets with deep burgundy and pops of pink, which beautifully complemented the surrounding greenery. Kurt handpicked lyrics from songs that represented our relationship history— including melodies from Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn – and we DIYed the lyrics onto wooden boards and had them hung to line the aisle.

In the reception space, our love for animals was reflected in table-assignment cards that displayed vintage animal pictorials in place of numbers. In lieu of gifts for the guests, a donation was made to the San Francisco SPCA, where Kurt and I adopted our first pet. A family style dinner, showcasing seasonal California produce, was enjoyed in the antique barn. Guests danced the night away to more of our handpicked music favorites.The evening’s end was made sweet with It’s-It ice cream sandwiches, a legendary San Francisco treat.

Photography: This Rad Love | Event Planning: Lorelle Events | Floral + Event Design: Erica Rose Design | Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel | Invitations: Minted | Ceremony Venue: Triple S Ranch | Catering: Sage Catering | Hair + Makeup: King Cardoza | DJ: Dart DJ | Rentals: Encore Events Rentals | Vintage Rentals: The Antique Owl

There are ways to enhance the wedding day “glow,” of course: having a makeup artist on hand to apply bronzer in all the right places, months of facials and deep conditioning hair treatments leading up to the event, regular teeth whitening sessions throughout the engagement, and more.

Sophie Kaye Photography

While these superficial efforts certainly make for a beautiful bride day-of, there’s something to be said for laying the groundwork for that glow over time. These are the secrets to attaining that unmistakable bridal beauty glow.

Use a face oil instead of a regular moisturizer

While traditional moisturizers have the potential to clog pores and are often full of unpronounceable ingredients, face oils are almost always all-natural, and are actually more easily absorbed by skin’s pores. For the oily-skinned or acne-prone, using face oil can be a total life saver — with face oil, your skin is so fully moisturized that it doesn’t need to make any oil of its own, meaning you won’t have that annoying shiny T-Zone problem anymore! One of my all-time favorite face oils is the Mangosteen Oil by Skin Owl, for its delicious smell.

Jose Villa Photography

Pair face oil with rose water, and spritz this regularly
For continuous moisture throughout the day, I carry a bottle of rose water with me and spritz it on my face every few hours. Not only does it help your skin lock in moisture and control excess oil (which shouldn’t be an issue if you moisturize with oil anyway!), but it’s said to help relieve stress, too, as a result of its pleasant smell and refreshing feel on the skin. Long term, rose water use strengthens your skin at a cellular level, aiding in the regeneration process and making you look younger!

Savan Photography

Take collagen peptides

Talk about getting a glow from the inside out! Perhaps the most exciting side effect of a collagen supplement (of which there are many) is its ability to make skin look more supple. And it works the same way for your hair and nails, making both more lustrous and strong! For a double whammy, mix your collagen supplement into green tea instead of just water to reap the benefits of that, too — improved complexion, reduction of dark undereye circles, and more. I do this every morning with Vital Proteins’ Collagen Peptides and one of Yogi Tea’s green blends.

Anna Roussos

Get sweaty

Going to the gym has the power to make you look beautiful from the inside out! Getting your heart rate up on the regular increases your blood flow, moving more oxygen and crucial vitamins into the capillaries that nourish our skin! In addition to a healthy glow, you’ll be ridding your body of toxins and building confidence, which we all know is the ultimate element of “the glow.” If you need a little workout inspiration, check out SMP’s Bridal Bootcamp program with former Bachelorette cutie Peter Kraus here!

AL Weddings

Bathe in lavender Epsom salts

Lastly, rinse off all that sweat in the most relaxing way possible. Epsom salts are absorbed by your skin, easing any wedding-planning tension, and lavender’s age-defying antioxidants have the power to keep you feeling and looking calmer than ever.

Regardless of whether or not you incorporate any of these beauty tips into your daily routine, know that your glow will shine through on your wedding day because of the most important thing: love.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – 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!

Southern weddings have a certain special charm… but you don’t need to be below the Mason Dixon line to be inspired and turn it into a reality! This stellar team of vendors – including Shannon Wellington Wedding, Fresh Designs Florist and Trousseau Style – came together to create a Southern soiree complete with a boutonniere bar, seersucker hankies and of course, pie! Alex Schon captured every perfectly thought out detail and our gallery has all the pics – dive right in y’all!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Shannon Wellington Wedding…

While we may be miles away from the Mason Dixon line here in Pennsylvania, the charm and tradition of the South still makes us swoon. Whether it’s the draping Spanish moss of Charleston, the award winning Georgian pecan pies or the horse farms of Kentucky, we wanted to bring a little taste of the south up north. We chose The Gables in Chadds Ford, a beautiful venue that happens to be a converted dairy farm. The lush green ceremony space was perfect for our couple, who got married in front of a floral draped cross. Seersucker hankies were on hand for our guests’ happy tears and an adorable boutonniere bar treated the gentleman guests to their own mini floral adornment.

The bride wore a traditional lace with an unexpected peek of a blue dip dyed hem. Delicate lace applique booties, classic pearl and a lace clutch completed her bridal look. It all paired beautifully with her groom’s handsome chambray suit and gingham bow tie. The couple was the epitome of Southern grace and style.

Guests were treated to the most beautiful paper details. From the handmade paper invitations with a map including the rolling hills and horse farms of Chadds Ford to the silk ribbon adorned programs. Each piece featured the couple’s custom monogram and crest in a dusty blue and gray palette.

Inside, the guests’ tables were nestled beneath trailing Spanish moss and fluffy cotton branches. Delicate linens, handmade paper menus and individual cotton blossoms completed the tablescape.

Back outside, while the couple frolicked on the moss lined tree swing, guests found dessert. And what would a good Southern wedding be without pie? Our pie bar featured five different types of pie, sure to please every sweet tooth.

When creating our version of the Northern Southern wedding, we kept the focus on one of the South’s best qualities, their hospitality. As wedding professionals, we get to participate in our couple’s biggest show of hospitality, their wedding day. Incorporating ideas that take care of the couple’s wedding guests: hankies, boutonnieres, plenty of pie (!) we truly felt that the spirit of the South was alive and well in Pennsylvania!

Photography: Schon Photography | Event Planning: Shannon Wellington Wedding | Floral Design: Fresh Designs Florist | Wedding Dress: Jaclyn Jordan New York | Stationery: Papertree Studio | Shoes: Bella Belle | Jewelry: L. Priori Jewelry | Hair + Makeup: ONLO | Suit: Bonobos | Venue: The Gables At Chadds Ford | Bridal Veil: BHLDN | Fashion Accessories: Hair Comes the Bride | Fashion Stylists: Trousseau Style

If you wanted to honor your heritage into your special day, you can learn a thing or two from these cuties. Austin and Mike’s Wisconsin wedding included incorporated their German heritage through fun and thoughtful details. Favorites include letterpress invitations by Shipwright & Co. featuring a German beer stein, Gabriel’s Horns String Quartet playing Eidelweiss from the Sound of Music at the ceremony (read the special meaning behind this choice, below!), and a polka band performance. Kate Weinstein captured the festivities, which are all waiting for you right here!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Despite growing up only one mile apart and having many mutual friends, Mike and Austin didn’t actually meet until they were classmates in medical school. Mike remembers looking across the anatomy lab at Austin and thinking she was pretty cute. The rest was history!

Austin and Mike’s wedding day was a celebration of love and family, with many nods to their home state of Wisconsin and their German heritage. Their letterpress invitations featured a German beer stein, and Mike’s tie pin was also a beer stein. During the ceremony, the Eidelweiss song from the Sound of Music was played, which is meaningful to the couple for many reasons, but most importantly, when Mike proposed, he gave Austin a ring in a music box that played that song. Immediately following the ceremony, a polka band led everyone to the cocktail hour. At dinner, guests were given bars of cheese as favors to take home. Courtney Joy and Sweven created the breathtaking florals in shades of peach, orange, and pink. Shipwright and Co. created the invitation suite. The Marv Wunder Polka Band started the evening’s entertainment, followed by Milwaukee Airwaves as DJ. It was a day of joy, laughter, and happily ever after!

Photography: Kate Weinstein | Floral Design: Courtney Joy Floral Design | Floral Design: Sweven | Wedding Dress: Wtoo by Watters | Cake: Sweet Tooth | Invitations: Shipwright & Co. | Shoes: BHLDN | Jewelry: Sara Gabriel | Jewelry: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Needle & Thread | Catering: Chef Jack's | Hair + Makeup: Andriana Lazic and Mindy from Steven Edwards Color Group | DJ: Milwaukee Airwaves | Ceremony Music: Gabriel's Horns | Venue: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center | Bridal Boutique: Brickhouse Bridal | Cheese Favors: Fromagination | Groom's Tux: Indochino | Menus: Sarah Gill | Paper Goods: Minutemaid Press | Photography Assistance: Kate Romenesko Photography | Polka Band: Marv Wunder | Programs: Paperless Post | Rentals: Canopies Events with Distinction | Stickers: Minted

Combine a gorgeous setting with this couple’s undeniable chemistry and you’ve got a winning e-sesh in the works. Throw a cutie pup in the mix and it’s next level adorable. Can you even?! Tamara Gruner joined in for the fun, too, and the results are ooh and ahh worthy. See it all right this way!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride-to-be… Chris was a coworker and friend of my brother in law, Josh, and so to Chris, I was just Tiff and Josh’s little sister. Tiffany, my sister, knew that Chris and I would hit it off though, so she was insistent that we meet and get to know each other. Sure enough, soon after we met we became great friends! We would spend every night talking for hours and hours on end- playing games, laughing, and learning everything there was to know about one another. Our friendship eventually grew to be something more, and now has grown into the deepest and truest love I could ever imagine. Chris is my best friend, my partner in crime, and my soul mate and I consider myself to be the luckiest girl in the world to be his wife!

Photography: Tamara Gruner Photography | Shoes: Rag & Bone | Necklace: The Golden Bear | Men's Attire: Banana Republic | Leather Jacket: Michael Stars | White Dress: For Love And Lemons

Before the hustle and bustle of the busy wedding day, this Bride decided to take a few moments and capture the beauty of the moment to remember forever. And so, Alicia Lacey snapped away and this lovely lady donned a few gorgeous gowns and robes, and prepped for her upcoming “I do’s”. These finished results have us swooning in every sense and completely convinced that every bride-to-be needs to take note!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Wild Green Yonder… The age old wisdom of, “your wedding day will go by in a flash,” was heard by this real bride, Lauren, more times than she could easily count. She knew the whirlwind of the big day would preclude her from capturing all those little details that she wanted to cherish forever. To compensate for this, she opted to do a boudoir and bridal session beforehand to ensure she could slow down and soak in the moment. Lauren embodied the essence of femininity during her boudoir portraits by wearing three different, yet complementary looks that included a vintage two-piece set by Claire Pettibone, a dreamy lace robe and a flowing floral wrap. For her bridal portraits, Lauren’s elegance and grace were highlighted by her bespoke Paolo Sebastian gown. The entire look was complemented by a lush bouquet designed by Wild Green Yonder overflowing with peonies and silk ribbons.

Photography: Alicia Lacey Photography | Floral Design: Wild Green Yonder | Wedding Dress: Paolo Sebastian | Engagement Ring: David Yurman | Jewelry: Enchanted Atelier by Liv Hart | Makeup: Modern Bridal Studio | Hair: Nancy Vaughn of O'Haira's Salon + Day Spa | Film Lab: The Find Lab | Floral Robe: BHLDN | Hair Clip: jennifer behr | Hand-dyed Silk Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic | Lace Robe: GirlandaSeriousDream | Lingerie: Claire Pettibone | Mini Paintings: ArtExistentia | Pearls: Mikimoto | Tailor: Zoya's Atelier

Chris & Dave (a.k.a. CHRAVE, how cute?!) are going to steal your heart today with their sweet, bursting smiles. They’ve got the kind of love that’s contagious. My favorite part of their story? They met outside a Madonna concert! So, it was only fitting that her lyrics would make an appearance at their ceremony. I urge you to peruse the full gallery captured by Sylvie Gil, it will infuse your day with utter happiness.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Sylvie Gil… Chris & Dave met on the sidewalk outside a Madonna Concert in Chicago in 2006, and in 2015 became engaged while on a boat ride in Regent’s Park, London. Their wine country wedding at the Kunde Family Winery was a bit of a surprise venue for their 38 guests, who were bused in without knowing exactly the location of the ceremony. Madonna lyrics were read by the wedding party during the ceremony, and the couple entered to Beyonce’s “Halo”. While the grooms wore matching grey suits and succulent-inspired boutonnieres, each added a bit of personal flair to his outfit – Chris wore glittery gold loafers and a tie, and Dave wore grey suspenders and a bowtie. A modern gold cake topper spelled out their couple name, “CHRAVE”.

Photography: Sylvie Gil Photography | Wedding Planner: Sasha Souza Events | Florals: PoppyStone Floral Couture | Cake: Sweet on Cake | Ceremony Venue: Kunde Family Winery | Catering: Park Avenue Catering | Hair & Makeup: Dave Fonseca | Ceremony Music: AMS Entertainment | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals

From the New England-style lobster and oyster shucking rehearsal dinner to the beautiful mix ‘n match bridesmaids’ dresses to the peek-a-boo dolphin at sunset, this Florida wedding is everything a Florida wedding should be and so much more! With Jacqui Cole Photography, Voilà Cinematic and Tracie Domino Events behind each and every gorgeous moment, this day is sure to bring a smile to your face!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/220392102 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography | Videography: Voila Cinematic | Event Planning: Tracie Domino Events | Invitations: A&P Designs | Reception: Radisson Hotel At Star Plaza | Hair + Makeup: Rachel Reumann | Band: Tropics Entertainment | Bridal Boutique: Mark Ingram Atelier | Fashion Styling: The White Dress by the shore | Mixologists: The Grand Bevy | Welcome Gifts: A Signature Welcome | Welcome Party Oyster Shuckers: Oysters XO

With so many beautiful options, choosing a wedding band to complement your engagement ring can seem overwhelming at first. To help make your decision a little easier we’re sharing the pros and cons of four types of metals so you cn choose what is best for your taste and lifestyle.

Jillian Michelle Photography

Platinum
According to Rebecca Moskal, Founder of Communiqué, a luxury jewelry marketing firm, Platinum is a naturally white metal that will not fade or change in color over time. It is also the most durable precious metal making it not only very secure for your diamond setting but also a great choice for someone with an active lifestyle. It’s hypoallergenic and especially great for people are irritated by nickel.

“Because of platinum’s density (it’s 40% heavier than 18K gold and 60% heavier than 14K), it is the most durable of all precious metals and the reason why it’s the most secure setting for diamonds,” explains Moskal. The density is also what makes platinum more expensive than white gold. It simply requires more material to make the same ring in platinum. Platinum is also less resistant to scratches so it will need to cleaned and polished more regularly to maintain the smooth finish.

Greg Finck Photography

White Gold
White gold is a great way to achieve the look of platinum at a lower price point. While it is less durable than platinum, it is still a very durable metal because it is mixed with nickel, zinc and copper. White gold will need to be dipped every few years to maintain its color and luster, but this service is relatively inexpensive and your jeweler may even do it for free.

White gold looks great with white diamonds and complements fair and rosy skin tones. Because white gold is mixed with other metals such as nickel it is not considered hypoallergenic and may cause allergic reactions for some people.

Brad and Jen

Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is made of pure gold and is mixed with alloys such as copper and zinc. The amount of pure gold is categorized by the karatage. For example, 24 karat gold is 99.9% pure where as 14 karat gold is only 58.3% pure. But the higher percentage of gold is not necessarily a good thing. The higher the percentage, the less durable the metal is which is why most jewelers recommend 14k or 18k gold for diamond settings.

Yellow gold is the easiest to maintain out of all three gold color types. It is also a very traditional metal for wedding bands making it perfect for a vintage setting and complements olive and darker skin tones.

O’Malley Photographers

Rose Gold
Pure gold is alloyed with copper to produce the rose gold color. The most common rose gold is 18 karat which is a mix of 75% gold and 25% copper. Because it is mixed with copper, rose gold is often more affordable and more durable than yellow or white gold. Like the other gold colors, rose gold is not a hypoallergenic metal and can cause allergic reactions in some people due to the copper.

Rose gold complements all skin tones and has an incredibly romantic feel to it making it a very popular metal.

At the end of the day, there is no perfect metal. It comes down to personal preference, style and budget. Visit your jeweler to try on different styles, settings and metals to find what works for you.

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Kristen Lauck Gillock is the owner and lead planner at Marie Rose Events based in Oklahoma City. When she isn’t working, you’ll find her spending time outside with her dog or enjoying a glass of wine and cooking dinner at home with her husband.

Tuscany and villas and the most romantic wedding celebrations all go hand in hand. It has something to do with that beautiful Old World charm that Italy has in abundance. But if you need any more convincing, take a peek at inspiration for an intimate destination affair at Villa Montanare in the hills of Tuscany. With florals and design by Weddings by Silke and imagery by Lance Nicoll, this shoot is straight out of a European dream.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

This inspiration shoot took place at the beautiful Villa Montanare in the hills of Tuscany. The soft palette of white and blush blended with the old world aesthetic of the italian villa. The beautiful blush invitation suite and decadent jewelry from Del Brenna married perfectly with the open air table-scape create by Silke of Weddings by Silke. The artistic photographic approach of Lance Nicoll and destination film photographer, highlighted even further the consummate timeless of Tuscany.

Photography: Lance Nicoll Wedding Photography | Floral Design: Weddings by Silke | Wedding Dress: Daalarna Couture | Invitations: Victoria Krav | Jewelry: Delbrenna | Venue: Villa Montanare | Bridal Boutique: Feinstens | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Hair & Makeup Artist: Lara Navarrini | Headpiece: Nea Bridal | Models: Sara From Esprit Management | Planning & Design: Weddings by Silke | Ringbox: Gossamer | Robe: Mes Petites Dentelles | Silk Ribbons: Silk and Willow | Under Garments: Intimissimi

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Villa Montanare

View Portfolio

It actually happened, this is not a drill—your best girl is engaged! Did you know that traditionally the bride had bridesmaids dressed up like her to ward away evil spirits? It was a big task then, and it’s still a big task now!

Sean Cook Wedding Photography

You would probably love nothing more than to stand next to her on her wedding day, but before you quickly dive into wedding excitement, take a look at everything that comes with being in a bridal party!

This Love of Yours Photography

Attire
Here comes the age-old adage: ‘you can totally just wear it again!’ It comes with the territory, but you have to go along with whatever the bride decides for you to wear. Luckily, we’re living in what I like to call the Golden Age of Bridal. Some brides are going for specific color schemes only, and letting their girls choose their own dresses. Gone are the days of puffy sleeves and massive hoop skirts (hopefully). At least, in this case, you may actually want to wear it again!

Hair and makeup are along the same lines. Often a bride will have the make-up artist do everyone all at once, and give the party a sense of cohesion with the same hairstyle. You’re obligated to go along with whatever hairstyle she chooses, bobby-pin headache and all!

Nadia Hung Photography

Events
As a bridesmaid or maid of honor, your job begins with the engagement and ends when she sets off on the honeymoon! This includes all of the events leading up to the wedding such as the bridal shower and bachelorette party. You get to team up with all the important girls in the bride’s life to craft some serious fun and memories. No pressure, but you know she would do the same for you, right? If you commit to being a bridesmaid, I say, go all out! Make it a great experience for the bride as well as for you!

Erich McVey Photography

Wedding Day
You’ve made it through all the planning, the late night long-phone calls, group messages and appointments. The day of the wedding is game day. You’ve got some key responsibilities: knowing how to bustle that gown in your sleep (and how to fix it if it breaks), bathroom duties, and speech duties. And of course, your clutch is stocked with essentials like bobby pins, safety pins, mints, and a needle and thread. Enjoy that open bar as you will have surely earned it!

Amy Rizzuto Photography

Costs
Tally up the costs of what we just talked about, and it comes to a pretty significant bill. Bridesmaid gowns these days will range but average $200 (be sure to check out the Style Me Pretty bridesmaid dress collection at Weddington Way). Then there are costs of traveling for bachelorette parties, gifts, and the wedding costs themselves.

In the end, you need to do what makes sense for yourself. Before you say YES, recognize that with being a bridesmaid comes extensive responsibilities and expenses, along with a lifetime of memories!

Style Me Pretty Contributor – Goli Parvinian is a bridal enthusiast and masters student living in Melbourne, Australia. Over the past few years, she has worked for bridal brands in her hometown of Chicago, New Zealand and New York City. You can typically find her in a cafe, face-timing her nieces or out on a long run.

At one point or another, I think we’ve all dealt with email stress (my hand is raised!)… chasing after the seemingly impossible Inbox Zero. Instead, you’re in a revolving world of Inbox Crazy and that’s no way to work or live. Keep scrolling for five handy tricks I use to keep my inbox at bay.

Write Now, Send Later

Have you ever drafted an email outside of business hours but didn’t send it right away to avoid getting a reply at night or on the weekend? And then you forgot to send it at that later convenient time? This is where email scheduling comes in handy. Email assistants (like Boomerang) allow you to send and receive when you want.

Enable Undo Send

How many times have you sent an email that wasn’t complete? Or, quickly realized you forgot to add something? If your mail client has the option, enable undo send in your settings (Gmail has this). It’s a lifesaver!

Multiple Inboxes and Labels

Utilize tools like multiple inboxes and labels to stay organized. I personally use multiple inboxes, with my main inbox and then a ‘Follow Up’ inbox I created from that label. Here is a quick little tutorial on how to set it up. Allowing yourself to prioritize visually is a great way to stay on top of projects.

Canned Responses

If high quantity of emails is driving your stress, ‘canned responses’ are LIFE. Even if you aren’t getting a ton of emails but you still want to have go-to responses on hand, this is so, so helpful. No more looking back in your archives to copy and paste responses of past emails.

Routine = Productivity

With various pieces of technology allowing us to check email wherever and whenever, it’s easy to feel like we can never escape our inboxes. Easier said than done, but if you can set rules for yourself (like checking email twice a day at the same times or no phone in the bedroom) you’ll probably find that you’re much more productive when it comes time to tackle replies.

If you fancy yourself a dinner party connoisseur, then you know that registering for fab barware is a definite must. So today we’re teaming up with the geniuses at Nambé for a little peek at their new Vie Barware Collection – contemporary pieces perfect for spicing up that classic bar. If you’re looking to impress your guests, this is definitely where to start.

1. Vie Wine Rack 2. Vie Pinot Grigio Glasses (Set of 2) 3. Vie Wine Stopper and Foil Cutter Set 4. Vie Decanter – 10″ 5. Vie Wine Opener

Put simply, the new Vie Barware Collection from Nambé is awesome. It’s everything you need to mix up those tasty libations you’re famous for, plus it’s a fab addition to any get-together with designs your guests will be talking about long after the party is over. We’re super fond of the Cocktail Shaker and Wine Opener, but every last piece is amazing. (Trust us.) Think rounded glass, sleek stainless steel and acacia wood accents that will fit in perfectly with those Mad Men-inspired dinner parties you and your love are known for. Plus, we love anything that can double as decor and these beautiful wares most definitely fit the bill.

6. Vie Highball Glasses (Set of 4) 7. Vie Cocktail Shaker 8. Mikko Ice Bucket w/Tongs 9. Vie Double Old Fashioned Glasses (Set of 4)

If you’re looking to make a statement at that first (or 50th) dinner party as a newlywed, the award-winning designs of Nambé are where it’s at. From dinnerware to serveware to barware to home decor and gift items, they’ll bring function and style to every last one of your get-togethers. Want to own your very own set of awe-inspiring pieces? Check out the sweet giveaway below.

What: Nambé is giving away one (1) Vie Cocktail Shaker, one (1) Vie Decanter – 10″ and one (1) Set of 4 Vie DOFs to one lucky reader! (Value $250)

How: Simply visit the Nambé website and leave us a comment below telling us which Vie Barware Collection piece is your favorite. (Ex: I love the Vie Wine Opener!)

Who: One lucky reader, chosen completely at random, will be announced on Friday, October 6, 2017.

Official Rules: Click Here

Madison and David met while volunteering in Haiti and it wasn’t long before they knew they’d found forever love. To celebrate their official kick off as Mr. and Mrs., they planned a glamorous North Carolina celebration complete with major fashion moments, including Madison’s custom two-piece dress by Erin Grey Couture. The fabulous Allison Kuhn photographed the day and the full gallery is just a click away.

[iframe http://www.youtube.com/embed/tMAGpmwiKI8 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the bride… I was never one of those girls who dreamt of a big, beautiful wedding all of my life. I only ever dreamt of marrying my best friend. Believe it or not, David was actually the one who requested that we even have a wedding! The one thing I was certain of was that I wanted it to be a short engagement. Because when you know- you know. So why wait!? When we first got engaged back in January, we could not make up our minds on how we wanted to tie the knot. Do we make a quick stop at the courthouse? Do we have a small destination wedding? Where would we even do it? How big? How small?

There are so many questions + details that go into planning a wedding. I had no idea! Not to mention the amount of preparation + refining I needed in my heart.

Soon after we got engaged, we went to Charlotte to celebrate with family and friends. For a girl who never dreamt of her fairytale wedding… I was quick to go dress shopping! It was a Sunday when we landed in CLT and all of the bridal boutiques were closed but my best friend, Anita (and also my maid of honor), found a few that happened to be open. My mom, Anita, and I had some good laughs that day. For some reason, neither of them could take me seriously in a wedding dress and all of these princess gowns were hysterical on me. I had never worn a big ball gown!

I knew that when I found the dress I would know what kind of wedding I’d want to have- because I would be able to picture myself walking down that aisle to that handsome face. Heart melts. A few days later, I found THE DRESS! It was a custom skirt that we turned into a dress and it was exactly what I pictured. Different, but classic, kind of funky, had a little sass, would maybe surprise some people, even David… I loved it. And so did my mom.

So, thanks to my dress- we decided to have a wedding! My mom was a hero the next few months. I mean, she’s always been my hero. But you have no idea how much time, effort, tears, you name it- she gave this wedding her all. We are both very creative, we love design and are incredibly detail oriented + also huge bargain hunters, so we figured we could handle this wedding on our own without a planner. Sheeeesh!! Planning a wedding is a full-time job! My mom took care of every single detail, down to the hand-stamped forks we ate our wedding cake with. We had a vision and she made it happen. I am so grateful for my amazing parents who gave us our dream wedding. Even more grateful for the high standards they set for marriage + family.

Because of their legacy I never settled + married my BEST FRIEND who I adore and admire and can’t even imagine a day without.

Yesterday when I asked what you guys wanted to read about, I had many messages about our relationship, how we met, our testimony. I won’t go into all of those details on the wedding post right now, but I had this revelation over our engagement that I thought I’d share. Back in March, I wrote this quote in my notes on my phone. I don’t even remember where I heard it but I go back to it often.

“A champion wants his greatest match to be his greatest battle.”

For me, my greatest medals I’ll ever wear will be the one with a title “WIFE” and the other (I pray one day) will be titled “MOM”. In order to win a medal you have to go to battle, right? I always heard marriage wasn’t easy- it’s going to be the never-ending battle of your lifetime. Unfortunately my parents always made it look incredibly easy so I never believed anyone when they told me this. But, I do understand that a good marriage takes WORK! Throughout our engagement, I realized that marriage was going to be my greatest match. My greatest battle with myself, the enemy, sometimes David, outsiders…

You don’t want to go into the greatest match of your lifetime against somebody who is just going to give up- you want to win with a fighter. I don’t know if this is making any sense, but it does to me, so here’s to hoping! I kept going back to this quote. I realized that I wanted to fight it out with David. I knew that I wanted to win this battle with him. We actually fight pretty well together. We fight for each other everyday. We definitely fought through hard times during our engagement- and I knew that I would never fight for anyone else the way I fight for him. And vice-versa.

Fast forward to the week leading up to our wedding. David, Winnie and I drove from Dallas to Charlotte. We love our road trips and always end up making some of our favorite memories on them.

Everyone had us prepare for the worst: we knew that there was a chance of rain, something was bound to go wrong!! But David and my mom both kept faith through it all- “it’s going to be perfect.” And it was.

The night before our wedding, David’s mom threw us a beautiful rehearsal dinner. We ate Mexican, drank margaritas and were toasted with the sweetest speeches by family. It was so special to have our two families together in my home town. That night we parted ways until the next time we’d see each other at the altar! I went back home with my parents and slept in my old room. My brother was home from California and we had the original crew of four back together. Then we were ready for wedding day.

Photography: Allison Kuhn Photography | Videography: Caralee Videography | Coordination: Split Second Sound | Floral Design: Bookout Blooms | Cake: Suarez Bakery | Stationery: Champagne Maker | Rings: Diamonds Direct | Catering: The Flipside Catering Co. | Hair + Makeup: Sabrina Laine | DJ: Split Second Sound | Officiant: Mike Massey | Venue: Morning Glory Farm | Bridal Gown Designer: Erin Grey Couture | Bridal Gown Store of Purchase: J. Major's Bridal Boutique | Bridesmaid Gown: BHLDN | Men's Formal Wear: Harper & Jones