Any bride who’s ready to take the white-on-white design plunge, take note from Maddy. Her family has been planning white weddings for three generations, so sticking true to that simple yet wildly elegant palette felt like a perfect fit. Cole Drake Events, Sylvie Gil, Elysium Productions, Bella Bridal Napa Valley, La Tavola, Bright Event Rentals and so many amazing vendors came on board, and it was no doubt a celebration to remember. See it all here!

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From the Bride… When we started thinking about locations for the wedding, it seemed too perfect to get married in the same town we had stayed in when we got engaged, Yountville. I work as a Luxury Travel Advisor for Virtuoso Agency, CSB Travel, specializing in honeymoons and destination weddings, so I know how important location is for a perfect wedding. As if it couldn’t get any better, the location we settled on, The Vintage Inn, was available a year from the weekend we got engaged! With that, we settled on May 21, 2016 and got to planning!

I knew living in Texas that I would need someone to be my boots on the ground in Yountville while planning and I can’t express how lucky I was to hire my now friend, Stephanie Cole, with Cole Drake Events. She was recommended by the property and I feel so fortunate to have had her by my side through the entire process.

I hired our photographer, Sylvie Gil after speaking with her because I instantly adored her and loved the energy she brought forward. Her ability to capture every moment we wanted from our big weekend is a true gift and I thank my lucky stars I have her work to look back on to remind me of the perfect day. Elysium Productions did our videography and wow, I have only watched our wedding video a million times and cried every time. They too, were a treat to work with and come highly recommended! Jennifer Cole, who I initially met in Napa for mimosa’s (instant brownie points) was my florist, and I knew I wanted to work with her off the bat. She helped take my vision and make it a reality and was more than willing to Skype or have phone conversations to edit my proposals and change ideas. I knew she was talented, but when I saw how she had brought our ideas to life on the wedding day, she took my breath away.

Overall, when going into planning I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted. It is a three generation tradition in our family to have a white wedding and I wanted to stay true to that. That being said, my maid of honors, Ellie Thompson, Amy Graham and my now sister, Lucy Moffitt, wore white, and my other main ladies wore different styles and shades of neutral and a light grey. I kept flowers to whites and neutrals with gold accents being found on the chairs, chargers and a few other places on tables.

Patrick and I both LOVE football and we wanted to tie in our college’s to the big day as much as we could! With that, I brought in the talented, The Grand Bevy, to design 3 edible alcohol bites for the cocktail hour, labeled as “Horned Frogs,” “Fighting Tigers,” and “Two Become One.” This was one of my favorite personal touches along with the “his and her” drinks they designed, “St. Patrick’s Whiskey Sour” and “Foxxy’s French 75.” We also had a whiskey bar with three personally labeled name selections, my favorite being “Tigah Frog Fireball” and a Vodka bar with three specialty drinks.

My cake was all white and neutral with crafted flowers by the AMAZING Susan Morgan at Elegant Cheesecakes, while Patrick’s was an absolute masterpiece by Susan! She created a cooking pot with a crawfish coming out of it and LSU colors along with added surprises like a Golden Snitch to note our love for Harry Potter and a baseball since Patrick played in college before attending LSU. We also had a photobooth from Giggle and Riot, that I helped designed with the backdrop having quotes such as “#PatCaughtHisFoxx,” “Tigah Frogs,” “Best Day Ever,” “You’re my person,” and “forever starts here.” After we had our grand exit with a fun confetti cannon, we had the driver loop us around, I changed into my fun party dress and we started the party again until 2 AM!

I wish I could relive the feeling I felt that entire weekend on a daily basis, but I’m thankful for the videos, the pictures, and the memories to hold on to. Patrick is my favorite football buddy, the best-looking man I’ve ever laid eyes on, my rock, my biggest supporter, the most selfless person I know, and I can’t imagine doing life with anyone else but him. Our favorite part of the weekend was being able to have so many people we love in one place for 3 days and words can’t express how much it meant having everyone there.

Photography: Sylvie Gil Photography | Cinematography: Elysium Productions | Wedding Planning: Cole Drake Events | Floral Design: Jennifer Cole Florals | Cake: Elegant Cheese Cakes LLC | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Watters | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Catering: Villagio Inn And Spa | Makeup: Houston Puryear | Hair: Bella Bridal Hair & Makeup | Lighting: Lux Production | Entertainment: Wine Country Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Al's Formal Wear | Groomsmen's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Ceremony Music: Synchronicity Strings | Transportation: Pure Luxury | Bride's Gown: Anna Maier | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Villagio Inn And Spa | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Papellerie | Photobooth: Giggle and Riot | Rentals: Encore Events Rentals | Rentals: Standard Party Rentals | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals

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Cinematography

Elysium Productions

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Makeup Artists

Bella Bridal Hair & Makeup

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We’re never ones to shy away from chatting about a beautiful gown… or two, or three. But when it comes to dressing the bridal party, making sure the men in your life are happy is just as important as taking care of your besties. Which is why we’re teaming up with our faves at Generation Tux for a little rundown on how to do just that, plus some sweet advice on keeping them looking their best. Scroll below for dapper + happy groom and groomsmen in six easy steps.

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ONE: KEEP IT CONVENIENT

Let’s be honest, most guys you know don’t really want to spend hours upon hours shopping for that one gorgeous tux or suit. So keeping it easy and convenient for all those handsome fellas is totally key. With Generation Tux, you can say “goodbye” to the endless time spent looking and “hello” to total convenience with easy-peasy online shopping and FREE shipping with a tux/suit rental. Generation Tux will even get your outfit out to you 10-14 days in advance and give you three days to return your attire with FedEx or USPS. Grooms can even reserve a free at-home fit trial to experience Generation Tux before the event. We love that.

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TWO: MAKE SURE THE PRICE IT RIGHT

Asking the ones you love to stand beside you on THE big day is a total honor, but it shouldn’t be an expensive one. With Generation Tux, suit and tux rentals start at just $129 (seriously) and a full look (that’s suit, shirt, tie, pocket square AND shoes) will rent for $174+. Those are some numbers that your fellas can appreciate… trust us.

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THREE: GET STYLING ASSISTANCE

What’s better than sending your men on the hunt for the perfect bow tie to match your very distinct shade of violet? Chatting one-on-one with a Generation Tux Stylist and letting them do all of the heavy lifting for you. Think a digital styling studio which allows you to play around with color and style, hundreds of hues for every palette (hello, perfect vests, ties and pocket squares) and even suits for the littles. They’ll help you figure it ALL out.

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FOUR: MANAGE IT ALL

Stepping up as a groomsmen or bridesmaid is always awesome, but it’s even better when the two sweeties getting married take care of all of the details. With Generation Tux, you can chat with your Stylist, select outfits for every member of your bridal party, send out email invites to view styles and then let the team at Generation Tux handle the rest with automatic reminders to collect measurements (your guys can measure at home!) and payment. It’s sooo easy to organize your entire group… even if they live across the country!

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FIVE: INSIST ON HIGH-QUALITY

You want only the best for your dudes and Generation Tux totally gets that. Which is why every piece of amazing attire they offer is developed as part of George Zimmer’s private label and is just as luxurious and classic as you want. Think suits and tuxes with a higher thread count and finer quality of wool, 100% cotton shirts with adjustable button tab necks, convertible cuffs and placket, 100% silk fashion ties in a beautiful assortment of colors (with FlexFit!) and modern and slim fit options. They even offer boys’ sizes in tuxes and suits, so your ring bearers will look just as fabulous.

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Ready to tackle that groom + groomsmen style with a whole lot of help from Generation Tux? Visit them now to start the easiest part of planning your Big Day and make ALL the men in your life happy. Grooms even receive a free suit with the rental of 6+ in their bridal party. We love that.

Just for SMP readers: Get 20% off a tuxedo or suit rental with the code SMP17!*

*Discount can only be applied as part of a minimum purchase of $129. Promo code must be entered at checkout. Valid for one-time use only. Any unused amounts of the discount are forfeited. Discount cannot be applied to rush fees, taxes or alterations. Discount offer may not be combined with other offers or be redeemed for cash or credit. Offer valid for rental items only. Discount expires 12.31.2017 at 11:59PM EST.

Photography: Ken Kienow Wedding Photography | Photography: Ken Kienow Wedding Photography | Photography: Grayson Wilder | Photography: Marc & Anna Photo and Film | Wedding Venue: Condors Nest Ranch | Stylist: Becca Goldman

Not only is Michelle Elaine one of New York’s most sought-after wedding planners, but she’s an avid marathoner and certified personal trainer. She loves helping brides whip into shape before the Big Day, and Michelle is sharing some of her favorite slim down moves you can do just about anywhere. Pair this nine-step circuit with a clean eating plan and you’ll see big results in no time.

Lie on your right side keeping a steady form with your shoulders, chest, hips and legs in line with one another (*If you find yourself leaning forward or backward, and/or having difficulty keeping your balance just lean down on your elbow instead of fully extending your right arm.) You’re going to hold this position for 30-60 seconds, then switch to your left side and hold for another 30-60 seconds.

Get into a full plank position, as if you are about to start a push-up. From here, bring down your right arm and then your left so you get yourself into a plank position, and then lift your arms back up, leading with your right arm into that full plank position. You will keep bringing your arms down and up for 30-60 seconds, then switch to start with your left arm & perform for another 30-60 seconds.

Similar to the Tree Plank except this time both legs are fully extended and you will now dip your side down to just touch the ground and then bring back up. Perform these dips for 30-60 seconds and then switch to your opposite side for another 30-60 seconds.

Get into a full plank position and just place your left arm behind your back. Hold your body steady, don’t dip your hips down or push your butt up. Hold this position for 30-60 secondsand then switch arms.

This one is a little tough! Get into full plank position and then raise your right arm and left leg, hold for 30-60 seconds and then switch for left arm and right leg. (*This may be difficult to keep balance, if you need to, just kneel on the balancing leg.)

Get down on all fours and just lift your right foot to a 90-degree angle/hip height so that your foot is flat to the ceiling. Press up for a few inches as you bring that foot up and then lower back down and repeat for 30-60 seconds. Switch to your left foot & repeat for another 30-60 seconds.

Balance yourself into a full plank position with either a yoga ball or medicine ball and then lift your left leg and hold for 30-60 seconds while keeping balance. Then switch to your right leg & hold for another 30-60 seconds. (*The yoga ball, and/or a medicine ball will add difficulty so you can certainly opt for just having hands flat on the ground instead.)

Exactly what you’re thinking, just a basic push-up! But push-ups can transform your upper body & muscle tone! Start in a full plank position and then bring your body down & push-up. (*If you feel your hips sinking or your butt pushing up, place both knees down for assistance & keep the body steady.) Perform 10-15 push-ups.

Stand straight, head, shoulders, hips and feet aligned. Cross left arm over right & hold at a 90-degree angle, then lunge forward with your left leg. Continue to lunge forward alternating legs for 30-60 seconds. Then hold the lunge for 30-60 seconds and switch, this time starting with the right leg.

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Pair this Workout With Clean Eating for Max Results!

Photography: Laura Barisonzi | Make Up : Zann Parker | Hair: Styles On B | Sky Gallery: Sky Gallery | Trainer: Michelle Elaine Weddings

This wedding takes the idea of mixing styles to a whole new level. From the Old World charm of Greystone Mansion to the sleek modern glamour of the SLS Hotel, it’s combining both in a two venue celebration with planning by Lifetime Creation and the prettiest green garlands and florals by Wen Floral Design Studio. Go from charming garden to ghost chair infused reception with images by Koman Photography and even more right here.

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From the bride… We’ve always envisioned having our wedding at a classic & modern space. It was a great decision to have our ceremony in the Greystone mansion and indoor reception in SLS Hotel. On the ceremony, I wore the classic white wedding gown and my husband chose the classic black tuxedo. In order to matching the modern chic venue for reception, I changed to a black wedding dress and my husband wore a white tuxedo to match my dress. One of the biggest focuses of our wedding was making sure that our wedding is more like a fun party rather than a formal wedding. We created an intimate feel by arranging the dinner tables into 3 long rows. We used white and gold as our theme color and decorated the table by using the garden style flower centerpiece. Our wedding day was truly the happiest days of our lives.

Videographer: Noteworthy Weddings | Wedding Planner: Lifetime Creation | Floral Design: Wenfloral Design Studio | Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige | Wedding Cake: Sweet Lady Jane | Ceremony Venue: Greystone Mansion | Reception Venue: SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills | Hair and Makeup: Chiali Meng | DJ: Soulcirque | Groom's Attire: Giorgio Armani | Ceremony Band: Seaside Strings | Lighting Design: TMMPRO | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Photo Booth: Hey! Booth | Reception Dress: Vera Wang | Vintage Rentals: Party Unlimited | Wedding Photographers: Koman Photography

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Photography

Koman Photography

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With the ceremony at a Presbyterian church and the reception at a modern industrial venue in the middle of Chicago, this couple perfectly mixed tradition into their chic city wedding. The trendy design elements, including an iron gate escort display and a donut dessert wall, are wedding details made in heaven in my mind! Big City Bride lead the planning of this gorgeous event and Riverbend Studio captured every last detail.

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Photography : Riverbend Studio | Videography: Highway 61 Films | Event Planning : Chrissy Magliano and Susan Cordogan, Big City Bride | Floral Design: KLA Design | Wedding Dress: Sareh Nouri | Stationary: Kustom Kreations | Ceremony Venue: Fourth Presbyterian Church | Reception Venue: Morgan Manufacturing | Bride's Shoes : Christian Louboutin | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering : LIMELIGHT food illuminated | Makeup : Juli Valdez | Hair : Magnificent Brides | Lighting : Frost Chicago | Band : Gold Coast All Stars | Favors : Glazed And Infused | Host Hotel : Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara | Linen: M M Rental | Linen: Tabletoppers | Linen : BBJ La Tavola | Lounge Furniture : Bowery And Bash | Photo Booth : Brooke Courtney Photography | Print Matierals : Kustom Kreations | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: RM Champagne Salon | Rentals: Tablescapes Event Rentals | Rentals: Halls Rental

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Consider this wedding photographed by Gideon Photography your virtual vacation to the beaches of Cancun. Think toes in the sand, sun in the sky, and love everywhere you look. Oh, and the pretty florals by VANESSA JAIMES Floral Design don’t hurt one bit either. More to see this way!

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Clarianne and Brian had their amazing destination wedding on the beach in Cancun Mexico. Their ceremony on the sand with the azure blue Caribbean at their feet was breathtaking. Their reception feet away at the grand palapa at the Finest Playa Mujeres resort was absolutely stunning. Both Clarianne and Brian traveled from Canada with their families to Mexico for their destination wedding.

The decor by Archive Events was beautiful. Much of the sign elements and fans were made by the bride who is also a designer. This was a party to remember! The dancing was amazing with Clarianne and Brian having their first dance to their guests holding sparklers at dusk. Their photos along the beach were perfect, with the breeze cooling off the scorching Mexican sun.

Photography: Gideon Photography | Event Planning: Archive Rentals | Floral Design: VANESSA JAIMES Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Hayley Paige | Wedding Dress: Hailey Paige | wedding stationery: Lace and Confetti Design Studio | Rings: James Allen | Groom's Attire: The Helm Clothing | Wedding Venue: Finest Playa Mujeres | Bridal Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar

There’s no place like home and these two knew that when planning their special day. So while they may now reside in Northern Cali, Maui will always be where their heart is and thus, where they decided to say “I do”. With color and whimsy, they celebrated surrounded by family and friends, with Jasmine Lee and HI Focused Cinematography capturing it all. Head to our Vault to see more!

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From the Bride… When I first met Jordan in high school, I never imagined that the smart but incredibly goofy boy would change my life forever. As our friendship evolved into a relationship while we were both in college at different schools, we endured years of living hundreds of miles apart and seeing each other only a few times a semester. Sharing in the misery of late night studying and deliriously catching up with each other at 2:00am on a regular basis helped us to learn how to support each other, even from afar. Many of our phone conversations revolved around the excitement of being reunited during school breaks, when we both returned to the place we called home – Maui.

Although our careers have found us a new home in Northern California, when it was time to select a wedding location, we knew that nowhere would be as special as Maui. Choosing a venue was slightly more difficult since the island offers a variety of perfectly romantic, tropical backdrops. However, as soon as we visited the Olowalu Plantation House, we were sold. We were immediately blown away by the quaint beachfront property with a stunning panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and lush backyard shaded by beautiful banyan and palm trees. As we walked through the venue, we imagined how we could transform this breathtaking space into an intimate setting for our family and friends to enjoy cocktails during sunset and to dance the night away under the starry sky.

In planning the wedding, we tried to incorporate details to highlight our personality as a couple. One of our guilty pleasures is playing lottery scratchers, so we made DIY escort card scratchers for our guests to find their table numbers. For wedding favors, we wanted to get something useful but fun. We ordered custom-designed luggage tags to showcase our love for travel and adventure. I used the calligraphy skills learned in a class I took last fall to write each guest’s name on the luggage tags and had them double as table place “cards”. During cocktail hour, we had a shaved ice station from our favorite local shop to cool our guests off after the ceremony. For the food, we selected items that would satisfy both my foodie soul and Jordan’s love of Asian food. We chose a few creative dishes, such as Krispy Kreme sliders and lilikoi crème brûlée spoons, and also incorporated some of our favorites, like miso butterfish, braised Asian short ribs, and mochi ice cream.

Every moment of our wedding day, from getting ready with our bridal party to the last dance of the evening, was simply magical. It was undoubtedly the best day of our lives, as we got to begin our new chapter as husband and wife surrounded by an endless amount of love and laughter. We are forever grateful to our amazing wedding coordinator and wonderful team of vendors for making our special day truly unforgettable!

Photography: Jasmine Lee Photography | Cinematography: HI Focused Cinematography | Coordination: Your Aloha Wedding Company | Floral Design: Bella Bloom Floral Boutique | Cake: Maui Sweet Cakes | Catering: Sugar Beach Events | Hair + Makeup: Maui Mira | Calligraphy: Miss B Calligraphy | Officiant: Rev. Kimo Kirkman | Ceremony Music: Derick Sebastian | Transportation: Executive Transportation | Venue: Olowalu Plantation House | Bar: Bars Are Us | Ceremony Sound: Take III Productions | DJ/MC: DJ Del Sol | Rentals: Hawaiian Style Event Rentals | Rentals: Island Rents | Rentals: Winters Events | Shave Ice: Ululani's Shave Ice

At the end of each day, I like to acknowledge or jot down a few things that made me smile. On the top of that list today will surely be this slice of garden-inspired goodness from Ivory & Vine Event Co., which ended in THE sweetest real surprise proposal. Fellow wedding lovers, there’s even a video documenting it below!—be sure not to miss it after you peruse all of the lovely captured by Ellen Ashton. P.S. Get a load of those Sarah Seven dresses, dreamy right?

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From Ivory & Vine Event Co.… This shoot was inspired by the Garden of Eden. We wanted to create an intimate wedding scene surrounded by elements of lush floral, greenery and vibrant pops of color to bring the Garden of Eden to life. The White Sparrow Barn made an incredible backdrop, surrounding us with stunning white walls and a grand space to set the stage.

The vibrant, spring color palette of deep berries, pinks, blush and creams helped to add so much color to the neutral walls of the White Sparrow. Kate Foley Designs created an amazing installation of floral and greenery, climbing the walls of the White Sparrow and evoking the feeling of a lush, hidden garden. From the bridal bouquet to the centerpieces, each element was designed with the intention of elevating natural elements into something elegant.

A few weeks into planning the editorial shoot with our model couple, the “groom” reached out to me asking if I would help plan his girlfriend’s proposal at the end of the shoot. He knew she loved The White Sparrow barn and that she would be getting her hair and makeup done specially for the shoot, and decided that it would be a great opportunity to ask for her hand.

We decided to split the shoot in two different sections, the wedding section and the “day after” portraits which have become popular among many couples. During the day-after section, as the models stood in the center of the room, Jaden got down on one knee and proposed. We opened the barn doors to reveal all of Havyn’s best friends standing there with balloons. She was absolutely stunning as she said “yes” to her future groom!

Ellen Ashton did such an amazing job of not only capturing the intricate details of the shoot, but the emotions of the day as well. Her aesthetic eye helped to bring an entirely different perspective into the space, capturing each intimate moment.

Pink Champagne Paper created a gorgeous stationery suite, with so many fun elements. From the custom map of the White Sparrow hand-drawn on textured paper, to the wax seals and barn drawing, each stationery element helped to tie the concept of the piece together.

We were thrilled to showcase two stunning Sarah Seven gowns. For the wedding portion of the shoot, our model wore the Carlisle gown by Sarah Seven. This piece gave a nod to the Garden of Eden concept through it’s illusion lace detailing and floral pattern design. During the day-after section and real proposal moment, our model adorned a buttery-yellow Sarah Seven slip dress, full of movement.

Whisk Until Sweet provided an incredible cake adorned with fresh floral, dripping chocolate and fruit accents to tie in our concept. This two-tiered beauty was simple, but full of so many fun details.

Each moment of this shoot was so truly unique. This team of vendors put so much thought and care into every detail not only to elevate the design, but to give our couple one of the most memorable days of their lives. It was truly an honor to plan something so beautiful for this couple!

Photography: Ellen Ashton Photography | Floral Design: Kate Foley Designs | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Cake: Whisk Until Sweet | Stationery: Pink Champagne Paper | Jewelry: Trumpet & Horn | Suit: The Black Tux | Wedding Venue: The White Sparrow | Dress Boutique: a&be bridal shop | Hair and Makeup Artist: Meg B | Planning and Design: Ivory & Vine Event Co. | Rentals: Rent My Dust | Ribbon: Bellame Ribbon

With every wedding feature I have the honor of putting together, I usually have a first impression moment. This one? Was most definitely the gorgeous Bride in that Pronovias dress. Mr. Dax McCarty, you are one lucky Groom sir. And then you’ve got these two cuties that are the cherry on top. Get ready to smile in The Vault with Kristen Weaver‘s captures.

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From Kristen Weaver… Dax and Jen met on the campus of Rollins College nearly a decade ago. Now, the MLS Soccer star (formerly captain of the NY Red Bulls) and his college sweetheart chose the chapel at Rollins to marry! They’re wedding was simple and classic. Jenn wore a stunning Pronovias gown from Kleinfeld Bridal and Dax wore a sophisticated black tuxedo. Their dogs were front and center—Coji and Bali wore floral collars and joined their guests for the ceremony.

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Photography: Kristen Weaver Photography | Cinematography: Velare | Floral Design: Pixies & Petals | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: It’s Tasty Too | Invitations: SignatureNicole | Ceremony Venue: Knowles Memorial Chapel | Reception Venue: Interlachen Country Club | Makeup: Brie & Brie | Band: Brian Kirk And The Jirks | Bridal Salon: Kleinfeld Bridal | Getting Ready: Park Plaza Hotel | Musician: Classern String Quartet

This is office is the kind of spot that I would happily move right into and probably one that employees don’t mind logging extra hours in. From bold wallpaper to Gray Malin views and lighting that completely steals the show, tour this gorgeous  Tribeca workspace of Bollare captured by Julia Robbs and prepare to fall hard for walls that make a statement.

Bollare, bi-coastal style and communications firm and newest SERMO partner, officially opened its recently renovated office at 16 Vestry Street in Tribeca. Celebrating the historic neighborhood while staying true to the agency’s surf culture roots, Bollare’s Principal Alle Fister re-imagined the space by incorporating vibrant wallpapers designed by Christian Lacroix and Fornasetti, hanging rattan chairs and custom live greenery wall, while maintaining the original hardwood flooring and industrial feel.

 Finishing touches include hand selected artwork from fine art photographer and Bollare client, Gray Malin, unique finds from Mexico and Europe, as well as affordable statement pieces, such as the chandeliers from Anthropologie.

 By capturing the open floorpan, natural lighting and high ceilings, Bollare Tribeca encompasses Los Angeles style in a downtown New York locale.

What inspired the design of your office?

Bollare has offices coast to coast, and a presence worldwide, and it is important that while we’re building the DNA and amplifying the voices of our brands, that we too, cement our voice.

Bollare’s style vibe is rooted in bold movement, aloha spirit and passion- evoking prints. This looks spans not only our offices, but ideally all of the visual elements Bollare creates around the world!

Tell us about that wallpaper!

We’re definitely not fearful of a bold paper print! The papers are from Christian Lacroix and Fornasetti. We loved the richness of each of the prints – each with their own energy yet embracing a cohesive vibe together!

What is your absolute favorite detail?

The living wall! Bringing a bit of the outside IN, especially in the cold NYC winters adds such a great energy! I also really love the executive offices that embrace the industrial, with metal and glass desks, but share our bohemian spirit accented with eqiupale chairs and , styled with shearling throws.

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Photography: Julia Robbs | Office: Bollare

If you’ve ever dreamed of channeling Cinderella vibes on your big day, take note from Katie who wore a Monique Lhuillier gown fit for a princess. The fabulous Janelle on Location made sure the hair and makeup were totally on point, and wedding pros NST Pictures and Christy Nicole Photography captured the day from start to finish. Have a look at the film below + the full image gallery for so much more.

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From the photographer… The Hamilton Farms Golf Club was the perfect setting for Katie & Matt’s elegant blush chic inspired wedding. From the English brick estate to the interior charm, it was as if the venue was created just for them. The bridal suite had green and blush tones that beautifully complemented all of Katie’s bridal details. Some of my favorite details included her florals designed by Blue Jasmine, as well as her custom illustrations included in her invitation suite by Design House of Moria. The day began with opening bottles of champagne to celebrate and a little bridesmaid fun, which included dance competitions and jumping on the bed in Pretty Plum Sugar robes. Katie stepped into a gorgeous Monique Lhuillier princess-style ball gown complemented by a beautiful jeweled crown by Nina Shoes. The wedding ceremony and reception incorporated mirror elements to tie in Katie’s mirror proposal. Katie & Matt even danced their first dance to “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake. They ended their wedding day with a fun sparkle send off with their wedding guests which really highlighted the excitement of their wedding celebration.

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From the bride… Matt and I met while working at a job that neither of us particularly liked but really didn’t mind going to every day because we got to see one another. We clicked instantly and Matt made me laugh every single day at work. After only 6 months of working together, we just couldn’t deny the feelings! We started spending time together outside of work – going out to dinner, seeing movies and just making any excuse to see each other (other than at work, that is). After a month of dates, our favorite time of the year was near – Christmas! Matt got us tickets to the Radio City Christmas show. We ventured into the city, saw the show, had dinner at a very romantic restaurant (that Matt had chosen) and went to see the tree. It was the absolute perfect night….. Only to get better when Matt asked me to officially be his girlfriend. We have continued our “Christmas city tradition” each year by going to the city, seeing a Christmas show, having dinner and seeing the tree.

After moving in together, getting a puppy, COUNTLESS Mets games and enjoying our lives together, 3 years had gone by and we were getting ready for our annual night in NYC. As I was upstairs getting ready, Matt was downstairs setting up a little (MAJOR) surprise for me. I came downstairs to him saying “Look what the dog did…” Trying to find something in pieces, ripped or destroyed, I was clueless. Matt told me to look and points to “Will You Marry Me?” written on our mirror with a ring box sitting on the table below it. I couldn’t believe it. It was the best day ever!

For the wedding, I knew that I wanted an outdoor, white-tent setting in a gorgeous princess-like gown. That vision was basically our exact wedding. I always dreamt it would be the most amazing day of my life and it truly was! Creating a gorgeous wedding was something I did with so much enthusiasm and passion that it encouraged me to start my own event planning business.

Our color palette was blush and gold and my overall style vision was romantic, chic and traditional. All elements came together to create a pastel vibe that is completely me! There was a bit of blush pink in everything at our wedding – from the bridesmaid’s dresses, to a blush underlay in my own gown, to our flowers and our invitations. The pop of metallic gold really brought everything together without taking away from the romantic mood we set. What unique elements or DIY details did you include? When we got engaged, my (now) husband proposed to me at home by writing out “Will You Marry Me?” on a mirror in our living room. I wanted to bring that unique and special element into our wedding and so we had calligraphy mirror signs everywhere – a welcome mirror sign, ceremony and bridal party information mirror sign, signature drinks mirror sign and our table numbers were written out on small mirrors. We also had unique custom stationery all created by Design House of Moira.

Victoria (from Design House of Moira) truly captured our romantic blush daydream in all of the stationary and even included a sketch of our venue and re-created the venue’s crest with mine and my husband’s initials on our invitations…. And let’s not forget about her amazing calligraphy work that was also featured on all of those pieces. It made for a truly customized day dedicated to us as a couple. Another unique element I had to have was florals and greenery everywhere. I just think of flowers when I think of the word romantic and so we did as much floral work as possible. Our florist, Blue Jasmine created the most beautiful, lush floral arch for our ceremony and added floral details to our escort display, mirrors throughout our wedding and our sweetheart table. My bridal bouquet along with the bridesmaid bouquets truly capitalized on the romantic theme. We stuck with the blush and pastel theme – but added a pop of darker color with anemones. Our adorable flower girl wore a baby’s breath flower crown.

I got my gown from Kleinfeld’s and I walked in saying that I wanted something different from what every other bride was getting. I tried on the princess-like Monique Lhuillier gown that had tiers on tiers and a blush underlay. I just knew it was the one! Slipping into my dress on my wedding day, I just didn’t want to take it off! It was so beautiful and I really wish I could wear it every day of my life.

My advice to other brides is to ENJOY YOUR DAY! At the end of the day, it’s all about you and your new husband being happy and starting a life together. This is the day to celebrate you both!

Photography: Christy Nicole Photography | Videography: NST Pictures | Event Planning: Fashionably Kate Events | Floral Design: Blue Jasmine | Cake: The Vintage Cake | Invitations: Design House Of Moira | Wedding Bands: Kay Jewelers | Bridesmaid Dresses: JLM Couture, Inc | Hair & Makeup: Janelle on Location | Calligraphy: Design House Of Moira | DJ: Unbreakable Entertainment | Venue: Hamilton Farm Golf Club | Bridal Crown: Nina | Bridal Gown: Monique Lhuillier | Bridal Heels: Badgley Mischka | Bridal Salon: Kleinfeld Bridal | Bridesmaid Dress Salon: Bella Bridesmaid | Bridesmaid PJ's: Plum Pretty Sugar | Earrings: J.Crew | Groom & Groomsmen attire: Tuxedo by Sarno | Vintage Rentals: Trunk Vintage Rental

When Shyler and Trevor bought their first home together, they got it with the dream of a backyard wedding. Nearly 13 months later, they managed to completely transform the setting into a charming garden venue perfect for the occassion. Their labor of love paid off in a big way, and we have all the images from the lens of Becca Lea.

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From the Bride… Trevor and I met while I was working at a hotel in Dallas as a hostess in the restaurant. I had a friend that worked with me that asked if I could fill in for her one night at neighboring establishment, which was down the street. I walked in to fill in for her and met Trevor, who was the general manager. We went on our first date on New Year’s Day, about 2 months after I had begun working with him. During that first month of work, before the night got busy, I was telling a story to the cocktail waitresses in the hallway. Trevor was walking up behind me trying to pass through the group, and I accidentally backhanded him in the face, as I tend to talk with my hands. We had a good laugh and we like to say that the first time I slapped him in the face is the first time we both knew we might be meant for each other.

Trevor and I had been together 6 years when we got engaged so we have had a lot of time to think about our wedding and dream about different options. We had always talked about buying a house together with the intention of getting married in the backyard. We were fortunate enough to be able to make our wedding dream come true and buy a home in a wonderful Dallas neighborhood in July of 2015. We spent nearly 13 months tackling different projects in preparation for the big day – redoing the driveway, adding double doors to the backyard, building a backyard deck, removing and adding trees and plants, and re-sodding the front and back yard among other things. It was a lot of hard work but all very much worth it. Our families and friends and especially my father was able to help us out with much of the hard work. Trevor is the Beverage Director and cocktail creator where he works in Dallas. That being said, he had the food and beverage portion of our event covered. The wedding inspiration was a combination of the personality of a beverage director/cocktail creator and myself, a free-spirited holistic nutrition-trained clinical director of a wellness center and part-time yoga instructor.

Finding the right gown was very important to me. I dragged my sister Shane all over town trying on different wedding gowns. She was wonderful and very patient with me! I guess most women understand how important the gown can be on your wedding day. I had it in my head that I wanted a long sleeve dress with lace, but I kept trying on all different styles of dresses in case I fell in love with one that I wasn’t expecting. I went to Neiman Marcus with my future mother in law at the time. I have a great memory of us drinking champagne and trying on dresses. In the end, I fell in love with my Romona Kaveza long sleeve wedding dress. I am very happy with how my dress turned out. The associates at Neimans took wonderful care of me and added a little layer of lace to the bottom of my dress to make sure that it was long enough.

Our wedding was planned with Lindsey Zamora as my stylist and planner. She was so amazing! We became friends through the wedding planning process. It was wonderful to have her by my side for everything. She helped me create a clear vision for the garden inspired wedding that Trevor and I wanted to achieve, and then she executed everything just the way we had dreamed it up together. Becca Lea Photography was another huge part of the wedding planning process. She was so kind and gave me so many recommendations that helped get the planning process started. I feel very fortunate to have had the team around us that we did for the wedding, and we couldn’t have done it without our hospitality connections. It was great to feel like we were surrounded by people that really cared about us and our wedding day. We love them all and will always remember everything they did for us during our wedding.

Photography: Becca Lea Photography | Cinematography: Adam Paul Stone Productions | Event Planning: Lindsey Zamora | Cake: Unrefined Bakery | Cake: Kozy Kitchen | Invitations: Crane & Company From Needle In A Haystack | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Caterer: NL Group - Taylor Kerney | Band: Corey Breedlove | Groom's Attire: Hugo Boss | Venue: Private Residence | Beauty : Maitee Miles | Bride's Dress: Romona Keveza | Escort Cards: Lindsey Zamora | Escort Chart Crest: Fig & Flourish | Floral Design - Bouquets: Stems Of Dallas | Reception Floral Design: Lindsey Zamora | Rentals : Posh Couture Rentals

You know we’re never ones to turn down a reason to celebrate, so when Wedding Paper Divas told us they were honoring their 11-year anniversary with a fab discount (40% off, y’all!), we decided it deserved a little extra SMP shout-out. Our special gift? A list of our fave personalized wedding invitation details, aka, our love song to the place where convenience, style and cost make one awesome combo. Pop the bubbly and dive into our party below.

ONE: FOIL STAMPING

When we find a detail we l.o.v.e, we sing it from the mountaintops. And when it comes to the fab foil stamping options at Wedding Paper Divas, we’ve been telling everyone we know. That’s because foil stamping adds such a touch of style to your Big Day, and with gorgeous color options (gold, silver, rose gold and copper) and crazy cool personalization options, it’s one of the best details you could add to your invites… ever.

TWO: LETTERPRESS

We’re big fans of the tried and true, and nothing screams “classic beauty” like letterpress printing. A time-honored printing process that is equal parts organic and traditional, this visual stunner is made to impress and really set the tone for your luxurious party. In other words? We’re obsessed with letterpress from Wedding Paper Divas… for the stunning craftsmanship and superior quality.

THREE: LASER CUT

Want to make an amazing first impression? Laser cut invites from Wedding Paper Divas are the way. A cutting-edge technique that seriously stands out, it’s an awesome way to set the tone for a wedding that is one part elegant and one part insanely cool. From simple stars to intricate lace tapestries, you’ll get that WOW design you’ve always wanted, all in a fab range of styles – from contemporary to totally romantic.

FOUR: PHOTOS

We hear time and time again that when it comes to planning your Big Day, personalization is your number one priority. So what is more “you” than an invite that boasts your smiling faces? (Answer: nothing.) From classic to vintage to rustic to modern, Wedding Paper Divas has a plethora of invite options that will showcase your smiling mugs… and do so beautifully. This is honestly a detail we can’t get enough of.

FIVE: THERMOGRAPHY

One thing we know for certain? You don’t have to sacrifice style for affordable stationery. And with thermography printing from Wedding Paper Divas, you’ll be impressing your guests with an amazing printing process that looks like fine engraving… at a fraction of the cost. It’s chic, it’s refined and it’s as elegant as you ever wanted. What’s better than that?

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SIX: PERSONALIZED POSTAGE

Your stationery suite is the very first impression you’ll make when it comes to your wedding day, so we suggest spending just as much time on the envelopes as you do the actual invitation. And when it comes to details we absolutely adore, Wedding Paper Divas’ personalized postage options are the perfect way to show off your stylish side. Think stunning designs (or your smiling mugs!) letting your guests know that this day is going to be as creative and thoughtful as you and your loved one.

SEVEN: CUSTOM ENVELOPES

And speaking of the envelope… Wedding Paper Divas has you totally covered when it comes to envelope style. I’m talking seriously stunning options that coordinate with your invitation suite, from the amazing colors to the fab design. I mean, why should your envelope be left out of the party? It shouldn’t, you guys.

EIGHT: ADDRESS LABELS

You know what’s convenient AND totally chic? Wedding Paper Divas’ options in address labels. It’s the perfect way to add a little pizazz to your invites, all while saving you the time-consuming task of addressing your envelopes by hand. It’s “goodbye” wrist cramps and “hello” gorgeous first impression. We are sooo on board with that.

NINE: ENVELOPE ADDRESSING

You know what’s better than custom envelopes from Wedding Paper Divas? Custom envelopes with FREE address printing. And not just any old address printing… address printing in any color or font of your choosing which will totally save you time + money AND make your envelopes look absolutely gorg. It’s a win-win in every which way, lovelies.

TEN: BELLY BANDS

When you’ve spent hours choosing the perfect pieces for your invitation suite, tying them all together in a pretty, pretty package is key. Which is why we’re all about Wedding Paper Divas’ belly bands, a romantic + totally traditional way to wrap your stunning pieces in one cohesive (+ insanely beautiful) presentation. From the luxurious paper to the personalization options to the self-adhesive wrap, it’s an absolute must.

ELEVEN: ENVELOPEMENTS®

Looking for that extra layer of sophistication? Then meet Wedding Paper Divas’ lineup of Envelopments®, the luxurious organizational tools (hello, Layered Cards and Pocket Folds) that add a touch of glamour to your invitation suite, all while keeping everything tucked away for easy access. It’s basically the prettiest way ever to present your Big Day, which is why we’re calling it the detail you just can’t do without… literally.

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Ready to throw on those dancing shoes and celebrate Wedding Paper Divas’ anniversary with some must-have details AND a fabulous discount? We don’t blame you. Head to Wedding Paper Divas now to start perusing the pretty… this is one celebration you can’t miss out on.

There’s quite a bit that goes into planning a wedding day itself. And then, you have to consider all of the events leading up to your Big Day, including the last hurrah—the rehearsal dinner. If you’re on the edge like I was, we’ve got Nancy Liu Chin joining us today with three very good reasons to do one, including a bit of tablescape candy thanks to Bright Event Rentals, La Tavola and Three Little Words. Head to The Vault for the full gallery captured by Kevin Chin!

Wedding Weekend First Impression

More and more couples are choosing the rehearsal and its subsequent dinner as a time to spend quality time with those important out of town guests and introducing families members to each other. Whether you’ve given any thought to your rehearsal dinner or not, it’s become a crucial part of the whole wedding experience (proving often a rehearsal dinner is a kick off point to a weekend filled with wedding activities). And like the wedding, the rehearsal dinner is an opportunity to set a tone.

It’s an Ice Breaker

Perhaps you’ve decided on a formal sit-down reception for your wedding, in contrast a rehearsal dinner could take on a more relaxed and fun atmosphere. A boisterous restaurant, bowling alley or perhaps a pizza parlor might be your thing when looking for a place that all your guests can attend. Perhaps that relaxed atmosphere is more suitable for roasts than your formal wedding reception. Give your intimate family and friends free reign at the rehearsal to go for it. The mic’s theirs. Plus, you’ll will free up mic time during the wedding reception.

Intimate Time with Family

For others, the rehearsal dinner is a family affair. It’s maybe the first time both families have met and thus a quiet family rehearsal dinner is more to your taste. For me personally, I’m more the family affair and this inspired shoot is just that. An iconic San Francisco restaurant, Crystal Jade, was picked for this inspired rehearsal dinner shoot featuring a long medium wood king’s table, custom Asian inspired chairs, bright and pastel floral in gold containers, open gold lanterns, gold accented china and glassware, and simple blush paper goods to compliment the restaurant’s airy decor.

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Photography: Kevin Chin | Floral and Event Design: Nancy Liu Chin | Invitations: Three Little Words | Reception Venue: Crystal Jade | Makeup: Maria Chang, Professional Makeup Artistry | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Rentals: BBJ La Tavola

What do you get when you combine the vibes of Old World Europe with the modern, chic design sensibilities of Eventi Floral & Events? This inspiration shoot, that’s what. Go ahead and get comfortable, because we’re pretty sure you’ll want to stay in this gallery a good, long while.

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From Eventi Floral & Events… We went into the shoot dreaming of Old World Europe peppered with modern touches so the Tuscan feel of Stone Tower Winery was the perfect location. The loose and organic bridal bouquet, the lace detailing on the dress, and the embroidered suede ballet flats kept things soft and romantic.

At the same time, we wanted to anchor the tablescape so we used a heavier velvet linen paired with metal and wood café chairs. Some extra special elements were the mini cheesecakes provided by Heirloom DC at each guest’s place settings as well as the vintage knife rests.

Photography: Amelia Johnson Photography | Wedding Dress: Love Couture Bridal | Stationery: The Dandelion Patch | Bride's Shoes: Aerin | Ring: Trumpet & Horn | Catering: Heirloom Catering & Event Design | Hair + Makeup: Behind The Veil | Men's Attire: Menguin | Desserts: Catherine George Cakes | Floral Design + Styling: Eventi Floral & Events | Food Stylist: Heirloom Catering & Event Design | Model: Meghan | Napkins: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Party Rental LTD | Winery: Stone Tower Winery

When you’re a fashion designer like this stunner Bride, it’s pretty much a given that you’re going to steal the show at your own wedding. Can you even with this portrait? Talk about bridal glow. With the help of planner, Francesca Stunell, the entire day was equally as gorgeous, set at Villa Aurelia in Rome. Who wouldn’t want to sit at this wedding table… immerse yourself in the full romance with images from Gianluca and Mary Adovasio in The Vault.

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From the Wedding Planner, Francesca Stunell… This sweet couple decided to get married in one of the most elegant and impressive Villas in all of Rome! The bride Lilian is a fashion designer, the owner and creator of the precious handbag line named L’Afshar. A gorgeous girl with a beautiful soul! She tied the knot to entrepreneur and founder of Marz Global, Khalid. They met in 2012 in Dubai.

Their ceremony was held in the coveted Secret Garden of this Historic 17th Century Villa Aurelia, just before sunset. The Villa is just 10 minutes from the city centre, located up high on Rome’s Janiculum hill, allowing the guests a panoramic view over the whole of the Eternal City.

The bride made her grand entrance with a gorgeous custom-made Italian wedding dress. It was designed by an Italian designer and seamstress in Rome, at the boutique of Glen Spose. Lilian knew exactly what she wanted: beautiful and precious lace sleeves and a “mantilla” (a particular type of lace veil) to complete the beauty of this dress.

To complete her elegant look, stunning shoes by Sergio Rossi and accessories by …well..herself! In fact, she even made her own bridal clutch bag with their initals, L + K, and another one with their wedding date, XXI.X.XVI (21st October 2016 in Roman numerals). She walked down the aisle with her father to the sound of Pachelbel’s Canon by a string quartet.

The welcome cocktail was held in the Italian Gardens, whilst the dinner was served on long imperial tables in the Lemon Garden, outside of the Villa’s impressive facade! The color palette and vision was clean lines, ivory with touches of gold and some lush deep red and blush pink to add romance! The floral decor was designed by Urooj Goplani of the Bliss Flower Boutique. The arrangements was made of O’Hara pink roses, amaranthus, fresh cranberries with lots of candles to create the magical atmosphere by night! The onsite florist in Rome used for the creation of the design was Bloemen.

We wanted to create a wedding that was elegant and effortlessly stylish like the Bride, authentically Italian but charmingly fun! The Photo Booth was a vintage vespa covered in flowers and gorgeous handmade lace umbrellas, the food was as delicious as it was eye catching and it was the perfect blend of formal but relaxed.

Cashmere pashminas were draped on chairs for the chillier Roman autumn evenings – the weather was touch and go but thankfully it all went perfectly and therefore dined under the stars! The party dined on Prawn & Amalfi lemon risotto, Eggplant, tomato and basil flan, Beef and Seabass! To complete, a traditional Italian wedding cake covered with chantilly cream and wild berries. After the dinner, the guests moved inside the Villa to dance the night away. At the stroke of midnight, a fleet of Mercedes cars came to take the guests home (or to their after party of choice!) An amazing late October wedding to complete our busy summer season!

Photography: Gianluca And Mary Adovasio | Videographer: FDS | Wedding Planner: The Italian Wedding Event by Federica Nascimben | Floral Design: Bliss Flower Boutique | Wedding Dress: Glen Spose | Shoes: Sergio Rossi | Rings: Harry Winston | Catering: California Catering Roma | DJ: Simone Alinari | Celebrant: TUSCANPLEDGES | Vintage Car: Fiani | Wedding Venue: Villa Aurelia | Floral Creation: Bloemen | Hair & Make up: Mauro Lulli | Handbag: L'AFSHAR | Music : La Semicroma | Vespa: Italian Vintage Garage

This is not your typical wedding film. First off, these cuties eloped to Ruby Beach in Washington State, with the most stunning views all around. The Bride wore a bedazzling cream gown and instead of lighting a candle during their ceremony, they shared a piece of chocolate (seriously, does it get any better!?). From this creativity to their overflowing love for one another, With This Ring Wedding Films captured it all. We have a feeling we’ll be seeing many more tasty ceremony touches to come this year…

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From With This Ring Wedding Films… It’s SO hard keeping a secret!

While most wedding cinematographers are slowing down at the start of a new year, we were flying cross-country a few weeks ago to film Danielle and Brandon’s elopement in Forks, Washington. We arrived in Seattle late Friday evening, drove four hours through the snowy roads of Olympic National Park, and awoke Saturday morning to crisp air and the excitement that a very special day was ahead. A couple hours of bridal and groom prep at a local bed & breakfast, a first look nestled under a giant redwood tree, vows on the incredibly beautiful Ruby Beach, and a special chocolate ceremony – this one’s a stunner, you guys!

Today, these two officially announced their elopement to family and friends so we can finally share (*woot!*) their film with all of you. A special thanks to Kayla Coleman Photography, Celebrations by Amber, hair and makeup artist Alena Adragna, and coordinator B. & Co. Weddings. You were all amazing!

We hope you enjoy Danielle and Brandon’s cinematic elopement film!

Photography: Kayla Coleman Photography | Cinematography: With This Ring Wedding Films | Coordination: B. & Co. Weddings | Ceremony Venue: Ruby Beach, WA | Hair + Makeup: Alena Adragna | Officiant: Celebrations by Amber | Getting Ready Venue: Misty Valley Inn

Hello again, brides! If you haven’t been able to tell, I’m a lady who loves to plan, but I can also be very indecisive at times. So when it came to selecting a wedding gown, the planner in me paired with my indecisiveness created a challenge. I could not wait to try on wedding dresses, but it didn’t go quite as planned. I’m so excited to share how I ended up with a custom designed wedding dress, and as always, thanks for following along this journey down the aisle.

Like so many of y’all reading, I had dreamt of this day for SO long. The only problem was that with every dress I tried on, there was just something not quite right; something I couldn’t pinpoint (cue the indecisiveness). I found a few dresses that were 99.9999% perfect, but I wanted something 100%. This is not a decision that I could make a mistake with, but it was also a decision that I did not want to wait too long to make (cue being a planner). Goodness gracious.

After hours of researching online and collecting photos that inspired me, I walked into Belle Vie Bridal Couture completely overwhelmed. I could not understand how any woman could say yes to just ONE dress! I felt as if I desired 10 dresses to encompass a little bit of everything I loved….strapless, long sleeved, ball gown, sleek, lace, beading, color…are y’all catching my drift? I loved everything!

But let’s be real, I’m a bride with a budget in mind, and I absolutely could not have 10 dresses. Thank goodness for Amanda Bonnell, owner of Belle Vie Bridal and the creative director at Audrey Grant. Amanda put my mind at ease and ensured me that with a little bit of trust, I could have it all, even with one dress – a custom designed dress.

Trust in your vendors is something I know I mentioned in last month’s post and I will continue to do so because it is of utmost importance when planning a wedding. Being the planner I am, there is no way I could have decided to design my own wedding gown without a designer who I could trust with my vision. Amanda took the time to listen to my likes and dislikes, look at ALL of the pictures I had saved, and after trying on a few dresses, she sketched for me a custom dress with all of my favorite attributes.

Being my own fit model has been such a once in a lifetime experience, and also gives me such peace of mind knowing that tweaks can easily be made. It’s been so amazing to witness Amanda working her magic throughout this process, and I absolutely cannot wait to see this dream gown come to fruition!

To all the brides who are on the journey to finding and/or designing their perfect gown, here is my advice:

DO NOT SETTLE

If something seems off when you’re trying on a wedding gown, it probably is, so be sure to follow your intuition.

ASK QUESTIONS

Designing is an art. Designers have a knowledge, expertise, and eye for details that you and I may not notice or understand.

SPEAK UP

Once you have decided to design your own gown, be sure to voice your opinion along the way. I can guarantee your designer will want you to be ecstatic about the final product and that you said yes to your one-of-a-kind, never duplicated dress.

Until next time!

xoxo, Whitney

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Follow Whitney’s Wedding Journey

Engagement Photos | Planning a Domestic Destination Wedding

Photography: Carly Michelle Photography | Event Planning: Always Yours Events | Wedding Dress: Belle Vie Bridal

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This wedding will make you forget that you are in New Jersey and instead give you the feeling of the English Countryside. Garden florals, climbing ivy and soft pastel hues all played into a day beautifully crafted by Twisted Willow Flowers along with image after stunning image by Michelle Lange Photography. Take a pretty little garden vacay with even more in the vault.

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From the Bride… When planning our wedding, we wanted to keep things simple and keep the focus on our faith, our families coming together, and our relationship. Our venue is so beautiful that I wanted to keep the colors and flowers soft to compliment the beautiful estate. The exterior of Fiddler’s is blooming with flowers and ivy that resemble an English garden, and I was hoping to carry that throughout the wedding.

Joe and I are simple people and we wanted to let our relationship speak for itself when wedding planning. It was also important for us to have everything be truly meaningful: our priest was a former professor of ours from the college where we met, Joe’s uncle was our organist, my very talented friend was our cantor, I did all the calligraphy myself, and my maid of honor put all the little details of the day together. Even though we had over 200 guests, the day felt very intimate and emotional.

My favorite part of planning was dress shopping with my mother and mother-in-law. I kept the dress a secret from everyone else. My favorite “detail” was my “something blue,” an heirloom ring passed down from my mother with my great grandmother’s diamonds. Another favorite detail was the beautiful glass dome centerpiece that my florist created.

While our entire day was perfectly emotional and joyous, the best part of the day for both of us was seeing each other at the church for the first time. Just like we waited until marriage to live together, we waited until my daddy lifted my veil at alter to see each other. It was a feeling of such excitement that cannot be explained! After that, everything felt “right” and our day was relaxed and enjoyable, just as it should be.

Photography: Michelle Lange Photography | Floral Design: Twisted Willow Flowers | Wedding Dress: Essence Of Australia | Cake: Fiddler's Elbow Country Club | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Reception Venue: Fiddler's Elbow Country Club | Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Hair and Makeup: The Beauty Bar New Jersey | Groom's Attire: Vera Wang | Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridal Shop: I Do I Do Bridal | Music: Extreme Excellence DJ's | Veil: Pronovias

“Cultural beauty” is a style term we like to throw around in wedding world, and this day photographed by When He Found Her captures that very sentiment. Mindful to incorporate the both of their backgrounds, the bride said, “When it came to planning our own wedding, it was important to Akshay and I to honor our cultural traditions while being true to ourselves.” Distinct Occasions helped bring that idea to life and the end result is something really special.

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From the Bride… Although our families are originally from India, we come from two unique religions and cultures; Akshay being Hindu and myself Zoroastrian. When it came to planning our own wedding, it was important to Akshay and I to honor our cultural traditions while being true to ourselves. Our ceremonies allowed for many family members to be involved in providing blessings, which was meaningful to us. The modern and clean cherry blossom Mandap created an idyllic scene in front of the Niagara Falls backdrop for both ceremonies. For the Hindu Ceremony, colorful and festive dress and motifs contrasted with the simple, clean white visuals of the Zoroastrian ceremony. I was truly smiling from ear to ear during both ceremonies feeling an overwhelming presence of love from our family and friends come over me.

Our shared passion for photography makes us appreciate natural landscapes and lighting. With this in mind, and given Akshay is from the Niagara region, having a tented winery wedding felt like the right fit. We focused on a classic and soft color palette of blushes, creams, and golds. This design flowed seamlessly from the morning ceremonies to the evening reception. Seeing our guests in their rich and vibrant Indian attire amidst the natural green vines created visual eye candy. With a love for soul, Motown and R&B, the St. Royal’s Band added excitement through the night. The vineyard set the scene for a gorgeous and comfortable space for our loved ones to mingle between courses.

Planning decisions were made with the intention to be genuine to who we are and make our guests feel honored. Our day was modern and timeless while ensuring threads of tradition ran through it. In the morning we had the live sounds of a traditional tablah (drum) player and Indian flute. Elephants were a common element from our stationary, to our dance floor and our cake. Bollywood sets intermittently played through the reception, beautifully bringing together both sides of the family on the dance floor. Our sweets table incorporated colorful Indian mithai (sweets). We readily found ways to integrate these cultural elements into our day in a way that was still true to who we are.

We were fortunate to have the talent of all of our incredible vendors to make our wedding day possible. We entrusted the talents of our outstanding wedding planner Crystal Adair Benning (Distinct Occasions) to help us refine and execute our vision. Our photographer Reid Lambshead (When He Found Her) made us feel wonderfully comfortable and at ease. We are grateful for him to him for capturing these moments so perfectly. Most importantly, we are incredibly thankful to our family and friends who continue to support us with love and good wishes throughout our relationship. Our day celebrated our true love for one another while bringing together the people who mean the most to us, which is all we could have dreamed of.

Photography: Will Reid Photography | Cinematography: Elle & Be Wedding and Lifestyle Cinematography | Event Planning: Distinct Occasions | Cake: Sweet Celebrations Wedding Cakes | Stationery: Paper & Poste | Ceremony Venue: Fallsview Casino Resort | Reception Venue: Chateau Des Charmes | Reception Catering: Queens Landing Catering | Ceremony Catering: Fallsview Casino Resort | Chairs: Detailz Chair Couture | Doves: Wedding Doves | Floral Garland Hindu Wedding: Fancy Florist | Floral Garland Zoroastrian Wedding : PARAS EVENTS | Florals & Ceremony Mandap: Stemz | Florals Ceremony Lunch: The Watering Can | Groom's Tuxedo: Garrison Bespoke | Hindu Ceremony Bride's Clothing: Flaire Fashion | Hindu Ceremony Groom's Clothing: Wellgroomed Designs Inc. | Indian Sweets: Himalaya | Make up/Hair Ceremony: Maria Delduca Hair And Makeup Artistry | Make up/Hair Reception: Amplified Soul Makeup+Hair Couture | Music - Ceremony: Sahil Khan/Dr. Khan | Music - Reception: St. Royal Entertainment | Reception Linens: Around The Table | Reception Outfit - Bride: Wellgroomed Designs Inc. | Reception Tent Draping: Simply Beautiful Decor | Sweet Table: The Sweet Bash Co.