Cultural traditions are what make weddings so incredibly meaningful. They tie the past to the present, and the traditional Chinese tea ceremony is the perfect example. Looking to put a new spin on that cultural sentiment, Jen Huang designed and photographed a morning scene of a bride and groom partaking in a quiet tea ceremony for two. And quite frankly, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend the beginning of your Big Day.

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From Jen Huang… This is a shoot that features a more modern take on the Chinese tea ceremony. In essence, the Chinese tea ceremony is a way of showing respect, between family members. However, in this case it is between bride and groom rather than parents or siblings. It is more of a meditation the morning of their wedding rather than a public show, and it incorporates different aspects of making tea together and enjoying tea together.

Photography: Jen Huang Photography | Hair and Makeup: Chiali Meng | Kitchen Boards: Make & Stow | Kitchen Scene: Jen Huang Photography | Styling + Concept: Jen Huang Photography

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Jen Huang Photography

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When it came time for these two to say “I do”, they decided to recreate the magic of the Bride’s imagination filled childhood, complete with hundreds of colorful butterflies suspended from the tent’s ceiling, creating a whole new world for their guests. This sight alone has us absolutely awe struck to say the least; see it in all it’s glory thanks to Reel Eyes Media’s film right this way!

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From the Bride… Jace and I met through mutual friends when we were both undergrad students at Stanford University. We became close because we were the only two in our friend group who loved Battlestar Galactica so we got together every week to watch it and everyone made fun of us. We were friends for four years before we finally started dating after college. 

Our wedding was held at my family’s ranch where I was born and raised. It was an absolutely magical childhood… I was an only child with an avid imagination and had all sorts of fairy friends down in the creek, was best friends with all the trees and wild animals and had long conversations with them, and held tea parties with butterflies and birds in the garden. I wanted to re-create that magic of the ranch of my childhood for everyone at the wedding, creating a day full of color, imagination, play, and innocence. There was no alcohol at our wedding to respect our families’ beliefs, so we had a mid-day wedding on the summer solstice with face painting, a fairy walk scavenger hunt through the creek, hula hooping, a human nest, boats on the pond, and fun crafts and activities for everyone.  

Our favorite part of the wedding was our ceremony and vows. We wrote them ahead of time but many things were improvised on the day of. Our ceremony was so raw, emotional, but also hilarious and playful, it was completely us! We were also able to really include our whole community and we still feel so close to everyone who was there.

Photography: Kate Webber | Videography: Reel Eyes Media | Event Design: Sillapere Eco Events | Event Planning: Shannon Leahy Events | Cake: Branching Out Cakes | Catering: Componere Fine Catering | Hair + Makeup: Katie Nash Beauty | DJ: Spintronix | Band: Diamond Ridge | Officiant: Dan Quinn | Tent: Zephyr Tents | Ceremony Sound: Island Breeze | Facepainter: Entire Productions | Golf Cart: Nick's Golf Cart | Lifeguard: John LaBarge | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Music: Hannah Larkin & Reed Zelezny | Music: Ben Ahn | Photobooth: Tomfoolery | Portable Toilets: The Water Cottage | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Rentals: Found Rental Co. | Rentals: Encore Event Rentals | Rentals: Archive Rentals | Rentals: Blueprint Studios | Security Guards: Barbier Security | Sound: Delicate Productions | Valet: CPA Valet

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and if you’re planning on getting crazy romantic with the one you love, then we’ve got you covered. Because today we’re breaking down a list of must-have products to throw the ultimate dinner for two, all with the help of The Registry at Bloomingdale’s and kate spade new york. Scroll to get your Cupid on.

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Planning the most amazing meal ever to really, truly impress that special someone? Don’t stress, because The Registry at Bloomingdale’s is here to help with all of those tools you’ll need to channel your inner Martha Stewart. From kitchen must-haves to baking essentials to gorgeous attire, their lineup of fab products will have you rockin’ Valentine’s Day like you didn’t even know you could. Now throw kate spade new york into the mix and you’ve got a romantic evening that is equal parts sophisticated, chic AND colorful. The best way ever to celebrate you and your love? We think so.

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Visit The Registry at Bloomingdale’s today to begin planning that candlelit dinner for two. And don’t forget to ask about their awesome perks + benefits, including amazing Completion Offers, discounts on jewelry and attire, a Registry Checklist, a Thank You Manager and a mobile Big Brown App, which we sooo love.

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Image Credits: 1. Concept, Styling and Design: Glow Event Design 2. Photography: Melanie Duerkopp 3. Floral Design: Nancy Liu Chin Designs 4. La Tavola Fine Linen Rental

Registry Picks: 1. kate spade new york Confetti Dot Bluetooth Speaker 2. kate spade new york Polka Dot Apron 3. kate spade new york Library Library Lane Stemware 4. kate spade new york Pearl Place Rose Bowl 5. kate spade new york Melamine Dinner Plate, Black Stripe 6. kate spade new york Two of a Kind Ours Decanter 7. kate spade new york Percival Place Votive Holder 8. kate spade new york Abington Square Flatware

With music, treats and dancing galore, could there be any better inspiration for your own wedding than the festive Mardi Gras celebrations of New Orleans (we think not!)? Sarah Hall of Joel Event Catering is sharing creative ways to infuse a little of that free-spirited fun into your own special day, from colorful cuisine to the best brass bands around!

Color (or “Cullah” as we like to say!)

The traditional colors for Mardi Gras are purple, green and gold. Not your typical wedding palette, so we suggest recreating it with more subtle cues like purple floral arrangements, gorgeous gilded Venetian masks and green fabric accents (napkins, chair covers).

Creole Cuisine

Some of the best food in our region is associated with Mardi Gras celebrations – jambalaya, etoufee, gumbo and the muddy water favorite, crawfish. To be honest, none of these items make for a beautiful plate in their typical presentation, but this is where our Executive Chef Evan Benson shines – and where you too can be inspired. He elevates Creole dishes into fine dining fare like Blue Crab Beignets with Herb Emulsion, Jambalaya Cakes topped with New Orlean’s Style BBQ Shrimp, Fried Oysters with Merlot Jelly on Brioche Crouton and Truffled Quail Egg Finished with Pink Peppercorn.

Brass Bands + Banjos

While New Orleans literally has a brass band on every corner, it’s a music tradition that exists in most areas of the country. Search for a local brass band, or even a cajun band, that will bring a bit of the bayou sound to your dance floor. And don’t forget the Second Line – that usually takes place on the street between ceremony and reception, but these days it’s totally acceptable to parade around the reception space instead. Your guests will be talking about this experience for years to come.

Bring on the Lagniappe

When looking for those little memory-makers that your guests can take home, consider personalizing a handkerchief, a “lagniappe,” to be waved in the air during your Second Line and taken home as a lovely keepsake for family and friends. Depending on your budget, invest in some beautiful beads to be draped around the room and worn by guests.

Sweet Drinks + Sweet Desserts

You can’t have a Mardi Gras wedding without two things: the Hurricane cocktail and a sugar-dusted, doughy King Cake. Ask your catering team to create a Hurricane from fresh juices – it will make all the difference. And check with a local pastry shop for ideas on how to create a wedding King Cake.

Wedding Planning Secrets

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Wedding Planning Secrets

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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

Williams Sonoma
Animoto
Ada Diamonds

We’re excited to share that Shine invitations is currently offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $500 (US orders only) as well as a free sample kit featuring the invitation of your choice, color charts, paper samples, and an example Save the Date! Don’t miss out!

THIS WEEK’S DISCOUNTS…

For our California Brides… Discount from The Ranch at Laguna Beach and giveaway from Still Music!

For our New England Brides.. Discount from Long’s Jewelers and don’t miss The Wedding Day Expositions South Shore – Cape and Islands Bridal Show on February 12th!

For our Tri-state Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design, and giveaways from NST Pictures, OLLI STUDIO and Sole East Resort!

For our Southeast Brides… Discount from The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village

Event Advice: Joel Event Catering

Eyebrows are everything but most of us aren’t gifted with that natural full brow that is so popular right now. If you’re dying for a flawless eyebrow look but have no clue how to get there, let this little list be your guide. Tucked inside are some of our favorite tried and true products that will fluff, fill and shape your eyebrows into gorgeous perfection. Stock up and get ready to up your brow game.

Best Eyebrow Products

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Best Eyebrow Products

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As a lead designer for Munster Rose, Kelsey has worked behind the scenes on some pretty incredible weddings. So when it came time to plan her own big day, she knew just the dream team for the job. Pulling in awesome vendors like Paper Rock Scissor, Melissa Oholendt and of course the Munster Rose crew, they made the celebration one for remember. Some unexpected rain threatened to ruin the day, but Kelsey said, “It poured. Literally poured. And guess what? It was still perfect.”

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From the bride, Kelsey… As a lead designer for Munster Rose, I was overly excited to plan my own wedding. Working in the industry, I spend my days helping brides make their dream wedding vision come to life through floral and décor. But when it came to making decisions of my own – it proved to be a tougher task. I could envision my dream day, but for some reason, I struggled in conveying this dream into words and through decisions. Crazy – I know.

Luckily for me, I had full faith in my ‘dream team’ of vendors who I have worked with in the past, and in my opinion, could do no wrong. In describing the feel for my day, I wanted something sophisticated, elegant, but with a casual feel. My fiancé and I have always been those who you’d find at a popcorn and peanuts bar with live music, and I wanted our day to reflect our fun, easy demeanor.

In the planning process, all I truly was passionate about was the flowers (duh.). But I also wanted to give my coworkers creative freedom – because I knew they would use the best product/flowers that were available the week of my wedding. I gave them a color scheme, feel, must haves, and let them do the rest. To this day, I could still cry thinking about how much I loved my bouquet. And for someone who makes beautiful floral pieces weekly, this is saying a lot. A LOT.

Seeing weddings every weekend, I did want to try and incorporate things that were unique. We went with gray pillar candles instead of the standard ivory – luckily we found non-scented ones to not overwhelm our guests ;) We DIY’ed our escort card board starting with a light piece of wood, staining it, nailing 150 little gold nails and then binder clipping all escort cards. We were SO lucky to have an acquaintance with Woven + Wed who came and wrote the saying on the top. We rented the marquee BAR sign from Rudy’s Rustic Rentals. Paper Rock Scissor designed all of our amazing stationary and paper products; Kate perfectly executed my vision making the perfect pieces that were more beautiful than I could imagine.

Throughout the weeks leading up to my September wedding, all I remember saying was, “please, just do not rain” as the plan was to get married outside in the courtyard. It poured. Literally poured. And guess what? It was still perfect. It was romantic and I love everything about my wedding photos. Melissa was the photographer that I told my fiancé I had to have, and without her (who literally stood in the rain while we were under the bridge to get the perfect shot) I know I would have been disappointed after the fact with my images. Thank you, Melissa, for being SO good!

Wedding planning goes by so fast, and I still think about my wedding every day since. It still feels like a dream – and I cannot thank my vendors, family, husband, and friends enough for making it perfect!

Photography: Melissa Oholendt | Floral Design: Munster Rose | Cake: Buttercream | Stationery: Paper Rock Scissor | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Hair & Makeup: Jules Annen | DJ: Ben Quam | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Minneapolis Event Center | Bridal Gown : Posh Bridal Couture | Escort Card Board Calligraphy : Woven & Wed | Paper Goods: Paper Rock Scissor | Rentals: Rudy's Rustic Rentals

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Paper Rock Scissor

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It goes without saying that a wedding day can be overwhelming (in the most wonderful of ways). From intimate to grand, time crunches are expected, not always leaving ample time for a lengthy dedicated time for bridal portraits. The solution? Do a session with your photog beforehand. It’s exactly why we love inspiration shoots like this one from Alex Warschauer Photography. Desert dreamy all the way… leap into The Vault for more.

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From Alex Warschauer Photography… The close of wedding season called for a styled-shoot. I teamed up with an insanely talented group of Los Angeles wedding professionals to embark on a journey to a far-away location for an elegant bridal editorial featuring Floravere gowns. There’s nothing better than collaborating with a team of creatives. This is where magical happens.

Having dreamt about the desert for months leading up to planning, we knew this would make the perfect location. Surrounded by miles of beautiful sand dunes, multi-colored mountains, and open-skies truly makes a dreamy environment. While it took several hours to travel to destination, it didn’t take long to spot its beauty. The desert can be so surreal. It’s beauty, and immensity of landscape, alone – is worth the drive.

Seat-belts were unbuckling right as we pulled up, and in unison, we hopped out of the car to feel the warm sun and cool breeze flowing off the mountain. I can’t describe how truly beautiful the day was.

Considering the long drive, and limited daylight, hair and makeup needed to start immediately. Dana (Cheek to Cheek Artistry and Britt Rafuson got down to business as we scouted the perfect location – not that it was difficult to find. Upon returning, we shuffled through the four Floravere gowns to determine the first look.

The gowns were complimented with vintage and gold accessories, which was inspired by the hues of the butter-soft sand. The ring and bouquet were perfectly complimented with deep and rich reds – the perfect reflection of autumn. One of my favorite floral designers, Inessa Nichols, crafted a whimsical and unique gold floral crown made of lunarias; and a bouquet filled with wild grasses, nigella pods, and ranunculus.

As the sun started to set behind purple and green speckled mountains we set up our tablescape. We kept the look cohesive with a minimalist approach. There was no shortage of warm candlelight, antique jewelry boxes, and gorgeous desert florals. We followed Britt across the sand, illuminating the darkening landscape with candle in-hand. We enjoyed the last few moments of cotton candy skies, thankful for the gorgeous landscape we were provided and for the incredible talent that collaborated to create such a beautiful story.

Photography: Alex Warschauer Photography | Videography: MarmoFilms | Event Styling: Lindsey Lawhon | Floral Design: Inessa Nichols | Wedding Dress: Floravere | Hair and Makeup: Cheek to Cheek Artistry | Fashion Accessories: BHLDN | Wedding Cinematography: The Find Lab

Blushing hues and desert views are just a few of the things that make up this glamorous wedding day. And with the most classic ballroom setting, take your breath away portraits and a team of rockstar vendors including design by Meagan Crain, florals by Silvia Diaz and Elyse Hall Photography, you can only imagine how gorgeous this vault of images is.

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Tyler and Ryan were married in Tyler’s hometown of Tucson, Arizona. They wanted to pay homage to her desert roots while keeping the wedding design itself classic and elegant. The ceremony was set against the beautiful backdrop of the Santa Catalina Mountains and desert landscape surrounding the Westin La Paloma. The ceremony was officiant by a dear friend of the groom. The ballroom was transformed with white drape and blush uplighting, soft and simple floral arrangements in white and blush and small gold embellishments. What really made this wedding was the people. The bride and groom’s number one priority was to really enjoy their family and friends. Their dear friend officiated the wedding; they fully embraced long, beautiful toasts by those that love them the most; their dance floor was packed until the very last moment. It was so clear how loved these two are and how excited their guests were to celebrate with them.

Extra Details:
Blush, champagne and rose gold wedding invitations
Personalized wedding logo/monogram that set the classic wedding tone and added some desert flare
Fan programs to keep guests cool in the warm Arizona fun

Photography: Elyse Hall Photography | Event Planning: Crain + Co Events | Floral Design: Silvia Diaz | Cake: Sweet Creations | Invitations: Brie Dumais Designs | Hair & Makeup: Heather Van Houten | Lighting: Satyr Entertainment | Entertainment: Lucky Devils Band | Hotel: Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa | Draping: Frostings Event Design & Rental | Rentals: Red Diamond Rentals

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Elyse Hall Photography

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Lucky Devils Band

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Italy’s Lake Como is easily one of the most romantic places to get married in the world. The backdrop to countless celebrity weddings and celebrations, it’s easy to see why Melissa and Kevin felt the same. They packed up their California-based friends and family for an adventure across the world, and the result was a wedding made for the pages of Style Me Pretty. See more from Thecablookfotolab right this way!

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From the Bride… Famous composer Franz Listz wrote, “when you write the story of two happy lovers, let the story be set on the banks of Lake Como.” And so Kevin and I set our story here. We met in the San Francisco Bay Area and when we first started dating we both developed a love for traveling the world together. We discovered that we made fantastic travel partners!  We packed as many vacations in as possible every a year and finally decided to explore Europe together.  While in the South of France we got engaged in the ancient village of Eze, which is without a doubt a jewel in the French Riviera.

We searched high and low for a wedding venue in California but nothing compared to the majestic beauty of the Alps. We then realized a destination wedding would only be suitable for us. Our favorite food is Italian so we knew the majestic alps and a destination in Italy would be the only way to go!  When we saw pictures of Lake Como we were absolutely stunned and when we saw pictures of Villa del Balbianello and found out it could only be reached by boat, we knew that we HAD to get married there.  It is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Not speaking the language and having never been there we decided that having a local wedding planner help was absolutely necessary.  We interviewed many wedding planners but when we FaceTimed with Anastasia with we fell in love! We had great chemistry and she understood our California style & wedding vision. We found our photographer from wedding blogs. We showed her work to Anastasia and turned out they work together all the time. Darya, with the Cab Look of Love is spectacular! Her photography spoke to our hearts. Darya’s style and her ability to shoot with real film in today’s digital world is why we picked her! We knew she would be the ONLY one to document our special day. Planning a long distance event was stressful at times but Anastasia always put us at ease and made everything very easy!

Heading to Italy with our families & friends we were a bit nervous. We were not quite sure what we were going to get or if the weather would cooperate. We soon found out Italians love weddings. And the locals we encountered around the lake were so wonderful and welcoming & even celebrated for us!

On the day of our wedding the lake glistened and the lush colors all around us were glowing. The air was clean. It was like the lake smiled knowing it was our wedding day. The day of the wedding was stress free and every detail was taken care of. The boat ride, food, prosecco, wine, flowers, music and everything was perfection. Our guests still talk about how our menu was the best wedding food, being SF foodies it’s a HUGE compliment. Our wedding day turned out to be perfect. For us, it still is the best day ever. Everything exceeded expectations and we were still in complete awe of the day.  We owe so many thanks to all of our wonderful vendors that made our day so incredibly special. We couldn’t imagine a better place to have shared such a special moment with our family and friends.  Lake Como is now our piece of paradise forever.

Photography: Thecablookfotolab | Videography: Lumen | Event Planning: Happy Moments Collector | Floral Design: Maurizio Buzzi | Wedding Dress: Custom | Invitations: Minted | Ceremony Venue: Villa Balbianello | Reception Venue: aquadolce | Bride's Shoes: Gucci | Bridesmaid Dresses: BHLDN | Groomsmen Suits: Nordstrom | Bride Wedding Ring (custom): Deja Co | Bride's Jewelery: ILioniti | Bride's Jewelry: armenta collection | Groom & Groomsmen Bow Tie: The Tie Bar | Groom's Ring: David Yurman | Groom's Shoes: Santoni | Groom's Suspenders: Mason&Sons | Groom's Tuxedo: Indochino | Groom's Watch: Panarai | Invitation boxes: Envelopper Inc

Today may be Friday (reason enough to celebrate) but with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’re feeling extra special. But why limit the excitement – and the hearts, sweet treats and romance to just one day? Why not celebrate all weekend long? That’s just what we plan on doing – specifically, with these festive hair tutorials thanks to Face Time Beauty Concierge, captured by You Look Lovely Photography!

Half Back Heart Hairstyle

Begin with hair brushed out. Take two sections from either side of head and bring back into a pony. Secure with elastic.

Grab a small section of hair from left side (above ear) and pull towards elastic. Take the end of the section and fold into the center of secured hair and pull thru. Let end hang.

Repeat Step #2 on the right side of the head. This time, use a bobby pin to pin hair over elastic neatly. Place the bobby pin underside of hair so it is hidden.

Pump some hairspray into these hanging strands near the “heart” for texture and use a second elastic to secure new ponytail (the other elastic is hidden above).

Embellish and adorn with flowers or a pretty flower crown!

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Tousled French Twist

Start with beachy, textured waves for this look.

Take a section of hair aligning from the middle of the ear down to neck and firmly grasp. Twist the section from roots twice around and secure with bobby pins on underside of twists so the pins are hidden.

Take a larger section on the left hand side starting from above ear and twist three times and secure with elastic where both sections meet. Secure twists with bobby pins on this side as well.

Pump texturizing spray into air and use fingers to rub ends so the hair gains body and appears full.

Secure a flower comb into the twist or adorn with a pretty flower crown!

Photography: You Look Lovely Photography | Hair + Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Venue: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Flower Crowns: Crowns By Christy | Robes: Girl and A Serious Dream

UPDATE: Weddington Way has closed its doors and is no longer accepting orders. Instead, click here to see our Look Book filled with the prettiest of bridesmaids dresses!

You’ll be surrounded by a whole lot of pretty on your wedding day — from the flowers to the decor to the dress! So, why should your bridesmaids wear anything less than perfection? And when it comes to bridesmaid’s dress perfection, we’ve got you covered with the Style Me Pretty + Weddington Way, a capsule collection of six ultra-romantic styles perfect for any affair! And the best news of all? All six styles (available in 19 stunning colors!), are available for pre-order on Weddington Way now! What are you waiting for? Let’s get shopping!

This collection is all about dreamy, romantic, and sophisticated wedding attire all at an affordable price point. With an emphasis on construction — built-in bra cups, boning and pockets — and design details you’ll swoon over — picot edging, removable trains and floral appliqués — this new collection oozes romance, sophistication and just a touch of sexiness. In short, it’s full of details both you and your bridesmaids will love!

The Dresses

Juliette

A timeless design that flatters every shape, the Juliette marries style and comfort with a bra-friendly V-neck and braided design at the shoulders and waistline. Bonus – pockets included for extra convenience. The Juliette is available in sizes 0 to 18 and a part of the Style Me Pretty Collection, Weddington Way’s most romantic dress line to date.

Shop the Juliette!

Thea

The Thea gown was designed with a touch of unexpected whimsy. A front halter neckline and deep back exude classic elegance while the playful, waterfall train steals the show. Bra cups, boning and pockets are included for added support and convenience. The Thea is available in sized 0 to 18 and a part of the Style Me Pretty Collection, Weddington Way’s most romantic dress line to date.

Shop the Thea!

Hazel

A gown every girl will love, the Hazel takes design to the next level with spaghetti straps, a delicate picot edge at the neckline, and a removable back capelet. Bonus – bra cups, boning and pockets are included for added support and convenience. The Hazel is available in sizes 0 to 18 and a part of the Style Me Pretty Collection, Weddington Way’s most romantic dress line to date.

Shop the Hazel!

Everly

Classic-as-can-be, the Everly features a sweetheart neckline that will never go out of style. The removable back train with a chiffon floral embellishment add a unique twist and bra cups, boning, and pockets are included for added support and convenience. The Everly is available in sizes 0 to 18 and a part of the Style Me Pretty Collection, Weddington Way’s most romantic dress line to date.

Shop the Everly!

Willa

A gown made for the ultra chic, modern minimalist, the Willa features a scoop neckline and a fitted skirt topped off with a covered button closure. The Willa is available in sizes 0 to 18 and a part of the Style Me Pretty Collection, Weddington Way’s most romantic dress line to date.

Shop the Willa!

Florence

Perfect for the bridal party looking to infuse a subtle touch of shimmer and evoke a sense of glamour, the Florence features an elegant striped sequin design with a beautiful draped back. Bra cups and boning are included for extra support. The Florence is available in sizes 0 to 18 and a part of the Style Me Pretty Collection, Weddington Way’s most romantic dress line to date.

Shop the Florence!

Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Styling : Jess Blazejewski | Flowers: Fifty Flowers | Jewelry: Kendra Scott Jewelry | Jewelry: Kate Spade | Jewelry: Marchesa | Jewelry: Nadri | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Weddington Way | Hair + Makeup: Face Time Beauty Concierge | Hair Accessories: jennifer behr | Hair Accessories: Twigs & Honey | Location: Canoe Studios | Models: Bella Agency | Rentals: Patina

These two are major marriage goals. They were graced with THE most pristine day for their vow renewal in Central Park—can you even handle the dreamy sun-soaked images? This one has me all heart eyes. Sheradee Hurst Photography nailed every single image and The Vault is shinier today because of it.

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From Sheradee Hurst Photography… Michael and Amy enlisted Talia Morgan from Inspire Events to design and plan their vow renewal in the heart of NYC’s iconic Central Park. Amy wanted to have the experience of selecting her bouquet from the Floral District on the streets of NYC. So the day before the ceremony, Amy and her group of creatives that traveled with her walked the floral district selecting the freshest flowers NYC had to offer in shades of warm fall colors with subtle hints of citrus inspired shades. All floral was chosen the day prior to the ceremony from the Floral District. The bride hosted a “rehearsal dinner” at Tavern on the Green for family, friends, and creatives. The couple’s first look was a romantic vision in the middle of Central Park when a violinist started impromptu playing the wedding march right after their first look. The ceremony was a perfect reflection of their love for each other and how it’s grown over the years. Michael and Amy’s two sons were there to watch their parents big day. As a surprise to Amy, her original Maid of Honor from nineteen years ago even showed in Central Park wearing her original bridesmaid dress from Amy’s wedding. She had walked through the park and sat during the ceremony right by her side in the dress Amy selected at her first wedding. The couple’s first dance was overlooking the water and a small picnic Guests then enjoyed a lovely reception dinner at Lexington Brass.

From the Bride… It has been said that love finds you when you least expect it. I can’t think of a truer statement. Mike and I dated for 2 weeks before he said ” I’m going to marry you.” You just know when you know. Our love story started fast, but has stood the test of time. Being married for 19 years to your best friend makes life so much sweeter. Working in the wedding industry I meet young couples everyday. My advice to them would be, always choose to love each other. Life can be rough and always choosing love makes things easier. Be each others cheerleader and biggest encourager. I feel I am who I am today because of the strong man that stands by my side saying “You got this!” Keep dating each other and ALWAYS make time to spend together. I could go on forever but most important advice would be to forgive and be patient. I have learned all these things along our journey, so when we decided to renew our vows it was very emotional and meant so much more the second time. Standing up after doing life together as people who have grown together takes on a whole new wonderful feeling. I’m grateful for the love we have found together and our two beautiful boys. Having our sons witness our renewal was my favorite part of the day. I hope they will one day find their special someone and ALWAYS choose love.

Photography: Sheradee Hurst Photography | Videography: Leslee Layton Films | Event Planning: Inspire Events | Floral Design: Inspire Events | Stationery: Occasions | Bridal Gown Salon: Prescott Bridal | Custom Wine Bottle: Hurst Precision Etching | Custom Wine Bottle: Water's Edge Winery | Hair and Make-Up: Summer Drake | Reception Dinner: Lexington Brass | Rehearsal Dinner: Tavern On The Green

A husband and wife celebrating five years of marriage is a beautiful thing; especially when that occasion is marked with a stunning photo session by Katie Grant Photography. It’s all sunshine and mountaintops, beautiful blooms by Zinnia Floral Design and love, lots of love. Take a peek at the full anniversary session right here in the vault.

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From the Wife… My husband and I have been married for 5 years and together for 10. We are more in love than ever before. Unfortunately we weren’t overly thrilled with our wedding photos so we always spoke of doing an anniversary shoot at some point. This year seemed like the perfect time. After two children, our love has grown and evolved in such a wonderful way. We are more in sync than ever, there is a wisdom in our love. There is nothing surer than how we feel about each other. He is the love of my life, and I am his. We shot high on a hill in Brigadoon, Perth. The amazing Katie Grant was our photographer, and now our friend. It was picturesque and romantic. We looked at each other like we did when we first met. It was truly magical and an experience I’ll treasure always.

Photography: Katie Grant Photography | Floral Design: Zinnia Floral Design | Floral Design: Candice Forsyth Floral Art | Wedding Dress: Grace Loves Lace | Groom's Attire: MJ Bale

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to bust out all the rosé and shower your favorite people with a little love. From your BAE to your bestest of friends and even your Mom, these easy DIY’s are perfect for gifting. Dive into sweet treats, mini bouquets and the cutest wine bags on the planet all right here.

DIY Valentine's Gifts

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DIY Valentine's Gifts

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Grab More Valentine’s Inspired Ideas Here!

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We might only be in February, but I’m predicting Zarine and Vineet’s wedding as one of Style Me Pretty’s best of the year. It’s a day that combines two distinct Indian cultures paired with the bride’s personal taste for European charm…and does it all with elegance and grace. Zarine donned three custom-designed gowns paired with heirloom jewelry and Twah Dougherty captured each moment behind her lens. This day is the definition of cultural beauty and we can’t get enough.

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From Erin Braun, event stylist… Zarine and Vineet come from two very distinct Indian cultures and religions, Zoroastrian and Hindu respectively. We worked to combine three very different aesthetics into one unique vision to perfectly reflect their authentic styles – the all white traditions of Zoroastrian weddings, colorful and vibrant Hindu celebrations, and a soft European garden style to reflect the Bride’s personal aesthetic and the couple’s Parisian engagement. Belle Mer provided a breathtaking white seaside setting for this seamlessly executed multicultural event that was so stunningly captured by Twah Dougherty.

Intricate chalk patterns is one of Zarine’s favorite traditions in Zoroastrian celebrations, so we carried this design element throughout the wedding events. From detailed illustrations on the hand painted invitations, to chalk drawings leading into the entrance of the ceremony and hand painted tiles to display the guests’ escort cards. We created a color palette of white, cream, and blush with touches of gold and vivid berry tones to meld the unique cultural aesthetics.

Throughout the wedding festivities, the bride wore three different outfits, which were all custom designed and hand-crafted for her in India. She also adorned heirloom jewelry that had been passed down through both families. Gold elephants, signage written in three different family languages, a white horse for the groom’s procession, and banana leaves wrapped around each place setting are just a few of the many personal and thoughtful details that were infused throughout the day of events. Everything was so wonderfully executed by the most talented team of vendors and the unique blending of cultures and families left such a lasting impression on all of the guests!

Photography: Twah Dougherty | Event Design: Erin Braun Design | Floral Design: True Vine Studio | Invitations: Erin Braun Design | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Caterer: Indian Accent Catering | Makeup: Kerri Herlihy | Hair: Calma Salon | Venue: Belle Mer: A Longwood Venue | Bride's Hindu Dress: Gold Ari Tari Lehenga, Sabyasachi | Bride's Reception Dress: Old Rose Joohi Phool Lehenga, Sabyasachi | Bride's Zoroastrian Dress: Custom designed Sari, Amla Patel | Entertainment & Lighting: Trifecta Djs | Groom's Hindu Outfit: Mebaz Sherwani | Groom's Tux: Black Lapel | Linens: Nuage Designs | Rentals: Rentals Unlimited

Looking for the perfect registry? We’re here to help. Because today we’re breaking down a list of reasons why Kohl’s Registry is a fabulous choice. From gorgeous home goods to kitchen must-haves to dining necessities, your fave place to shop is also your spot to find everything you’ll ever need for that home with your sweetie. Check out their Portfolio, then scroll to fall even more in love with Kohl’s.

THEIR KITCHEN MUST-HAVES

No registry is complete without a lineup of stellar kitchen products, and with Kohl’s Registry, you’ll be happy dancing your way to a kitchen that would make even Martha Stewart jealous. Think awesome items like KitchenAid Stand Mixers, Calphalon Bakeware Sets and Keurig Coffee Brewing Systems all joining forces to really bring “cooking central” together. Which means those dinner parties you said you’d throw once you got married? Yeah, those are sooo happening.

THEIR DINING ESSENTIALS

And speaking of dinner parties… Saying “I do” means saying “goodbye” to all of those old dishes you’ve had since college (don’t worry, we’re all guilty) and “hello” to those adulting items that really make a statement. You know what we’re talking about – items like gorgeous place settings from Mikasa, beautiful flatware from Oneida and party essentials like the Food Network Barley Beer Mug Set. It’s prettying up your dining space in the best way possible and Kohl’s Registry is here to help.

THEIR BED + BATH BEAUTIES

A happy home = a happy life and there’s really no better place to start than your bedroom and bath. Because if there is any spot in your home that deserves some attention, it’s the two places where you can truly kick off your shoes, unwind and relax.  Thankfully, Kohl’s Registry is literally overflowing with all of those luxe must-haves, from Simply Vera Wang bedding to Apt. 9 Bath Towels to a HomeVance Linen Bench that will give your boudoir just the right pop of glam it’s looking for.

THEIR LIVING SOLUTIONS

Whether you’re moving in together for the first time or simply adding to the abode you already share, turning that house into a home means really filling it with all of those living solutions that make your day to day, well… easier. Lucky for you, Kohl’s Registry has it all. We’re talking Pyrex Storage, the Rowenta Pro Master Iron and a fab Dyson… just to name a few. Not to mention all of the pretty decorative items that will really make your truly home sing. Perfect sanctuary in one, two, three? You’ve got it.

THEIR FAB PERKS + BENEFITS

No registry is complete without a list of fab perks + benefits and when it comes to amazing bonuses that will literally make your YEAR, Kohl’s Registry is where it’s at. From a 15% off Completion Offer to free gifts (!) to registry checklists to in-store discounts for your guests, mobile scanning and more, they’ve made it easier than ever to really find those items you need + want. And don’t even get us started on their awesome Rewards Program. Think 10% back on gifts purchased from your registry that you can use on ANYTHING you want. Which means that when your bestie buys that flatware set you want for $280, you get $28. I mean, how crazy cool is that?!?

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Remember – saying “I do” is just the beginning of the fairy tale. Team up with Kohl’s Registry to start your happily ever after… now.

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Kitchen: 1. Food Network CookingGreen 3-pc. Bamboo Cutting Board Set 2. Keurig K575 Coffee Brewing System 3. KitchenAid KSM150PS Artisan 5-qt. Stand Mixer 4. Food Network TUX Solid Spoon 5. CorningWare 11-Pc. French White Serveware Set

Dining: 1. Food Network Signature 61-oz. Crystal Decanter 2. Oneida Sambre 18/10 Stainless Steel 65-Pc. Flatware Set 3. Food Network Fontina 16-pc. Dinnerware Set 4. Mikasa Cheers Oval Platter 5. Mikasa Cheers 4-pc. Stemless Wine Glass Set

Bed + Bath: 1. Simply Vera Vera Wang Simplicity Bedding Coordinates 2. Home Classics Brushed Nickel Lotion Pump 3. Home Classics Brushed Nickel Wastebasket 4. Apt. 9 Highly Absorbent 6-pc. Solid Bath Towel Value Pack 5. Serta Three Layer Comfort Memory Foam Pillow 6. SONOMA Goods for Life Everyday Cotton Blanket

Living Solutions: 1. Household Essentials Wicker Storage Bin 2. The Art of Storage Michelangleo 2-Bike Gravity Storage Rack 3. simplehuman 2.6-Gallon Semi-Round Step Trash Can 4. Honey-Can-Do 4 Tier Chrome Shelving Unit 5. iRobot Roomba 761 Robotic Vaccum

When This is Us revealed a flashback into Rebecca and Jack’s wedding day, we unofficially crowned Mandy Moore the queen of 70’s bridal style. From the tousled waves to the flower crown to the form-fitting lace sleeve gown, it’s inspiration any boho bride would adore and we’re sharing how you can shop your way to the same look. Take a peek below!

Get Mandy Moore's "This is Us" Wedding Look!

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Get Mandy Moore's "This is Us" Wedding Look!

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P.S. A Courthouse Wedding Gone Stylish!

Photography: Courtesy NBC

I love the east coast, I do. But one thing that we simply can’t compete with on the west coast? Those gorgeous vineyards—and their equally stunning weddings. The proof is in the pudding my friends. From darling bridal portraits like this to receptions scenes like this, Blueberry Photography snapped every inch of this sun-soaked day that has me craving a vineyard like no other.

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From Blueberry Photography… Stephanie and Justin had a stunning, classically done, with a modern twist. Every detail from her Vera Wang dress, to the center pieces were done to perfection!

Photography: Amanda Wei Photography | Videographer: IQvideography | Event Planning: Quintana Events | Floral Design: PoppyStone Floral Couture | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Whisk Cakes Creations | Ceremony Venue: Chandon | Reception Venue: Chandon | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Catering: Elaine Bell Catering | Makeup: Crystal Kim | Hair: Pins & Curls | Lighting: The Lux Productions | DJ: AMS Entertainment | Grooms Attire: Hugo Boss | Officiant: Monks | Bridal Robes: BHLDN | Earrings: Erin Cole | Hair & Jewlery: Erin Cole | Photobooth: Baubles & Bow Ties Photobooth | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals

Simple, elegant, and  beyond perfect… three words that come to mind as I mull over the collection from this couple’s big day! With multiple shades of blue and spring florals featuring pops of blush and peach, the soft color palette perfectly compliments the clean space of the venue. From hanging floral arrangements to a floral wall, the decor by Remi + Gold is absolutely stunning. All the incredible details from the day were captured by Krystle Akin.

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Photography: Krystle Akin | Event Planning: Bespoke Events | Wedding Dress: Serendipity Bridal | Stationary: Bride | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale | Makeup: Molly Makeup | Hair: Beautymark Agency | Groom's Attire: Knot Standard | Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Prospect House | Floral: Remi and Gold | Pies: Cutie Pies | Rentals: Birch And Brass Rentals

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Remi and Gold

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You gotta give credit where credit is due and this gorgeous Bride knew what she was doing (she is a wedding photographer herself after all) when putting together her destination wedding. With the help of Weddings in Tuscany by Chiara Sernesi (found via SMP’s Little Black Book no less!), they created a romantic, ethereal and FUN fete that we can’t get enough of. Kylee Yee, with assistance by Tanja Kibogo, captured it all and Philip White filmed the action live – see more below and in our Vault right here!

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From the Bride… As a wedding photographer (www.juliemichaelsen.com) myself, I have attended over 100 weddings so when it came to our own wedding, my partner and I knew we wanted to go abroad and say our “I do’s” under the sleepy autumn sun and romantic olive groves of Tuscany.

We found our venue Ville Le Fontanelle after a rushed weekend of venue visits in October last year. We had originally wanted to be deep in the Tuscan hills but when we saw Villa Le Fontanelle we both had a very strong positive reaction to it! Conveniently 10 mins outside of Florence with the most picturesque 180 degree views of the city, including the majestic Duomo, it was so perfect. The owner Ilaria was welcoming and very accommodating.

Our vision for the day was an elegant but relaxed, fun day in the sun full of meaning and heart. We decided to have a humanist blessing (as neither of us are religious) and it meant we’d get to write the ceremony ourselves. My cousin Miriam was our Celebrant and she did such a magnificent job!

My late grandmother (who was an huge influence in my life) and my grandfather were a significant presence within the day. When my grandmother passed away she left their weddings bands to me to share with Ross, a huge honour and one we were so grateful for.

My talented sister-in-law Sadaf Mirzaei had helped us to create our ‘on the day stationery’ by taking my grandmothers watercolour paintings and designing menu cards, table plans and the place settings with my grandmother’s imagery.

Each guest found an envelope on their place setting with their names in gold calligraphy on it. Inside was a handwritten card from us telling them how grateful we were for their presence at our wedding but also in our lives. I feared that we wouldn’t get time to speak to every single person so as a precaution I wanted each people to know that they were loved and warmly welcomed at our wedding day. It took a long time to write these but I loved the idea of taking the opportunity to tell the people we love that we love them and what they mean to us.

The speeches were probably the highlight of the day, all of them were so funny, heartfelt and we were completely blown away when our family performed a surprise flashmob of Les Miserables! One more day! Even my dad stood up to do a solo! I went through a range of emotions including shock, pure joy, tears, and a very strong feeling to grab a microphone and join them! My Danish family had also written a song for us which they got everyone to sing, so much fun and probably a bit of a shock to the non-Danes as this is a tradition within our family!

Afterwards Ross also made the most wonderful surprise video for me which he showed after the speeches, not a dry eye in the house, it really was the most amazing day!

We found our planner through Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book, Chiara from Weddings in Tuscany, and what a hero she was. She made the whole experience very seamless, replying to flurries of WhatsApp messages and being a cool, calm and reliable presence throughout, she was a God send.

My partner Ross is a documentary maker so we both had very strong feelings about the videographer and photographer… after a bad experience with the first photographer we chose, we were lucky enough to find Kylee Yee who I knew through both being London based hybrid fine art wedding photographers. It was really important to me that our styles were aligned and that she ‘saw’ things how I saw them. I’m a stickler for detail, love symmetry and hate distracting elements in my photos, so I wanted to know that Kylee had this same eye… she made the whole experience very easy and enjoyable for us, being friendly, warm and relaxed whilst also being professional and inspiring trust within us. I so wanted to be on the receiving end of the experience I like to give my clients and thankfully Kylee very much gave us that as well as the most beautiful imagery which we cherish and cant wait to enjoy in years to come.

Our videographer was Philip White. Ross being a documentary maker obviously had high expectations for this portion of the day and Philip definitely exceeded him, he is a talented film maker and also a lovely presence who felt like a friend.

Photography: Kylee Yee | Videography: Philip White | Event Planning: Weddings in Tuscany by Chiara Sernesi | Floral Design: Jardin Divers | Wedding Dress: Anna Georgina | Invitations: Ever After Press | Shoes: Valentino | Catering: Galateo | Hair + Make Up: Consuelo Cardella | Calligraphy: Judy Broad Calligraphy | Band: The Gloves | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Day Of Details: elmo Paperstories ltd. | Film Lab: The Find Lab | Photography - Assistance: Kibogo Photography | Ribbons: Pompom Blossom | Veil: Halfpenny London