There are some undeniably amazing venues to get married at around the globe but sometimes the best and brightest is right in your own backyard. At home weddings have a certain sentimental flair but just because the “venue” is free, doesn’t mean planning is as easy as pie. Gather Together Events is here to share their insider knowledge so you can have an elegant AND organized at-home celebration!

It will cost more than a traditional venue…

Really? For a backyard wedding? Yes. Consider this: you’re building a venue over the course of a week or less. Your “venue” is free, but by the time you add flooring, tenting, climate control, restrooms, generators, catering/vendor tents, lighting, tables and chairs, and more, you’ve easily exceeded a venue rental fee.

…But you may already have some of what you need.

Our motto for private property weddings is “work with what you have.” That grand garden staircase flanked by flower boxes? Perfect tent entrance. Your grandmother’s mosaic bird bath? That’s now our cake table. Poolside guest house? Perfect spot for the band to get ready. When you’re getting married at a special place, you can use the beauty and bones of what already exists to personalize the event.

Leave it to the experienced professionals…

It sounds easy, right? Pop up a tent and call it a day? Not quite. At-home weddings are not the same as working at a venue, and they require a team with special experience and skill. For example, you want a caterer who knows exactly what they need in the way of prep space, cooking equipment (the house kitchen rarely has enough), additional service staff (it’s often a long walk from prep space to event space), etc. When you’re working on a mountain in southern Virginia or a farm in upstate South Carolina, provisions and staff are often far away. Make sure your vendors are absolute pros!

…Especially a professional event planner!

There’s a lot of talk about who are the “right vendors” to pull your wedding together, but the right vendors do not a wedding make. A professional planner curates the team to make sure it’s the one best suited for the job. There are countless variables in weather, transportation, and more when working in a new space, so you don’t just want the vendor with the best Instagram feed. You can trust your planner not only to choose the people who can handle the variables, but also to help them work together for amazing results. And don’t just choose any planner – with all that can happen (remember how we have to build a whole “venue” in less than a week?), experience in private property weddings is key.

You have ultimate flexibility…

One thing we love about at-home weddings is the luxurious installation schedule. Tent coming in Tuesday? No problem; there are no other events to worry about. We’ll install lighting Wednesday, draping Thursday, furniture Friday, and have all of Saturday to worry about deliveries and focus attention on the bridal party. As designers, the extended time frame allows us to be super creative in what we can make happen for the look and feel of your event!

…But you’ll want to prepare.

Talk with neighbors, and maybe even invite them if they would otherwise be bothered by the noise. Take time to get the property ready – plant flowers that will be blooming on your wedding day, and what a great excuse to finally put in that patio! Call your insurance agent and find out what you need to cover yourself if anything goes wrong. These preparations and countless more that we recommend to our clients will help things run beautifully and smoothly.

Getting married at home adds an extra special feeling to your wedding day.

Having hair and makeup done in your mom’s bedroom will bring back memories of playing dress-up as a little girl. Walking through your grandmother’s rose garden for your first look, you’ll remember the sweet scent every time you see your groom. There’s no place (to get married) like home!

Your Pre-Wedding Checklist

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Your Pre-Wedding Checklist

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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

David’s Bridal
Minted
Animoto
Ada Diamonds

Don’t miss the Lilly Pulitzer event on March 4th happening at a Lilly Pulitzer location near you!

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

For our New England Brides.. Discount from Long’s Jewelers

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 Planning Advice: Gather Together

For Sarah and Tanner, a wedding under the Texas sun was kind of a no-brainer. Both outdoor lovers through and through, they planned a fall celebration with loved ones by their side, and you better believe they soaked up every last second. Michelle Boyd was on hand to photograph the day and Sarah’s advice to all fellow brides is to not sweat the small stuff along the way. “At the end of the day, you will be married to the love of your life, and in comparison to that, nothing else matters.”

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From the bride, Sarah… Tanner and I both absolutely love the outdoors. It’s where Tanner proposed and it’s where we like to spend our free time. So it was an easy decision to exchange our vows amongst our closest friends and family under the sun. Our goal for the ceremony and reception was to create an organic elegance by incorporating a variety of freeform botanical arrangements with touches of gold throughout. The biggest desire for our wedding day was for it to be laid-back and an enjoyable environment for everyone who came to celebrate with us.

Although Tanner would say cake tasting, my favorite part of planning was working with the florist and watching them beautifully create what I had envisioned aesthetically for our wedding day. Tanner and I were blown away by the execution of the floral design team. Besides marrying the love of my life, our favorite part of the wedding was seeing all the people that came to celebrate our marriage with us. Our hearts were truly overwhelmed by all the love and support we were shown throughout the entire wedding process, but especially on our day. Thinking about the people who we were able to interact with still puts big smiles on our faces.

A little wedding advice from one bride to another – soak in every moment you possibly can on your wedding day. Enjoy the wonderful people around you and don’t let little things that may go wrong get you down, because more than likely no one else will even notice. And at the end of the day, you will be married to the love of your life, and in comparison to that, nothing else matters. So enjoy every bit of it!

Photography: Michelle Boyd Photography | Videography: Juliana Rose | Floral Design: Three Branches Floral Design | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Hair & Makeup: Wendy Zerrudo | Calligraphy: Churchwell Type | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein | Wedding Venue: The Venue at Waterstone

Every bride wants to plan an unforgettable wedding while sticking to their budget. That’s just a given. So we’ve officially taken out the legwork and rounded up five sneaky little ways to save money from food to paper, accessories and more. They’re so simple, so easy – and we promise – won’t cramp your wedding vibe one bit.

Casual Food Stations

Not only are food stations a fun, interactive way to get your guests up and moving, but they’ll probably save you money over a formal seated dinner. Think build-your-own tacos, hand-rolled sushi, wood-fired pizza or whatever menu suits your taste. We promise, your guests will love you for it.

Reinvent the Program

We love pretty paper as much as the next girl, but if you’re tight on funds consider one large display program placed at the entrance to your ceremony space.

Borrow Your Accessories

Finding a bridal look for less is no easy feat, but if you’re willing to borrow accessories over buying brand new, you’ll save a pretty penny. Ask around to your recently married friends, sisters, or cousin for pieces you can take on loan and still feel like a million bucks.

Display a Mini Cake

You know the pretty cake you showcase and cut at the reception? It doesn’t have to feed everyone. Keep your display cake small + elegant, and serve your guests a yummy sheet cake pre-cut in the back.

Nix the Favors

This is more of a skip than a swap, but don’t be afraid to nix the wedding favors and save some cash. It’s always fun to spoil your guests, but the truth is, they probably won’t give much thought to the gesture. Especially if they’re busy busting moves on the dancefloor.

These two knew that they had a classic style. They knew they were traditional. And they knew that that influence would weigh into their wedding day, and with it guiding them, they created an elegant burgundy and gold wedding perfect for their Arizona Biltmore venue. Rachel Solomon captured the rich hues, the gorgeous florals and every fantastic moment – see them all in our Vault right this way!

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From the Bride… Alex is a man of tradition, which is one of the many things I love about him. I’m also known to have a more classic style. We knew far before we got engaged that when we did get married, it would be in a church. In addition to getting married in a church, we wanted a more formal, traditional wedding. To achieve the timeless vibe that we wanted, we chose the Arizona Biltmore Resort as our reception venue. We both share a love of mid-century modern architecture and the elegance of the classic Biltmore Block had us sold from day one. While the hotel rooms have been renovated, the history at this resort is rich, which we were both immediately drawn to!

As our vision for the day transformed, we decided to bring in gold chivari chairs, La Tavola’s velvet red tablecloths, and bronze accents such as goblets and taper candles. I wanted rich colors that would add even more glam to the hand painted gold ceiling of our ballroom, The Gold Room. We knew the room would look incredible on its own, with the large floor to ceiling windows, so we didn’t want to do too much and take away the natural beauty. We incorporated gold lanterns on the tables and had eucalyptus running down the head table, straight to the floor. Our wedding cake was incredibly intricate and included the Biltmore Block design which is still found all around the Resort today and tied together the whole design.

During the cocktail hour, we had a few minutes before all of the guests arrived into the ballroom. I wanted to take a sneak peek to see how it all looked. I knew that if I didn’t do this before everyone entered, I probably would never get that moment or memory back with my husband. Alex and I went in and were blown away with how well everything came together. The room looked immaculate! I was holding Alex’s hand and remember thinking, I’ve already had the best day of my life today, but I’m still so excited for the rest of the evening and celebrations. That feeling is reflective of more than just how I felt on our wedding day, but every day. I’ve already found my best friend, had the best dating experience, engagement, and memories with Alex, but I’m still so excited for the rest of our life… of what’s to come. The rest of the night was a dream, and we owe that to everyone who celebrated with us. The dance floor was packed all night and the energy in the room was definitely palpable.

We are blessed beyond measure by such wonderful family and friends. Our special day would not have been possible, or meant nearly as much without their love and support throughout the process. We also had the privilege of working with a great rector at Christ Church of the Ascension, Fr. Daniel and incredible vendors including Tami Spencer, AZ Biltmore, Erika Edholm, wedding coordinator, Kate Mellow, florist, photographer Rachel Solomon, Scottsdale Music Company’s Jeff King, and Sara Schultz on all of our paper goodies. We couldn’t have enjoyed our day without the steadfast commitment of such amazing professionals!

Photography: Rachel Solomon Photography | Coordination: Bloom & Blueprint | Floral Design: Bloom & Blueprint | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Cake: Classic Cakes And Confections | Invitations: Sara Schultz | Ceremony Venue: Christ Church of the Ascension | Reception Venue: The Arizona Biltmore | Makeup: Courtney Montes | Hair: Dual Vanity | DJ: Scottsdale Music Company | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Bridal Boutique: Mariée | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Tabletop Rentals: Fancy Lou Designs

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Can we talk about this arrangement designed by Amy Osaba for a sec? I want to pluck every bloom from it and devour it like candy. Is that weird? The peachy pink hues are right up my alley and I just can’t stop staring—basically at every single image of this hue-happy inspiration from Michaela Noelle Designs and Ashley Slater crafted for The Bloom Workshop. If you’re aiming for a color-splashed day, this is your blueprint my friends.

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From Michaela Noelle Designs… Often bright color palettes are overlooked, favoring the soft pastels which we also adore. But for this styled shoot we created for The Bloom Workshop, we wanted the palette to be vibrant and energizing; fresh and fun. Bright pinks, oranges, corals, lots of greenery and even hints of lavender and soft pink were our hues. Accented by pops of dark blue and copper, the tablescape exudes warmth, togetherness, and drips in romance.

With a bit of a bohemian twist, we created a casual yet sophisticated tablescape, complete with comfy royal blue end chairs from Found Vintage Rentals and a simple copper garden chair to give the setting a touch of metallic. Playing with texture was one of our goals, so we mixed different wood tones with copper details, such as the Moscow mule mugs and chairs, brass candlesticks, silver flatware, gold etching in our champagne flutes, many different types of flowers and greenery, varied surfaces such as marble and wood, and made sure to incorporate textured details into our gorgeous bridal gowns seen in the beading and sleeves.

A few fun details were added to make the look even more unique, including our signature cocktail illustration, the rich colored fruits dripping off the floral centerpiece and onto the table, our delectable dessert bar and the agate stone coasters doubling as place cards.

Photography: Ashley Slater | Event Styling: Michaela Noelle Designs | Floral Design: Amy Osaba | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Invitations: Molly Jacques Illustration | Ring: Susie Saltzman | Hair + Makeup: Blush By M Marie | Venue: Casino San Clemente | Coasters: LandiDesigns | Dessert: M Cakes Sweets | Rentals & Furniture: Found Rental Co. | Stamps: Verde Studio | Workshop: The Bloom Workshop

Just 10 days before their wedding, threats of Hurricane Matthew began to hit the headlines of media outlets across the Atlantic coast. “I anxiously refreshed my weather web page a million times hoping this was all but a bad dream. I was in complete denial and refused to believe our perfect day was on the brink of being washed away,” said the Bride. But as luck would have it, Sea Island was re-opened and operating just in time for the wedding and Perry Vaile photographed the joyous occasion from start to finish.

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From the Bride… Eddie and I live in Santa Monica, California, and when we got engaged we decided we wanted to throw a destination wedding. Our list for destinations narrowed quickly, and we decided Sea Island, Georgia would be a dream location for our wedding day. We had visited the resort for New Year’s Eve the year before and had fallen in love with the resort’s southern charm. Now, it may not sound like your typical “destination” since we weren’t leaving the country but 80% of our guests had never even been to the South, let alone coastal Georgia. So we decided to roll with a “Destination Southern Wedding” theme and quickly began selecting southern touches to wow our guests with.

The Hurricane

Fifteen months of wedding planning seemed to fly by, and before we knew it we were 10 days away from the wedding. While Eddie and I finished our last minute wedding to-do’s from sunny southern California, a hurricane was brewing in the Atlantic. His name was Matthew. Over the course of a couple days, what began to look like a small storm had now reached Category 4 strength. Weather experts were warning business owners and residents to prepare for the worst.

“Hurricane Matthew is a monster”, “Parts of Georgia will be uninhabitable for weeks” were among some of the headlines I was reading. I anxiously refreshed my weather webpage a million times hoping this was all but a bad dream. I was in complete denial and refused to believe our perfect day was on the brink of being washed away. The forecast was projecting Hurricane Matthew to reach Sea Island just 5 days before our wedding. The entire island and surrounding areas were under mandatory evacuation. Our resort was evacuated, and all of our vendors had packed up and headed inland to brace for the storm. Only thing we could do was helplessly wait, a couple thousand miles away…

The Big Clean Up

When Hurricane Matthew hit Sea Island the storm had been downgraded to a Category 3. Despite the drop in severity the island experienced record-breaking floods, thousands of downed trees, island-wide power outages, and plumbing issues that could take weeks to fix. Because the island was deemed unsafe, business owners and residents were not allowed back on the island after the storm passed. It was Tuesday morning, the day we were due to leave for Georgia, and the island was still under a mandatory evacuation. We left Los Angeles having no idea if the resort or island would open in time for our wedding. From the plane, Eddie and I sent out mass emails and texts to our 90 some odd guests letting them know there was potential for a change of plans.

When we arrived in Georgia the coast was still very much in cleanup mode. We passed 27 (I counted) tree removal trucks and about two dozen water and power vehicles, all of which were headed to clean up the mess. Sea Island was only allowing first responders onto the island at that time, which meant Eddie and I were stuck on the mainland scrambling to find accommodations and any answers we could. Talk about an anxious bride! But thankfully our luck was about to change. Wednesday morning Eddie and I received one of the best phone calls an anxious bride and groom could ask for. It was our wedding planner! She had just received word that Sea Island was due to re-open Thursday evening. The power had been restored, and the first responders were working day and night to restore the island back to its full glory.

The wedding team felt confident that the wedding could still go on as planned. Our wedding planner assured me they had everything handled and insisted we go and enjoy our wedding week. Our prayers had been answered! We quickly called our guests and let them know the good news. The wedding is HAPPENING!

The Wedding Day

The morning of our wedding we were greeted with a downpour of rain. Despite the weather I couldn’t help but smile. I was so thankful and filled with gratitude that we were at this place, “I can take a little rain, we just made it through a hurricane!” And if fate would have it, just as my bridesmaids and I were finishing up with our hair and makeup the clouds parted and the sun began to peek out. Perry Vaile, our amazing photographer, jumped at the opportunity to shoot us outside and gathered us all for portraits.

For my bouquet, we selected Dahlias, and Oxblood colored Chocolate Cosmos to adorn the white blooms, which were all draped with wispy greenery and wrapped with ivory silk ribbons. Our ceremony took place in the Cloister Chapel. The ceremony was all the more sweet because my grandfather “Papa Jackson” was our minister. Having my Papa there to marry Eddie and I was one of the highlights of our day.

Our reception was held in the resort’s Clubroom, the most glamorous and elegant ballroom I had ever seen! Crystal chandeliers hung from the ornate gilded ceiling and provided all the glitz and sparkle a bride could ask for. We selected long estate tables, topped with lush floral arrangements that included fruit elements accented with long tapered candles. Gold cross back chairs and gold-rimmed china added even more splendor to the space. One of my favorite wedding elements was our personalized place settings. Eddie and I took hexagonal marble floor tiles, and added cork to the back, to make them into coasters. We finished them by adding the guests’ names printed on top in gold vinyl. The gift was a huge hit with our friends and family, and made for a fun DIY project for Eddie and me.

To end the evening Eddie and I were lead out to the front of the hotel where our friends and family were waiting to wave goodbye! We hopped into our vintage getaway car and as we drove away, sparklers erupted from the ground, giving us quiet the perfect ending to our magical day.

Happily Ever After

Despite the hurricane and weather worry our wedding truly turned out even more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. A strong word of advice I could give to any future bride would be to remain positive! Wedding planning can be stressful, hurricane or not. But with a positive outlook you can always make the best out of any situation. You deserve a wedding day where worries don’t get in the way. Remember what this day is truly about, and you are guaranteed to have the time of your life.

Photography: Perry Vaile Photography | Event Planning: Sea Island | Floral Design: The Vine Garden Market | Wedding Dress: Marchesa | Invitations: Crane & Co. | Ceremony Venue: Sea Island | Reception Venue: Sea Island | Bride's Shoes : Badgley Mischka | Rings: Tiffany & Co. | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Hair and Makeup: Sea Island | Calligraphy : The Inviting Place | DJ: Island Sound | Grooms Attire: Canali | Ceremony Music: Music By Pegge | Bride's Hairpiece: Untamed Petals | Bride's Jewelry : Marchesa | Bride's Reception Shoes: Kate Spade | Cocktail Hour Venue: Sea Island | Gift Bags: Give Lovely | Groom's Tie: Burberry | Photo Booth: Studio Pixel Pop | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Wedding Signage: The Bride

Oscar De La Renta wedding dresses and classic style affairs go together like milk and cookies. And when you’ve got Stacie Ford Weddings on your vendor team to fancy you up, you’re bound to be a glowing Bride all day long. From the invites designed by A&P Designs to the all-white reception, Tanya Salazar documented it all so beautifully and you can enjoy the full package of pretty in The Vault.

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From Tanya Salazar Photography… I loved working this traditional and elegant wedding at Hamilton Farms Golf Club. The bride’s stunning Oscar de le Renta dress and shoes fit perfectly into this beautiful setting and design. Everything from the matching robes, personalized table names and white floral design made for a clean and elegant reception.

From the Bride… Dan and I serendipitously met at the Ithaca airport when were both attending Cornell University. We were both flying to New York for interviews and our flight was delayed. Having recognized him from campus, I asked if I could use his laptop to send an e-mail since I didn’t have a smartphone back then and the rest is history. He proposed to me on a beautiful summer day in Central Park in front of the Bethesda fountain.

When it came to our wedding, we wanted it to be classic, elegant and personal. We fell in love with Hamilton Farm Golf Club because of the gorgeous grounds and the mansion– I’ve always wanted to get married on an estate so was a dream come true. Also, having from been from Florida, I always said if I ever got married up north it would have to be in the fall! We got so lucky with the weather- it was peak fall foliage and 65 degrees. Our color palette was very classic- whites, dark greenery, accents of gold, dark navy for the bridesmaids and our letterpress invitations. We opted for unique and elegant details such as having a caricature artist, custom watercolor images for each table that represented my husband and I (each person’s table card had a mini replica of the image on the inside), custom gold acrylic name plates for each table setting, his and her drinks that embodied the fall (Hers: Apple Cider Bellini, His: Old Fashioned), and a custom cornhole game. Our ceremony took place at a fairy tale style church complete with a beautiful lake and swans.

While the decor, venue and details were everything I could have hoped for, what made it truly magical is having all of our friends & family who we love so dearly all in one place to celebrate our love.

Photography: Tanya Salazar Photography | Videography: Digital First | Floral Design: Jardiniere Fine Flowers | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Cake: Gourmet Touch Bakery | Invitations: A&P Designs | Ceremony Venue: Christ The King, New Vernon | Reception Venue: Hamilton Farm Golf Club | Shoes: Oscar De La Renta | Rings: David S. Diamonds | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Makeup: Stacie Ford Weddings | Hair: Sandrine Buccarelli | Tuxedo: Zegna

You know what’s better than spending the day sipping bubbly with your besties? Spending the day sipping bubbly with your besties at an exclusive concierge event hosted by Grace Loves Lace, the totally unique + totally luxurious Australian bridal label that knows everything about making your dress dreams come true. Think a VIP styling appointment meets a never-ending lineup of breathtaking gowns all happening from March 10th – 19th. Take our advice and do not miss out.

Passionate about luxurious fabrics, ethical manufacturing and stunning designs that will make your heart skip a beat, Grace Loves Lace knows that your wedding day is all about looking fabulous… and they’ve made it so, so easy with styles that are handcrafted in Australia with only the finest in European-sourced silk and lace. So that unforgettable, seriously sexy and sophisticated gown you’ve been looking for? It’s right at your fingertips… and ready to ship worldwide to WOW each and every one of your guests. Which is why attending their exclusive concierge event from March 10 – 19th is sort of a no-brainer. We hope to see you there.

Ready to find that gown that shows off your natural, charming, romantic, sexy and sophisticated side? Visit Grace Loves Lace today to apply for a day filled with beautiful gowns, tasty treats and VIP treatment. Oh, and did I mention the French lace? Sooo much fun, ladies.

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Photography: Sarah Falugo Photography | Bridal Gowns: Grace Loves Lace

A wedding weekend filled with Juliette Balconies, the perfect weather and multiple celebrations that beautifully embody the couple’s culture and traditions is just the kind of wedding we dream about. Now add to that a team of amazing vendors including florals crafted by Designs by Ahn and Sawyer Baird + Mint Wedding Cinematography on the capturing front. See the whole stunning affair from floral arch to breathtaking tea ceremonies right here in the vault.

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From the Bride… David and I were blessed with warm, dreamy fall weather for our entire wedding weekend after two abnormally cold and wet weekends in the beginning of October. Our guests’ favorite part of the weekend was when I got ahead of myself during the ceremony and tried to kiss David right after his personal vows, and our pastor had to stop me because it wasn’t time for us to kiss yet. The ceremony felt lush and intimate, and the reception was filled with non-stop dancing alongside our amazing band. Our closest friends and bridal party members stayed at the mansion with us for the entire weekend, so we were able to make the most of our friends and family members gathering from afar. We could not have asked for a more perfect weekend, and we will be forever grateful.

Photography: Sawyer Baird | Videography: Mint Wedding Cinematography | Floral Design: DESIGNS BY AHN | Cake: Saint Honore Pastry Shop | Wedding Cake: Saint Honore Pastry Shop | Ceremony Venue: Village Club Of Sands Point | Reception Venue: Village Club Of Sands Point | Brides Shoes: Benjamin Adams | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Hair & Makeup: VickyC5 | Band: Hank Lane Music | Favors: Momofuku Milk Bar | Grooms Attire: Suitable | Ceremony Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander | Day of Coordination: Dream Makers NY | Linens: Nuage Designs | Paper Goods: Fourteen-Forty | Photography - Assistance: For the Love of It | Reception Wedding Dress: Mori Lee | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

We all know Jose Villa can do no wrong, so when he sent us images of Alex and Drew’s engagement, our day instantly got a little bit brighter. Dreamy after dreamy moment awaits in the gallery, ready to inspire an incredible photo session of your own.

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P.S. How to Chose Outfits for Your Engagement Session!

Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Hair and Makeup: Heidi Marie Garrett

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Planning an al fresco wedding can be nerve-racking. You’ll have ALL the weather apps downloaded on your phone and basically be glued to the weather channel non-stop. #realweddingfears But when it pays off, it pays off sooo good. This woodland wedding soaked in sunshine is all the proof you need. the vondys. captured each and every glowing moment of which you can find warming up The Vault with love.

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From the vondys.… As photographers, every now and then, you meet a couple like Maddie & Aaron, who you know are just meant to be together. These two have a special connection and understand that marriage takes love, hard work, and sometimes a little self-less sacrifice. These two are always there to support each other through anything that life has thrown their way. We had an absolutely amazing time capturing their private, woodland wedding!

From the Bride… Prior to planning I envisioned my wedding to be outdoors and decorated with a romantic, rustic look. I wanted to focus on the amazing features of the Pacific Northwest, where we both were born and raised, but add some special touches to make it our own. I envisioned the event to be special but something that felt like our personalities and somewhere where everyone would be comfortable. While the day is about celebrating our marriage, I wanted everyone to feel like they could have a good time.

Keeping with a romantic rustic theme, I envisioned burgundy and pale pink as the main colors with touches of greenery and wood accents. I created the chalkboard signs as well as the wine label graphics. The unique elements we included were all the one off glass vases that the venue had. The head table had no two of the same vases. Terri (the owner of the venue) has collected and found each one of those pieces herself and did an amazing job putting the table together the day of. We kept with the same color pallet as the rest of the wedding, but created a romantic and unique design that turned out amazing.

My favorite moment was being at the alter with my best friend and standing in front of our closest family and friends, promising to love each other for the rest of our lives. My second favorite moment was toward the end of the night when 30-50 of our friends and family members stayed on the dance floor until they shut the venue down. It was so amazing to look across the dance floor and see every wonderful memory of our lives put together in one big celebration.

My dress: I walked until the bridal shop with too many pictures and not a clear vision on what I wanted. While the lady at Ania Collection went through every single picture with me and spent the time to understand what I liked, she already had a dress in mind. Based on my body type and the style I was going for, she came out with Pippin. This was not one of the many pictures saved on my phone but at the end of the day it was the one I couldn’t live without. Pippin is a modern sweetheart with some vintage flare. The dress is accented with a geometric lace pattern with beaded detail. I chose the ivory lace with the rose gold lining. I not only felt comfortable in the dress, but it was a clear reflection of my style and personality.

Flowers: The venue was located in a woodland area with lots of greenery, so there was not a lot of floral décor needed. I wanted to accent the greenery in with a soft romantic touch without looking out of place. I chose deep red and pale pink roses with accents of a couple different kinds of eucalyptus. Kim did an amazing job helping me pick the greenery and the right color roses that I wanted for my vision. Kim created the most amazing garland for the ceremony. The arbor was a wood structure and I envisioned a garland with mostly greenery and accents of roses would be the perfect way to combine the romantic rustic look. I didn’t see the garland until I was walking down the aisle, and I was not disappointed. Kim created something that was even more amazing than what we had envisioned. We added a chandelier in the middle to complete the look. It was too perfect.

Cake: My favorite kind of cake comes from Chuck’s Produce and Street Market. For years the only birthday cake Aaron and I have had is the almond poppy seed cake with raspberry filling and cream cheese frosting. It is to die for. Naturally, we found a way to make this our wedding cake. We kept the design simple and added a few of our amazing flowers as decoration.

One piece of advice that I would give brides-to-be would be to try to enjoy every piece of the wedding and planning. As cliché as it sounds, it goes by fast and it is over before you know it. Some of the planning details can be stressful but treat each moment, each decision as its own separate event and enjoy the decision that you make together towards a celebration that you will remember for the rest of your lives. Don’t sweat the small stuff because at the end of the day, it wont matter that your napkins are not the right shade of pink or that you one decoration didn’t turn out the way that you planned. What matters is that you got married to your best friends and you had your favorite people in the world standing with you while you did it.

Photography: the vondys. | Event Design: Maddie, The Bride | Florist: One Flesh Floral Designs | Wedding Dress: Waters Wtoo | Cake: Chucks | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Catering: BJ’s Restaurant | DJ: Ron Rouse | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Groomsmen's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Officiant: Christian Rector | Day of Coordinator: Samantha Amren | Hair/Makeup: Katelyn of Glam Beauty Bar | Private Residence: Private Residence in Battle Ground, WA | Wedding Dress Shop: Ania Bridal

Classic New England looks a little something like this pretty celebration. A summer affair under a sail tent with the prettiest florals by Orly Khon Floral, planning by Tangorra Wedding Planning, all the gorgeous paper goods you could possibly imagine by Cheree Berry Paper + The Left Handed Calligrapher and lots of stunning images too. Pore through this day captured by Lisa Rigby Photography along with a film by Brighter Lights Media too.

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From the Bride…Pat and I began dating in college in Massachusetts, which is also where I am from originally. Even though our jobs have now taken us to Washington, DC, we knew that we wanted to get married back in my home state, where we first met. Selecting a venue took little to no time: both my parents and my Godmother got married at the Lyman Estate, a historic New England mansion. Seeing their strong partnerships, we figured that making our commitment to each other in the same spot would bring us good luck!

We envisioned the day being a casual, yet elegant, summertime garden party for our closest friends and family to relax, “eat, drink, and be merry,” and dance the night away! The estate is such a beautiful space for a wedding celebration, given its expansive lawn, gardens, and greenhouses. We wanted our guests to enjoy all that the Lyman Estate had to offer, which is why we hosted both the ceremony and reception at the mansion, just in different spots throughout the estate as the night went on: the ceremony was outdoors on the lawn, with the greenery as a backdrop; cocktail hour was held on the lawn and on the veranda of the house as the sun was starting to go down; we brought in a Sperry tent with a floor and bistro lights for dinner and toasts; and for the rest of the night, we went inside the ballroom of the mansion for dessert and dancing. Luckily for us, with a lot of the evening planned for outdoors, the weather was absolutely spectacular! Pat and I joked that the two songs we picked for the entrance and recessional, “Here Comes the Sun” and “It’s a Beautiful Day”, which were also printed in our programs, would have been very ironic had it rained! While we did have a very good Plan B, I was so thrilled we didn’t have to use it.

My favorite details from the wedding were the ones that felt uniquely “us” and are personal to our story: the venue’s significance to my family, having Pat’s Uncle officiate the wedding, hearing my freshman year roommate – who saw our love just beginning – give one of our readings, eating dinner with “Mr. & Mrs.” forks, the Bride and Groom wreaths on our chairs at dinner (to bring the garden to the tent!), putting crab cakes on the menu as a nod to Pat’s Maryland upbringing, serving funfetti cupcakes (I used to make Pat funfetti cupcakes constantly in college), passing little ice cream cones for dessert (so that no one had to leave the dance floor – we really didn’t want anyone to leave!), wearing my grandmother’s sapphire and diamond ring on my right hand, having the lace from my mom’s veil at her wedding wrapped around my bouquet, Pat giving a groom’s toast as a surprise to guests after dinner (he gives fantastic speeches at other people’s weddings, so it felt appropriate for him to give one at ours!), the list goes on…

I don’t know if I could come up with only one favorite moment, but my favorite memories are both big and small: helping my bridesmaids put on their dresses and figuring out how to style them (we left it until the last minute!), my mom zipping me into my dress, having our first look and spending time just the two of us in the Lyman Estate’s greenhouse and walking the grounds, reading Pat’s note to me before our wedding (a tearjerker!), not being able to get Pat’s wedding ring over his big knuckle at the ceremony, taking photos with our college and grad school friends, all of the wonderful wedding toasts, dancing up a storm!, and perhaps my favorite, singing with the band!

The feeling I remember most on the day is just pure joy and love – as you can see from the photos, I could not stop laughing or smiling. Guests told me later that I was the happiest bride they’ve ever seen. To which I responded, “What’s not to be happy about?!”

My biggest piece of advice to brides is to just enjoy and relish every single part of the journey! Even if planning is stressful at times, at the end of the day, your wedding is about you and your husband, and all of the people you love all in one place! (And how often does that happen in life?) Try to take in every second, because it really does go by so quickly!

Photography: Lisa Rigby Photography | Cinematography: Brighter Lights Media | Event Planning: Tangorra Wedding Planning | Floral Design: Orly Khon Floral | Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta | Invitations: Cheree Berry Paper | Rings: Barmakian | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Capers Catering | Makeup: Dani Wagener Beauty | Hair: Lindsay Griffin | Calligraphy: The Left Handed Calligrapher | Band: Night Shift Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Alton Lane | Groomsmen's Attire: Combatant Gentlemen | Ceremony Music: Anima | Hotel : The Charles Hotel, Cambridge, MA | Wedding Venue: Lyman Estate | Tent: Sperry Tent | Bridal Salon: L'elite Boston | Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Harvard Faculty Club | Rentals: Peterson Party Center

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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While I went with an updo on my own wedding day, I often find myself ogling a gorgeous bride with flowing waves… but then I see an elegant twist and I’m back in the other direction. So when Hey Lovely Makeup shared their take on the best of both worlds, well, I was won over in seconds. Dana Fernandez and Next Trail Photography captured the easy peasy switcheroo making this look ideal for the bride that wants it all!

Ceremony Style: Romantic Side ‘Do

Part and prep the hair with a dry texture spray

Sweep hair to one side twisting from the bottom

Pin the bottom twisted pieces of hair loosely

Twist a few front pieces away from the face meeting the other pinned pieces

Add a vintage hair pin or embellishment – tada!

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To Dance The Night Away: Effortless Side Chignon How-to

Begin twisting hair away from the face

Continue to twist and begin forming a bun around the clear elastic

Secure bun using bobbi pins

Pin loose ends leaving a few pieces out for a more effortless feel

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From Dana Fernandez… One thing that myself and Erica (owner of Hey Lovely Makeup) often see at weddings where we share the same client is that the majority of the time, a bride’s hairstyle rarely stays fresh all the way through the reception. While brainstorming one day with a shared client who couldn’t decide whether to wear her hair down or in an updo, we suggested that she wear her hair down through the end of the ceremony and then have her hair styled into an updo during the cocktail hour. Our sweet bride ended up going with the suggestion and it was perfect! Not only was she able to have two different hair styles, but also her hair was up and away from her face during the dancing as well as her hair being perfect and fresh for the pictures until the getaway!

Since it was such a success for our client, we decided to put together this tutorial for brides that are looking at doing the same thing in an easy step by step format!

Photography: Josh & Dana Fernandez | Videography: Next Trail Photography | Hair + Makeup: Hey Lovely Makeup | Film Lab: The Find Lab

The birds are chirping, the days are getting longer, it’s almost our favorite time of year: wedding season! For all you brides-to-be who are in the midst of planning their big day – and for us lucky guests who get to attend – what exactly can we expect to see this special season? Easton Events is here to share the 10 trends they are embracing and excited about – get ready to get inspired!

Photography: Aaron Delesie Photographer

Rising Florals

For the last decade the wedding world has had a love affair with low, loose deconstructed flowers, but things are looking up, literally, in 2017. Table centerpieces are getting a lift and going high again, and not in the floral ball on top of the pedestal vase mode. This year’s arrangements feel dramatic and uncontrived – truly uplifting. We are thrilled to add more dimension to our designs by incorporating height on the table.

Stylish Bridesmaids

In 2017 our fashion-forward brides are asking their bridesmaids to wear coordinating attire. These dresses are not similar in either design or material but still create a cohesive look. It takes a keen fashion eye to pull off this fun, fresh trend but we love it!

Emotional Moments Captured

A seismic shift is happening in wedding photography as brides are beginning to favor and request more of a photojournalistic style for their wedding photography. It’s not just about perfectly posed pictures captured in dreamy tones with the soft lens. We see our couples looking for candid, unstoppable pictures with palpable emotion.

Invitations to Inspire

In recent years, the wedding invitation continues to take on more and more importance in the overall design of a wedding. We continue to push the envelope ;) on this trend, and deliver inventive and unexpected printed pieces to “tempt” the wedding guests. We love to hint toward the wedding design textures by incorporating fresh mediums like velvet, suede, linen, and printed vellums. Presentation is everything and creating a box to nestle your invitation inherently allows you to deliver multi-piece suites and a layered guest experience.

Color Is Back!

Color is back in wedding décor and going big and bold is definitely the way to go. After years of blush and neutral being the palettes of choice, a zesty yellow green is now the Pantone Color of Year. So give your wedding décor a fresh take and pump up the color. Color, color, color is the biggest trend for 2017.

Destination Is Where It’s At

This is the year of the destination wedding! Whether you marry on a Caribbean beach, at an Italian villa or on a mountaintop out West, faraway destinations have become a significant trend. More and more of our brides are cutting their guest count and heading out on the road to find that perfect and sublime place to say “I do”.

Quiet Jams

Silent discos are hot this year. It seems like the noise police are everywhere but pop on your headphones and let the party continue. A DJ spins the music and your guests, cocooned in their headsets, rock the night away. Truth be told, it took us a minute to get on board with this trend, but once you see it in action, it’s just so much fun. Try it for your after party!

Restaurant Chic

Wedding design is taking notes from great restaurant design. We’re adding in custom bars and custom chandeliers with lots of lounge grouping to make even a tented event feel like a fun, hip bar. Specialty beverage services rock out a variety of imaginative custom high test drinks for discerning guests.

Festive Food

Food as art and entertainment is hot! Local specialties are in the limelight, and the presentation is as important as the food itself. Try a handmade burrata station, or gin cart or an oyster shucker roaming through the crowd. Create signature moments which are fun, delish and memorable.

Towering Trees

Trees are trending so bring the great indoors inside! We love seeing tree limbs bending down with a plethora of candle light to warm up the space. Trees add drama and scale to any room, so if you can’t dine alfresco bring a little nature inside.

Event Planning Advice: Easton Events

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Event Planning

Easton Events

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Charleston is one of those places that has romance at every turn and it only has a wee bit to do with its blush colored buildings, Spanish Moss laced streets and horse drawn carriages. All in all it’s about as perfect a spot as can be for an intimate destination wedding. Especially one at the hands of Sweet Magnolia Flowers and Shining Light Photography. Take a little Southern style vacay right here.

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From the Bride… We knew from the beginning that we wanted to do a destination wedding. We both wanted something small, intimate and romantic. Initially setting out to find a beach destination we quickly realized that wasn’t the best fit for us. It wasn’t until our last night in Charleston on our visit to find a venue that we heard about Battery Park while at dinner. With it only being a few blocks away from the restaurant we decided to check it out. Even with it being late at night we both knew that with the ocean and its breeze combined with all of the Spanish moss, beautiful trees, and history that it would be the perfect setting for our special day. Except for in a few search engine pictures online, we didn’t see all of the beauty it had to offer until months later when we came to look for vendors. Even then, we couldn’t have imagined how breathtaking and perfect it would actually be for our wedding day.

I was so nervous about it being a public venue and I thought I wouldn’t enjoy having strangers watch our wedding. But I loved that as soon as I walked down the aisle people stopped and were so respectful of our moment. It was such a wonderful thing that to people who I will never even know their names stopped us as we took pictures to tell us how they watched our whole wedding and how magical it was. They got to be a small part of our happy ever after.

Photography: Shining Light Photography | Floral Design: Sweet Magnolia Flowers | Wedding Dress: Stella York | Invitations: Vallarina Creative | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Hair and Makeup : Grace Salon and Spa | Tuxedo : Geno's Formal Affair | Historic Park Gazebo : White Point Garden | Rentals: Simply Elegant

We’re always up for an out-of-the-box engagement session, and this one fits the bill perfectly. The couple skipped a traditional photo shoot and instead hit the slopes with Amy Rizzuto Photography by their side. The winter season might be coming to an end, but we promise this gallery will have you wishing for one more snowstorm (or two!)

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How We Met

Eric and I met a little over 6 years ago at Queens College in New York, where we both attended graduate school for teaching. Although we met in early September when Eric kindly offered to set up my T. V. In my dorm room (but was unsuccessful since “I made him nervous!”), it took a few months of exchanging smiles in the elevator until we began dating in March of the following year, when the timing was right. In the very beginning of our relationship, Eric would slip his favorite DVD’s under my door late at night, and stop by after class with some Frozen Yogurt, not just for me, but for all of my suite-mates too. It didn’t take long for me to fall head over heels for this chivalrous, handsome, fun-loving and charismatic man. In just a few short months of dating, we realized our strong connection, our shared love of popcorn and adventures, and knew we had found a rare and beautiful love that was meant to last.

The Proposal

Eric proposed on Christmas Eve, which is also my birthday, in front of our closest family, since he knew how important family is to me. Before the proposal, Eric asked me to open my birthday present from him, which was a Polaroid camera, a gift that I had told him I wanted! Eric whispered, “Save this camera for the special moments.” Seconds later, chords from a guitar began to play a song that Eric knew I loved, “I Choose You” by Sara Bareilles. Then, in walked a mutual friend from school who began to serenade us. Eric got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes, and the first picture of us taken after the engagement was captured on my new Polaroid camera, since it was truly a special moment! On our wedding day, our engagement song “I Choose You” was played during the ceremony, right before I walked down the aisle to become Eric’s wife, to let him know that I choose him too!

Photography: Amy Rizzuto Photography | Mugs: Etsy | Polaroid: Amazon | Ski Resort: Mountain Creek

I’ve never stepped foot in Rosemary Beach, yet feel as if I visited there a hundred times thanks to all of the stunning weddings we’ve feature in this locale. It boasts the whitest sands and an adorable little town hall—making it kind of the perfect spot for a seaside soiree like this one planned by Shelby Peaden Events. Blooms from Myrtie Blue served as the perfect contrast for the white backdrop. Convinced this is your spot? See even more from Shannon Griffin Photography in The Vault.

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From the Bride… As a little girl I often envisioned my wedding as the typical princess fairy tale…lavish, large, and complete with my own Prince Charming. When it came time to actually plan my wedding at thirty, my idea of the perfect wedding had entirely shifted. I had already found my best friend and the love of my life in my fiancé and now hoped to have a wedding that would be a personal celebration of our love and commitment surrounded by our closest friends and family. Size and grandeur were replaced by a focus on intimacy and individual style.

With that in mind we searched for a venue in a place that would also serve as a vacation spot for our sixty or so traveling guests. Enter Rosemary Beach, Florida, a beautiful seaside town with quaint cottage rentals, cobblestone roads and a old-world imbibing Town Hall which could double as a ceremony and reception location. The adjacent outdoor grass courtyard was an added bonus and proved to be the perfect spot for a cocktail hour.

With our venue selected we began to focus on the experience and details of the day. I’ve always valued personal style and decor design and I wanted our wedding to be no exception to that. I envisioned romance, candles, and an elegantly mature bohemian feel. I pictured loads of gorgeous greenery, vibrant peonies and a mix of modern and more traditional elements. On all of these items and much more, Brian at Myrtie Blue delivered.

Food and drink was also at the top of our priority list. Based on recommendations and reviews we selected Townsend Catering, and we were so happy we did. We wanted to serve a hearty meal to our guests, part coastal and part southern comfort so we ended up choosing options like braised short rib with mashed potatoes, pan-seared grouper and jumbo lump crab meat with cheese grits and appetizers including bacon wrapped dates and grilled cheese tomato shooters. We also wanted to personalize our drink options so we opted for a selection of locally brewed beer from the panhandle and where my husband grew up, and a few signature cocktails including my favorite, appropriately named the Rosemary.

The last detail we nailed down was a biggie. We needed to select a photographer who would be able to capture the day in a beautiful, organic and artistic way. Sure we wanted some of the traditional posed photos, but we were more interested in the elusive candid moments, the meaningful glances and unprompted smiles, the details of the day that we could later draw upon to remember how we felt at that instance in time. Shannon was exactly that photographer. She managed to not only capture those aspects but to do so while making us feel entirely comfortable during the process.

There is truly not a single thing I would have changed about that day. Our personal style and touches were reflected in nearly every detail. In focusing on our commitment to one another and how we wanted to share and celebrate that with our closest friends and family we were able avoid the often production type feel weddings can sometimes generate, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Photography: Shannon Griffin | Event Planning: Shelby Peaden Events | Floral Design: Myrtie Blue | Wedding Dress: Lea-Ann Belter Bridal Flagship Boutique | Invitations: Minted | Ceremony Venue: Rosemary Beach™ | Reception Venue: Rosemary Beach™ | Catering: Townsend Catering | Groom's Attire: Vera Wang

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Shelby Peaden Events

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You might think the last month before your wedding will be crunch time—but the last thing you should be doing is ‘crunching’ in a ton of Big Day to do’s. Instead, you should be enjoying a spa day, a date night with your soon-to-be or scouting fun things to do on your honeymoon. From last-minute beauty updates to neglecting your guests, make sure to avoid making these five mistakes in your final countdown!

Making Drastic Beauty Changes

One of the best pieces of advice I received while planning my wedding was to NOT change my look drastically. I wanted to try balayage (something I never had tried before) and one of my bridesmaids spoke up and warned me not to. I’m so glad I listened and stuck with a classic ‘me’ hair color. This goes for makeup, spray tans, hairstyles, false lashes, nail color, etc. You might think you need to make a statement for your fete—but trust me, going with your classic ‘you’ beauty practices are in your best interest. If you do want to amp your look up a bit, make sure you test it out in plenty of advance to make sure you love it.

Not Recruiting Help

Ladies, I hear you. You really want to take care of it all to make sure it goes smoothly (and exactly how YOU want). But that’s exactly how stress starts to creep in and your idea of a perfect wedding day goes out the door. You simply cannot do. it. all. And you know what? That’s OK. Put trust in your friends and family to help you where needed. That’s what your bridal party is for! They’re there to help and take the load off of you. Let go of that control (or at least a little bit of it) and you’ll find those last few weeks a whole lot more enjoyable.

Neglecting Your Guests

Your focus should definitely NOT be on every one else. However, taking the time to prep a month-out email to your wedding guests with any extra details will allow you to do exactly that. Make sure you’ve answered any potential questions that might come your way. The last thing you want is to be getting texts and calls from your guests asking where to meet for the rehearsal dinner the evening before or if there’s a shuttle to the venue. Give them more info than you think they’ll need and you’ll be able to kick back and soak in the last month before your Big Day (without any interruptions).

Not Planning a Photography Timeline

This is something your photographer should chat with you about in advance, but remember to keep in mind the flow of your wedding day and where you’ll fit in those photo planned getting ready moments, first look, portraits, etc. You might really want to attend your cocktail hour after the ceremony rather than taking photos for an hour. You might not want traditional family portraits at all! Keep these things in mind and come up with a plan before the Big Day, rather than day of.

You Forget to Make Honeymoon Arrangements

All of the focus is on your wedding day, as it should be. But if you’re leaving for your honeymoon shortly after, make sure not to forget all of the details that goes with planning your trip away. Create a packing list, make sure your fur babies have boarding booked, you’ve got a house sitter in place or neighbor to pick up your mail and water the plants, etc. It’s easy to forget these to do’s that seem impossible to neglect when you go on a regular vacation, but not surprising that it might fall by the wayside with wedding tasks on the mind.

When Lilly Pulitzer announced the launch of her new Lilly White Dress Collection, we threw a virtual party. But what’s better than breaking out the bubbly in our yoga pants? Putting on our sparkliest heels and joining the fun at a retail location near you. Yep, on March 4th, we’ll be enjoying a day of light bites, tasty sweets, yummy drinks and presents, all in celebration of this totally chic attire. We sooo hope to see you there.

When it comes to stunning white dresses that are a must for special events, pre-wedding activities and honeymooning in style, the Lilly White Dress Collection is IT. Think crazy beautiful attire that is perfect for bopping around the beach, toasting the ones you love at your rehearsal dinner or saying “I do” seaside. From the golden details of the Suzette to the flattering fit and flare of the Tilly to the fab fringe detailing of the Simona, each and every piece in this amazing collection is stop you in your tracks gorgeous… and so worthy of a celebration.

Whether you’re looking for that stand-out frock for your bridal shower, honeymoon, wedding or something else entirely, join us for the party of the year on March 4th at a Lilly Pulitzer location near you. Because Lilly Pulitzer + SMP + YOU = sooo much fun. Can’t attend in person? No worries. The celebration continues online here.

Grab your besties and mark those calendars for Saturday, March 4th, you guys. Because missing even a moment of this event is not an option.

Playing on their love of the outdoors, this couple knew Rancho Las Lomas was the perfect venue for them. They tied the knot with an al fresco affair catered by 24 Carrots, with no shortage of lush, organic-style greens to play up the setting. With Hello Blue Photo by their side from start to finish, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll never want to leave the full gallery.

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From the Bride… As soon as we toured Rancho Las Lomas, we both pretty much knew this venue was the one. The greenery, trees and wildlife played into our love of the outdoors. It really fit the bill for what we were imagining. We were drawn to the natural, bright elements; without it feeling too rustic. I really wanted the day to convey whimsy and romance with touches of playfulness. As an animal lover, I was definitely drawn to the venue. I wanted to use that element as part of our décor, to invite in some fun, without it being too over the top. I had the groomsmen wear some animal socks, had watercolor animals on the table numbers and handed out animal crackers to my departing “party animals.”

In planning our wedding, it was important to capture both of our cultures. We had the traditional Persian sofreh aghd blended into our traditional American ceremony. Our sofreh had many symbolic items, each representing an element our new lives together. We also had a typical Japanese toast to weave in part of my husband’s heritage as well, BONSAI! Our photographer Christina, Hello Blue Photo, captured everything magically. After meeting with her, I knew I would be choosing her to capture our big day. I liked that she seemed on the ball and organized. She addressed all the right questions and wanted to make sure we were a good fit for each other. The natural lighting and attention to detail shined throughout. Since the wedding gets so hectic, it was nice that all of her pictures included the details so that we could catch things we may have not seen. Her ability to keep calm through the craziness was the cherry on top!

Photography: Hello Blue | Videographer: Dove Weddings | Event Coordination: Tres jolie Events | Floral Design: Julep Bloom Design | Wedding Dress : Truvelle | Bakery: Sweet Traders | Reception Venue: Rancho Las Lomas | Bridesmaids Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Catering: Giracci Vineyards Farms | Hair + Makeup: Mobile Bridal Salon | DJ: 90210 Entertainment | Grooms Attire: Combatant Gentlemen | Bridal Accessories: Kash Crystals | Bridal Salon: Love And Lace Bridal Boutique | Grooms Accessories: J.Crew | Invitation Stationery: Papel Amor | Photo Booth: I Heart MoMo | Rentals: Archive Rentals | Signs + Escort Card Stationery: Petal & Paperie | Sofreh Design: Elegant Sofreh Design