Style Me Pretty: Wedding Blog for the Style-Obsessed Bride

Say Hello to the Oceanside Venue of Your Dreams

California weddings are always awesome, but tying the knot at The Heritage House Resort & Spa? Well, that’s an entirely new level of gorgeous. Think clifftop ceremonies, breathtaking views of the Pacific and a talented team that will handle your every want + need with exceptional service. It’s your dream wedding with a little side of Mendocino pretty. Start planning your celebration below.

How do you throw the celebration of a lifetime? Well, saying “I do” with awe-inspiring views of the Northern California coast as your backdrop is one way to start. And The Heritage House Resort & Spa doesn’t just offer up amazing scenery for your Big Day… this Four Star Resort also happens to have a list of fabulous amenities that will make your entire wedding weekend. From their luxurious accommodations to their award-winning cuisine to the spa that will ease all of those pre-wedding stresses, you’ll be kicking back and relaxing while their awesome staff handles each and every detail. Including finding the perfect vendors to make it all happen. We love that.

Whether you’re saying “I do” in an intimate elopement or plan on hosting the party of the century with all of your friends and family, contact the The Heritage House Resort & Spa today to begin your journey to the wedding of your dreams. And don’t forget to follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to truly get inspired for your Big Day.

Photography: Cassandra Young | Hotel/Ceremony/Reception: Heritage House Resort

What Happens When You Plan a Wedding 2,000 Miles Apart…

Think planning a wedding is hard when you live together? These lovebirds did it while living 2,000 miles apart! And it couldn’t have turned out more perfect. Located at the most charming venue in the middle of rolling vineyards, the imagery captured by Jen Philips instantly made me want to book a trip to wine country—have a look at The Vault for the full day!

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From the Bride… Cole and I wanted our wedding to be a reflection of our lives together so far. This meant great food, music, adventure, a lot of love and the most amazing family and friends supporting us. We had a long engagement and did a lot of the planning early on while living 2,000 miles apart! Believe it or not, the long distance planning process was really fun. We both grew up in Palo Alto, California so we considered some wedding venues closer to home, but we absolutely fell in love with Running Rabbit Ranch in Santa Rosa. We looked at eighteen different venues, and this one stood out the most to us. Perched on a hill and nestled in the vineyards, it was the perfect wine country wedding venue complete with white barns, old oak trees and goats a plenty.

Although there are hundreds of decisions to make during the wedding planning process, Cole and I felt that every decision we made felt “just right.” The decisions regarding the venue, our vendors, the ceremony, our vows and everything else came from our hearts and was a true reflection of what we value in life. We knew that we wanted to give our guests that quintessential summer wine country wedding experience while including some unique personal touches.

We honestly had a dream team of vendors! Jen, our photographer made us feel comfortable and at ease while taking photos in the 90+ degree weather. Brian from Ivy Hill Entertainment helped welcome our guests and set the mood with his acoustic guitar and singing. My stepfather officiated our ceremony on a high lawn overlooking the vineyards while goats and donkeys laughed along with us. We wrote our own vows and I surprised Cole with an engraved wedding band. The ceremony was an eloquent, funny and love-filled encapsulation of Cole and my relationship. We dined outside under an oak tree in the middle of the vineyards and had the most incredible farm to table food from the girl & the fig. I didn’t have a specific color palette or theme; I just wanted it to be fresh, clean and romantic. We were blown away by the flowers from Valley Flora, the floral arrangements were all so beautiful and were the cherry on top of our perfect day.

We had some DIY touches as well. Cole and I built all of the signs and table numbers and I hand lettered them. We also built the table assignment display using wood and chicken wire. Many trips to home depot were made, and we could not have done it all without the help of our parents. Cole infused the bourbon for his signature cocktail with thirty fresh peaches, which ended up being a guest favorite. One of the highlights of the day was our first dance, which took place in the opening of the barn on the hill above the dinner tables. We had a vision of dancing up in the barn while our family and friends were seated below, and our vendors were able to make it happen. There is nothing better in life than experiencing and sharing the love you have for your new spouse with those who mean the world to you. The entire day was so full of joy and love, and was the best day of our lives together so far!

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Doing a Bridal Session? This Slice of Inspiration is a Must-See.

Bridal session must-haves? A stunner dress, a knockout bouquet and of course, a breathtaking location. This slice of inspiration crafted by Kristin Sweeting checks all the boxes and the combo is getting all the hands-raised emojis from me. How fun would it be to twirl in one of those Carol Hannah dresses?! Need more convincing that you should do a bridal session? Hop on over to The Vault.

From Kristin Sweeting… I loved putting together this shoot to show two different bridal looks with the stunning backdrop of the mountains. Carol Hannah’s dresses are show stoppers and Park Floral put together the most beautiful bouquet. I also love seeing brides trying some different colors for their wedding day attire, and the blue in Oceane by Carol Hannah is the perfect subtle pop of color.

Photography: Kristin Sweeting Photography | Flowers: Park Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Carol Hannah | Makeup: Malle Gambuti | Model: Model Team Aspen

From Friend Zone to the Prettiest Happily Ever After

This is proof that there is a way out of the dreaded friend zone and sometimes it just might lead to a gorgeous wedding. These two friends turned husband and wife celebrated with a lavender infused wedding captured by Mekina Saylor. It’s straight from a Rom Com complete with a feel good ending.

From the Photographer… Were you friends with your significant other prior to getting together romantically? Bianca + Eugene were! In fact Bianca kept Eugene in the friend zone for YEARS! Since high school these two were “just friends”. Eugene would even come over to Bianca’s house to hang out before she’d leave to go on a date… with another guy! Eugene never gave up pursuing Bianca and somehow just knew they’d end up together as more than just friends. Finally after a party with friends and a couple of cocktails later, Bianca saw the possibility of a future with Eugene. He was her best friend, and she knew that was something she could not live without!

From a Skydiving Engagement to a Dream Wedding in Sicily

If I had to describe this wedding in one word, I’d call it enchanting. Completely and utterly enchanting. From the fact that these two got engaged while skydiving to the beautiful Bride’s Pnina Tornai dress (can you even?) to their Sicily fete filled with charm. I think you’ll find yourself lost in The Vault gallery captured by Rossini Photography just like I did.

From the Bride… Dustin and I are from complete opposite sides of the world! He hails from Sydney, Australia and I grew up in the United States. We met five years ago on the 4th of July in Southampton, New York, (a short drive from New York City, where we are both living). Fast forward three years and a skydiving engagement later, we decided Italy would be the perfect place between the US and Australia to have our wedding.

While on vacation in Italy, Dustin and I fell in love with Sicily and the small, scenic beach town of Taormina. Taormina has the most charming streets, delicious food, and a stunning backdrop of the still active volcano, Mt. Etna. After meeting Domenico and the staff at the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, we knew this was our venue. There is an old world charm about the Hotel Timeo, which made for a very classic and traditional backdrop, which is what I always envisioned for my wedding day.

I chose a crisp white and blush tone color palate. The backdrop of Taormina and the Timeo gardens are so stunning that we didn’t need to add an intense color palate. All three bridesmaids wore different shades of blush colored gowns. The flowers were done all in white with green ivy and flowers ranging from roses, peonies, and hydrangeas.

My favorite part of the evening was watching the sunset over Mt. Etna with candles lit everywhere, and sharing a delicious five-course dinner with our closest friends and family.

Claudia and Luca of Rossini Photography were fantastic! They came to our venue site a day early to scout locations. They were very professional, kind, and easy to work with. And the pictures are stunning… I want to frame them all! I highly recommend this lovely couple. We had an amazing four-day weekend filled with love and laughter. It was the perfect way to the start the beginning of the rest our lives together!

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A Rustic Take on a Cape Cod Wedding

With family from Texas to Brazil, this couple decided on a destination wedding to group all their guests in one perfect spot – Cape Cod. Esq.Events Wedding Coordination came on board to help them design the day of their dreams, including rustic details captured by Li Ward. See it all here!

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Overbrook House is such an awesome wedding venue and our amazing couple made the most of the various spaces available. They hosted their families and friends on the property in Cape Cod: many visiting from Texas and Brazil. The ceremony was held on the lawn followed by cocktails and games in the garden and dinner in a sail cloth tent. The final stop was the dance hall for dancing and desserts. It was a warm, personal affair that continued well into the evening. The details and design of the entire event were elegant and whimsical fitting the rustic venue on the cape.

A Vow Renewal Guaranteed To Make You Believe in Forever Love

“Our love story is perfectly imperfect but it’s ours” says this beautiful Bride and we couldn’t agree more. Those love and life stories are often filled with bumps and bruises and what really amazes us is when couples can take on those difficulties and become stronger. And that’s exactly what Cindy and her husband Nick did. They reunited after time apart and Luminance Wedding Films captured all the magic that went down as they renewed their vows. You’ll be one lifelong believer in love after this right here!

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From Luminance Wedding Films… “You are my miracle, and I am happy that it is you once again that I get to spend the rest of my life with.” Cindy shared these beautiful words to her husband during their vow renewal session. Their story is one that is very unique and one that we were so honored to be a part of. Cindy and Nick had been married before several years ago. As life sometimes goes, the couple struggled and found themselves going through a divorce a few years later.

After doing a lot of soul searching and finding their faith in God, the couple realized that they were meant for each other and re-connected. Having shared two children together and adopting a third, this family was made whole once again and they were re-married. Not having a video to document this special occasion, the couple approached Luminance Wedding Films to see about creating a vow renewal film. We of course jumped at the chance. Vows are the glue that binds two hearts together. They are what we reflect on when times are tough and when we need a reminder of what we have promised to each other. They see us through the good and the bad times. This film focuses on those important vows and on the strength they found in a life giving and reconciling God.

Cinematography: Luminance Wedding Films | Styling: Cindy Sandoval + Jessica Kennedy | Floral Design: Costco | Cake: Costco

Say Hello to the Perfect Atlanta Venue

When it comes to tying the knot in style, finding the right locale is key. And if you happen to be saying “I do” in Atlanta, The Westin Buckhead Atlanta most definitely needs to be on your radar. Think over 30,000 square feet of event space, a talented staff with over 17+ years of service experience and a culinary team that will leave all of your guests talking. It’s the wedding of your dreams.

Whether you’re tying the knot in a small, intimate affair with just your nearest and dearest or planning a more extravagant party with all of your friends and family, The Westin Buckhead Atlanta has everything you’ll ever need for that celebration of a lifetime. From the wow-inducing grand staircase to the two story, glass-encased lobby to the picturesque green space located just outside the hotel, it’s THE perfect place to host everything from your rehearsal dinner to your farewell brunches to, of course, your wedding. And don’t even get us started on the tasty menu options. It’s a foodie paradise… literally.

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that is glamorous, chic AND fun, contact the talented staff at The Westin Buckhead Atlanta today to start planning. They’ll walk with you step by step throughout the entire process to guarantee a celebration that is as awesome as you always imagined. They’ll even accommodate dietary restrictions and work with outside catering. You’re going to love them.

The Bride’s Custom Gown Features an Eight-Foot Train!

I think at some point, every little girl dreams of a wedding just like this one. The regal setting. The stunning ballgown. The real-life Prince Charming to call your own. Take all that storybook romance and it translates into Deidre and Corey’s wedding day captured by Starling And Sage + Lance Cook. P.S. Deidre’s amazing dress? It’s custom-designed, featuring an 8 ft train! See it all right here.

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From the Bride… I had been single for four years the day Corey noticed me as I exited a nutrition store. With a delicate and charming approach, I smiled throughout our brief exchange where I gave him my number. We didn’t know until months later, but after that chance meeting, we both had gushed about the other as we left the parking lot. Me to the barista as I ordered my usual coffee, cheesing about the cute guy I just met and him to a friend, suggesting he had just met the woman he was going to marry. That one day triggered many events, developing a solid friendship, courageous trust, and the greatest love of our lives.

After a two-year, wide-ranging courtship, asking my fathers (and a close aunt!) for my hand in marriage, and the sweetest proposal at one of my favorite places to dine, my honey made good on his day-one consideration, he proposed on bended knee. I have never felt so peaceful and confident about a decision. I didn’t know that day in the parking lot, but at some point during our courtship, I knew he was meant for me. We had a very short engagement—1 month. We wanted to marry soon! And we did at our church where there was a small gathering of family, mostly. The following year we wanted a formal affair that exuded elegance, romance, and class effortlessly.

My custom Aurelia Dress with a 8 ft train by Lauren Elaine Bridal worked well with the ethereal Annesdale property where guests were serenaded by the string trio. The spacious green front lawn of Annesdale was absolutely perfect for our Sunday morning ceremony that reflected the memory of my sweet mother-in-law who had passed two years to the day. Our wedding party was all family and all the florals were peppered with purple Agapanthus as a nod to Corey’s mother—her favorite flower. My sisters stood for me and Corey’s brothers stood for him. One father walked me down the aisle and the other performed the ceremony. We only wanted family and close friends involved and in attendance who fully respected our covenant.

I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so the real honors go to my coordinator Andria Lewis and Valerie at Annesdale who were so thoughtful and kind about my adamant and many changes. With a team of wonderful vendors, including crucial planning, execution, and coordination, our wedding was all that we had hoped!

Your Chance to Win a $4500 Cinematography Package (Yes, Really)

If ever there was a day you’ll want to cherish for always, it’s your wedding day. Which is why finding the right cinematographer is key. So today we’re dedicating our afternoon to the talents of NST Pictures AND their amazing giveaway. Think an all-inclusive cinematography package with some of the best in the biz. Don’t miss out on this fab opportunity… scroll to learn more.

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Your Big Day? It goes by fast. So having a team that you trust on hand to capture every moment is truly sooo important. And who better than NST Pictures, a group of talented artists that are known for their artistic approach and their ability to capture all of those blink and you’ll miss it moments without you even knowing. From their movie-like short films to their music-filled HD footage (with multiple angles) to their true professionalism, you’ll honestly be so happy you hired them. We promise.

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With packages starting at just $1580, be sure to contact NST Pictures to create a keepsake you can come back to time and time again. And then scroll below to enter their giveaway, because it’s awesome.

WHAT: NST Pictures is giving away an all-inclusive wedding cinematography package to one lucky couple, including a full day of coverage with two cinematographers, a trailer film, a feature film, a rough cut of ceremony, first dances and toasts, USB copies and HD digital film links! (Value $4500)

HOW: To enter, and for all terms and conditions, CLICK HERE. Good luck, lovelies! xo

Hot Pink Palm Springs Wedding With a Modern Flair

Victoria and Tom had no interest in a stuffy wedding and instead looked to words like bright, vibrant, and whimsical to guide their Palm Springs affair. Infused with pops of citrus and printed bridesmaid frocks, they bucked tradition in the best way and we’ve got an up close look at every moment. More from Christine Doneé Photography in the gallery and Artisan Production’s film below!

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From the Bride… The inspiration for our wedding was the location itself. I wanted to get married in a venue that I already felt was beautiful and representative of my style which I could enhance but not overcomplicate. I love pops of color and what better place to bring that to life in a wedding than Palm Springs! The La Quinta resort uses bright tones throughout the grounds to create a whimsical yet classic Spanish/Mediterranean vibe. We wanted the wedding day to be stress free which was why we opted to get married on a Friday night, allowing us all day Saturday to enjoy a pool party with our family and friends and celebrate again that evening with a low-key fiesta – we essentially flip-flopped the traditional rehearsal dinner and wedding set up since this was a destination for all of our guests.

As far as style goes, I wanted the colors to be bright and abundant while keeping a slightly romantic vibe which is why we opted for candles floating in citrus, gold painted pineapples and skinny vintage bottles with delicate vibrant flowers. For our table cards, we printed every guests’ name on stickers with our invitation florals and placed them on white matchbooks. The matching name tents at each seat were clipped with a mini clothes pin to a bright colored or metallic candle which the guest could light. I continued the bright floral theme into the bridesmaids’ dresses which tied in with the colors of the arrangements and of course the bouquets. Despite the trend in trailing wispy bouquets, I opted to keep the arrangements tight as they went with our slightly more sleek design.

With all of the beautiful bright colors, we decided to keep my gown and the groom/groomsmen’s suits extremely simple. We opted for a gorgeous blue suit and crisp white shirt for the groomsmen who went tieless, the groom wore a satin cream-colored tie that tied perfectly to my dress. Other small touches throughout the wedding included the use of succulents which tied in the desert theme, we incorporated them into the boutonnières, the naked cake, and the ceremony decor.”

Win Your Dream Gown from Allure Bridals!

Bust out the bubbly, loves. Today we’re diving into the Spring 2017 Collections from Allure Bridals and it’s reason to celebrate… and then some. Think awesome new textures and fabrics, luxe detailing and silhouettes that will hug your every curve. Oh, and there’s a bridal gown giveaway that is basically the best way ever to start the new year. Scroll below to learn more.

The Spring 2017 Collections from Allure Bridals are taking glamour to an entirely new level with some of the prettiest details you will ever lay your eyes upon. From soft crepe and rich Mikado to a seamless combination of traditional silhouettes and modern textures to insanely beautiful styles that will check off every. single. one of your dream gown must-haves, Allure Bridals has you totally covered. Which means that no matter your big day locale, theme or overall aesthetic, Allure Bridals has something for YOU in their crazy gorgeous lineup. And I mentioned the giveaway, right? It just doesn’t get any better.

Whether you can’t stop thinking of head to toe lace, want to walk down the aisle in a wow-worthy tulle skirt or think a chic + sassy fit and flare is perfect for you, check out Allure’s Lookbook to browse each of the 2017 collections. AND don’t forget to contact Allure Bridals TODAY to find the ONE you’ve been searching for.

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What: Allure Bridals is giving one lucky winner one (1) bridal gown valued up to $4,000!

Who: One lucky winner will be chosen completely at random on January 31, 2017.

For Terms & Conditions: Click here.

To Enter: Click here.

Do You Dream of a Perfect Sunset at Your Destination Wedding?

Not many people really wish for rain on their wedding day (although it can be equally as dreamy!). But a perfect sunset? Always a welcomed guest. With a dramatic desert landscape in Phoenix, rich florals from Carte Blanche Design and one seriously gorgeous duo, this destination fete features a golden hour like no other. Want more sun-soaked goodness? See it all captured by Rachel Solomon in The Vault!

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From the Bride… Ryan and I began as colleagues, quickly became friends and not long after that, became an office romance. Since the day we became more than just friends we have almost not spent one day apart. We work in the entertainment industry and get to support each other in our work and come home to each other at night. We quickly built our own traditions – including spending the holidays with one another’s families. On Christmas Eve of 2015, Ryan proposed and the next day we began dreaming up our ideal wedding. I was never the girl who grew up dreaming about my wedding, so once I got engaged I had no secret bridal manual to whip out and pull plans from. We started from scratch. What we did know was that we wanted the wedding to reflect us as a couple and exude FUN! I grew up in Arizona, Ryan is originally from Chicago, and we both have been living in Los Angeles for many years. We quickly realized that the majority of our guests weren’t familiar with the dramatic desert landscape that we love so much. Hosting our wedding in Arizona felt like an easily accessible location that would be a destination to most of our guests and we knew it was an incredible place to have a good time.

Once we decided on the location, our biggest priority was to feature the spectacular sunsets you can only find in Arizona. We almost immediately locked in the Sanctuary Camelback Resort as our venue. We loved that it is an iconic property in the Phoenix area that sits on the renowned Camelback Mountain and has views that can’t be beat. Further, it is nestled a few hundred feet away from where I attended elementary school, giving it a beautiful sense of nostalgia. We chose a luxurious and dramatic palette of oxblood, blush, green, and ivory to enhance the natural colors of the desert and honor the fall season. We then selected velvet fabrics, brass metals and tons of candlelight to infuse romance and warmth into the black tie optional affair.

Upon arrival, our guests were greeted by the sounds of a string quartet playing some of our favorite modern love songs. The aisle was lined with floral-adorned lanterns leading to a magnificent view of the valley. I chose an elegant, structured, crisp white Vera Wang gown and Ryan was suited up in a gorgeous midnight blue Burberry tuxedo. Through tears, we read the vows we wrote for one another and honored our parents by including them in part of the ceremony. Following the ceremony, guests were invited to enjoy cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres and – in another attempt to honor the southwestern ambiance – the sounds of a Spanish guitarist. All under a stunning Arizona sunset, something most of our guests were seeing for the very first time.

The formal plated dinner consisted of an Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Salad, Hunan Braised Short Ribs and Chinese Crusted Mustard Salmon. We also offered wedding cake and a dessert bar full of our favorite sweets: chocolate truffles, chocolate dipped strawberries, éclairs, fresh fruit tarts, and mini mousse cakes. And, since I’m such a pizza lover, we provided each guest with a personal pizza at the end of the night. After dinner, the party got rowdy and guests were bouncing between the high energy dance floor and the hilariously entertaining photobooth – which resulted in all sorts of props and costumes on the dancefloor! Post reception, we moved the party to the hotel bar and shut it down with our closest friends and family before retiring to our honeymoon suite for the night – which had been decorated with candles, flower pedals, champagne and gifts by our best friends.

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Tropical Maui Wedding Fueled By Sunshine, Pineapples and Love

Fair warning, this post is sure to induce summertime nostalgia. It’s all sunshine and pineapples, glowing Bride and a head over heals Groom and the most charming of backdrops. To have a family property in Maui is like winning the wedding venue jackpot after all. Wendy Laurel captured all the Maui beauty and you can take a little tropical vacay courtesy of the vault right here.

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It’s not everyday a real Maui wedding happens. This wedding was between a girl (Olena) who grew up on Maui and her fiance (Billy) she met while at graduate school in New York City. It was held on her family’s land in the Iao Valley with all their family and friends. Her family owns and runs the Iao Valley Inn. The amazing backstory is that 2 months before the wedding date, there was a major storm on Maui and the Iao stream flooded Iao Valley causing major damage. Neighbors had to be rescued and the stream overflow caused alot of damage to her family’s land. Her brother and Dad pulled together with all the neighbors and friends to help everyone in the valley and got the land back into a place where the wedding could still be held there. Olena’s brother officiated the emotional ceremony which included a Hawaiian chant and prayer, lei exchange, special readings by friends and handwritten vows. Olena choose vintage hawaii aloha fabrics and prints for her wedding. The bridesmaids all had mismatching floral patterns and dresses which looked fabulous together. Instead of a bridal bouquet, the girls wore floral hakus made by the bride and her friends the day before the wedding using locally sourced flowers. The cake was topped with two small pineapples and the table decor was all locally sourced with pineapples, ti leaves, palm leaves and local flowers. Olena and Billy’s wedding will be featured on the local television channel here in Hawaii on Hot Hawaiian Weddings.

Photography: Wendy Laurel | Videographer: hot hawaiian weddings | Dessert: Ululanis Hawaiian Shave Ice | Photography - Assistance: Jeffrey Oltman | inn: iao valley inn

This Colorful Seaside Wedding will 100% Spark Your Summer Nostalgia

Winter Schminter, this celebration embodies sunny beach days and childhood carnivals but with a beautiful, peony-filled twist. Captured by Readyluck, it’s a study in taking a theme near and dear to your heart and translating it into the most beautiful thing on the planet. See even more cake and love by the ocean planned by Cape Cod Celebrations right here.

From the Bride… I always envisioned doing something really fun and unique for my wedding. I wanted to combine those nostalgic and playful elements of our personalities with two of our favorite places to visit – the carnival and the beach! We’ve been coming to Wellfleet, a very cool and artsy beach town in Cape Cod, for years and couldn’t think of a better location than The Chequessett Yacht & Country Club. With a working rustic boathouse located right on a private beach, it seemed like the perfect spot to have our dream vintage seaside carnival wedding!

I did quite a bit of research on vintage carnivals and the color palette I was most drawn to was faded pastels, like a soft candy pink and mint with touches of red. I especially love the 1950s/early 1960s era and kept envisioning vintage ice cream soda shoppes, drive-ins with old marquee signage, pink cotton candy and red candy apples. One of my all-time favorite films is the 1988 movie “Big” with Tom Hanks, where he goes to a carnival and makes a wish on a Zoltar fortune-telling machine. I ended up renting a Zoltar Fortune-Telling Machine and had custom fortunes designed for our guests.

Other DIY elements included a kissing booth for guest photos custom built by Garth’s uncle, and our snow cone cocktail bar which consisted of a really cool cocktail menu I created just for our day! I found a company that sells organic gluten free snow cone syrup in wide variety of flavors which gave us a lot of freedom in creating custom snow cone cocktails. I was obsessed with having these vintage pink water goblets from a nearby vintage tea shoppe “Fancy That” in Walpole, Ma. I really think they were gorgeous statements pieces on the tables.

Our escort cards were designed as carnival tickets and placed on an easel with a really cool vintage-inspired carnival sign. We bought a vintage pink 1950s Royal typewriter along with some antiqued paper for the Guestbook. Next to that was a mailbox where guests folded their notes and stuck them inside. Our favorite moment had to be walking down the aisle as a married couple to our recessional song “You’re So Cool” from the movie “True Romance”. It has such a whimsical, carnival feel… Like what you would hear riding a vintage Merry-Go-Round.

Our favorite crafted detail was our custom cake topper that features Garth, myself and our dog Gypsy on a beach with carnival-themed banner. For our flowers, we wanted to have an airy, overgrown garden feel consisting of pink and watermelon colored peonies, clematis, garden roses, berries and white anemones. I am a huge fan of Monique Lhuillier wedding gowns. When I first saw my dress, it was in a magazine spread where the model was dancing around while playfully holding a piece of wedding cake. That definitely captured the style and mood of what I envisioned for the wedding – just like the song “Cake by the Ocean!”

My dress was youthful, elegant, romantic and meticulously crafted and designed. I have curves and wanted the dress to accentuate my shape. The embroidered detail on the top portion of the dress was incredible, but my favorite part was the bottom flowing layers of chantilly lace with overlays of draped tulle. For my jewelry, I just borrowed a small pair of diamond earrings from my best friend Jenny.

My glam squad was amazing as well – My old friend, who is also a phenomenal makeup artist, flew in from LA to attend and do my makeup. I was so thankful to have him there not only to make me look beautiful, but as a great calming support. I reached out to Stacey Keuhn, a local Cape Cod hairstylist who recently got Best of Boston for wedding hair, to tame and style my unruly tresses. For the cake, we had a 3-tiered naked funfetti cake with vanilla buttercream filling, adorned with our custom cake topper featuring Garth, myself and our dog Gypsy. We also had an amazing dessert cart loaded with ice cream cone cupcakes, strawberry shortcake dessert shots, apple crisp mason jars, creme brûlée soufflé cups, cotton candy, vintage boxes of popcorn and red candy apples.

For our Welcome Bags, we had buckets with jute rope handles holding 2 personalized bottles of water along with striped pink straws, Cape Cod chips, sea vegetable bath bar from LUSH and a custom designed map of Wellfleet done by Jolly Edition who did our invitations as well. For other favors, we had a photographer dedicated to taking instant polaroid photos at the vintage Kissing Booth as well the custom fortunes from the Zoltar Fortune-Telling Machine. We also had fresh bags of cotton candy, vintage striped boxes of popcorn and crates full of Raspberry Lime Ricky and Root Beer soda bottles which came from a local Cape Cod staple, Kandy Korner in Hyannis, Ma.

Advice: If your venue doesn’t come with a coordinator to help with day-of details, set-up and certain aspects of the planning process, I would definitely recommend hiring a coordinator for the day of. Our wedding consisted of so many details that we actually had to rent a U-Haul to transport everything to the venue and back. We couldn’t afford a full wedding planner so this put a lot of pressure and stress on us. Although I was intent on carrying out my vision, it slightly kept me from being in the moment on my wedding day because I was so fixated on the execution of those details. As everyone says, it all goes by in a blink of an eye so you have to be present and enjoy it!

Romantic “I do’s” on Top of the World

With a backdrop this beautiful, it’s really hard to go wrong. But add in a gorgeous Bride and florals so pretty we just can’t keep it to ourselves (thanks to the talented Peony & Plum) and the finished results are nothing short of stunning. Kurt Boomer captured it all and lucky for us, all the images are in our Vault gallery just waiting to be dove into!

Colors

Seasons

Spring Weddings

Settings

Outdoor Weddings Villa

Styles

Classic Weddings

From the Kurt Boomer… Malibu Rocky Oaks is one venue that I shoot at more than all others. It is one of those perfect venues. A gorgeous villa, gorgeous light and just enough space for an intimate celebration. Catalina and Brock came from the East Coast to share their vows in this amazing setting. Beautiful couple in a gorgeous location? Its always a good thing.

Peony and Plum brought her amazing talent with thoughtful floral design. The Elegant Ninja brought it all together for a memorable wedding day.

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Eloping Never Looked So Pretty!

If you’ve ever, and I mean EVER toyed with the idea of an elopement, this inspiration shoot is about to convince you completely. Set in Venice, Italy with breathtaking architecture and a classic gondola ride, consider this your visual blueprint designed by Atrendy Wedding for a European “I do.” Go see the gallery by Eric Kelley for even more moments to love.

From the vendors… A timeless styled photo shoot that inspired an enchanting, Old World dream. We were inspired by the blossoming wisteria, the bustling waterways and intimate canals… the most beautiful city in the world. An outdoor ceremony in the garden of the Belmond Cipriani followed by an intimate dinner creation under the purple wisteria set the Venetian mood. We took advantage of the quintessential beauty of the city exploring bridges, hidden alleys and the famous stone paved St. Mark’s Square. A palette of white and green with pops of pink and orange enhanced the natural setting without distracting from this city’s natural beauty. The Venice canals were highlighted in the watercolor paper suite, and a gondola ride for the bride and groom were key elements of this quintessential Italian shoot.

A Real Life “Night at the Museum” Wedding!

Matthew and Dawn weren’t about to have your run-of-the-mill wedding day. Not a chance. Instead, they chose The Fernbank Museum (the location of their first date!) and totally embraced the unique venue – dinosaurs and all. Thanks to Kelli Lynn Photography for the images that speak for themselves!

Colors

Seasons

Fall Weddings

Settings

Museum

Styles

Classic Weddings

From Kelli Lynn Photography… This wedding was so unique! The bride & groom own their own photography business, so they had a certain vision in mind for their wedding, and their vision came to life perfectly! The Fernbank Museum is where Matthew & Dawn had their first date, and they wanted to come back to where it all started for their wedding. The museum itself is amazing, with a huge dinosaur sculpture located in the Atrium of the museum. They decided to add to the natural essence of the museum and incorporate dinosaurs into their wedding theme! Not only that, Dawn herself made several of the geometric shapes that were used for centerpieces and for the ceremony decorations herself! One of the highlight features of the wedding decor was the amazing cake that looks like there was geode rock in the cake!

I absolutely LOVE this couple! As photographers themselves, I knew their wedding would be amazing. Not only that, they were the best bride and groom to work with and were a dream to photograph! This wedding definitely promotes taking your wedding vision and running with it. Do not be afraid to step out of the box for your wedding and use decorations and colors that stand out and represent who you are!

Grab the Tissues… This Wedding Story Will Melt Your Heart.

I can’t quite sum up the beauty of this day in a few short lines—thankfully the incredible event planning team at French Kiss Events did so sweetly below. But if I can say just one thing, it is that love really does conquer all. This gorgeous duo proves it with their story of perseverance and strength. The Nickersons were there to capture every moment of their magical day, and they did so, oh-so-beautifully.

From French Kiss Events… The wedding of Mica & Nate was so incredible, I don’t even know where to begin. Mica & Nate, a couple located in California, first reached out to me in the Fall of 2015. They had been together almost 10 years, and were looking to plan their dream wedding. These two had already been through so much together after meeting in College, and shared with me the journey that they had been on since Mica had been diagnosed with cancer. After having to cancel their wedding in San Francisco due to her health, they decided to start the planning fresh, and looked to Canada. Neither of them had been to Canada before, and decided that it was the perfect spot to start their journey together. Somewhere new and a place that they could make new memories surrounded by their close friends and family. I instantly knew that we would have so much fun together, as their love for each other and desire to host an incredible celebration that fused both their families, was right up my alley!

We set out on finding a place that felt right at home for Nate (from Tennessee) but also suited Mica’s city taste. Whistler was the perfect location to host their wedding week, and the stunning backdrop of North Arm Farm was the instant winner! Dinner in the field surrounded by jaw dropping mountains….does it get any better than that? The design process was amazing, and they put so much trust into all their vendors. Our incredible team pulled out all the stops to make their vision and day come together seamlessly!

About half way through the planning, Mica’s cancer returned. Everyone pulled together to take the planning pressure off of her, and it was amazing to witness how much love and support they have in their lives. She spent the months leading up to the wedding going through treatments, and in the end, was able to truly enjoy their wedding day as all Brides do!

The wedding itself was the most wonderful day! Rain clouds threatened, but held off (thank goodness!) and every detail was executed perfectly. The driftwood arbour, custom made by Verbena Floral Design, was the showpiece, and the dinner in the fields was what dreams are made of. The farm to table meal, created by The Collective Kitchen, was filled with fresh produce from the neighbouring farms, and guests couldn’t stop gushing over how delicious everything was.

And I can honestly say that I have never witnessed love like I did on that day. There wasn’t a dry eye between the guests and vendors, and the joy and happiness that surrounded the couple was infectious. Clearly everyone that attended the wedding love Mica & Nate, and that kind of love really makes you realize what this is all about. It may sound cheesy, but as I look through these beautiful photos by The Nickersons and see the emotions pour out, I can’t help but be transported back to this incredible day.

These two are the strongest people that I know, and I consider myself truly blessed to have gotten to know them and to have been a part of their wedding. We have stayed in touch since the wedding and I love hearing their positive updates, and know that they will have a long and healthy marriage.

Rooftop Wedding with a Gorgeous View of the New York City Skyline

A rooftop wedding on its own gets all the wedding oohs and ahhs. But when said rooftop has a view of the New York City skyline like this one? Romance is taken to a whole new level, my friends. Plus, with Ang Weddings and Events at the planning helm, it’s sure to be a stunner event. See more captured by Belathee Photography in The Vault!

From Ang Weddings and Events… Chelsea and Kevin were married with an intimate outdoor ceremony on the rooftop of The Surrey Hotel on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. As guests stepped off the elevator to the penthouse level, they were greeted by a mirror welcome sign with hand calligraphy, and the sounds of a string trio. Lush white and green floral arrangements in white urns added a romantic feel to the stunning New York City skyline. The bridal party walked down the aisle to “At Last” by Etta James. Guests were provided with little “toss me” sachets of dried lavender to shower the married couple with good luck as the ceremony ended, to the sound of “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles. Chelsea looked so elegant in her embroidered Monique Lhuillier gown with a cathedral length veil. She held a timeless bouquet of peonies and ranunculus, with a few touches of dusty miller.

The reception followed a few blocks away at Daniel. The guests enjoyed Maine Peekytoe Crab Salad with Coconut and Lime, Pineapple, Celery, Fennel Pollen Tuile, followed by Black Angus Beef Tournedos, Porcini, Pickled Ramps, Swiss Chard and Green Peppercorn Sauce. For dessert was alternating Pineapple, Brioche Feuilletée, Lingonberry Confit, Bay Leaf Ice Cream and Vietnamese Single Origin Dark Chocolate Mousse, Sandalwood Smoked Cocoa Nibs Crémeux, Biscuit Macaron. When you can’t decide between two delicious desserts, why not serve your guests both! Being at a 2 michelin starred restaurant, we had to bring Chelsea and Kevin into the kitchen where all the magic happens for some portraits.

The music transitioned from an instrumental jazz trio during the meal to a DJ for dancing later on. The bride and groom’s first dance was to “I Only Have Eyes for You” by The Flamingos. At the end of the celebration, guests took home canales from Daniel as wedding favours. It was such an intimate and joyous celebration, filled with much love from family and friends! Captured so beautifully by Belathee. I particularly loved the beautiful save the date, invitation suite and day of wedding paperie that Written Word Calligraphy designed for Chelsea and Kevin. The gold foil on ivory was so sophisticated and classic, and there is nothing like modern calligraphy to keep it fresh and unique. An escort card table of hand calligraphy cards in metallic gold sent my heart aflutter.