Pack your bags dear readers because we’re headed to California. Specifically, Carmel Valley so we can revel in the pretty that is this inspiration from Samantha Kirk Photography. From the Gavita Flora blooms, to the lovely La Tavola Fine Linen Rental, to the fabulous Bright Event Rentals, we’ve got a preview of the pretty waiting for you to pin in The Vault!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Gavita Flora…The backdrop of our shoot is the beautiful garden of Bernardus Lodge, which is nestled in the scenic rolling hills of Carmel Valley. Inspired by the natural beauty of the rose garden, as well as the luxurious interiors of the lodge, we wanted to create a design that felt romantic, elegant, and dreamy. Velvet linens in the prettiest shades of lavender gray and lilac, lush florals in mauvey pinks and creams, and hints of gold and burgundy accents are some of the details that make this shoot simply charming.

Photography: Samantha Kirk Photography | Wedding Dress: Willow by Watters | Cake: Freedom Bakery And Confections | Hair + Makeup: Julie Dy | Calligraphy + Invitations: Kelsey Malie Calligraphy | Suit: Tuxedo Wearhouse | Wedding Venue: Bernardus Lodge | Bouquet Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Bridal Salon: Epiphany Boutique | Event Design + Floral Design: Gavita Flora | Lab: Pro Photo Irvine | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Male Model: Mitchell Lujan | Model: Iryna Korolenko | Modeling Agency: HM Models | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Silk Table Runner: The Poetry of Silk

Once you’ve found the perfect wedding dress — now, it’s time to find the perfect underpinnings for the big day, big night and beyond! And the best place to find all your pretty lingerie? Journelle, the one-stop shop for fashion-forward luxury lingerie from all your favorite designers. From stylish shapewear to slinky chemises, Journelle has lingerie for every step of your wedding and newlywed bliss.

Lingerie for Every Bride

View Slideshow

Lingerie for Every Bride

View Slideshow

I’m officially taking the plunge with a room we’re renovating in our home and going all white, all the way. And as blah as that might seem, I’m super excited about the design opportunities white brings with it. From going bold with the decor to playing with texture, white is a boundless ‘color’ with endless possibilities. See how you can take your all-white room to the next level with these 13 tips!

13 Ways To Dress Up an All-White Painted Room

View Slideshow

13 Ways To Dress Up an All-White Painted Room

View Slideshow

[dotted]

[dotted]

You might also love…

15 of our Favorite Interior Design Books to Inspire a Gorgeous Home
10 Comfy Chairs for the Ultimate Reading Nook
10 Ingredients You Need for a Chic Patterned Tile Bathroom Makeover

I like unique branding. Stand out from the crowd, make something really, truly your own. So it didn’t take long (we’re talking seconds) of seeing Larissa Cleveland’s pics of this Pebble Beach wedding and the ah-mazing octopus logo to fall head over heels for this celebration. From stationery to the epic dance floor, our 8-legged friend makes one stylish appearance after another. See it all in our Vault this way!

From the Bride… Wow, we were so lucky to have the wedding of our dreams! Brad and I probably had been to over 40 weddings combined before we had the opportunity to plan our own. They were all gorgeous and special in their own way.

After we had basked in the happiness of our engagement (which lasted about 24 hours before the rapid fire of question began), Brad and I knew one thing about our wedding – it would take place at my parents’ home in Pebble Beach, California. My younger sister had the most gorgeous wedding there just a month prior to our engagement and my older sister had been married there over 15 years ago. Their weddings were perfect and both so different, each matching their beautiful personalities.

Like every bride, I began combing through magazines, websites, Pinterest… and I started to get overwhelmed. I had received advice from my wedding planner, Katie Crow, and Heath Alan Ray from Jackson Durham Events to think more about interior design spaces. After this advice, everything clicked!

My mother and I have both shared a great passion for interior design – we love colors, patterns, mix matching, bright, happy spaces that both reflect tradition and modern designs. We had a blast pulling together the fun ikats, the bright colors, the layers of pillows, the draping blankets, the contrasting water glasses and mixed up tablecloths. We were certain we did not want it to look like any other wedding.

Brad and I love entertaining at our home in Richmond, Virginia and we were so fortunate to have our family and friends at my parents’ home in Pebble Beach, California. We wanted our wedding to reflect the two of us and our life together. We picked pieces and elements that reflected entertaining at home – from the whicker placemats, the linen napkins, the easy, bright florals, the blue and white vases and plates. These are all the things we use to entertain with.

Food and wine – those were the most important especially when thinking of entertaining at home. Brad loves wine and there was lots of pressure that we would have some fun wines to serve our guests. Brad picked all our favorite wines through Kent at the Cheese Shop. They were local California wines that showcased the region. We also worked with Paradise Catering to pick out a fun at home menu. All the ingredients came from the Carmel Valley and needless to say, it was delicious.

Through the weekend we carried the theme of an octopus, which culminated with the octopus on the dance floor. In college I was an studio art major and did a whole series on octopus and currently in our home we have a large octopus triptych – Lord Bodner to be specific. This was just another way we were able to tie our home into the weekend.

Our wedding was perfect. It represented our home, our family, and our love of food and wine. Thank you to all the wonderful vendors who helped make it possible!

Photography: Larissa Cleveland Photography | Coordination: Katie McCann Crow | Floral Design: Jackson Durham Events | Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera | Cake: Layers Sensational Cakes | Invitations: Ellis Hill | Ceremony Venue: Church In The Forest | Reception Venue: Private Estate | Catering: Paradise Catering | Makeup: Maitee Miles | Calligraphy: Laurie Harper | Beverage Services: The Cheese Shop | Pre-ceremony Location: Pebble Beach Resorts | Rentals: Chic Event Rentals

If there’s one thing that brightens my day, it’s without fail a beautiful bunch of blooms. As wedding and lifestyle editors, we’ve naturally become somewhat of flower connoisseurs around these parts. And we’ve also come to know and adore their pretty names, which happen to make for some uber lovely baby girl names as well! From Fleur to Aster to Calla, take your pick (no pun intended!) right here.

50 Beautiful Baby Girl Names Inspired by Flowers

View Slideshow

50 Beautiful Baby Girl Names Inspired by Flowers

View Slideshow

[dotted]

Paper Wisteria Backdrop DIY for a Flower-Inspired Shower

[dotted]

See our full baby name archives here!

When Jessica and Evan began planning their downtown Richmond, Virgina wedding they knew exactly the vibe they were going for – modern and urban yet thoughtful and intimate. They chose a color palette of blush, burgundy, and champagne to anchor their design, including the groom’s custom suit that fit the day to a T. Photographed by Shannon Moffit and filmed by Tristan Means, we’re pretty certain your Thursday just got infinitely prettier. Pssst: more in The Vault!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/174590327 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Shannon Moffit Photography…Jessica and Evan’s wedding day was a perfect reflection of their relationship and style; urban bohemian meets modern romance. Out of town guests got a great taste of Richmond; we started the day at the gorgeously renovated Quirk Hotel, attended an intimate ceremony at St. Joseph’s Villa, and concluded the day with reception festivities at The Boathouse at Rockett’s Landing downtown. The color palette include classically romantic blush and champagne with a fun pop of burgundy. Overall, this wedding was a unique and lovely experience!

From The Bride…After living in Houston, TX for over a year, I decided that I was ready to be closer to friends and family. I packed up everything and relocated to Richmond, VA. During this time, I decided that I really wanted to focus on my career and experience true Richmond culture. To do that, I chose a restored apartment building, in the downtown area close to several restaurants. I had a very structured routine. Work. Gym. Dinner. Repeat. And then it happened serendipitously…three weeks into my routine I came home, changed into workout gear and made my way down to the gym.

In my head, I remember thinking today is going to be my cardio day so I’ll do some interval training on treadmill. While walking to the gym I passed through our residential common area that consisted of the usual recreational activities (pool table, billiards, etc.) and noticed that there was someone new shooting pool. That’s when Evan caught my eye. He must have noticed, or maybe it was just mutual because he came up and approached me to start a conversation. Nearly 30 minutes later we exchanged numbers and returned to our separate lives. I headed to the gym and he and his buddy resumed shooting Pool. Over the next couple of days we constantly ran into each other and decided that we should hang out.

Neither one of us was from the Richmond area so companionship was something we both craved. For our first date, we walked for hours downtown along the canal and then concluded on the steps of the Richmond, VA capital building. We both knew early on that this would be something different for us. Though the chemistry and attraction were undeniable, we also genuinely liked and had a mutual respect for the other person. Though we were both initially hesitant about the prospect of dating one another because we lived in the same apartment building, and as we all know that can either turn out to be really good or really….awkward. We figured that the consequence of not trying would fully outweigh the risk of trying and it not working.

Evan and I were dating for a year and a half before he proposed on Valentine’s Day 2015. About two months leading up to Valentine’s Day I remember Evan saying that we had to do something special this year. We drove downtown and he pulled up to the capitol (the site of our first unofficial date) and parked. I remember thinking, ok sir….well-played. Everyone loves a walk down memory lane. So we hopped out of the car and began walking. I remember the wind ferociously blowing in my face and thinking what is so important that we have to be out in the cold right now. And then it hit me. Butterflies. Sweaty palms. All of it at once. And I remember thinking to myself, “Jess, maybe he’s about to propose. Is this what it feels like for a woman before she gets proposed to?” And then I remember thinking to myself, “Nope, Jess that’s not it. It’s a holiday and he said he’d never propose on a holiday.”

He started talking and reminiscing on our first date at the capitol and how this was the place where he came to think after work months ago and realized that he was so in love with me and how today this place wouldn’t be the place of our first date or how he realized he was love in love with me but rather the place where he decided he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. As soon as we climbed the top of the stairs, he reached in his coat, got down on one knee and proposed. With sweaty palms and joyfully misty eyes, I accepted his proposal and jumped into his arms so excited to spend forever with my love and best friend. On the way back to his car, I couldn’t help but turn around and catch another glimpse at the stairs of the capitol building. The capitol has always held a special place for us.

Because most of our wedding guests were traveling to Richmond from other cities and states we really wanted to give them a taste of Richmond. For guest hotels we opted for Quirk Hotel which is a new rendition of the 1916 upscale department store and then the Courtyard Marriott located in historic Shockoe Bottom. For our ceremony we wanted to choose a location that would reflect our spirituality while also reflect our love of giving back to the community. The church at St. Joseph’s Villa seemed like the natural choice. Once a former orphanage, St. Joseph’s Villa now serves the Richmond area as a leading nonprofit by providing support and housing to those suffering with intellectual developmental disabilities, mental health challenges and homelessness. All proceeds from the church go to support their efforts. Lastly, we needed to secure a place for the reception. Here in Richmond, the James River flows aimlessly and effortlessly throughout the city. We wanted our friends and family to have an urban experience and a view of Richmond’s best landmarks so choosing to have our Reception at the Boathouse at Rockett’s Landing was the obvious choice. Nestled on the River, The Boathouse offered violet and pink sunsets, city skylines and river breezes. Finally our venues were done.

Our wedding color palette reflects our personalities: Blush, burgundy, and champagne. Evan opted for a custom made burgundy suit and I landed my ivory Casablanca dress from a boutique here in Richmond, Sealed with a Kiss Bridal. The bridesmaids wore blush with pops of burgundy detailed on lips, nails and bouquets. Similarly, the moms were champagne with pops of burgundy as well. Now that we had our attire we had to ensure that we selected the right person to capture images and to tell our love story. We met with and interviewed with quite a few photographers and once we met Shannon we knew she would be perfect. She has exceeded every single expectation and worked seamlessly with our videographer Tristan Means.

I was lucky enough to work with my future sister-in-law, Tomeisha Dean. Evan and I seriously couldn’t have pulled this off without her. She worked as our day-of wedding coordinator and worked with us during the months leading up to the wedding to discuss our wedding details and ensure that everything flowed seamlessly. She’s planned a number of events and her experience and at times wedding planning can be so overwhelming and it’s important to connect with your partner. Dates with non-wedding talk and quality time with friends and family really helped to keep us grounded and sane throughout our wedding process. Once our wedding day came, it was so AMAZING to see how everything came together and how our vision of a modern, urban, and intimate wedding came together!

Photography: Shannon Moffit Photography | Cinematography: Tristan Means | Event Planning: Tomeisha Dean | Floral Design: Black Creek Flowers & Sweets | Wedding Dress: Sealed With A Kiss | Cake: Couture Cakes by Melissa | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Ceremony Venue: St. Joseph's Villa | Reception Venue: The Boathouse At Rocketts Landing | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Makeup: Holly Byrd Miller | Hair: Kadouri | Groom's Attire: Calvin Klein | Bridal Boutique: Sealed With A Kiss | Getting Ready Venue: Quirk Hotel

With a vision of “a glamorous garden party with the nostalgia of Palm Springs,” this all-star team of creatives dreamt up this tropical bridal shower editorial we want to dive right into. Palm leaves and pineapples, bright colors and signature cocktails — this shoot from Charla Storey Photography, The Southern Table, Southern Fried Paper, Bella Acento, Layered Bake Shop and Natalia Issa is a summer dream.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Charla Storey…Our vision was to combine a glamorous garden party with the nostalgia of Palm Springs. Graphic elements of palm leaves, pineapples and whimsical flamingos are featured throughout the party accessories designed by Southern Fried Paper.

“Our team was thinking what we would all love for a summer bash and we kept coming back to gold pineapples and palm leaves. We wanted to make these special details that are so Pin-worthy easily available for every celebration, no matter the size. We just launched our Tropical collection on etsy, which features all of the paper and party accessories from this adorable editorial like laser cut drink stirrers, napkins and invitations. Our favorite is the laser cut palm invitation folder. It adds a unique wow factor for any tropical event!”

The Southern Table brought the vibrant colors of summer with a garden twist. “We combined tropical elements like ginger, palm leaves and citrus with our garden favorites of coral charm peonies, poppies and sweet pea.”

Natalia Issa styled Amanda in side-swept perfection with a headpiece of freesias and ferns. Her coral tone lip accented the look perfectly. Our chic bride-to-be opted for a modern blush jumpsuit perfect for a poolside party.

Charla Storey Photography captured the lightness and vibrancy of our editorial collaboration. When you have a team this talented, the only thing left to do is celebrate the beauty! And our signature cocktail is the perfect recipe for this summer soiree!

Cocktail recipe: Mango Sunrise: Champagne, grenadine and mango, layered for a festive ombre cocktail.

Photography: Charla Storey Photography | Cake: Layered Bake Shop | Hair + Makeup: Natalia Issa | Floral Design + Styling: Max Owens Design | Invitations + Design: Southern Fried Paper | Location: Jefferson Tower | Modeling Agency: Molli With Callidus Agency | Rentals: Bella Acento

You know what every engagement shoot needs?  A cute puppy.  Well, that AND a breathtaking backdrop like the enchanting streets of Italy.  Together with this stunning duo, it’s a combo that makes for some pretty amazing captures from Marta Guenzi.  Fall in love with every moment (sweet pup included) right here in THE VAULT.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Marta Guenzi Photographer… Engagement shoots are one of the most creative parts of my job. They let me explore the territory to scout the perfect location trying to imagine a scenario, then they get me in touch with wonderful people that are the true inspiration for every picture I take.

Carolina and Nicolò received this engagement shoot as a gift. While being very happy and excited they were a little embarrassed about the idea of being photographed through the lanes in Orta San Giulio, that in a spring afternoon, could have been crowded by tourists. So we decided to start at the Sacro Monte di Orta, where among the greenery of the park and the colonnades of the chapels we had the necessary intimacy to start to break the ice. At that point, together with their puppy Ira, we headed for a walk along the paved road that leads from the hill to the center of Orta San Giulio. Once in town, thanks to the windy and not sunny day, we found very few people around the streets and the perfect atmosphere.

A heartfelt thanks to Lizzy, the flower designer of Petalo & Sepalo, who composed the flower crown for Carolina, and to the owner of the Enoteca al Boeuc, a delicious wine bar just behind Piazza Motta, who let us take some super romantic pictures sitting at one of its tables!

Photography: Marta Guenzi Photographer | Floral Design: Petalo & Sepalo | Dress: John Zack | Flat Sandals: Steve Madden | Heels: Dsquared2 | Location: Enoteca al Boeuc | Location: Orta San Giulio, Italy

We all know and love the movie ‘Lady and the Tramp’, so it’s no big surprise that we are completely uhb-sessed with this Bella Notte inspiration from Vanessa Velez. Complete with Anthology Co. Floristry and super sweet details (like those delectable desserts!), we’ve got it all waiting for in The Vault!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Oh My Occasions…“Side by side with your loved one, you’ll find enchantment here”. You’ll find it here in our Lady and the Tramp inspired shoot. Bella Notte highlights an unconventional romance, illustrating that opposites do attract. With a soft watercolor ambiance, with burst of deep reds brought together beautifully by Anthology Co. and inspired by the classic Disney movie takes a dreamy, more tender, spin on puppy love. Vintro Hotel provides a quasi-authentic Italian café atmosphere. Complete with bistro lighting, delicate floral centerpieces, a wine barrel table, and some delectable desserts to share, the mood was set for a night between a scruffy gentleman and his stylish lady. Unlike the meant-to-be fairytales or love stories you read about, the Bella Notte vignette showcases the contemporary affection between two dissimilar beings that had to defy the norms to be together and their impromptu adventures together and an intimate bond that forever unites their hearts. The couple always remembers to enjoy the little things in life: playful dollops of frosting on each others’ nose, hiding behind their parasol to steal a private kiss.

Photography: Vanessa Velez | Styling: Vanessa Velez | Floral Design: Anthology Co. | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Stationery: Blushed Design | Makeup: Makeup and the City | Hair: Visions by Daili | Venue: Vintro Hotel & Kitchen | Cake + Desserts: Sucrette Tailored Confections | Event Planning + Styling: Oh my Occasions | Film Processing: The Find Lab | Hair Accessories: Eva Guadalupe | Laser Cut Names + Picnic Basket: Melissa Candy Bars in Miami | Personalized Forks: Sarge & Monkeys | Rentals: MiVintage

I dream of escaping to the English coast, tucking into a seaside cabin and soaking up all the magic it has to offer. But until that dream becomes a reality, I’ll be making myself quite comfortable in this Vault gallery from Lucy Davenport. Created by Katrina Otter Weddings and Coco Wedding Venues, these scenes (yes, more than one!) are soft and subtly stunning; exactly like those coastal village wishes in my head. Roost Film Co captured the action live – see it and more right this way!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/176574390 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Coco Wedding Venues and Katrina Otter Weddings… We’re very much drawn to the rugged coastlines that we’re so fortunate to have in the UK. Whether it’s the tall swaying grass of the dunes in Sussex, the dramatic cliffs of Dorset or the stretches of sand in Northumberland – we love them all. So when we discovered Clovelly Village in Devon with it’s own pebble beach and stunning quay vista we knew this would be the perfect place for a sea-inspired shoot. This enchanting village has a timeless quality with its cliffs, gardens, pretty Manor House and cobbled streets.

With the venue chosen it was time to send the invitations to our guests. We had a custom stationery suite created by Calligraphy for Weddings with soft washed script on acetate and a beautifully blue envelope with vintage stamp.

Blue was an obvious choice for the coastal theme and to complement, we opted for a palette of lilac grey and rose quartz.

To highlight how couples can interpret a palette we decided to create two tablescapes – one muted and one bold – this light and dark thread followed us throughout the shoot.

The blossom orchard provided a soft and romantic setting for our first alfresco scene. Delicate blush chargers from Duchess and Butler and antique silver cutlery from Helene Millot were framed by a simple silk tulle runner from Kate Cullen. Atop the runner sat an array of succulents, grasses, seashells and white pillar candles.

Our florist, Garden and Wild, created the main centerpiece around a large Tillandsia Xerographica air plant; a mix of succulents, smaller air plants, varieties of asparagus ferns as foliage and white ranunculus flowers and hellebores. Our cool blue coastal tones came through in the star shaped cluster flowers called amsonia. To complete the look, we had green sea glass place names for our bride and groom.

To stop everything from looking and feeling too ‘pretty’ our furnishings from Virgina’s Vintage Hire added a contrasting rawness. Stripped wooden chairs with unexpected pops of traditional seaside colours were a unique choice.

To reflect this first muted palette our bride wore a delicate peachy-pink beaded halter neck top and full tulle skirt from Flossy and Willow. A bespoke veil in the softest pink, made by Britten, worked perfectly with a plaited halo and soft loose tendrils. The divine bouquet, one of three created by Claire and Tami, completed the look. Dicentra Alba (White Bleeding Hearts), Blush Foxgloves, Panicum grass, hellebores, grevillia foliage, eucalyptus nicholli foliage and foraged grasses were used to create this pageant bouquet.

Our second tablescape shows that bold is most definitely beautiful – the deep Parisian blue hemstitch tablecloth and Cassis Rose napkins by The Linen Works and the elaborate driftwood candelabra centerpiece by Nordic House were on loan from the lovely folks at Prezola. To continue the drama, we added in golden cutlery, pearl chargers, oyster shell candles from The Oyster Candle Co. and chunky wooden benches.

To anchor both tablescapes Kate Burt Cakes created this inspired grey marble-washed 3-tier cake with accompanying taster cakes brushed with gold. Delicately placed on billowing silk chiffon we added a simple urn of fresh greenery to frame. The golden seaweed, pink pearls and sugar urchin details were divine and would be sure to wow your guests.

Our second bridal look was an incredible Anna Campbell gown from Perfect Day Bride. The gorgeous pearls and beading reflected the cobbles of Clovelly’s winding streets whilst the scalloped design added a Mermaid-esque vibe. Once again we added a coloured veil and this time Britten chose blue to work against the ivory dress. This blue was mirrored in the silk ribbons adorning the bride’s incredible bouquet.

A large Allium was once again the focus and Claire threaded other flowers and foliage throughout, such as bear grass, coral fern, tillandsia xerographica, white ranunculus and eucalyptus.

Texture was key for this look and the sea breeze added a mesmerizing movement to the fabrics and florals.

For the final look we wanted to channel something slinky and a little bit sexy; this metallic hued silk bridesmaid gown by Jenny Yoo at Coco and Kate stole the show. The cold-shoulder trend ticked the fashion box whilst the silvery fabric made our model look like she was emerging from the sea. We wanted to show two bridesmaid accessory options; first was this delicate crown by Feather and Coal with matching gemstones and feathery tulle detailing, followed by a traditional flower crown and bouquet.

For the crown Claire used a Spray rose called ‘blanchette’, Nigella buds (love in the mist), eucalyptus parvifolia foliage, thyme foliage, hellebores and grasses. The bouquet mirrored this beautifully with the addition of grevillia, amsonia, succulents, air plants and silver senicio foliage.

Capturing the day was our wildly talented duo – Lucy Davenport Photography and ROOST Film Co. Their combined softness and attention to detail is dreamy and we’re so pleased with how they interpreted our vision.

Photography: Lucy Davenport | Cinematography: Roost Film Co | Event Planning: Katrina Otter Weddings | Creative Consultants: Coco & Kat | Creative Direction: Coco Wedding Venues | Floral Design: Garden & Wild | Wedding Dress: Flossy & Willow (Willowby by Watters) | Wedding Dress: Anna Campbell | Wedding Dress: Coco & Kate (Jenny Yoo Collection) | Stationery:Calligraphy For Weddings | Bride’s Shoes: Emmy London | Jewelry: Sarah Brown Jewellery | Hair + Makeup: The Hair And Makeup Atelier | Venue: Clovelly Village Weddings North Devon | Bridal Boutique: Flossy & Willow (Willowby by Watters) | Bridal Boutique: Anna Campbell | Bridal Boutique:Coco & Kate (Jenny Yoo Collection) | Cake Table: Kate Burt Cakes | Cutlery: Helene Millot | Furniture Rentals: Virginia’s Vintage Hire | Hair Accessories: Feather & Coal | Lifestyle Pieces: Prezola | Model Agency: SKIN London | Oyster Candles: Oyster Candle Co. | Ribbons + Runner: Kate Cullen | Tableware: Duchess & Butler | Veils:Britten

When your Mama is an event planner for a living, beautiful birthday bashes are bound to be in the cards for life. And when said Mama happens to be Katie of Laurie Arons Special Events, you get out-of-this-world adorable details like these from her daughter’s ‘Camp Campbell’ birthday. Complete with s’mores cupcakes, a cutie logo from Amber Moon Design, a canoe ride and this genius tent cake, Leo Patrone Photography captured all of the fun—see more in The Vault!

From Katie of Laurie Arons Special Events… Campbell decided she wanted a camping party to celebrate her 4th birthday, when she realized her name was spelled “camp-bell”. That and the fact that camping includes s’mores! The cabin in mill valley, California made for the perfect camp site, complete with a rustic cabin, picnic tables and a mini redwood grove for our tent village.

Shelter co. Canvas huckleberry tents were just the right size for our pint-size campers. As campbell’s friends arrived, they picked up their ‘camping supplies’ – a canvas backpack stenciled with the camp campbell logo, and filled with essentials like a custom canteen, toy binoculars, flashlights and compasses.

Amber moon designed the logo for camp campbell featuring canoe paddles, so birthday girl and her dad made their way down stream to the party in a vintage canoe. The hand-crafted canoe then became a fun place to practice paddling on land for the rest of the party. Amber also created canoe paddle stir sticks for the adults’ beverages. Canoe-shaped pb&js along with homemade granola bars, trail mix & watermelon served as our snacks.

Campers gathered round the campfire for a sing-a-long by a local children’s musician. Afterward, it was s’mores time. Because fire and four-year-olds don’t always mix, we opted for s’mores cupcakes with toasted marshmallow frosting, instead of the old-fashioned version. Campbell’s friends then sang happy birthday around a tent-shaped cake.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

[dotted]

[dotted]

See all kids birthday parties here!

[dotted]

Photography: Leo Patrone Photography | Event Planning: Katie & Laurie of Laurie Arons Special Events | Graphic Design: Amber Moon Design | Camping Stools: Teak & Lace | Campfire Singer: Megan Schoenbohm of Mini-Music | Venue: The Cabin | Tents: Shelter Co | Vintage Canoe: Canoe Jack | Invitations: Paper by Paperless Post

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

Laurie Arons Special Events

View Portfolio

Hi SMP brides! It’s Jess from Dressed by Jess and I’m excited to give you a taste of my bachelorette weekend in Charleston, SC. We spent four full days on the Isle of Palms and Charleston and I could go on and on for hours declaring my love for these two beautiful places. Today I’m sharing the highlights plus a few tips to planning an unforgettable getaway with your own bridal party crew.

Rather than checking into a hotel we decided to rent a big ol’ beach house for the weekend. It was steps away from the ocean and my sister and bridesmaids decked it out with flamingos & pineapples- the perfect beachy details. A dream getaway for me includes pampering, relaxing, and sunbathing. The girls worked so hard to make this weekend extra special for me, and for that reason I wanted to treat them to a surprise lunch alongside live Oak alley at Boone Hall. I reached out to Ava Moore Photography and Gigi of Smells Like Peonies Events to pull it off. With the help of amazing vendors, it turned out to be one epic lunch date with my girls!

The afternoon couldn’t have been more perfect. A storm had just rolled in and so there was practically no one left at the mansion. It was quiet, serene, and out of a scene of a movie. We were surrounded by beautiful flowers and the most gorgeous tablescape I have ever seen (thanks to Gigi). After the champagne was popped, we dove into the oreo-filled cake and truly soaked in every moment under the Oak trees. It was magical! The best part of this weekend was being surrounded by all of my girls. If you are planning a bachelorette or a simple girls’ getaway, here are 5 tips for creating an epic weekend.

Designate one or two group organizers (in my case it was my maid of honor and bridesmaids) and make sure to collect all payments prior to your trip. Everyone should enjoy themselves from the moment they walk in the door and not have to worry about making payments during the special events. Which brings me to my next point…

Plan ahead. When traveling to a new city make sure to do all your planning ahead of time. Utilize tools like The Bach (an online resource that provides party ideas, venue recommendations, and tools to simplify the planning process).

Have a meal catered in! Sometimes restaurants can be too loud and they take away from the intimacy of the event.

Surprise & delight! In the case of a bachelorette party, it’s always fun to surprise all the guests with special treats. My sister prepared tote bags with beach towels, flamingo straws, koozies, custom t-shirts, and delicious chocolate covered pretzels by Fatty Sundays (even the boxes were customized for my bach weekend!).

Plan events that are meaningful to you and your gal pals. Whether it’s sunrise yoga, a painting class, zip-lining, a wellness retreat, or just a simple slumber party, it’s important that your bachelorette or girls’ weekend is completely tailored to your interests.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

As cheesy as this may sound, quality time with your girlfriends should be cherished. It’s not often you can rally everyone together for a destination celebration, but when you do, have fun with it and try to disconnect from social media to be present in the moment.

xx Jess

Photography: Ava Moore Photography | Event Planning: Smells Like Peonies Events | Floral Design: Wildflowers Inc. | Invitations: Letter Loft Prints | Hair: Mirror Mirror Charleston | calligraphy: Corsivo Calligraphy | Custom Pretzels: Fatty Sundays | Desserts: Swank Desserts | rentals: Eventworks

[dotted]

BONUS! Check Our My Margs + Maids Party

I love love love New York, and just when I thought that the love I had for the Big Apple couldn’t possibly get any bigger, this wedding from Die Hochzeitsfotografen comes along. An intimate elopement complete with a park ceremony and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, we’ve got it all waiting for you in The Vault!

[iframe https://player.vimeo.com/video/174525283 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Die Hochzeitsfotografen…We were thrilled when Romina & Daniel asked us to come with them to photograph and film their intimate New York elopement in June. We are from Germany and Romina and Daniel, who live in Munich, love to travel. After Daniel proposed in Hawaii 2015, their biggest dream was an intimate elopement in one of their favorite cities: New York. Together with the wedding planner Erol they planned and organized everything. The wedding day started in the very stylish “Boro Hotel” in Queens, where they both got styled and got ready. They decided to read their intimate wedding vows before the ceremony, and this was such a touching and beautiful moment. Even though it was raining we drove to central park, Romina & Daniel didn’t mind and were so excited to get married in a few minutes. The ceremony took place under the ladies pavilion. It was so emotional, the rain stopped and the sun came out and we were so happy to be there exactly in the moment to capture the love of two special people. After the ceremony we took some images in Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo, and we had a stunning sundown with the amazing view of Manhattan skyline. It was more than perfect.

From The Bride…We wanted our wedding to be just about us and our love, a commitment between two people, that is why we decided to elope. It was important for us to enjoy “our day” together and make it a romantic, extraordinary and a memorable experience. New York was one of our first destinations we fell in love with and so this city seemed perfect!

Through social media we found our wedding planner and most important our photographers Angelika and Artur of Die Hochzeitsfotografen, who captured every moment for our family and friends at home! An intimate wedding allowed us to do everything we wanted to do, without worrying about everyone else. After exchanging our vows at Central Park, we had a quick hotdog break, took some beautiful pictures at the Brooklyn Bridge, enjoyed the sunset at Dumbo and let the evening fade out with an amazing dinner at Eleven Madison Park.

Spending our day together in NYC -just the two of us- was absolutely magical and something we will remember and cherish the rest of our lives! Now we are thrilled and looking forward to share all these special moments with our loved ones at our after wedding BBQ in August.

Photography: Die Hochzeitsfotografen Angelika + Artur | Cinematography: Die Hochzeitsfotografen Angelika + Artur | Event Planning: Erol Inanc - Echt New York | Floral Design: Elan Flowers | Stationery: Billy Ella | Rings: Skusa Schmuckgeschichten | Groom's Attire: Tiger Of Sweden | Venue: Central Park | Bride's Skirt: Alexandra Grecco | Getting Ready Venue: Boro Hotel | Stylist: Jessica Bollaci

The words from the groom, Wyatt will melt your heart in a second. It was clear from the beginning that Marissa was his forever love, though they began dating at just 14 years old. Fast forward to their wedding day photographed by Winsome And Wright and you’ll see how their epic love story translated to a sweet and utterly romantic celebration.

“It took me all of about two weeks to fall

madly and deeply in love with her”

 -Wyatt, The Groom

“When you know, you know.”

“It was the very best day of my life.”

-Marissa, The Bride

“I look forward to spending the rest of my life with him

…and 5 beautiful children someday. Wink, wink.”

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

[dotted]

More From the Couple

From the Groom…Karissa and I have known each other from a very young age. We met in Junior High school and started dating our freshman year of high school. I knew very early on that I wanted to spend my life with this girl. It took me all of about two weeks to fall madly and deeply in love with her, and that was it. I don’t know how else to explain it other then “when you know, you know.” The best part about it is that I got to grow up with her and experience everything the teen and early adult years had to offer with my best friend, and not many people can say that. A couple years after high school we moved to Denver, in an attempt to began our lives together as young adults. At this point, asking Karissa to marry me was not simply of matter “if”, but “when” and “how”.

On Karissa’s 21st birthday, we traveled to New York City to spend the week there exploring and celebrating her special day. At approximately 10:30 pm, after taking a beautiful scenic cruise around Manhattan, we rushed to Time Square for a “special surprise” and “reservations” I told Karissa we had. With her hand on my mine, family behind us, and ring in my pocket, we barreled through the rows and rows of people to the dead center of Times Square and New York City itself, where everybody could see. It was then and there where I finally asked my best friend to join me in marriage and spend the rest of her life with me, and it was the best decision I ever made.

From the Bride…Wyatt and I started dating in high school when we were fourteen years old. I fell in love with him just two weeks later and I knew that he would be the one that I would marry. Now, nearly a decade later, everything that captivated me about him in the first place still remains the same. He’s my best friend.

Both of us were born and raised in a small town in New Mexico. We wanted a change of scenery for our wedding so that’s why we chose Pasadena, California. It was somewhat spontaneous considering we currently live in Denver, CO and got engaged in New York City. That sums us up though: we love travel, love adventure and we both have no idea where we might end up next.

April 22nd on a beautiful, crystal clear day in sunny Pasadena we said our “I Do’s” at Villa Del Sol d’Oro surrounded by our closest friends and family. It was the very best day of my life. 

Photography: Winsome And Wright | Floral Design: Running Wild Florals | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Venue: Villa Del Sol D'Oro | Bridal Boutique: anna be bridal boutique | Veil: BHLDN | Vow Journals: BHLDN

There’s nothing like messy fridges and overstuffed kitchen counters to totally put a damper on your pretty cooking space. And while I love a beautifully edited counter, I never know quite how to get there. Toasters, endless amounts of cooking utensils, paper towels… do these people own those? Now enter 12 secret weapons that are probably lurking behind all those streamlined kitchens.

12 Secret Weapons for Kitchen Organization

View Slideshow

12 Secret Weapons for Kitchen Organization

View Slideshow

[dotted]

[dotted]

More Organizing Tips Right this way…

10 Minutes to a Clean Kitchen
Get Motivated to Clear the Clutter with this Organizer’s Home Tour
10 Items These Pro Organizers Swear By

It’s happening, loves. Pippa is tying the knot and if there’s one thing we know about this royal in-law + style maven, it’s that classic glamour is totally her thing.  So today we’re teaming up with The Registry at Bloomingdale’s for a little game of “What Will Pippa Register For” because, well… sooo much fun. Take a look at our beautiful picks for our fave sis below.

Pippa Middleton Registry Picks

View Slideshow

Pippa Middleton Registry Picks

View Slideshow

Our finds for Pippa are out-of-this-world gorgeous, but the best part? You can register for your very own Pippa-esque essentials by stopping by the The Registry at Bloomingdale’s in-store or online.  From stunning bed and bath necessities to decor must-haves to kitchen gadgets that will make your hearts sing, The Registry at Bloomingdale’s has EVERYTHING for your brand new abode, right down to that must-have blender for those Sunday morning smoothies.  Not to mention that The Registry at Bloomingdale’s also offers exclusive savings (20% off in store!) on dresses, intimates, fine jewelry AND men’s suiting + formalwear right through your wedding date, which means looking absolutely fabulous for that engagement party is totally covered… you and your groom will never look so awesome.

Contact your Personal Registry Consultant at The Registry at Bloomingdale’s TODAY for their expert advice AND to find out even more about their fab completion offer (10 – 20% off!), bridal event invites and amazing honeymoon packages. There’s even time saving essentials, like a Registry Checklist, Thank You Manager and mobile Big Brown App.  Head there NOW to fill your home with those traditional with a twist items Pippa would totally love.  They’ll take care of you… we promise.

The only thing more romantic than golden hour photography has to be sunset photography, when the sky looks like it’s filled with cotton-candy clouds. And those magical portraits are just part of the pretty, captured by Retrospect Images, at this California wedding. See all of the gorgeous moments in The Vault!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Retrospect Images…Amy and Ryan’s wedding day was absolutely perfect. I just adore these two and their beautiful country wedding at The Inn at Park Winters in Winters, CA. The elegant estate house, wide open fields, beautiful light, and all of the attention to detail by Alluring Events set the tone for this magical day.

Photography: Retrospect Images | Event Planning: Curated by Grace + White | Floral Design: In Full Bloom by MJL | Cake: Cake Couture | Stationary: Elli | Catering: Anderson Fmaily Catering | Hair + Makeup: Kat Tinney | DJ: Cope Entertainment | Venue: Inn At Park Winters

Once the excitement of the proposal settles in and you’re ready to start wedding planning, one of the first decisions you have to make will be choosing wedding colors. Choosing the perfect palette may seem like an easy task but knowing which direction to go can be more complicated than expected! The variety of colors to choose from is endless, making finding the right shades to pair together a bit of an obstacle. I’m here to help guide you down the right path with creative ways to choose your coveted wedding colors that’ll speak to who you are as a couple and create a celebration you and your guests will never forget!

[dotted]

1. Favorite Colors

A common and simple way to decide on colors is to use both of your favorite colors – as long as they look nice together that is! If your groom’s favorite color is lime green and yours is red then it might not turn out how you would like but there still may be a way for it to turn out well – and beautiful too! Before completely ruling it out, take a look at different shades of your favorite colors, placing them together to see which ones go best together. You may find that a leafier green and muted light red could possibly work for the look you’re going for. If it’s just not working, let’s take a look at my next tip…

2. Pretty Paints

A great way to visually compare different shades of colors at one time is to go to the paint section of a hardwood store and start piecing together paint chips of colors you like. Take them home and see which colors stand out to you. These paint color cards can be extremely helpful because they typically have 3-4 different shades on one card, ranging from lightest to darkest, so that you can view a variety of tones at once. Also, any excuse to spend some quality time at the hardware is a win-win with your hubby-to-be ;)

3. Joint Activities

What are your favorite activities to do together? Does it involve being inside or exploring the great outdoors? A lot of times what you enjoy doing together can also speak to what colors you would like to represent your wedding. Enjoy the beach? Then a shade of blue could be an option. Fan of the mountains? Then neutrals and greens would be great options to start with. If ballrooms and theaters are more your thing, then regal colors such as crimson red, gold, or silver are fabulous choices. This helps to identify the base color and from there you can expand on accent colors that pair nicely.

4. Birthstone Colors

Birthstone colors are often overlooked but can make for a beautiful palette if examined closely for your wedding. It’s a sweet, sentimental way to decide on colors together. If the colors don’t seem to pair nicely together, try variations of shades in your birthstone colors to create a magical and personalized wedding. You may even be surprised how the colors cater to your personalities.

5. Inspiration!

One of the most popular ways to decide on colors is to get inspiration from other weddings you’ve seen and been inspired by online (the SMP Vault is bursting with ideas!). Make sure you take a look at some weddings with your man to know what colors stand out to him – or which ones he’d rather avoid. Make your wedding a day you will love with colors that mean something to the both of you. I share a helpful template for choosing your wedding colors – along with tons of other stress-free wedding tips – in my book, “My Fairytale Wedding: Planning Your Dream Wedding Without Breaking the Bank” and am excited to give away three signed copies to some lucky brides! Head to SMP’s Instagram to enter to win now! 

xoxo,
Desiree

[dotted]

Peek Back at Desiree’s Wedding!

We have this thing with front doors and the more colorful the better. There is just something about a sweet little cottage with a sunny yellow entrance or a stately brownstone with a high gloss black door. It’s such an easy way to let your personality shine through from the very moment people lay eyes on your home sweet home. Pore through 20 of our favorite hues from Home Depot and get ready to add massive curb appeal with a little Behr paint and elbow grease.

Colorful Front Door Inspo

View Slideshow

Colorful Front Door Inspo

View Slideshow

[dotted]

See all home tours right this way!

[dotted]

This wedding inspiration just so happens to combine two of my favorite things: spring blooms and the Pacific Northwest. Add in the totally talented Kylie Martin behind the lens, and you’ve got yourself a tasteful gallery worth gawking over. See every elegant detail in The Vault!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Kylie Martin…This session was inspired by all the blooming changes taking place in the Pacific Northwest. Our bride is modern and elegant but minimal in her styling. We hope to inspire brides to consider the “less is more” approach with styling and really pour their vision into the experience and feel of the day. By selecting important pieces that are a genuine reflection of the couple’s taste and aesthetic you are able to take a more minimal approach while still guaranteeing authentic imagery. This spring inspired session was tastefully simple in design but still elegant.

Photography: Kylie Martin Photography | Floral Design: Garden Of Eden Floral Design | Hair + Makeup: Katie Schieb | Venue: The Davenport Hotel | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Model: Katie Schieb | Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic