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

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Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson’s Wedding

From the Bride… Although we knew we wanted a reasonably long engagement (21 months) I couldn’t help myself but to dive into wedding planning as soon as we got engaged. I read Style Me Pretty daily even before our engagement but after, the addiction was real! I am definitely one of those girls that just loves weddings. My grandma used to sketch me wedding dresses on the back of napkins when I was little. So, it makes sense that I had a pretty specific vision of what I wanted our day to be from the beginning; a really fun party for our family and friends in a beautiful setting.

I knew I wanted a classic, romantic feel for our wedding and as soon as we visited The Garrison, we knew it would be the perfect place to make my vision a reality. We did not have an unlimited budget by any means, so that meant prioritizing what was most important to us. The first thing being, of course, photography. As soon as I found Kelsey Combe’s work (through SMP of course), I knew she would be the perfect person to capture our day. We could not have made a better choice. Not only is her work absolutely stunning, she is a dream to work with and I feel lucky to now consider her a friend. The next thing on the list was flowers. As soon as I walked into Lori Orlando of AvaFlora’s store, I knew she would be a perfect fit. She not only completely understood my vision, she thought of details that ended up being my favorite of the day that I never would have thought of on my own.

Focusing on the naturally beautiful surroundings of our venue, we wanted the decor to feel like it enhanced the setting. We decided on a palette of white, cream, champagne and plenty of gold accents. Lori used a combination of garden roses, tea roses, ranunculus and peonies with accents of greenery arranged organically for both the bouquets and centerpieces. She also created lush foliage garlands for our escort card table and sweetheart table. Gold mercury glass and vintage brass candle holders added a touch of glamour and the candle light created a warm, romantic atmosphere as the sun went down. Possibly my favorite thing that Lori designed was our chuppah. Our venue has a stunning structure already in place, but we wanted to make it our own. Lori used light florals and foliage to create a romantic and garden-esque look that organically flowed with the vines of the structure and was just as breathtaking as the view of the Hudson River behind it.

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Kelsey Combe Photography

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Shawn and Andrew? They’re the definition of a power couple. Shawn, an Olympic Gold Medalist currently commentating in Rio, and Andrew, a Long Snapper for the Oakland Raiders, said “I do” with a celebration that felt uniquely and completely “them” planned by Fete Nashville. If you ask us, there’s no better way to lead up to tonight’s Olympic closing ceremonies than a trip to the wedding gallery photographed by Wild Native Co. plus a peek back at their adorable engagement.

I don’t think our wedding day

could have been any more perfect

…or any more “us.”

Andrew surprised Shawn by singing

“You’ve got a friend in me”

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From Fete Nashville… Planning Shawn Johnson + Andrew East’s wedding was a dream come true! It was pretty exciting from the beginning when Andrew, a long snapper for the Oakland Raiders proposed to his sweetheart, Shawn, a gold Medal Olympic gymnast, at Wrigley Field right after she threw out the first pitch! 

We started planning right away and chose the top of a hill for the ceremony, with 360’ of countryside views at a farm in Franklin, Tennessee. The alter was designed with gorgeous whitewashed antique church windows dripping with flowers, honeysuckle, and vines with more natural elements at the base including logs and lots of candles.   Jack Daniel’s barrels served as aisle markers holding the most beautiful flower arrangements of white peonies, ranunculus & dahlias, ivory garden roses, and lots of textured greens. The bridal party walked through custom barn doors and down the aisle decorated with lanterns, candles and flowers. After the “i do’s, the new Mr. And Mrs. East jumped up with excitement to the cheers from all their friends and family and danced their way back down the aisle to Stevie Wonder’s “signed, sealed, delivered!” 

At the reception, Andrew surprised Shawn by singing “You’ve got a friend in me” with his father playing the piano accompaniment. As a late night snack, we had the famous Ellie’s doughnuts food truck come to serve sweet treats to all of the guests. At the end of the night, Shawn and Andrew ran through sparklers to a silver Rolls Royce. At 7 incredibly delicious layers, the wedding cake was taller than the bride!

The reception was lovely with Shawn + Andrew sitting in an ivory love seat with custom “bro” & “bug” signs on the back; their nicknames for each other. Gold calligraphy on white washed wood hanging with gold silk ribbon. Head table made up of several reclaimed wood farm tables with vintage lace runner. 25’ ladder covered in greenery installed over the head table with exposed bulbs hanging. White french urns and mercury candles with loose and flowing greens.

Guest tables: a combination of farm tables and rounds with ivory linens. Centerpieces of barn wood boxes filled with low, lush greens hanging over loose and whimsical. Shawn’s gown is a glamorous silk duchess trumpet silhouette with a soft geometrical lace bodice. Matching lace trim along the hem of her gown also appears on the removable silk satin organza cathedral train. Shawn’s gown features the Elena Zavozina signature keepsake pearls cascading down the back of her gown. Shawn also had her custom headpiece and jewelry designed by European designer Elena Zavozina designed Shawn’s dress, all nine bridesmaids dresses and Andrew’s entire custom suit

From the Newlyweds… Fete Nashville truly made my fairytale wedding come true! I don’t think our wedding day could have been any more perfect or any more “us.” From how it ran to the details, Fete Nashville thought of for Andrew and I. They blew us away and we couldn’t have been happier!!!

Even for the most stylish bride, finding your bridal style can seem like a daunting task. Do you want lace? Ballgown? Beading? Backless? The choices are endless. So if you’re feeling a little lost, we’ve got a secret for you: look in your closet! Your fabulous everyday style can help you on your path to find “the one.” Here comes the beautiful, not to mention super stylish, bride!

Classic

If you’re a classic kind of lady, your closet is probably filled with timeless staples that mix and match to create chic, elegant outfits — think: white button-down shirts, a classic trench coat, A-line skirts and dresses, and tailored pieces that fit you perfectly. The classic bride’s dream wedding dress is the epitome of bridal. Look for lovely lace, traditional silhouettes and timeless touches like covered buttons and subtle embellishments. The perfect finishing touch? A gorgeous, matching veil.

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Girly

Ruffles, pastels, lace — the girlier, the better. You love to embrace your feminine side with strategic silhouettes and romantic finishes that are straight out of a dream. You want to float down the aisle in a gown that gives you that perfect hourglass figure. Whether in a soft ivory or pretty blush hue, your wedding dress will be a love letter to bridal fashion.

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Modern

Chances are, your closet is filled with sleek, streamlined silhouettes in shades of black, white and gray. Your chic minimalist style gives you that certain je ne sais quoi that women everywhere aspire to. Stay true to yourself and your style on your big day with a stylish simple silhouette with architectural influences and edgy charm.

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Hipster

You like to keep up with the latest trends but always give them a little spin to be uniquely you. A little bit rock ‘n roll, a little bit thrifty, your closest reflects all the fabulous sides of your personality. For a cool bride like you, a cookie-cutter wedding dress simply won’t do, so look for a gown with a fresh silhouette and unexpected details.

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Beachy

If ever there were a bride that could pull off that effortless style, it would be you. You gravitate towards breezy pieces that play up your laid-back vibe. And if you’re getting married with your toes in the sand and the ocean breeze at your back, you’re going to want a dress that feels light, airy and ethereal to blow in the breeze.

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Boho

For a free-spirited beauty like you, fashion is all about flowy fabrics, bold patterns and creative details. Your wardrobe is hippie chic with pretty pieces that give off that casual yet glamorous vibe. Look for a gown with effortless beauty thanks to airy fabrics and nature-inspired finishes.

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Vintage

You’re an old soul, inspired by bygone eras and and iconic classics. Vintage treasures fill your closet and frequenting antique stores and thrift shops are your favorite hobby. Channel the golden age of fashion on your wedding day with tried and true silhouettes, vintage-inspired beading and heirloom accessories to complete the look.

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Casual

If your daily uniform is more sneakers and jeans than stilettos and sequins, you probably won’t feel comfortable in an over-the-top ballgown on your big day. Look for a wedding dress that’s easy-to-wear (probably one without a corset) with fabrics and finishes that feel unfussy and effortlessly chic.

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Glamorous

Beyoncé. JLo. They’ve got nothing on you. With a little help from fabulous outfits and sparkling accessories, you ooze glamour everywhere you go. You’re the kind of woman who turns heads when you walk into a room, so your walk down the aisle is the ultimate occasion to shock and awe your guests with how fabulous you look. Beading, embellishments and exaggerated silhouettes will give you that wow factor you crave.

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Fashion-Forward

For you, it’s all about the dress. You peruse fashion magazines like it’s your day job, and might as well have a street style photographer shadow you at all times. You take style risks every day, so your wedding day will be no exception. Find a gown that makes a statement — whether through a unique silhouette, bold color or wow moment. As far as you’re concerned, the aisle is your catwalk.

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More Style Secrets for the Chic Bride

The Best Silhouette for Your Body | 50 Timeless Dresses | Wedding Dresses for Your Zodiac Sign

5 Gorgeous Maternity Styles from a Fashion Blogger Mama-to-be

We’ve been big fans of Mara from M Loves M over here for quite some time. But most recently? We’ve been dying over that cutie bump of hers and the gorgeous way she styles it. From summer nights at the marina to pretty in pink moments, she’s got bump style mastered. Sporting a bump of your own? Get her looks right here!

5 Fashion-Blogger Maternity Styles to Steal

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5 Fashion-Blogger Maternity Styles to Steal

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An effortlessly gorgeous hairstyle for new mamas!

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You might also love…

32 Classic Baby Girl Names + Matching Nicknames
5 Ways To Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy
10 Ways To Make Your Baby’s Nursery One-of-a-Kind

This Candlelit Parisian Wedding is Everything

Parisian weddings are the end all, be all of romantic “I do’s” – and this stunning affair held at the breathtaking Shangri-La Paris? Most definitely delivers on the WOW. Think a talented team of vendors (hello, Et Voila Weddings, Madame Artisan Fleuriste, and French Grey Events), a beautiful gold and blush color palette and a candlelit ceremony that will make your hearts happy. See every mesmerizing image captured by Catherine O’Hara right here in THE VAULT.

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From Et Voila Weddings… Nicole and John came to us with an idea of planning a romantic, classic and elegant wedding in Paris. They had gotten engaged there a few weeks earlier and it was quite clear for them that Paris was where they wanted to say their “I Do’s.”

For this intimate destination wedding and these Paris lovers, it was clear to us that we needed to find a venue that was part of the city’s heritage, an historical Parisian venue. After looking at a few luxury hotels, museums and hotels, Nicole and John chose the Shangri La’s historical rooms to hold their special day. As they could not fly to Paris before the wedding, we sent them a lot of photos and they made their choice from pictures and trusting our knowledge of each venue.

Nicole had a clear idea of her colour palette from the start: she wanted natural tones, creams and whites. As the dinner table linen was going to be white, we agreed to add a bit of blush flowers to the arrangements to make them stand out a bit more. The florist did a great job on sourcing the perfect tones, especially the ranunculus which were perfect and encapsulating the whole colour palette on one flower.

At the Shangri La, ceremonies are usually held in one of their salons. Nicole was not very excited about the ceremony space available, and while on a logistical site visit we thought the rotunda (which is a large landing space) was a gorgeous space and definitely a great one for a ceremony, with its large stained glass, marbles and sculptures. It had never been done before and fortunately the venue agreed, as well as the couple. They had a truly unique, never done before wedding ceremony!

The couple was conscious that their party was quite small, and they had at heart to make sure that everyone would be entertained. During cocktails reception we arranged a photo booth with lovely Parisian props (huge success) and a caricaturist, like the ones you find in Montmartre. The guests loved it and all of them had their caricature made, to take home with them!

During dinner a band played some French oldies and some gipsy jazz music, which created the perfect chic, Parisian yet relaxed atmosphere the couple was after for their dinner reception.

At midnight, we planned a surprise group photo with sparklers at the exact time the Eiffel tower started to sparkle. It was magical!

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Et Voila Weddings

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Al Fresco Ojai Valley Inn Wedding

Is there anything better than a Ojai Valley Inn wedding? No, no there is not. Want proof? Just look at this pretty little party from Heather Kincaid and you’ll see exactly what I mean. With a talented vendor team (like TEAM Hair + Makeup and La Tavola Linen) It’s glamorous with a modern twist and we’ve got it all waiting for you in The Vault!

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Wedding Inspiration to Registry Reality: Tablescapes

From The Bride…Nathan and I met while in college at the University of Southern California and most of our friends and family who have been such instrumental parts of our relationship over the past ten years still leave near Los Angeles. We loved the idea of having our wedding somewhere where many of our guests could stay on the same property for our wedding weekend so that we could spend as much time having fun with them as possible! We’d been coming up to Ojai with friends for years and Nathan had played in annual tennis tournaments there growing up, so the town was nostalgic for us both. It also didn’t hurt that the resort was absolutely beautiful, welcoming and a short drive from Los Angeles for most of our guests!

It was extremely important to us to have a meaningful and personal ceremony followed by an awesome dance party and reception. We chose to write personal vows and were also lucky enough to have Nathan’s uncle serve as our officiant, which made the ceremony feel incredibly intimate despite the fact that we had 240 guests. A significant number of our attendees were around our age, so great music was also key – our band was absolutely phenomenal and had people up dancing (unplanned!) during dinner. To cap off the night, we had late night snacks and a 90’s hip hop DJ for the last hour of the reception.

Although we wanted to have our reception indoors to avoid any nighttime noise restrictions, we really wanted the ballroom to incorporate many of the natural elements that make Ojai such a gorgeous place. Our florist, Camille, did an amazing job of coming up with fun ways to do this, from draping greenery from the chandeliers and bringing in large, beautiful olive trees and various shrubbery to frame the dance floor, to using lush, neutral florals with different textures in planters behind our furniture vignettes. Additionally, since we had opted for black tie attire, we wanted to combine a few traditional elements like my mom’s silver platters on our escort table and gold-rimmed glassware, with more organic components such as long wood tables, and small arrangements of fruit on the tables. And our wedding planners were 100% right that having great lighting was key to highlighting these details and completely transformed the room to give it a magical, outdoorsy feel.

The wedding planning process certainly can be a giant undertaking filled with lots of voices and opinions, and focusing on perfecting every tiny detail can be overwhelming. Our advice is to stay true to what is important to the two of you as a couple, and to put your energy into enjoying not only each other throughout the process and on the big day, but also all of your friends and family that have shown up to celebrate with you – that’s what makes a truly memorable wedding!

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Ines Di Santo

Fall/Winter 2015

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Spring/Summer 2017

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You spent weeks, months, maybe even years, curating your wedding day design. Tons of creative energy went into picking the perfect colors, flowers and more – so why tosh it away once you’ve said “I do”!? Throughout the process you’ve discovered the styles that speak to you and your new hubby best so why not take that and infuse it into your home – in the form of your wedding registry! And what better place to start than your dinner table – pretty fab and fun, right!?

Set the Perfect, Pretty Table

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Set the Perfect, Pretty Table

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Get the 411 on all things WEDDING REGISTRY HERE!

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Elegant Winter Garden Wedding

Call me crazy, but I’m already counting down the days until winter. Reason being? This totally elegant wedding celebration at The Contemporary Austin. A garden setting complimented by a super chic ceremony, it’s a day overflowing with design details that’ll have you dreaming about a cooler season. A celebration bursting with sentimental moments and a focus on family, Ashley Bosnick Photography has captured it all to share and it’s waiting for you in The Vault!

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A Bridal Shoot You’ll See Tonight on HGTV!

From The Bride…I look back on our wedding and can genuinely say that it was my dream wedding- it feels like a fairy tale, and I am so thankful for how everything came together. From the start, Jonathan and I most importantly wanted our wedding to glorify God and give thanks to Him, showing how it was He who brought us together and is the center of our relationship. And I had a clear vision for our wedding early on. I knew I wanted it to be very natural and elegant- neutral tones as a theme throughout the wedding (I’ve always said that my favorite color is beige!), combined with the natural beauty of the outdoors. I wanted an elegant and natural aesthetic, stylish yet timeless and with touches of our personal story.

Living in Austin, we wanted to make sure we utilized the beauty of the greenery and water that surrounds us here on a daily basis, and Laguna Gloria proved to be the perfect venue for the look we were desiring. As an interior designer I love every aspect of design, so I truly enjoyed the entire planning process. In all of the selections for our wedding, from my dress to the flowers to the long table and music and chandeliers, I loved the process and felt so fortunate to plan such a gorgeous wedding.

My wedding planner Ellen Westcott was also an extraordinary help in the process, as she continually pointed me in the right direction, was incredibly organized, and was a calm and supportive presence throughout the entire process.

A key piece of our wedding and story was our son Levi. I adopted Levi as a single mom from the Congo when he was 2 years old, and he and Jonathan fell instantly in love with each other when they met and instantly had the bond of father and son. Jonathan’s and my first date was a day at Disneyland with Levi, and we had a whirlwind romance from that moment on. We knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together within our first month of dating, and we were engaged within 3 months. Our dreams really did come true at Disneyland! One of our favorite details in the wedding was our Groom’s Cake by Sweet Treets Bakery, which had a Disneyland theme. Levi was the ring bearer in our wedding, and he stood up with the groomsmen during the ceremony. Jonathan and I wrote our own vows for the wedding, and in his vows Jonathan stated that he loved Levi with all his heart and “from this day forth, we will be a family and he will be my son.” I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house at that moment (including my own)!

Three Branches Floral helped to create the gorgeous natural beauty and greenery that I was looking for in our wedding, and the venue itself created the most gorgeous backdrop that we could have hoped for. Ashley Bosnick was our photographer, and she captured the beauty of the night in the most spectacular and breathtaking way.

Another favorite detail of ours was that we ended the night by riding off in a boat on Lake Austin,
with Andrea Bocelli’s Say Goodbye playing from the speakers. We got to ride across the lake just the two of us after that, having the lake completely to ourselves at that hour, still playing Andrea Bocelli. I think it was the most romantic moment of my life!

We are so thankful to God for bringing us together, and to think that we were able to celebrate our marriage with so many of our closest family and friends in our dream wedding is almost too good to be true. Every detail came together so perfectly to make our wedding the culmination of my hopes and dreams since childhood. The only thing I wish I could have changed was that I wish it wasn’t all over so quickly! But now the best part of it all is that I get to spend the rest of my life with the man of my dreams.

HGTV lovers, keep an eye out for this pretty photo shoot during Audra Krieg Photography’s home renovation episode tonight at 9pm EST. The camera crews captured her in action while working with a team of awesome vendors to bring this rustic, beachy editorial to life. More waiting in The Vault!

From Audra Krieg Photography…Getting married on the Outer Banks is a completely unique experience. From lush sand dunes to top of the line vendors, you truly can plan a dream wedding. Heart of Harlow coordinated the styled bridal session of Caton’s dreams and we are in awe of the beautiful golden light and sparkling Atlantic ocean! We love the rustic beach vibe behind this bridal session and the beautiful seaside teepee is what boho dreams are made of!

Saturday Morning Movie: Bicycles + Sparklers = One Sweet Wedding

When life gets tough and you can’t turn that downward spiral upside down, what are you to do? We’ve all been there and when it happens, you gotta grab a guaranteed fix. For me, that comes in the form of fabulous (and happy tear-inducing) wedding clips. And this one delivers. From the written vows to the tandem bicycle sparkler entrance, Carl S. Miller Wedding Films captured magic – sit back and enjoy!

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Local + Seasonal Summer Wedding on the Waterfront

From Carl S. Miller Wedding Films… I’ve known the Bride, Noel, for a number of years and so I was ecstatic when she asked me to film her marriage to Dan. The day and preparations began in their new home in the historic barrio district of Tucson, Arizona. The architectural lines within were a visual delight, and I tried to incorporate aspects of their home as a metaphor for their relationship: new home, new marriage, new life together. Saguaro National Park provided a breathtaking vista of mountains and cacti as the backdrop for their Southwestern ceremony. Their event designer and florist, Atelier de LaFleur, did a phenomenal job with the chuppah and floral arrangements to provide an aesthetic and color palette to complement the desert landscape. The celebration continued at the Tucson Museum of Modern Art, where the festivities were started by Noel and Dan’s jaw-dropping tandem bicycle sparkler entrance. Now that’s original. Their film is designed to not only show the beauty and elegance of their day, but to highlight the many subtleties that make their relationship unique to them.

There are weddings, and then there are weddings. The latter? A stunning celebration captured by the incomparable Kathi Littwin Photography with second shooter Miana Jun. Complete with mismatched bridesmaid dresses and incredible florals, we’ve got it all waiting for you in The Vault!

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From Kathi Littwin Photography…I loved the simple approach that the couple had, never over the top but stunning when it all came together. The floral design was gorgeous. The individual bridesmaid dresses were striking as was the bride’s Oscar De La Renta gown, with an amazing train. It was a beautiful wedding, with a delicious menu, that felt true to the couple.

From The Bride…The girls used all different designers. My only request to the girls was to choose a long grey gown. I wanted to make sure they each felt comfortable in what they were wearing and that the dress reflected their own personal style.

For a story, this isn’t necessarily my strong suit. Jeremy and I are not the type to “over theme” anything- he wanted a great band and I wanted amazing flowers. Given that we met in Manhattan and both love nature, we thought the Wainwright House would be the perfect venue to reflect our love for city culture as well as the outdoors. We wanted to focus around local and seasonal- everything from the vendors we used to the summer themed menu and floral varietals. The most important part of the day was for our guests to feel at home and to enjoy an evening together with a delicious summer themed menu and great music in a warm, inviting ambiance. Having our families all together made for the most perfect wedding day. We truly felt so blessed to have everyone together for our special day!

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Wedding Dresses

Vera Wang

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

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They Were Set Up on a Blind Date and the Rest is Crazy Beautiful History

The proof is in the pudding, folks: blind dates are sooo worth it. Just ask these two cuties, who met on a blind date with friends (after TWO YEARS of hounding!) and knew after just one “official” date that this.was.it. So when it came time to say their “I do’s,” they enlisted the help of Engaging Events for a botanical inspired celebration, aka, one of the prettiest weddings you will ever lay your eyes upon. Start soaking in every moment captured by Shannon Michele in THE VAULT.

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From the Bride… We were set up by two of our friends, Erika and Dana. (I introduced them to each other in college and now they are engaged!) They tried to set us up for about two years, but neither of us liked blind dates so we kept refusing. In early 2013, I told Erika I was ready to meet Matt (after a string of blind dates). The four of us met to grab drinks and dinner and unfortunately for introverted Matt, we are some of the loudest and extroverted people you’ll ever meet, so he really didn’t get a word in edgewise. At the end of the night, he plucked up the courage to ask me out on a solo date where we might be able to get to know each other a little better and I agreed. During the solo date we both admitted we knew that we were on a date with our future spouse.

On our wedding day, I felt overwhelmingly calm and excited throughout the entire day. I knew that everything had been so meticulously planned that I could relax and enjoy the day and take in every special detail. We started the day off getting ready with our friends and proceeded to take a trolley ride to St. Luke’s Chapel. I slipped into my dress with the help of my mother and maids of honor (my two best friends since childhood). I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the First Look, but both of us agree, it was the best choice for us. It took so much pressure off the day and gave us a special few moments together alone to truly soak in the commitment we were about to make.

Everything from the music, flowers, and programs were so beautiful and meaningful. We wrote our own vows (using ancient Celtic vows as our inspiration) and my younger brother officiated the ceremony. I still have friends and family remark on how beautiful, special and sentimental the ceremony was. Matt and I drove off to the reception in my grandfather’s 1951 Thunderbird. The weather and light made for the most beautiful pictures with our friends. The decorations were so beautiful! I really felt like it was a true representation of Matt and myself. Guests enjoyed walking from the rooms to the decks taking in all the gorgeous flowers and wedding day pictures belonging to our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. The food was incredible! Having stations throughout the reception really helped provide movement and allowed the guests to explore. Matt and I spent most of the night dancing to the amazing band and enjoying our guests company.

My father gave a toast before the cutting of the cake. It was at that moment that the reality of the day hit me. Here I was marrying my best friend in the same place as my parents in the city where I was born. As my father talked to the crowd I could tell how impressed he was by the wedding and reception and humbled by the beauty and thoughtfulness of the day we worked so hard to accomplish. We ended the night with our last dance to one of our favorite songs, “Sweet Disposition,” and exited as our guest threw a shower of dried lavender to send us off. It’s hard to put all of my thoughts and feelings towards the day into a few paragraphs; we relished every single moment and detail and would do it all over again and again.

As I was born in Charleston and it was a frequent vacation spot for our family and friends, I really wanted to honor the history and personality of the city as well as my family’s history and personality with the city. Charleston herself inspired the colors and motif I chose. Our colors were soft peach, lavender, sage, and cotton. For the motif I wanted a combination of rustic and modern. I imagined an old fashioned post card for our save the dates. I wanted the invitation to feel whimsical, rustic and botanical. For the program to be a modern representation of us as a couple, honoring our family and friends. I wanted the ceremony to be soft and sweet, and the reception to encourage our guests to appreciate the landscape and have fun. The food was inspired by the character of the city. All of this and more was accomplished. From the locations to the collateral, to the decorations, to the band, everything in my original vision was achieved.

Advice for Future Brides? If you have Cindy and the Engaging Events team behind you, ENJOY EVERY MOMENT! Honestly it is so easy to get overwhelmed and focused on all the unimportant minutia of the day. Remember why you are getting married. Think of how important and special it is for your friends and family. You want to look back on your day with the fondest of memories. So as hard as it might seem, relax. Enjoy yourself. Take in every special moment and try to capture it forever. My wedding WAS the best day of my life. It was fun, meaningful, sentimental, exciting, and beautiful. I only hope everyone has the chance to feel that way on their wedding day.

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Justin Alexander

Spring 2016

Spring 2018

Justin Alexander Fall/Winter

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#SMPWedding101 – Ways to Personalize Your Wedding Stationery

Pretty paper is my weakness and super personal pieces? Even better. So when I came upon Sara Fitz and her too-lovely-for-words creations, I not only added her site to my list of Favorited Bookmarks, but I had to know more. How does she tap into each couple to really personalize their Big Day invites and more? Read on for all her ideas and see all the adorable examples in our slideshow below!

Venue

A fabulous way to customize a stationery suite is to celebrate the details of the wedding venue! Couples get married in such spectacular spots that featuring elements from the landscape or nearby architecture really can set the tone for their entire paper collection. Whether they marry at a private estate, coastal club or city hotel, incorporating illustrations that reflect the location can tie everything together quite nicely before and during the wedding.

Map

A creative way to give guests information about the wedding locale is to include a custom map card within the stationery suite. This is particularly useful for a destination or weekend-event wedding. Not only is it helpful to highlight the basics: local landmarks, ceremony and reception spots, etc., but noting a favorite sandwich shop or ice cream stand, beach or park, or some other town feature, can give guests a glimpse into why the couple chose the location for their event.

Seasonal

Celebrating the season of the wedding date can be a lovely way to customize a paper suite. Showcasing natural elements that are quintessential to the time of year will not only feel festive, but stylish and relevant to the day.

Sentimental

Customizing a stationery collection can be a personal process and often couples choose to highlight an element that holds special significance to their relationship. Wedding papers that are reflective of the couple on a deeper level definitely lend a very one-of- a-kind feel to their paper suite.

Pets

Many couples are choosing to incorporate illustrations of their furry pets within their wedding papers – from Save the Dates and reply cards to thank you notes. This can be a very sweet and personal detail, showcasing just how meaningful their pet is, while subtly bringing them into the festivities.

Pastimes

Designing wedding stationery around a shared pastime can be a fun, unique option for customization. Including details of an activity that a couple enjoys on weekends, for instance, allows their paper suite to truly reflect their personalities.

Florals

Quite often, flowers play a large role in the overall wedding décor. Showcasing the type(s) of florals throughout the paper suite can allow for an elegant, cohesive and subtly custom look. Day-of items, such as the programs, place cards or menus will blend in beautifully with the ceremony and reception styling.

Details

The very best way to customize a stationery collection is to focus on the little things. Including meaningful details within the suite whenever possible, be it a significant number, color or initials, makes the papers even more memorable to the couple and their guests.

Envelope Liners

It doesn’t have to end with the invites! Continuing the custom illustrations onto the envelope liners can make a huge impact to the overall aesthetic of the invitation set. This detail adds another level of visual interest to the collection upon opening the invitation.

Sara Fitz's Pretty Personalization

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Sara Fitz's Pretty Personalization

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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…

Skillshare
Animoto
The Registry at Bloomingdale’s
the vondys.
Dana Walden Bridal

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

THIS WEEK’S DISCOUNTS…

For our California Brides… Discounts from The Ranch at Laguna Beach and Weddings by Susan Dunne, and don’t miss the Weddings Unveiled event on September 11th!

For our Destination Brides… Discount from Hitch’d Weddings & Events

For our Tri-state Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design, giveaway from OLLI STUDIO, and don’t miss the Eddy K Dreams Collection Trunk Show at Designer Loft from August 19 – 28th!

Photography: Brea McDonald Photography | Stationery Advice: Sara Fitz | Watercolor Stationery

This Wedding Fits “Understated Elegance” to a T

Intimate. Organic. Modern. Natural. Just a few of the words I’d use to describe this Seattle wedding day, but to be honest? The images from O’Malley Photographers do it way more justice. They documented the day designed by Finch & Thistle and inside The Vault is where all the pretty continues.

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Industrial Outdoor Weddings

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Modern

From O’Malley Photographers…We have a sweet real wedding that took place outside of Seattle to share with you. Fresh and springy, designer Rachel Bowes of Finch and Thistle perfectly brought together an intimate and modern feel through her lush, natural florals and design. The bride wore a chic and fitted Sarah Seven gown and beautiful paper goods were designed by la Happy. The bride and groom are actually dear friends of my wife and I, and although their wedding was beautiful aesthetically, their deep love for one another and those close to them is what made this union so beautiful and meaningful.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Wedding Dresses

Sarah Seven

Signature Bridal

Gold Label

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Private Estate Bridal Shower Filled with Pops of Blue

If there was ever a bridal shower that could leave you breathless, this would be it. Straight from the lens of Luna de Mare, it’s fun meets fancy and we’ve got it all waiting for you to fall in love with in The Vault!

From Luna de Mare…Set in the landscape of this zen-like beautiful family home, was this intimate luncheon for the Bride-To-Be among her closest family and friends. Celebrating the pending nuptials in between noshing on catered delights and toasting with a little rose was the only way to enjoy this unseasonably overcast Southern California day, offering everyone the perfect excuse to lounge a little longer.

Laurel Events Los Angeles (previously HomeArt& Events) designed this blue-and-white elegant affair with multi-colored Hydrangea hues from Mark’s Garden, continuing the tones throughout all the styling elements and table scape, and the result couldn’t have been lovelier.

Fashion Blogger “Somewhere Lately” Shares Her Engagement Session!

When Meggan, one half of the blogger duo behind Somewhere Lately, offered a look inside her Chicago engagement session we couldn’t say yes fast enough. Especially because she brought on Jacqui Cole to capture her signature light-filled prettiness that makes our hearts sing. Congrats lovers, your urban engagement session is EVERYTHING.

From Jacqui Cole Photography…When a fashion blogger has her engagement session you KNOW it’s going to be beautiful! This is Meggan from the blog Somewhere Lately. Meggan got engaged at the end of last year in Dallas and is planning a destination Cabo wedding!

From Meggan… Kyle and I are getting married in Cabo next June. We decided on Cabo because we wanted a fun location that we could celebrate with our closest friends and family. We are very much “go with the flow” people, who enjoy basking in the sun with a cold drink (or two) in our hands. We are having our rehearsal dinner at the gorgeous Flora Farms and wedding on the beach at Cabo Azul. The style of the wedding is bohemian, whimsical, chic, but there will be a touch of Mexico, think lot’s of tequila and a mariachi band ;) I haven’t got too far into the decor yet but I want to create an intimate feel. My color palette is very neutral (bridesmaids will be wearing white), with hints of light pink and gold. It seems like forever away but I know it will be here before we know it!

Photography: Jacqui Cole Photography

15 of the Best Spots for Scoring Pretty Artwork Online

We ohh and ahh over art-filled interiors and stunning gallery walls on the daily. But where oh where does one find such cool pieces? Online, that’s where. We’ve rounded up 15 of the best spots for finding your art soulmate. From painters to photographers and large art print suppliers, check out the best corners of the web for scoring art, lots of art.

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Britt Bass

pictured above – Swoop

Minted

Lulu & Georgia

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Gray Malin

pictured above – Coogee Beach Triptych

Lulie Wallace

20 x 200

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Rifle Paper Co.

pictured above – The World is Your Oyster

One Kings Lane

Pure Photo

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Art.com

pictured above – JFK smoking a cigar

Waiting on Martha Shop

West Elm

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Leslee Mitchell

pictured above – Umbrellas I

Etsy

Society6

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Curate a Stunning Gallery Wall

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Curate a Stunning Gallery Wall

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The Ultimate Outdoor Desert Scottsdale Wedding

It’s weddings like this that make me wish I could get married all over again. Complete with beautiful blooms and the ultimate outdoor ceremony, Brushfire Photography has snapped it all to share and you’re sure to fall madly in love with each and every detail. See it all in The Vault!

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Ballroom Weddings Outdoor Weddings

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Every Rustic Bride Will Love This Sweet Farm Wedding

From Brushfire Photography…Lea & Jack’s Outdoor Desert Wedding was such a beautiful display. Working with Ashley Gain Weddings to bring their vision to life was the perfect fit for their day. Lea loves floral and wanted to incorporate as much as possible. The outdoor setting was perfect for a spring wedding in Arizona with a warm sunny day finished with a nice cool evening. Paradise Valley Country Club has some stunning views of the desert mountains as well as lots of nice greens. Add in all the lovely blooms and the place came to life! The tent was designed to give an intimate space for dinner without taking away from the evening views of the mountains. So it was an open tent with drapery allowing for some nice hanging decor and greens to accent the head table.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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Any wedding that begins with this colored stone ring is certain to be stunning. And no surprise, it beautifully set the stage for a backyard wedding filled with homey charm and Brianna Wilbur Photography + Matt Stambaugh Media didn’t miss a single beat. Lots more this way!

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Outdoor Weddings Rustic Weddings

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Al Fresco Rustic

From Brianna Wilbur…There’s no better way to celebrate marriage then to be with all your friends and family, in the evening summer air, beneath twinkling market lights and a sky of stars. This Pennsylvania backyard, navy infused, farm wedding has down home charm with a touch of whimsical, colorful florals. The picnic style farm tables & benches fostered such a relational, loving reception. Her ring will make any vintage, colored gemstone loving gal’s heart just sing!

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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Accessories

David's Bridal

"Wonder" by Jenny Packham Accessories

"Wonder" by Jenny Packham Bridal

"Wonder" by Jenny Packham Bridesmaids

David's Bridal Spring 2018

Oleg Cassini Spring 2018

WHITE by Vera Wang Spring 2018

Truly Zac Posen Spring 2018

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Brooklyn Meets the West Indies Destination Wedding

Although Celeste and Chris hail from Brooklyn, they chose to swap sand for skyscrapers and wed in paradise (and honestly – can we blame them?). Inviting Jamie Mercurio along to capture every Caribbean detail, it’s tropical meets timeless and we’ve got it all in The Vault!

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