Want a room refresh? Havenly co-founder, Emily Motayed is sharing genius tips and tricks for taking your home design to the next level. Plus get a peek inside a recent Havenly project with this gorgeous Brooklyn apartment. Click play for all the juicy details and don’t forget to enter to win a Havenly design package and $400 in merchandise right here!
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Your baby’s first intro to the world is deserving of a special outfit – something cozy enough for the newest bundle and special enough for the keepsake chest. So, when it comes time to bring home your most precious delivery, doll them up in one of these cute numbers and maybe grab a few more for all those meet and greets with loved ones. You can never have too many itty bitty, adorable outfits. Trust us.
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When Sara Weir and Carmen Santorelli combine their creative talents, really good things happen. Just look at this inspiration shoot designed with the modern, chic, stylish bride in mind. I’m talking major fashion and accessory moments from our friends at Blush by Hayley Paige + SIBO Designs, and the very best part? We’re only just getting started.
From Sara Weir… Carmen Santorelli took great care choosing details that would complement each other while also designing something with my photography in mind. From the first moment, I fell in love with the details! I love how the shoot combines so many soft romantic details with fresh and modern ideas.
The bride wore such soft romantic gowns and natural makeup. The bouquet was filled with all white blooms perfectly paired with each look. The tablescape featured romantic white and gold dishes offset with soft florals, beautiful handwritten menus, and milk glass candlestick holders. All of this white was so perfect against the backdrop of the venue!
Photography: Sara Weir Photography | Event Planning: Meadowsweet Events | Event Planning + Design: Oak And The Owl | Floral Design: Oak And The Owl | Invitations: Flourish Calligraphy | Jewelry: Trumpet & Horn | Hair + Makeup: The Halcyon Agency | Groom's Attire: Generation Tux | Venue: Vista Valley Country Club | Bridal Boutique: The Dress Theory | Cut Lace Back Wedding Dress: Watters | Film Processing: Goodman Film Lab | Hair Accessories: SIBO Designs | Long Lace Sleeve Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone | Rentals: Folklore Vintage Rentals | Scalloped Top Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | V Neck Ballgown Wedding Dress: Watters | Workshop: Carmen Santorelli Photography
If you’re tired of the traditional something blue, then why not opt for another shade of said hue? That’s right, we’re talking teal and if this wedding is any proof, it’s totally a new trend. With the talented Meg Perotti behind the lens snapping up every Every Elegant Detail, you know you’re in for a bevy of beauty. Like those Chestnut & Vine Floral Design blooms and Bright Event Rentals – don’t say we didn’t tell you so. See it all in The Vault!
From Every Elegant Detail… These two busy doctors finishing their residency programs in Chicago were the happiest couple on their gorgeous summer wedding day! Working with Christine’s parents here in California allowed Christine and Andrew to focus on their work and know that all of the details of their relaxed and elegant winery wedding to be brought together beautifully for them.
The soft colors in the florals brought together with teals allowed for the natural aura of the winery and all of it’s outdoor beauty to stand out to the many guests who were visiting California for the first time. The views at the Thomas Fogarty Winery are breathtaking and it was important to work with the rustic feeling that winery gives.
Every Elegant Detail loved designing the escort card table with the gorgeous garland that Chestnut and Vine created which looked so pretty on the wood deck with a view of the vineyards.
Guests enjoyed eating outdoors in the pavilion as they were served a lovely four course dinner starting with chilled white corn soup followed by a watermelon, feta, arugula and mint salad and finished with a choice of black cod dish or hanger steak panisse followed with wedding cake served as the couple wowed guests withe their first dance together as husband and wife. Ending the evening with a sparkler send off was a surprise for everyone as they said their goodbyes to the happy couple!
Photography: Meg Perotti | Event Planning: Every Elegant Detail | Floral Design: Chestnut & Vine Floral Design | Wedding Dress: AriaDress | Cake: Componere Fine Catering | Catering: Componere Fine Catering | Hair + Makeup: Liner and Lace | DJ: Big Fun DJs | Day of Paper Designs: Aerialist Press | Linens: Napa Valley Linens | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals
Hi SMP’ers! Nicole of Sorella Muse here to talk wedding dress shopping. There is so much pressure to say YES to the dress, and things get even more complicated if you’ve decided to spend LESS on the dress, or take a non-traditional route towards a colorful gown. Raise your hand if you’re hoping to find something affordable and minimalist that still feels special, or you’re looking for something unique and stunning which you have a feeling you won’t find amid the taffeta and satin of a bridal shop!
I’ve seen my fair share of dresses as a wedding photographer and I adore a gorgeous gown with exquisite detailing, but after thinking carefully about our wedding budget priorities (i.e. throwing a memorable weekend-long party in Tuscany) and my own personal style (simple refined bohemian), I knew I wanted to approach wedding dress shopping differently. I don’t want to feel like a princess in heaps of tulle on my wedding day, I want to feel like myself. I set out looking for a dress that would be free-spirited and unfussy but still chic. Luckily there is a growing trend of affordable and non-traditional wedding dresses, as my first stop at Reformation showed me, where the whole eco-friendly bridal line is under $500. But it’s still a trickier process to navigate than taking the standard bridal salon route, so hopefully these tips help you in your search!
You may not need the traditional 6-9 months you would for a made to measure gown, but still plan to start shopping earlier rather than later. While off the rack options are great if you’re planning a wedding on a tighter timeline or want to skip the bridal salon, keep in mind that you may still want to have slight alterations done. Also remember to shop during the right season! If you’re getting married in the fall and want an off the rack formal dress, looking for long dresses during summer can be tough because everything in stock will be short or in lighter, breezier fabrics. Or if you want a relaxed maxi dress for a beach elopement, trying to shop mid-winter will limit your options.
It’s so important to decide what your priorities are, and not feel pressured by the messages you may receive from well-meaning friends, bridesmaids, family, or the wedding industry about how you should plan your wedding. Some might question your decision to spend less or wear blush instead of ivory, but try to hold on to your own priorities of budget and style. But also keep checking in with yourself as you try on dresses because you may find that while you liked the idea of a floral gown, you are only having that oh my gosh bride feeling in ivory.
The list of brands offering alternative and affordable wedding dresses is growing ever longer these days! I found myself browsing J.Crew, BCBG, and BHLDN most frequently, as well as Free People and Reformation. There are so many beautiful bridesmaid dresses that could be ordered in ivory or cream for a less formal wedding, which you can browse online at high-end department stores. Or take a peek at the designer gowns on sale at Gilt or Net-a-Porter, if you want something that’s high impact but not traditionally bridal. And have you noticed that Rent the Runway has launched a bridal-specific section?
If you are able to see yourself walking down the aisle in a dress that isn’t ivory, a whole world of options just opened before you! You can dip your toes in the alternative pool by going with something in blush, wade in a little farther with a floral print, or be totally daring in a bright red or black dress! White wedding dresses only became the standard in bridal fashions when Queen Victoria wore white on her wedding day in 1840. Yellow, blue, and red were more common choices for brides back then. And if you’re worried about your dress standing the test of time, just think about those 80’s brides in huge puffy sleeves, take a deep breath, and let go of the hope to predict the future of fashion! Wear whatever makes you feel happiest right now.
Whether you’re opting for an affordable gown or a colorful wedding dress, choosing accessories becomes even more important. You may want to dress up an inexpensive frock with an elaborate veil, show-stopping shoes, a delicate sash, or pretty hair adornments. Maybe it’s the Carrie Bradshaw in me, but if you spent less on the dress, doesn’t that give you full license to splurge on Manolo Blahniks? Or if athleisure is your thing, wear white sneakers! Why not, it’s your day. A colorful dress can be styled with classic simplicity, since the big statement is the non-traditional color.
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I can hardly believe my own wedding is less than three months away now. And after a weekend of dress shopping with my mom and sister, I found the one I’ll be wearing when I say I do!
xoxo, Nicole
Photography: For the Love of It | Wedding Dress : Reformation | Blogger Bride: Sorella Muse
I’m convinced that our girl Jen is secretly an interior designer on the side. First, we were wowed by her 1950’s kitchen remodel featured here, and her latest bathroom reno? Has my patterned tile obsession through the roof. So, of course I had to whip up a get the look for this dreamy space, which I totally want to steal for myself. You too? Click here to get all the goods!
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10 Show-stopping Wall Mirrors that Make a Statement
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Photography: Jen Ha | Design: Jen Ha | Tile: Cement Tile Shop | Sconces: Cedar & Moss | Mirror: West Elm | Faucet: Delta | Vanity: Ikea| Vanity Hardware: CB2 | Wall Hooks: Light & Ladder | Bench: Ikea | Bath Mat: Urban Outfitters | Toilet Paper Storage Tower: CB2 | Paint: “Oxford White” by Sherwin Williams
This ethereal outdoor ceremony surrounded by nature and captured by the talented Jen Dillender Photography is what dreams are made of. With sweet personal touches such as a backdrop of calligraphy love poems created by the maid of honor to the most adorable crew of flower girls, you’ll want clear your morning to pour through all the prettiness here in The Vault!
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From Jen Dillender Photography…Under a tree adorned with beautiful flowers, Alexis and Cason tied the knot this past April. With a heavy emphasis on hospitality, they welcomed their loved ones with lush greenery, delicious food, and entertainment. The bride’s style was simple and elegant with the perfect details to complete the day.
From The Bride…We envisioned a very personal and heartfelt wedding. We wanted it to be a community event where people felt involved and included. We hoped that people would walk away feeling that our wedding was not solely about us but rather something bigger than us. We wanted people to know that our love for each other starts with and is animated by God’s love for us. We also wanted to create a joyous and memorable experience for all of our family and friends.
The style we envisioned was whimsical, soft, and ethereal. We wanted the colors to be soft and muted with lots of organic elements. We chose the flowers, the gown, the signage, the cake and all the decor touches to flow with the overall style of the wedding and venue. The Barr Mansion is already a gorgeous wedding venue, dressed with beautiful trees and flowers so we wanted the details to compliment it’s natural beauty rather than overshadow them. One of our most favorite details was the banner behind the cake. My talented maid of honor created a calligraphy back drop for the cake table with one of our favorite love poems on it. It added such an elegant touch!
Our favorite moment during our wedding was the surprise gospel choir that sang at the recession. Being an April fools wedding, we wanted the wedding to be full of entertaining surprises for the guest! Another surprise we had during the reception was a choreographed flash mob and dance off between the bridesmaids and groomsmen. We also had Gourdough’s, a local Austin gourmet doughnut truck, bring their signature airstream trailer at the end of the night for a late night treat!
One piece of advice I would give to brides to be is to enjoy each step of the wedding journey. It’s easy to get into the mindset of “once this is done, then I’ll be happy.” Each stage of the wedding planning process has it’s joys and challenges. Don’t dwell so much on the challenges that you fail to experience the joys!
Photography: Jen Dillender Photography | Cinematography: Heart Visuals | Floral Design: Rosehip Flora | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Invitations: Minted | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Hair + Makeup: Lola Beauty | Lighting: Ilios | Band: Matchmaker Band | Venue: Barr Mansion | Cake + Catering: Barr Mansion | Donut Truck: Gourdough's | Event Planning + Styling: Leeves + Berries | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Photography - Assistance: Shalyn Nelson | Rentals: Barr Mansion | Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Signage, Banner + Table Numbers: Leeves + Berries
What do you get when the masterminds behind T Bakes get married with Brancoprata behind the lens? Why you get the sweetest elopement in the entire world. A seaside ceremony complete with plenty of wow-worthy moments, it’s a day that you’re sure to love. For not only did this darling pair bake their own wedding cake, but they also got to eat it too. See it all (including their sweet picnic inspired reception) in The Vault!
From the Bride and Groom…Our wedding was intimate and meaningful, a spiritual experience unlike anything we’ve ever felt before. We are very private people and so felt like our wedding would have to be authentic to who we are. It was not about the dress, the venue or even the cake! It was about this bond between two people madly in love. It was about celebrating our lives together through the most simple and raw connection – it was about celebrating the beauty of love in its essence. Once we realized that all we needed was to have the person we love by our side, everything fell into place!
Eloping allowed us to just be ourselves. We took in the time and the meaning of every step along the way! From discovering an island with dear friends Sofia & André, going on long swims in the morning, knitting a bridal piece, foraging flowers and fruits, taking pictures, baking our very own cake to cooking our wedding dinner are memories we will always cherish.
The ceremony was powerful and emotional, a true reflection of love that ended by the sea where we exchanged the vows we wrote for each other. It was a privilege to have our beloved friends blessing our sacred union, witnessing these soulful moments and making them even more magical through their artistry and grace! We are forever grateful for their friendship! We were beyond excited to be married! Those were days filled with pure happiness that still lingers in our everyday and we believe will last a lifetime.
Photography: Brancoprata | Wedding Dress: Rute Moreda for Manuela Noivas | Cake: T Bakes | Rings: Carolina Curado | Calligraphy: Levado à Letra | Venue: Pico do Refúgio | Floral Design + Styling: Brancoprata
It’s not every day you get to gear up for your big “I do’s” with an amazing inspiration sesh with some of the best vendors around, but for this stunning Tinder-loving duo (they met on the app!), that’s exactly what happened. Together with the likes of My Floral Bliss, Lemiga Events and Simply Sarah Photography (just to name a few), they’re showing us what city chic style looks like. (Hint: It’s gorgeous.) See their wedding “test run” in THE VAULT.
From The Bride… As cringe-worthy as it is to say out loud, Daniel and I were love at first “swipe”. That’s right folks, we met on the infamous Tinder app. Daniel joined Tinder mostly for the entertainment since his fraternity brother/roommate joked about it all the time. But I was a bit naive and didn’t realize the then-new app was notorious for hooking up, not dating. Thankfully fate quickly took over when Daniel and I matched. We chatted via text for 2 weeks before deciding to go on our first date soon after the holidays (my 10th first date in a year!). You know how everyone says love finds you when you’re not looking for it? Well I had decided if that date with Daniel didn’t go well, I’d quit dating until I turned 30. Luckily, we hit it off and have been practically inseparable ever since. We moved in together just 9 months into our relationship and bought a home together at the 1.5 year mark.
As a wedding photographer who is happily in love, I adopted a “why rush forever?” viewpoint on marriage. Of course we’ve discussed marriage and I know it’s important to Daniel (his parents set a wonderful example with over 40 years of joyous matrimony), so I let Daniel take the reigns on when he was ready for that life-changing step. I already had the man of my dreams in a beautiful home with 3 adorable fur babies. Marriage would simply be the icing on the cake (no pun intended). But on March 20th, after I finished the Georgia Publix Half Marathon, Daniel gave me the surprise of a lifetime when on bended knee he asked me to be his wife. I had NO clue this proposal was coming. He bought the ring completely on his own so I was none the wiser. He still nailed it by slyly finding my literal dream ring in my Pinterest boards! We’re now planning our intimate San Francisco City Hall wedding for early 2017 and loved getting to “test-run” the big day with a stunning shoot from Lemiga Events and Simply Sarah!
From Lemiga Events…We collaborated with a talented team of creatives to produce an elegant summer wedding inspiration for the bride who is looking to have a romantic city chic wedding. The venue, Four Seasons Atlanta, provided a park like setting high above the skyline of Midtown Atlanta for our vignette.
My Floral Bliss created a gorgeous ceremony piece that floated over the altar area with lush white floral, and floating orbs attached to sand-blasted manzanita and accented by greenery. It was such a lovely way to add softness to the ceremony area without taking away from the dramatic skyline and architecture of the space. Our bride and groom recited hand written vows calligraphed by Sass and Frass which were held in custom vow books from Wedding StoryWriter.
Our beautiful bride wore a gown by Monique Lhuillier “Jade”, belt Jenny Yoo “Mischka”, and veil Cha Cha “Imperial”, all from Fabulous Frocks. Jewelry worn from Perfect Details. Hair and Makeup by Scoobie West. Wedding garter designer La Gartier, styled her garters with shoes and accessories from Jimmy Choo for a glamorous touch. The groom was dressed in a tan summer suit by The Modern Gent.
The stationery suite by Sass and Frass featured calligraphy on gold edged paper. Custom acrylic table numbers and escort cards by Host and Toast mimicked the paper with gold agate details. The stationery was displayed on a hand-crafted driftwood grey tray with genuine leather straps from Host and Toast. A hand-made Vow Book with custom silver and gold marbled paper finished the suite.
We love incorporating fun surprises into our wedding designs. We think guests would have a blast with the Cult Cart, where they can select their own organic flavor of cotton candy. And Cult Carts goes above and beyond to customize the experience for clients by making color coordinating cones and toppings to accessorize the cotton candy to match the wedding design.
For cocktail hour, the escort card display was set in the middle of the Four Season’s herb garden. Manzanita branches held acrylic escort cards in an agate design with names in gold calligraphy. The Four Seasons provided hand-crafted refreshing Summer cocktails – the “Lady Victoria”: Hanger One Vodka, Lemon Juice, Cocchi Americano, Rosemary
Michelle Gainey of Lemiga Events designed the reception display with crisp whites and mixed metallics. White metallic linen from Nuage Designs provided a clean base for silver rimmed chargers and gray Lucca dinner plates from Classic Party Rentals. Silver dupioni napkins and romantic calligraphy menu cards edged in gold, finished the place settings. Mixed metallic containers held candles, soft white floral, and painted succulents, creating a beautiful table display perfect for a summer reception.
It’s A Sweet Life Bakery designed our wedding cake with white floral accented by metallic gold. The cake was displayed on a custom white and gold stand made by Host and Toast.
Sarah and Will of Simply Sarah Photography captured all the beautiful details of the day and the sweet love shared between our bride and groom. All in all our vendors came together to provide a perfect summer day in the city and gave our couple some beautiful imagery they will cherish for years to come!
Photography: Elizabeth Lanier Photography | Event Planning + Design: Lemiga Events | Wedding Dress: Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta | Cake: It's a Sweet Life Bakery | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Jewelry: Perfect Details | Hair + Makeup: Scoobie West | Stationery + Calligraphy: Hollis Wright | Groom's Attire: The Modern Gent | Venue: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis | Bridal Boutique: Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta | Cotton Candy Cart: Cult Cards | Floral Design + Decor: My Floral Bliss | Garter: La Gartier Wedding Garters | Rentals: Classic Party Rentals | Specialty Decor: Host & Toast Studio | Veil: Fabulous Frocks of Atlanta | Vow Book: Wedding Story Writer
Virginia continues to amaze and impress me when it comes to wedding inspiration and this shoot by Elisa Bricker is perfect proof. Mallory Joyce took the traditional beauty of this historic manor and infused it with modern and minimalist detailing creating a scene I’d be quite happy to live in. Plume Calligraphy set the stage and all that followed can be found in our Vault aka where I’ll be all day long. Join me there!
From Elisa Bricker… This shoot features floral and concept design and styling by Mallory Joyce, who blended this modern couple’s aesthetic with the bride’s historic family home. She chose linens, florals, and calligraphy to nod to the more traditional home, and more modern pieces in the silverware, and glassware on the tables.
Photography: Elisa Bricker | Event Design: Mallory Joyce | Floral Design: Mallory Joyce | Wedding Dress: Lora Kelley | Cake: Maliha Creations | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Hair + Makeup: Anna Breeding | Invitations + Calligraphy: Plume Calligraphy | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Venue: Rust Manor | Cheese Board + Pitcher: Farmhouse Pottery
There is nothing, and I do mean NOTHING cuter than a fur baby in a bow tie. *Enter* Reece the Labradoodle who crashed his humans’ engagement session and loved every second of it. Elizabeth Fogarty captured the fun and we can’t get enough!
From Elizabeth Fogarty…Winston and Taylor are just the sweetest couple ever, and so is their engagement session! Winston looked handsome in his navy suit and Taylor is simply gorgeous with her side braid. They brought key details like a romantic bouquet and her very own ring box from Tiffany. Taylor is truly living every girl’s dream. Winston is head over heals for her and asked her to marry him with her dream ring. The BEST part of this session really is Reece the labradoodle. He pretty much stole the show with his adorableness. He just had to be with his humans the whole time. And let’s talk about his bow tie! This engagement session is just perfect from beginning to end.
Photography: Elizabeth Fogarty | Floral Design: Radebaugh’s Florist And Greenhouse | Ring: Tiffany & Co. | Hair + Makeup: Audrey Bethards | Location: Glenview Mansion
Whether you accidentally hit snooze one too many times, got zero sleep last night or you’re just facing a regular ol’ Monday, bad mornings are a part of life. So when you’ve got those sunrise blues? It’s the perfect day to make your life a thousand times easier with an effortlessly pretty hairstyle. See three of our favorite (and bad morning-friendly!) buns here.
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Is there anything more captivating than a California wedding? The short answer is no, but the longer answer? Well it goes a little something like this celebration. With Wedding Kate on hand orchestrating elegance, this is one soiree that’s sure to stun. From the indoor reception to the sunkissed ceremony, Laurie Bailey Photography captured it all we’ve got it in The Vault!
From Wedding Kate…Not every couple is as natural as Madison and Patrick. As we sat at our menu tasting, it seemed as they didn’t have a care in the world. Food came out, they tried it, gave a whole hearted thumbs up and just went about being madly in love. And really, that’s what this thing called a wedding is all about.
Madison’s effortless style was the design focus of her wedding day. Nothing stuffy or overdone. Loose, beautiful flowers and subtle, soft colors truly set the backdrop for their love story. We used florals that spoke to the couple, enhancing the venue but also bringing forth an unexpected whimsy. The combination of greens and shades of white was executed perfectly by Camellia Floral Design. Madison chose a soft, natural arch for the alter, opposed to the overdone, heavily fabricated structure. When she saw it for the first time, I knew we nailed it. Branches and blooms formed a beautiful, organic shape that was hard to take your eyes from.
Madison wore a gorgeous, ethereal gown with tulle and lace detail that fit her personality perfectly. The trailing ribbons from her bouquet seemed to dance in the salt water breeze as she prepared to walk down the aisle. Patrick, quite the gentleman, wore a sharp suit, adorned with the sweetest matching boutonnière. They were the classic couple, exuding elegance, grace and above all, love!
The wedding day was one from the movies where truly nothing went awry. The guests just beamed with excitement for the couple, and hoards of friends from college and younger days cheered and hollered for the newlyweds. Through the night, Patrick kept beside his bride, whisking her around the dance floor in between menu courses and hugs and kisses with family and friends. At the very end, we escorted guests out to enjoy the warm Pacific air as we bid the couple farewell. Off they went from this thing, this wedding, hand in hand and even more madly in love.
Photography: Laurie Bailey Photography | Event Planning: Wedding Kate | Floral Design: Camellia Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Marchesa | Invitations: Black Ink | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Engagement Ring: Kim Faison | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair: Mobile Bridal Salon | Band: Soulville Band | Bow Ties: The Tie Shop | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis | Bridesmaid's Earrings: J.Crew | Earrings: 23rd Street Jewelers | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Mother of the Bride's Dress: Samantha Elizabeth Designs | Photo Booth: Thought Box Photo Booth | Rings + Jewelry: XIV Karats Ltd
I have yet to meet a Judy Pak wedding I’m not instantly obsessed with. She’s got a way with the camera and when Judy captured these two loves’ special day on Shelter Island? It was sheer perfection. From the seaside ceremony to a classic Sperry Tents, it’s nautical gone chic and the film below by Meredith Heuer = icing on the cake.
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From The Bride…Our wedding was held overlooking Coecles Harbor at the Ram’s Head Inn on Shelter Island. Having been raised on opposite coasts, it made sense for us to choose a location that held special meaning for both of us. Shelter Island captures deep sentimental values within our relationship; JP grew up vacationing there with his family and introduced it to me in the first few months of dating (it was on a dock overlooking Dering Harbor where we first said “I love you.”), and we got engaged at sunset on an antique yacht just a stone’s throw from my parents’ summer house, which they bought after spending two summers there with us.
We wanted our wedding to feel elegant, yet relaxed and fun, like Shelter Island itself. It was also really important to us to make it feel like a mini destination wedding for our guests and to give them a taste of Shelter all weekend. Guests were greeted with welcome bags with local treats – mini bottles of Wolffer Estate Rose Cider, North Fork Potato Chips, Tate’s Chocolate Chip Cookies – and a hand-drawn map of the island and weekend itinerary by our incredibly talented calligrapher and invitation designer, Karla Lim. Friday night, we held a rehearsal dinner at our favorite restaurant on the island, Vine Street Cafe, followed by welcome drinks for all of the guests at Sunset Beach. This was the perfect way to set the vibe for the weekend.
Given our love of cooking, planning began with the food. We were adamant that guests sample the produce, seafood, and in-season pies that the East End had to offer in mid-September. Local Catapano goat cheese and heirloom tomatoes, Montauk striped bass, Briermere Farm fruit pies, and a coconut cake from Sag Harbor Baking Co. were among some of the items served. At cocktail hour, we served our two favorite cocktails, an Aperol Spritz and Spiked Watermelon Agua Fresca, alongside rustic platters of cheese and charcuterie, crudites, and miniature lobster rolls, fish tacos, and pulled pork sliders.
The ceremony took place overlooking the water and cocktails followed from a higher vantage point. As guests were ushered into the tent for the reception, a light rain began to fall, which made for an even more intimate setting. Lilly-Anne Merat, a singer/songwriter who grew up in nearby Sag Harbor, and her two guitarists led the first dance with a beautiful rendition of “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne. From there, our guests joined us and we danced to an acoustic mix of soul and Motown classics like Otis Redding and newer hits from Leon Bridges.
Annie Casale of Sag Harbor Florist created the most gorgeous florals throughout the inn and tent – loose, natural, garden picked arrangements in varying shades of white and green; the cutest, potted herbs on the cocktail tables; and garlands of silver dollar and seeded eucalyptus scattered with dahlias, ranunculus, garden roses, and white snowberries on archways, the tent entrance, and down the length of the dinner tables.
In the tent, it was very important to us to create an intimate space that felt like a dinner party at home. We used four long dinner tables spanning the length of the tent with La Tavola grey linen tablecloths and tons of candlelight. Sperry Tents sourced my favorite vine ball lights to hang over the dance floor – combined with the candles and strung bistro lights, it created the most beautiful ambient light and cast a magical glow on the sailcloth tent.
After dinner and dancing in the tent, we grabbed umbrellas and ran up the hill into the inn’s bar, where Abby and Tom, the husband and wife duo of Play Something Good, DJ’d the rest of the night – they absolutely killed it and we had the best dance party of our lives. The night ended at my parents’ house down the road with a pool party and late-night snacks.
We were so lucky to have Judy Pak capture it all in exactly the way we had envisioned. Her film photography is so natural and ethereal and she managed to get the perfect mix of posed and candid images. Meredith Heuer, an incredible photographer and videographer, created the sweetest, black and white wedding video that we still can’t stop watching. Carrie and Alex of Lyndsey Hamilton Events share our aesthetic and attention to detail and were the perfect partners to help us plan the most amazing day.
Photography: Judy Pak Studio | Cinematography: Meredith Heuer | Event Planning + Design: Lyndsey Hamilton Events | Floral Design: Sag Harbor Florist | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Sag Harbor Bakery | Invitations: Written Word Calligraphy | Bride's Shoes: Tabitha Simmons | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Ram's Head Inn | Makeup: Beauty Exchange | Lighting: Sperry Tents | DJ: Play Something Good | Ceremony Music: Lilly-Anne Merat | Venue: Ram's Head Inn | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Party Rental Ltd. | Tent Rentals: Sperry Tents
Hang around these parts long enough and you’ll quickly learn that the vondys. are a photography duo like none other. And since their amazing images never fail to leave us speechless, we’re dedicating every moment of today to their fabulous talents… AND a little something extra special for you loves. Think an awesome giveaway for one very lucky couple. Scroll below for the details.
Whether it’s capturing those special moments you didn’t even realize were happening or documenting all of those details you worked so hard to cultivate, the vondys. will be there to help you remember that crazy beautiful day you call your wedding… and will do so stunningly. From their gorgeous use of natural light to their traditional meets modern style, the vondys. are continually pushing boundaries and rockin’ what they do with their fab photojournalistic style. We heart them… big time.
Contact the vondys. today to begin your journey. And then be sure to enter their WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGE GIVEAWAY below. (That’s deserving of all caps, don’t you think?)
What: the vondys. are giving away a FREE complete wedding day photography package to one lucky couple getting married in 2017! The wedding can take place ANYWHERE worldwide and includes:
How To Enter: To enter, and for terms and conditions, CLICK HERE!
And a sweet little note from last year’s winner, Michaela… An extra special thank you to our amazing photographers, Shannon and Justin of the vondys., who were literally our lifeline on our wedding day. We entered a contest on SMP 6 months before our wedding for a free photography package and consider ourselves the luckiest people in the world to have won. Besides the beautiful work they produce, The Vondys also have a talent of making everything better by just being there and went well out of their way to help us throughout the day. We cannot thank the vondys. enough for everything they did and the lifetime of memories they created for us.
We’ve seen just about every kind of nursery there is, from wallpapered pretties to mid-century modern to adventure-inspired. But the one ‘theme’ if you will, that I’d love to see and gets my ooh’s and ahh’s going is a tropical-inspired space. Maybe it’s this fun shower we shared a while back or cutie finds like this that prompted it, but you have to admit, a nursery filled with these tropical treasures would be so darling!
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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
One thing we know for certain? Taking your design cues from the Japanese Friendship Garden in San Diego’s Balboa Park is never a bad idea. And neither is stealing every.last.ounce of pretty from this gorgeous inspiration sesh from heidi-o-photo and Lauren Sharon Design & Rentals. It’s nature meets minimalism in the prettiest of settings. Fall in love with every stunning moment in THE VAULT.
From heidi-o-photo… Inspired by the gorgeous grounds of The Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA, this earthy, modern styled shoot looks to nature and the traditional elements of Japanese design to bring new dimension to a classic motif.
Shibui- Beauty by way of simplicity, Minimalism
Fukinsei- Asymmetrical Balance
Shizen- Naturalness, Organic Spontaneity
Lauren Kimmons, owner of Lauren Sharon Design & Rentals embraced equal parts quiet sophistication and a casual, organic warmth with her concept for the dining and lounge spaces. “Our backdrop was an award winning Japanese garden with cherry trees just coming into bloom- it was amazing. The concept was to create a space that embraced our surroundings and centered around the principles of Shibui, Fukinsei and Shizen- offering each guest their own personal experience of the garden.”
Together with Heidi Orcino of Heidi-O-Photo, they created a concept of balance: between contrasts, elements of design and periods of style. A mix of mid-century modern furniture and natural, almost wild, floral installations honors the minimalism of traditional Japanese design and its fondness for the natural- in the truest sense of the word.
Organic Elements built an amazing floral installation that brought the garden backdrop right to the table- using yellow acacia, jasmine vines and giant air plants (among other gorgeous greens) they created a mini garden that grew up from the table and down from the ceiling.
“With the help of Snake Oil Cocktail Company, we were able to create two custom craft cocktails. We wanted to see this concept through and only Snake Oil’s mindful approach to garden-fresh ingredients and innovative recipes would do,” said Lauren.
They created two cocktails for the shoot, the New Moon (Yamuzaki 12 Year Whiskey, Green Tea, Fresh Mint, Pressed Blood Orange and A Touch of Honey) and the Sun + Sky (Nigori sake, North Shore Aquavit, Pressed Lime, Elderflower and Sea Salt).
Photography: heidi-o-photo | Floral Design: Organic Elements | Wedding Dress: M Bride Salon | Cake: Sweet Cheeks Baking Company | Jewelry: LOA Designs | Hair + Makeup: Beauty By Stacey | Groom's Attire: Friar Tux | Venue: Japanese Friendship Garden | Cocktails: Snake Oil Cocktail Co. | Concept + Fashion Concept: heidi-o-photo | Event Design, Furniture Rentals + Concept Collaboration: Lauren Sharon Vintage Rentals | Invitations, Menus + Table Numbers: Four Things Paper
It’s a wild wedding world out there; so many ideas, so much info, it can begin to feel daunting to say the least. But fret not newly engaged; we’ve simplified the process, starting with your vendor crew. Imagine searching for that dream photographer (aka Jose Villa), discovering curated collections of his work, and learning about his style and aesthetic with the click of a button. That’s what I call time well spent.
With our new Portfolios, practical and pretty information is right on one page. Not only do we get to gaze upon Jose Villa’s ridiculously gorgeous work (need I say more?) but we also get an insider’s look into his approach and when you can no longer hold back – we’ve got the routes to reach out to him. Oh and don’t miss out on the social media links; if you’re not following @josevilla you need to get with the program ASAP.
Chic Garden Party Prettiness | Lavender Inspired French Wedding | Lilac + Blush Perfection
When regular sprinkles just won’t do, try this watermelon version of our most favorite party topping. We gladly throw sprinkles on anything and everything. And we mean everything. But with this fruity flair, that everything just got a whole lot cuter. Can you even handle these little watermelons? Too cute is an understatement. For more dessert ideas, head right this way.
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To make Royal Icing, wisk together 3 T meringue powder and 6 T water
Add 1 lb confectioners sugar mix on medium speed in stand mixer for 10 minutes.
Add water or confectioners sugar as needed to get the consistency you need. Our idea of perfect-for-sprinkles royal icing is a consistency that will slowly run off a spoon and fall in on itself in about 10 seconds. If you run a knife through it, the knife mark will be gone in about 10-15 seconds.
Divide into 2 batches. Add pink food coloring (or a couple of drops of red) in one batch and green in another.
Using your pink icing, pipe a half circle. Repeat as many times as you want watermelons. Outline the round portion of your half circle with the green icing, making sure the two colors are touching. Let dry for 24 hours.
Using your food writer, add small lines or dots to create the watermelon seeds.
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Eden Willow Photography sure knows the quickest way to our hearts, because this mountain top elopement? Well, it’s kind of everything. Complete with watercolor calligraphy and an awesome sense of adventure, we invite you to peek the pretty in The Vault!
From Eden Willow Photography…One of the things that makes us so supremely happy to live in the Pacific Northwest is that there is such a spirit of adventure and exploration. We are often just an hour away from a mountain, a waterfall, or a desert and such backdrops can do little else but inspire us to wander and inspire us to create. Our inspiration for this shoot came from the very nature that so abundantly surrounds us. Our ultimate vision for this elopement inspiration shoot was not just to produce something aesthetically beautiful, but to really inspire our wanderlust brides and grooms-to-be to start their marriage off with an adventure and to never stop adventuring from day one to year 51 and beyond.
Maria of Fern + Grace did an incredible job capturing our heart and vision. We wanted to use the landscape as a literal foundation and build upon it in a way that didn’t detract from the beauty of the Columbia Gorge, but fit perfectly within it. What better way than to nestle a romantic tablescape and ceremony site right into the mountain? Maria hand dyed gorgeous cheesecloth to use as a light table runner that we knew would capture the wind and chose simple, but elegant place settings to match. She used an incredible custom vintage window set as our ceremony backdrop with added Edison lights.
The Columbia Gorge is known as a wind corridor. When we made our decision to shoot there, we knew immediately we needed a dress that could capture that movement. The Regan Gown from BHLDN (A Willowby by Watters exclusive gown) was a perfect choice with its lovely, light layers of tulle that danced easily in the wind.
Brier & Ivy did an amazing job with the florals for our shoot. We wanted to stick to a neutral palette that really spoke volumes about the abundance of flora and foliage in the Northwest. Amy picked dogwood blooms from her back yard and paired it with gorgeous white peonies and greens to create arrangements that were as organic and natural as possible. We topped the gorgeous watercolor accented cake from Dream Cakes with additional dogwood blooms, moss, and ferns.
We were instantly drawn to the beauty of The Northway Studio’s handmade bespoke jewelry. The delicate “Willow” necklace was an obvious choice, but we also fell in love with the gorgeous Moissanite ring and paired it with a simple, classic gold band for our groom.
The invitation suite by Elisa Anne Calligraphy features an absolutely breathtaking watercolor rendition of the Columbia Gorge and her impeccable calligraphy. She added beautiful vintage stamps to really complete the set.
We wanted to represent the simplistic beauty of the Columbia Gorge with simple, yet elegant hair and makeup. Bri Ellis from Portland Hair and Makeup did an outstanding job styling our bride with soft, windswept tresses and natural blush and eyeshadow colors.
All of the vendors we were fortunate to work with completely aligned with our heart and vision and refined it in so many ways. We are so thankful for their hard work and dedication!
Photography: Eden Willow Photography | Event Styling: Fern And Grace | Floral Design: Brier & Ivy | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Dream Cakes | Invitations: ElisaAnne Calligraphy | Jewelry: The Northway Studio | Hair + Makeup: Portland Makeup And Hair | Venue: Columbia Gorge | Bridal Boutique: BHLDN | Film Processing: The Find Lab
