I’m a sentimental person and that affection extended into my own wedding. I strived to create unique keepsakes from my big day that I’ll continue to treasure for years to come and I love whenever SMP discovers new ideas – and we got a whole bunch of them for you ladies today! The Garter Girl is here to share her favorite ways to keep those memories alive; which ones do you plan on recreating?!

BOUQUET WRAP

You have your mother’s (or grandmother’s) wedding dress, but you don’t want to wear it for your wedding. There are many unique ways to use this family heirloom at your wedding, such as turning the sleeve into a cover for your bouquet stems. Try cutting off the sleeve of the dress and using it as a wrap for your bridal bouquet. Many vintage wedding dresses actually had sleeves that were decorative with lace, beads and other trims. As a bouquet wraps, you’ll be able to carry a beautiful family heirloom with you on your wedding.

RECREATING PHOTOS

There is no wedding heirloom sweeter than a family photo. But instead of the traditional family group picture of everyone all lined up, what about recreating a photograph from your parent’s or grandparent’s wedding album? Is there a iconic photo of your parents on their wedding day? Try using the same pose or the same expression on your wedding day. You can contribute to a family memory and create a new tradition by recreating a wedding photograph and then putting it in a frame along with the old family photograph.

GARTER

Once a scary thing that sent every unmarried wedding guest running for the bar or to hide in the restroom, the wedding garter is having a come back in a major way. But these bridal garters aren’t for tossing. Today’s wedding garters are pretty and elegant, designed to be modern heirlooms for saving as something special from a wedding day. Even better, the new wedding garter designs are meant to be passed onto future generations to come in your family.

GUEST BOOK

Guest books of the past were just that, books that wedding guests signed upon entering the wedding. But who wants a book full of signatures? Modern guest books are creative and thoughtful. Today’s wedding guest books have taken a turn for the practical, into something that brides and grooms would actually use and enjoy well after the wedding is over. Think thumbprints on a canvas, a signed piece of furniture (or a canoe!), a jar filled with well wishes, or marriage advice to be opened up on anniversaries.

FAMILY FIRST LOOKS

Sure, we’ve all heard of the first look where your photographer captures your expressions before you walk down the aisle to the ceremony. But what about a wedding day family first look! Your parents and siblings will be just as excited and full of emotion to see you on your wedding. After the first look with your fiance, ask your photographer about a first look for your family too. A family first look can create into those priceless wedding heirlooms you’ll cherish forever.

LIVE PAINTINGS

As your wedding ceremony unfolds or maybe during the cocktail hour of your wedding receptions, couples are opting for a live painter to come to their wedding to hand paint the event as it takes place. Not only is this an interactive and fun thing for your wedding guests, but the end result is a beautiful and very meaningful piece of artwork. This live painting is a unique wedding heirloom that you’ll be able to hang in your home forever.

VOW BOOKS

Writing your own wedding vows is coming back in wedding ceremony vogue. More and more couples are investing wedding planning attention into every little thought and detail of how their wedding ceremony will unfold right down to the music, the guest seating and taking the time to write their own wedding vows. A hand calligraphed hardcover wedding vow book is a beautiful way to preserve your vows so that you can and look back and reread your vows and so can your children.

Not Your Average Bridal Accessories

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Not Your Average Bridal Accessories

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ONGOING GIVEAWAYS + DISCOUNTS…  

Plum Pretty Sugar
Skillshare
Framebridge
Animoto
Revelry 
Barn & Willow
Havenly

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!

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

For our Tri-state Brides… Discount from Femina Photo + Design and giveaway from OLLI STUDIO!

Style Advice: The Garter Girl

There’s nothing like kicking off the weekend with a bang, and these bright, coral peonies have certainly done the trick. But they’re only the beginning of a stunning waterside affair, with so many heirloom moments woven in along the way. Kristin La Voie captured every bit waiting for you in The Vault!

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From Kristin La Voie Photography…Our sweet couple Kensington and Michael have known each other forever (since Kensington was 15!) and they shared a very intimate wedding with their closest family and friends (about 25 in attendance) at the Lodge at Pebble Beach, followed by an intimate dinner in a library room at the Inn at Spanish Bay. Tons of family heirlooms were incorporated into the wedding, including a 1913 pin passed down for generations that women in Kensington’s family wore on their wedding day (which can be seen pinned onto her dress), table runners made by her Great Great Grandmother, her Grandparent’s cake topper, her Great Great Grandmother’s ring pillow, and more, which start back in the 1800s!

The entire day was absolutely breathtaking from beginning to end. Their ceremony took place on the green at the Lodge overlooking the most beautiful blue water and the famous Pebble beach golf course. It was like a dream! Their cocktail hour continued over at the Inn at Spanish Bay with it’s picturesque rolling hills (with it’s own bagpiper!) and crashing waves. All of their guests sat at one long table for dinner, inside a library private room. The bride and her friends even surprised their guests (and groom!) with an ode to Beetlejuice with the “Day-o” song and dance!

Photography: Kristin La Voie Photography | Floral Design: Fleurish Floral Designs | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Ceremony Venue: Pebble Beach Resorts | Reception Venue: Pebble Beach Resorts | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Naming a human is a hard job. Some couples look to their families for inspiration in selecting a first name or middle name for symbolic meaning. But for some, Grandpa Ernie or Aunt Ursula might not be fitting for your wee one. Where else to go for inspiration? We’ve covered gorgeous celeb-inspired names—and today we’re looking to these stunning supermodels, whose names are equally as lovely.

24 Baby Names Inspired by Supermodels

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24 Baby Names Inspired by Supermodels

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San Francisco is arguably one of the most iconic cities in the world — the Golden Gate Bridge, the Victorian architecture, the rolling hills, and, of course, the cable cars. And at their glamorous wedding, Kristen and Steve made the ultimate grand entrance, arriving to their reception in a charming San Francisco cable car. See every pretty moment, thanks to Jasmine Lee Photography, in The Vault!

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From Jasmine Lee Photography…Kristen and Steve were married at the beautiful James Leary Flood Mansion in San Francisco. Many of their closes family and friends joined together to celebrate their nuptials.

Their wedding was inspired by blush, champagne, and cream colors. Kristen’s bridesmaids all wore long sequin dresses paired with white bouquets. Their reception was elegantly set by McCall’s SF using clear chargers with gold rims, gold glitter-dipped escort cards, and votive candles.

Kristen, Steve, and their entire bridal party arrived “San Francisco style” to their venue by riding on a cable car. Their ceremony was heartfelt and emotional. Tears were shed during their personal vows as they were almost written identical to each other. Guests were captivated by how perfect Kristen and Steve were made for each other. It was the perfect day celebrating Kristen and Steve’s marriage!

Photography: Jasmine Lee Photography | Cinematography: Expectation and Hope | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Invitations: Gartner Studios | Bride's Shoes: Designer Shoe Warehouse | Jewelry: Vintage Heirloom | Hair + Makeup: Arrow Salon | DJ: Everything Audio Visual | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Venue: James Leary Flood Mansion | Cake + Catering: McCalls Catering & Events | Coordination, Floral Design + Styling: McCalls Catering & Events | Hair Accessories: DIY Handmade Veil

Ashton and Mila just can’t stop surprising us! The long-time That ’70s Show co-stars first made our fan-girl dreams come true when they brought their on-screen romance to life in 2012, got engaged (with a 5 carat ring, no less) in 2014 and threw the surprise wedding of the century in 2015. Now with baby #2 on the way, mama-to-be Mila made us all gasp one more time when she revealed on Conan that her and husband Ashton Kutchers’ wedding bands were a major bargain.

“So my husband and I got married, and he got me a beautiful engagement ring,” the Bad Moms star told host Conan O’Brien. “But for our wedding bands, for when we got married, I decided to just get them off of Etsy. And so our wedding bands are from Etsy.”

On the search for “the thinnest possible platinum band” Kunis found her perfect match on Etsy for just $90 and couldn’t pass up the deal. The actress, 32, revealed her hub’s band was a wee bit more pricey, costing $100.

Either way, we’re totally digging Kunis and Kutchers’ frugal finds. Would you shop for your wedding band on Etsy? Tell us in the comments below! [dotted]

Bonus: Matching Ring Sets that Make A Perfect Marriage

Matching Ring Sets

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Matching Ring Sets

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Guys, I love ALL weddings… I really, truly do.  But, if I am being honest, it’s those seaside nuptials in paradise that really get my heart pumping. I’m talking miles of sandy beaches, crystal blue waters and, of course, a beautiful locale like the Sanderling Resort making every moment happen perfectly.  I mean, a vaca of a lifetime meets the ultimate wedding? Yes. Please.

Located in the oh-so-stunning Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Sanderling Resort is everything you’ve ever wanted (and more) for your Big Day. Think space for 15-180 guests, luxe accommodations and mesmerizing sunset views to add a little touch of romance to your festivities. From their ah-mazing venue options to their knowledgeable staff to their relaxing spa, the team at Sanderling Resort will turn your dreams into an absolute reality.  We promise you that.

Contact the Sanderling Resort TODAY to speak to one of their full-service event planners and begin planning your destination celebration.  We can’t wait to see you say “I do” in the Outer Banks, lovelies.

Girl walks into a local bar. Girl locks eyes with boy, who happens to be the DJ. Boy has an instant feeling she’s something really special. And the rest, as they say, is history. Read on for the full love story plus beautiful engagement photos from the lens of Meredith Sledge.

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From The Bride… Jasen and I met three and a half years ago. He was DJ’ing at a local bar and he said as soon as he saw me, he had a feeling. We ran into each other again two weeks later and he asked for my number. I didn’t think this popular Richmond DJ would ask for my number! We went out the following week and the rest, they say, is history.

To be completely honest, it hasn’t been an easy road (are relationships ever easy!?). Jasen was different than any guy I had ever dated, the biggest thing being the age difference of 13 years. Because of this, we had a rocky first year. I made the choice to fight for our relationship because I felt something in my heart that I never had before. Jasen accepted me for who I was. I rarely felt like I could be my true self in a relationship and, not only did he allow me to be open and honest, he brought out the best in me. He continued to do this through the hard times.

We laugh together. Every. Day. His energy lights up a room. We love to spend time with family and friends. Spring and fall weekends are filled with adventuring throughout Virginia. We lead a busy life (he’s a real estate agent/DJ on the weekends and I am a 5th grade teacher), but we always make time to check out the latest movie, blast music in our house and make a terrible attempt to sing like Adele, and be adventurous in our kitchen.

I am absolutely one of the girls that has been thinking about their wedding since they were 12. I am addicted to Pinterest and already have a “vision board” for my wedding! I want to describe my wedding as elegant, romantic, fun, and cozy and I can’t wait to get married this winter!

Photography: Meredith Sledge | Location: Main Street Station

If you’re the kind of bride who dreams of lush, organic florals, or of an utterly romantic gown to take your groom’s breath away…this wedding is for you. Set it Kyle, Texas, it’s an outdoor affair designed by Westcott Weddings and captured by Michelle Boyd behind the camera. Alex Widmer crafted the film and you can press “play” below!

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From Michelle Boyd Photography…Even though Meredith & Gregg’s wedding day was threatened by April showers, the clouds held back until the covered reception began, and their smiles never stopped from dawn until rainy dusk!! They are a couple so intent on loving and honoring each other well, and serving their families with such humility, that their wedding was an absolute joy to be a part of. Westcott Weddings designed and planned everything to a T, and it couldn’t have fallen together more perfectly!

Photography: Michelle Boyd Photography | Cinematography: Alex Widmer | Event Planning + Design: Westcott Weddings | Floral Design: Clementine Botanical Art | Cake: Feathers and Frosting | Invitations: J.RoCro Arts + Letters | Catering: The Winfield Inn | Makeup: Rae Cosmetics | Hair: Simply Mandy | Lighting: Intelligent Lighting Design | Band: Royal Dukes Band | Ceremony Music: Bride's Brother & Friends | Transportation: R&R Transportation | Venue: The Winfield Inn | Accent Furniture Rentals: Loot Vintage Rentals | Cake Stands: Melody's Joy | Cigar Roller: Bobalu | Cocktail Hour Mariachi Band: Mariachi Amor | Linen Rentals, Stage, Draping Rentals: Marquee Event Group | Napkins: BBJ La Tavola | Reception Chairs: Sweet Sunday Events

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

Royal Dukes Band

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Everything that Laura Gordon Photography touches turns to gold. Want proof? Just peek this gallery and you’ll have all the evidence you need. Because this ballroom fete is fit for royalty. With captivating captures like this, this, AND this, we think you’ll be hard pressed to pick just one as a forever favorite. Fall in love with it all in The Vault!

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From The Bride…I have always had a deep appreciation for classic & traditional things. I also love anything that feels fancy & elegant. From the moment I started planning our wedding, I knew I wanted our guests to feel three things: Elegance, Tradition, & Appreciation. I was very lucky to have an incredible team of vendors that helped to bring my dream together. As a wedding photographer, I knew my biggest decision would be my photographer. I chose someone that I felt was extremely capable of seeing my wedding day the way I had envisioned it. I always knew I wanted to be married somewhere that embodied elegance & tradition, which is why I chose the historic Jefferson Hotel as my wedding venue. My stationery designer worked with me to set the tone of my day with the perfect invitation suite. That helped to set the bar of elegance that we would carry throughout the wedding.

From the tradition aspect, I knew I wanted to get married in a Church since both my parents and my husband’s parents were married in a church. That was important to me because I wanted my future children to have the opportunity to also see a church in our wedding pictures.

Something that made our wedding day unique was the amount of time we spent planning to make sure our guests really enjoyed the wedding and felt appreciated. Making sure everyone would really have a great time at our wedding was one of the things we thought about most. From the food we chose, to the bar, & the band. Even from a scheduling stand point we thought about what our guests would want. My husband and I are very people & family oriented and we are the happiest when those around us are happy. We knew we had to take that into consideration on our big day. We wanted everyone to feel appreciated and loved so that it was truly everyone’s big day.

Photography: Laura Gordon Photography | Cinematography: Shaking Hands Productions | Event Planning: Events By Elizabeth Palmer | Floral Design: Photosynthesis | Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau | Cake: The Jefferson Hotel | Invitations: Page Stationery | Ceremony Venue: Monumental Church | Reception Venue: The Jefferson Hotel | Hair + Makeup: Avenue 42 | Lighting: Blue Steel Lighting | Band: EastCoast Entertainment | Officiant: Two Become One Ministry | Ceremony Music: Appasionata | Bridal Boutique: Hitched Salon | Bride's Rings: Hamric & Sheridan | Ceremony Flower Wall: Sweet Pear Paper | Cocktail Hour Music: Frank Sings Frank | Groom's Ring: Cowardin's | Guest Book: Sue Corral Ink | Linen Rentals: Glamour Linens | Trolley: Rva Trolley

If there’s one flower that consistently steals our affection it’s the peony. And this stunning Italian celebration? Well it’s filled with them. Bursting with vibrant coral charm florals and one fabulous celebration, Kir & Ira Photography has captured every bit to share and we’ve got it all waiting for you to fall in love with in The Vault!

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From The Bride…I’ve been organizing events around the world for the past 15 years that’s why we decide to plan our wedding celebration ourselves. The expectations from our friends and family were high towards this one, which did not make planning any easier. We started looking on the Internet for ideas and places we liked. With guests coming from 21 countries, we wanted to rent a whole villa/house for a week, so all of our friends and family could stay near by to us. We also were looking for flexibility from the venue we were going to use, so we could decide our own suppliers, with not so many restrictions. Most important factors for us were great food and drink, good weather, nature and a peaceful unique place as we live in London, we wanted to get away from the crowd. We chose Italy, as it was easy to get to for us and our guests, offered great places to visit and it is a paradise for foodies.

We enjoyed doing site visits to Italy. We visited Tuscany twice to organize and see things, as we have organized our wedding ourselves. We chose the idea of travel and globe as a seating plan. We had an old map and we allocated guests per countries. We also really wanted to have two long banquet tables and it worked really well for our wedding. At our wedding we had many kids who were given kids packs full of games, stickers and toys to keep them entertained.

I liked the idea of braces and tie bows for page boys, and they were the stars of the day. We saw San Galgano Abbey and straight away decided that this is the place for us. On the evening of our first visit there, they had a opera concert, which we stayed and decided on that same evening that Opera during our ceremony would be a real wow factor as we enjoy it and our guests would have a different experience.

We had local honey as small presents to our guests. We found these little pots of honey in local shop and a supplier made special stickers for us (Tatyana and Lee, meant to bee) and we got lavender honey (bees been collecting piling from lavender flowers only). Peach and coral color scheme started from peonies, flowers which I have fallen for and which were used in wedding flowers as well.

Wedding took place end of April, and we decided it would be the best time as it was not to hot, not too busy with tourists and prices were lower compared to peak time. Only thing we had to consider was changing weather, therefore we have booked a big marquee and placed it just outside of the villa as we wanted most of the wedding to be outdoors, and we didn’t want to take a risk on the rain. We had booked two musicians, who stayed with us for from Friday until Monday playing piano, and guitars for us. On our wedding day we have put lots of effort to our entertainment program, which included traditional Russian games as well as some less traditional dance offs. We had also prepared a song list for our Italian DJ who successfully catered for each taste of music and got us all dancing to great hits like to Kalinka, Macarena and many Italian classics.

Best parts of the whole wedding planning experience was driving our classic car in the most beautiful areas of Tuscany, visiting places and trying food during our site visits and meeting with the Mayer of the town, two days before the wedding to sign pre marriage documents. We have met and made friends with great people including Jacopo, who is the owner of Villa di Corsano, so was there to give us great suggestions and local knowledge.

If you want to organize a wedding in Italy we would recommend to choose a place which is near places for sight seeing. We had Sienna only 15 minutes away, Florence 1 hour away plus many other great places. Make sure you use only recommended suppliers and it is not easy to book services in Italy, as people are very relaxed. We had very personal experience as our dear friend Carmen who is from Italy, was translating our ceremony into English. For Russian guests who did not speak English, we translated menus and order of service for them. We also had best mans and grooms speeches translated beforehand, to make it more personal on the wedding day.

As we had such a international wedding, we did our own website, where our guests could find travel info, tips and photos. It was the easiest way to communicate info and updates. In total we had just over 90 people and 60 of them stayed for the whole week. We made a holiday out of this and every evening we had BBQ and meals together, so we have an outstanding wedding party.

Photography: Kir & Ira Photography | Event Planning: Events by Taty | Floral Design: Fiori da Elena | Ceremony Venue: Abbazia Di San Galgano | Reception Venue: Villa di Corsano | Bride's Shoes: Atelier Fatima Alves | Rings: KultaNalle | Catering: Royal Catering | Hair + Makeup: Irina Kondratenko | Calligraphy: Kate Pshenichnaya | Film Processing: ImpressionFilmLab | Legal Papers: Italian Wedding Papers

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

Kir & Ira Photography

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Sometimes creative combinations don’t always work out. Other times, they absolutely crush it. And this is one of those cases. Kelly Karli Weddings and Events took some Southern charm, added local Colorado rustic flair and threw in a dash of glamour for good measure. With Plum Sage Flowers’ bright blooms as a perfect finishing touch, the results are almost too good to believe. Luckily we have Clary Pfeiffer’s pics and the film by Sherri Innis to prove that it all really was real. More in our Vault!

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From the Bride… Sean and I met the summer of my senior year of college at Colorado State and our chemistry was instant! We fell head over heels for each other and spent the summer outdoors – camping, seeing live music and with Sean’s new lab puppy Stella. When the summer ended, Sean had to go home for a family matter in St. Louis and we were long distance for a few months before I graduated. The day after graduation, I packed my bags and U-haul and headed for St. Louis to be reunited with Sean. A few years later, in February of 2014, Sean flew me out on a surprise trip to my favorite city – San Francisco! It was there that he got on one knee and proposed at the Palace of the Arts.

For our wedding, Sean and I were both set on being married in the Colorado Mountains. I grew up in Denver, Colorado and we both grew up going on ski trips with our friends and families. We both felt that it was the perfect place to join our hearts and our two families. There is nothing more perfect than a crisp fall Colorado day with the sun and yellow Aspens shining! It is magic! My parents live in the South now, outside of Charleston, so for our wedding I envisioned Southern charm and glamour in the Colorado Rockies. People so often choose rustic themes for mountain weddings, but I really wanted to mix the two aesthetics!

We decided to get married in the Beaver Creek Chapel and then choose the Park Hyatt mountainside ballroom for our reception. This was lovely because our guests could walk right from the chapel along the mountainside to the Park Hyatt cocktail hour! I picked a romantic color palette of pale pink and creams and choose apricot and deeper pinks to make everything pop! I decided early on that I wanted to mix metals, as you can see I used a mix of gold and silver mercury in a lot of the décor and paper elements.

The bottom of my dress was covered in sculptural floral silk organza flowers that looked like a romantic bouquet! I used this to inspire the fabulous giant flower wall behind the band and then picked La Tavola rosette linens in pale pink to continue the theme and texture. We also used some sparkly gold and pink La Tavola linens for the cake table and cocktail tables. Atop each pink napkin was a golden Aspen leaf chocolate. I love cherry blossoms, so our design team was able to incorporate cherry blossoms into the décor. I especially loved the giant cherry blossom trees they created that defined the white dance floor on each corner. Other favorite parts of the décor for our wedding were the custom wood bars and twisted wooden bar arches covered in flowers that our design team created! We also loved the specialty drinks sign with portraits of our Lab Stella and Labradoodle Stanley! This was a great personal touch. For our invites our calligrapher collaborated with William Arthur to create an elegant and classy invitation with gold foil thermography and gilded gold edges.

Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography | Videography: Sherri Innis | Coordination: Kelly Karli Weddings and Events | Floral Design: Plum Sage Flowers | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek | Ceremony Venue: Beaver Creek Chapel | Reception Venue: The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek | Catering: The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek | Calligraphy: Traci Green Designs | Band: Soul X | Cocktail Music + After Party: Piper James | Custom Cocktail Sign: Paper Tangent | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

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

Florals

Plum Sage Flowers

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When you share a birthday with Notorious BIG and the big ONE is coming up, your theme is basically picked for you. Am I right? This 1st Birthday has won the hearts of 90’s rap lovers everywhere. Planned by photographer Mom and Big Poppa, no detail was left out. From cheeky signage, to a crib bar and loads of gold crowns, it’s a notoriously BIG 1st birthday for Baby Baybee and you’re invited!

I’m a photographer and I spend a lot of time at parties and celebrations. I love them. I love shooting them, throwing them, attending them, all of it. So when my daughter McCarty was born, the little seed was planted and I began to think about her first birthday party. 

bounced around with a lot of ideas and one day I stumbled upon the fact that she shares a birthday with Christopher Wallace, aka The Notorious BIG. Party theme… Done and done!

But how do you throw a kid appropriate Biggie party? I had no clue. I did have an image that we’d shot at her 7 month session that always reminded me of the Ready To Die album cover. It’s not a very flattering photo of her, but always made me so happy. So, we had an invitation!

I started reading about him and really digging through his lyrics. He talks a lot about brunch food, so we had a menu… T-bone steak, cheese eggs, Welch’s Grape. I did a lot of research on the Welch’s. Were we talking the jelly? The juice? The soda? (Lil Cease confirmed, it’s the soda!) I jotted his lyrics down everywhere I could think. Gold chains, “jacuzzis”, a crib-turned-bar and lots of champagne.

 My mother made a cake in the shape of the crown he wore for that iconic photo. (I actually found the crown on Amazon, I just wish I could make that baby keep it on her head!) I ordered custom shirts from Mr Jones Apparel, I photoshopped her face on to a $100 bill, changed the numbers to her birthday and added “mo’ money mo’ carty” (that line was a friends idea and maybe my favorite part of the party!)

It was one of the most fun parties I’ve ever thrown and I’m so happy to share it! It was an absolute labor of love and I’m so happy with how it came out!

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Enviable Kids' Parties

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Enviable Kids' Parties

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Photography: Hazelnut Photography | Crib Sign: GirlBye | Private Home: Our Home | Shirts: Mr. Jones Apparel

If this bouquet is any indication it just goes to show that nature always provides. Because this heavenly handful? It was (believe it or not) mostly foraged finds thanks to the madly talented Colonial House of Flowers. From there it’s a day layered with elegance and delicious details – like this pretty from Savannahs Hall of Cakes! All in all it’s a inspo captured by Jeremy Chou Photography that you’re sure to love and we’ve got it all in The Vault.

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From Colonial House of Flowers… Just above Savannah, Georgia and below Charleston, Okatie sits in the most gorgeous coastal countryside you’ve ever seen. This region also boasts some of the most talented vendors in the South East. For this workshop, the lovely ladies of Design Studio South collaborated with the uber talented designer Tristan Needham and when they asked us to be a vendor, we knew we had to be involved.

By incorporating a floral recipe that included greenery foraged up to the last minute and even blooms clipped by my daughter and sister from my own garden, I helped welcome the group of photographers the most natural way I could, amid the Spanish moss and 600 year old oaks.

Photography : Jeremy Chou Photography | Cinematography: Vitor Lindo Photo + Video | Event Coordination: Design Studio South | Event Design: Tristan Needham | Floral Design: Colonial House of Flowers, Est. 1968 | Cake: Savannah's Hall Of Cakes | Stationery: Cake | Catering : Thrive Catering | Hair + Makeup: Bride's Side Beauty | Calligraphy: Every Little Something | Vintage Car: AE Luxury Limos | Wedding Venue: The Outfitters Center At Oldfield | Basket: Pottery Barn | Candles: 100 Candles | Container: Urban Poppy | Event Rentals: Amazing Event Rentals | Gown Designer: Saint Isabel Bridal | Models: Brittani Dremann, Ryan Claus, Megan Johnson, Chandler Fritts | Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic

We all strive for our dream house, right? And even though all of our ideas of a dream house might differ from one another—I think we can all agree that having at least a few of these luxe items in our homes would be the bomb dot com. From a grand entrance to an oversized shower, which of these details are on your dream house wish list?

11 Things to Add to Your Dream House Wish List

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11 Things to Add to Your Dream House Wish List

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April showers lead to May flowers, and in the case of this gorgeous engagement session from Rebecca Yale Photography, that couldn’t be more true. After a rainy morning in Brooklyn with their sweet pup, Mochi, Dustin and Dina headed to the cherry blossoms of Manhattan for a shower of pretty pink petals. Experience all the magic now in The Vault!

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From The Bride…Our story begins three years ago as a serendipitous encounter where a Brooklyn girl meets a Dallas boy at the right place at the right time. On the night we met, we happened to be at the same bar; I went for a friend’s birthday and Dustin went for his. As he tells it, everything was in slow motion. He says that as the crowd parted, there I was laughing. Though finding love was far from my mind, this was unknowingly the start of our story.

Over the course of several months, we became long-distance friends. That friendship led us to attend a wedding together for his childhood friend. Coincidentally, the groom was from Dallas and the bride was from New York, who also happened to meet at the same bar as us. Either this was a sign or maybe it was the liquid courage, but I made the first move and kissed him. After that night, our long distance friendship became a long distance relationship. Long distance is not for the faint of heart, but when it’s real, it’s worth the work. 18 months later, and after countless flights, late-night calls, FaceTime, and hellos and goodbyes, he proposed last May where we first said “I love you.” Dustin was so nervous, he forgot to take the ring out of the box and just handed me the box instead. So he had to get back down on one knee, and try again.

Last spring, I came across Rebecca Yale’s Instagram and fell in love with her work, especially her utterly romantic pictures with the cherry blossoms. I knew I wanted to reach out to her and began to follow her, even before getting engaged. We had to wait a year for the cherry blossoms to return, and Rebecca made it so worth the wait.

Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography | Bride's Shoes: Nike | Engagement Ring: Tiffany & Co. | Hair + Makeup: Sachiko Yanase | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Bride's Accesories: Kate Spade | Bride's Dress: Madewell | Bride's Dress: Aritzia | Bride's Purse: Chanel | Bride's Stilettos: Stuart Weitzmen | Groom's Shoes: Cole Haan | Groom's Watch: Rolex | Location: Williamsburg NY | Nails: Emi Aoki | Silk Ribbons: Silk and Willow

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For those of you that aren’t jetting off to Tuscany to say ‘I do’, but still long to incorporate the romance that only the Italians can pull off then Amanda and Michael’s wedding is for you. A dreamy day captured by Vicki Grafton Photography that proves you can absolutely plan an Italian inspired celebration in the states. Graced with elegant details and a super sweet couple, we’ve got every darling detail waiting for you in The Vault!

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From Vicki Grafton Photography…Amanda and Michael had a lovely intimate Tuscan inspired wedding at Bella Collina in Montverde, Florida on April 22, 2016.

I went to college with Amanda and she was even a bridesmaid in my destination wedding back in 2008. I knew Amanda had always dreamed of a destination wedding in Italy which connected her to her family heritage. However, when the time came and she found the man of her dreams, there were a few very important family members that sadly wouldn’t be able to make such a long trip to Italy. So to help her stay true to her original wedding dream, I assisted in finding the most amazing venue and team of vendors to bring her vision to life. I love when my couples ask me for advice to get the wedding and the images they have always dreamed of, and Amanda definitely utilized my experience in the industry to do just that.

My favorite details of their celebration included handmade paper invitation and event calligraphy by Julie Ha Design, including wooden menus with the course names written in Italian. The florals by Fleur & Lumiere had a elegant yet foraged tuscan feel including olive branches and greenery. I also adored how their ceremony was nestled in with Bella Collina as the backdrop to create that intimate villa feel. And although a threatening storm ultimately changed their reception plans from an alfresco dinner around the reflection pool to a cosy dinner inside Bella, Amanda and Micheal were still able to have their first dance at the reflecting pool as their guests looked on from above. About 5 minutes after their first dance the clouds finally let go of the rain which was perfectly timed to usher guests inside for an intimate dinner.

From the Bride… We wanted to have an authentic destination feel of Tuscany close to home. Our venue provided the perfect backdrop for an Italian inspired theme. I wanted to be surrounded by nature while still keeping the formality of an elegant event. We went for a Vintage Italian vibe with the colors of Tuscany including soft neutrals, taupe, cream, touches of pale pink and soft greenery. We included homemade biscotti favors set at each place setting. The biscotti were wrapped with parchment paper, twine and a sprig of rosemary. The music ensemble also included an accordion player to transport guests to a different time and place. And our custom designed invitations had the beautiful ceremony backdrop sketched by hand on handmade paper with a rough edge which set the tone for the a celebration with effortless elegance.

My favorite moment was the first look. It was a peaceful private moment amid the chaos. We both were brought to tears and it was a moment I will never forget. My favorite detail of the day was the venue. Bella Collina is Italian for “beautiful hill” and it definitely lives up to its name. We truly felt transported us to another place and time. The Ceremony was held outdoors on the lawn with the beautiful stone and Tuscan style architecture and stunning cypress trees as the perfect backdrop for our vows. Cocktail hour was initially planned for the courtyard clock tower, but because of the impending storm, it was moved to the atrium with beautiful stone arches and wrought iron chandeliers, overlooking the reflection pool and Lake Siena in the distance. For dinner and dancing we moved into the clubhouse which felt almost like a castle with dinner set in front of a grand fireplace. Off the dining room was an cozy bar/lounge area for dancing and I think having an intimate room for the reception really encouraged our guests to mingle and dance all night!

Our cake was three tiers of delicate ruffled fondant covering Amaretto sponge cake with a bavarian creme filling. The flowers were the perfect tones consisting of white and crème, gently accented with taupe and blush using peonies, english garden roses and other european flowers all accented with olive branch and greenery. The bouquets were all hand tied with luxurious silk ribbons and the boutonnieres were a sweet coupling of greenery, olive and herbs accented with rough cut silk ribbon.

My gown was perfection, but it took some time to find the right one that fit the destination vibe we were were going for. I ended up with a romantic A-Line with a soft sweetheart neckline and off-the shoulder illusion sleeves. It had a delicate floral lace pattern over subtle gold satin and then layers of eternal tule over top. It was light and delicate and looked effortless and etherial when I moved. My bridesmaids dresses were mis-matched long flowy gowns in soft pinks & blush. They each picked their own dress and two of the girls actually switched the morning of!

The one piece of advice I would give to brides-to-be is to wear flats! I was very resistant at first, but it was by far one of the best decisions I made and I am so thankful I listened to that piece of advice. I felt just as glamorous and it saved my feet! No our could tell anyways as my dress was long and the shoes didn’t show. I really enjoyed the night and was able to dance all night long!

Photography: Vicki Grafton Photography | Coordination: Linda Ha Events | Floral Design: Allison Coney | Wedding Dress: Brides by Demetrios | Hair + Makeup: Brie & Brie | Calligraphy + Invitations: Julie Ha | Venue: Bella Collina | Ribbon: The Poetry of Silk | Veil: Emily Riggs

It’s not every day you see a wedding set on the edge of the world. Or an Ibiza clifftop, to be exact. But thanks to Ana Lui we’ve got just that, will an entire gallery of images that’ll give you Mediterranean wanderlust in a serious way. Scroll on for lots, lots more.

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From The Bride…

Why did you choose to get married in the Mediterranean?

We fell in love with Ibiza from the first moment we visited the island. It has everything you need for a perfect holiday – from sun, sand, incredibly blue waters, fun nights out, delicious cuisine and relaxation. You can have a great night out in the south of the island or you can hide yourself away in the corners of the island for some peace and tranquility. There is a special energy on Ibiza, and you feel it as soon as you step outside. We wanted to get married on Ibiza so we could share the love of the island with our friends and family, so they too could experience the beauty for themselves.

How did you find the venue and your wedding coordinator?

After a few trips and searching for all different locations, we decided we hadn’t quite found the perfect place for the wedding. We really wanted to have the activities at a private villa, so everything could be in once place. After much searching (and Googling) we came across Cardamom Events – who were able to find a location, provide the catering and help us plan the wedding so it was a perfect fit.

What advice would you give brides to be regarding organizing a destination wedding?

Be patient. Be clear on what your vision is before you communicate to anyone supporting you because ANYTHING is possible, it’s just how to bring to life your vision within your budget, so be prepared to make compromises. And plan your budget based on 80% of you actual budget, because you WILL go over.

Most importantly, the day goes by so fast make sure to take some time away with your newlywed to enjoy the moment and take some pictures. Make sure to eat, and try not to think about the schedule. If possible, don’t get too involved in the timing and scheduling of everything on the day because if it doesn’t go according to the exact timing (which it never does), it’s best that you don’t pick up on that and can enjoy each moment.

From Ana Lui Photography… Alexandra and Bono were my dream couple! Super laid back, fun, happy and full of life! We had so much fun on the day and throughout the night – they partied like crazy and kissed like crazy. It was a wedding full of positive energy, happiness and music! Set around perfect location in Ibiza, private villa close to quiet sleepy town of San Juan, with clifftop ceremony and gorgeous sun setting over the hills of Ibiza.

I think film photography totally captured the beauty of the palace. Getting all the blues, greens and warm colours of the island out in every photograph. I am super happy with the peach skin tones and softness of all the images.

Photography: Ana Lui Photography | Cinematography: Ana Lui Photography | Coordination: Cardamom Events | Floral Design: El Ramo De Flores | Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham | Stationery: Idlewild Co. | Bride's Shoes: Prada | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Hair + Makeup: Smack Ibiza | Groom's Attire: Custom made by Thomas Baldwin | Venue: Casa La Vista Ibiza | Catering + Cake: Cardamom Events | Film Processing: Carmencita Film Lab | Grooming: Tailored & Groomed Ibiza | Lighting + Sound: Ibiza Pro Dj

It’s the weekend, so what’s on your to do list? Hopefully something that’s productive right? This summer, when I am actually home and not traveling I have been making an effort todo something out of the ordinary, change things up a bit. Hopefully something on my list will do the same for you! Cheers to the weekend! xo, Amanda of Fashionable Hostess

7 Things to Steal from This Blogger's Weekend To Do List

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7 Things to Steal from This Blogger's Weekend To Do List

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More ways to get your summer ON…

10 Hammocks To Lounge In All Summer Long (Cocktail In Hand!)
12 Sexy Scents to Wear this Summer
The Ultimate Pool Float Roundup

Choosing a wedding invitation suite is no easy task. There are hundreds of beautiful options to choose from, especially from Wedding Paper Divas. But the hard part comes after you say yes to the stationery suite. Deciding on the wording and then figuring out the etiquette for addressing all the envelopes can be a headache, but thankfully, Wedding Paper Divas is here to break it down for you.

How to Word Your Invitations

There are countless possibilities when it comes to the wording of your invitations, however the traditional and formal phrasing is a good jumping off point no matter what kind of wedding you’re planning. Here’s the traditional wording (using Pippa Middleton as our example):

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Middleton
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter
Philippa Charlotte Middleton
to
James Spencer Matthews
Saturday, the twentieth of May
two thousand and seventeen
four o’clock in the afternoon
Westminster Abbey
20 Deans Yard
London, England
Reception to follow

The format may change slightly if the wedding is hosted by multiple sets of parents, the groom’s parents or yourselves. But don’t worry, it’s simply a matter of swapping out the names at the beginning of the invitation.

If you and your fiancé are more casual, it’s completely OK to go more casual — the experts at Wedding Paper Divas recommend changing the spelled-out numbers to numerals, removing the hosts’ name entirely, changing the phrasing to “Together with their families…” or if you want to be really straightforward “Philippa Charlotte Middleton and James Spencer Matthews Are Getting Married!”

What Should and Should Not Be Included

Although you have flexibility with the wording, there are three things that should always be included in your invitation: the who, the when and the where. The who should include the full names of the bride and groom, and if a formal invite, the name of the hosts, too. The when should clearly list the time, date, month and year of the event. Lastly, the where should include where the event is taking place, with a full address (though the zip code isn’t necessary).

As a general rule of thumb, the main invitation should only include the necessary details of your wedding. However, the rest of your invitation suite should include information on attire, accommodation details, activities and a map with clear directions to any venues.

The Tricky Part: How to Address Them

Addressing your invites can definitely be tricky. Besides keeping track of titles, addresses and spelling, you also have to figure out the proper wording for all your invitations. Thanks to Wedding Paper Divas, we have the proper etiquette for addressing the outer and inner envelopes of your invites. If you’re still lost, Wedding Paper Divas has a life-changing interactive tool to help you address invitations for everyone attending the wedding.

To a Married Couple

This is the most traditional form of addressing an invitation. Should you choose to include both persons’ names, the outer envelope can be addressed as Mr. and Mrs. HIS_FIRSTNAME LASTNAME. An alternate version includes both names as Mr. FIRSTNAME and Mrs. FIRSTNAME LASTNAME. Example: Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy or Mr. Fitzwilliam and Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy.

To a Married Couple that Uses Different Last Names

It’s best to list the person to whom you’re closest to first on the outer and inner envelopes. If you know each one as well as the other, you may write them in alphabetical order. Example: Mr. John James Preston and Mrs. Carrie Bradshaw or Mrs. Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. John James Preston.

To an Unmarried Couple Living Together

Similar to the address for a married couple, both names should be included on the envelopes. Example: Mr. Ross Geller and Ms. Rachel Green.

To a Married Couple with a Hyphenated Last Name

Similar to the address for a married couple, both names should be included on the envelopes with Mr. FIRSTNAME LASTNAME and Mrs. FIRSTNAME LASTNAME-LASTNAME . Example: Mr. Gerry Kennedy and Mrs. Holly Reilly-Kennedy.

To Those with Distinguished Titles

If only one in the couple has a distinguished title, it is proper to write his or her name and title first. If the wife has the professional title, you will address her name depending on whether or not she uses her maiden name professionally. Example: Dr. Theodora Altman and Mr. Henry Burton or Dr. Theodora and Mr. Henry Burton.

If both parties are doctors with different last names, both their names can be written on the inner and outer envelopes. Example: Dr. Derek Shepherd and Dr. Meredith Grey.

If both parties are doctors with the same last name, you may address the envelopes as The TITLES LASTNAME. Example: The Doctors Avery.

Many of the same rules that you use for doctors also apply for military personnel, judges, reverends, etc. If both parties have distinguished titles, it is best to write the person with the highest rank first. Also, make note to add “The Honorable” to a title in the case of elected government positions, excluding the President. Example: The Honorable Governor of Illinois Peter Florrick and the Honorable State Attorney Alicia Florrick or Colonel Jane Burton, U.S. Army and Dr. Roland Burton.

To a Divorced Female

The best practice is to address her as either Mrs. or Ms. and use her maiden name if she doesn’t use her former husband’s surname. Example: Mrs. Liz Gilbert or Ms. Liz Gilbert.

To a Widow

Traditionally, you would use the deceased husband’s last name in the address, as well as his first name. However, this depends greatly on her personal preference and what she will find respectful. Some choose to use their own first name, and sometimes also their own last name. If you’re unsure, it’s best to ask what she prefers. Example: Mrs. Charles Hamilton or Mrs. Scarlett Hamilton.

To Children and Families

Younger guests can be included on the inner envelope of their parents’ invitation listed by first name. However, children are normally not addressed on the outer envelope. For girls under 18, you’ll want to use “Miss.” Boys don’t require a title until they’re 18. Example: Mr. and Mrs. Mike Brady.

To People 18 and Older

Unless they live at home with their parents, they should receive their own invitations. Example: Ms. Serena van der Woodsen.

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If you come across a situation not included in the examples above, don’t worry. Take a deep breath and head to Wedding Paper Divas for their a life-saving interactive tool, which will help you address any invitation to every guest invited to the big day.

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Got It? Head Over to Wedding Paper Divas to Find Your Perfect Invites!

Hi, Brides! It’s Desiree back again for more wedding fashion talk. Today we’re breaking down dress fit, because a perfectly fitted gown makes all of the difference! I’ve seen it all when it comes to different shapes and sizes of women and I’ve come to know which details and styles work best for each shape. It’s important to understand and know your shape before dress shopping so that you can identify the features you’d like to highlight and the type of styles that’ll flatter those features best!

I’ve listed different shapes below along with the most flattering silhouettes for each to help guide you along the way. Finding a wedding gown should never be about hiding or masking your shape but about enhancing and flattering every curve. Often times, what we have in mind for a dress doesn’t always live up to the hype once we try that particular style on so be open minded to the process of finding the perfect gown and don’t stop till you feel absolutely stunning in it!

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Find Your Perfect Fit

SQUARE (BOY) SHAPE

If you have the Cameron Diaz shape, narrow hips without a definite natural waistline, then a ball gown or A-line style dress is a great choice. A ball gown and A-line silhouette will give you a cinched waistline while the fuller skirt will create a hourglass figure.

PEAR SHAPE

Like me, you are a pear shape if your upper body is smaller than your lower section. Modified A-line silhouettes are a slimmer version of a full A-line gown that hug the hips slightly before making the A-line shape in the skirt and work well for pear shaped women. This kind of silhouette shows off the small of the waist while slimming the hips and creating a flattering curve. If you are a pear shape who wants to show off your hips, buttocks or thighs, then fit-and- flare styles with a strapless, sweetheart neckline will offer a balanced and beautiful shape as well.

APPLE SHAPE

Women with an apple shape are more round in the mid-section and may not have a distinct waistline. Drop-waist dress styles that are fitted to the hip, before the A-line portion of the skirt, are very flattering on brides with this shape. The structure in wedding gowns will cinch in the smallest part of the waist creating a nice curved line from the waist to hip. The drop waist also slims and elongates the waist for a clean, streamline look. Another style that does wonders for the mid-section for an apple shaped woman is a gown with diagonal gathering (ruching) across the waist since the gathering enhances curves while flattering the mid-section.

THIN

Sheath gowns are a great option for thin brides. Many sheath gowns are made with a silky lining that can be hard to wear for many shapes, due to the lack of construction in them. The layer of lining is lightweight and offers comfort but also lies close to the body that a thin figure can pull off. Also, the flowy nature and movement of a sheath gown adds just enough to flatter the shape even more.

TALL

A trumpet or mermaid gown that has a seam slightly above or at the knee, where the skirt portion begins, looks great on tall brides because the proportion stays balanced from the waist to the hem. The same goes with any trumpet or mermaid style but the more height you have the easier it is to pull off more drama at the bottom of the skirt. The seam at the knee tends to break the overall silhouette up and can visually make a bride look shorter if she is already petite.

SHORT

Streamline gowns without a horizontal break in them is best for a shorter bride. Depending on your overall shape (pear, apple, thin, curvy) the exact style may vary but less dress will enhance more of your natural shape when it comes to choosing a style for your height. Keep in mind that straps and beading at the neckline will also help create a taller silhouette.

CURVY

If you have curves then I recommend showing them off! I have found that fit- and-flare silhouettes with gathering, beading, or a belt at the natural waistline creates the perfect shape for brides with curves. The detail at the waist offsets the curves on top and bottom enhancing a beautiful hourglass figure that will knock the socks off of your groom.

Happy Shopping!

xoxo, Desiree

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Peek Back at Desiree’s Wedding!