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

An Autumn Enchantment in the Gardens of Vizcaya Museum

The charming gardens of Vizcaya Museum And Gardens set the scene for this enchanting editorial. You’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to France as you take in every elegant detail artfully planned by Intrigue Design & Events. The floral design by Poppy Flowers adds to the romance of the whimsical day, and every image captured by Katherine and Tyler Photo and Video is more breathtaking than the last. You’ll fall head over heels for every moment inside the full gallery.

From Katherine and Tyler Photo and Video… Host of The Styled Society, wedding photographer Katherine and Tyler Photo and Video and planner Chelsye of Intrigue Design & Events dreamed up a whimsical editorial that’ll transport you into the gardens of Versailles, France.

Their vision was to create a design that embellished the natural elements of Vizcaya Museum And Gardens. From the colorful stonework, handcrafted architecture, and french aesthetic, they chose a blend of vintage elements mixed with a modern flare.

Katherine and Chelsye centered their editorial design around garden-style chairs that look to have been placed on the grounds of the Villa. Beautifully brought together with bold, patterned linens and napkins, effortless china, and whimsical florals.

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What To Consider When Determining Your Wedding Floral Design

Florals? For a Spring wedding? (We all know where this is going)… groundbreaking. But what blooms are actually “in season” in Spring? Will they work well with your color palette? What about the venue? When it comes to choosing the right flowers for your Big Day, there are many things you should consider. Time to get out that note pad and listen up, friends! Below, we’re walking you through the most important things to keep in mind when determining your wedding floral design.

Photography by Angela Newton Roy Photography | Floral Design by Wild Green Yonder

Seasonal Availability

Flowers are a living art form, subject to the limitations and miracles of the changing seasons. Seasonality determines so much of what is possible in the floral design process, from types of blooms available, to the overall feeling and mood of seasonally-driven designs. Think of how light and effervescent spring cherry blossoms feel, compared to the golden warmth of fall foliage. When designers speak of seasonality, they are referring to much more than which flowers are available at a given time—they’re interested in the feelings, ideas, and colors associated that season. You know those vibes that just overtake you during pumpkin spice season? That’s exactly what we’re talking about – it goes way beyond what’s just in your coffee cup, to encompass an entire mood.

Photo by Julia Kaptelova Photography | Floral Design by Pedro Navarro

Venue

When you daydream about your wedding florals, you likely picture them as part of an entire scene. Maybe you imagine a vineyard dinner with olive and rosemary table runners, or instead think of flowers framing the entrance to a grand estate venue. Regardless of the details, your venue and your flowers are very much linked.

Venue will determine the entire scope of your florals: how many arrangements are needed (and at what size), and if you’d like any installations and where, but it will also influence the entire look and feel of the day. Because everything should flow from one element to another, the style of venue and florals should compliment each other, not contrast or compete with one another.

Photo by Sophie Epton Photography | Floral Design by Remi and Gold

Color Palette

There’s no doubt about it: colors have emotional power. While soft neutrals leave us feeling balanced and light, deep jewel tones give us a sense of warmth and intimacy. Because of this, your wedding color palette will tell guests the overall mood of the day. Florals will not only be guided by that, they’ll simply bring life to it! Through movement, composition, and texture, floral arrangements add a depth to your palette that cannot be achieved any other way.

Photo by Stephanie Gan Photography | Floral by Laura’s Floras

Keep in mind that floral colors aren’t straightforward – the amount of pinks alone that a floral designer has access to is unreal and unbelievably liberating. For example, a Distant Drums rose is apricot at the center with pale pink edges, but over time it fades to mauve. These kinds of complex (or mature) colors can be used to your advantage, expressing painterly and nuanced palettes.

Photo by Lauren Fair Photography | Floral Design by Faye and Renee Floral and Event Design

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Lauren Fair Photography

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Remi and Gold

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A Chandelier-Adorned Cliffside Wedding With Dramatic Caldera Views

Today’s stunning cliffside wedding planned by Plus One Event Co.at Rocabella in Santorini is giving major Mamma Mia vibes, and we couldn’t be more obsessed! Lay all your love on the full gallery captured by Two Clicks Photography to find all the destination inspiration you’ll need, including the most epic chandelier-adorned arches at the reception created by Fillo Flower Studio!

From Plus One Event Co.… When Minneapolis wedding planner Samantha got engaged, she knew that she wanted to host a destination wedding. She and her fiancé Daniel sought to plan a unique and memorable celebration with an intimate group of family and friends. Shortly after the proposal, the pair searched all across the world for the right venue. They wanted a destination that spoke for itself with inspiring views, good food, and opportunities for other exceptional experiences during the wedding weekend. This criteria was met by many locations; however, Rocabella, a boutique hotel in Santorini, ended up being the easiest decision they made.

The wedding weekend kicked off with a catamaran cruise for all 50 wedding guests. The couple appreciated this extended opportunity to spend with friends and family prior to the big day. Setting the tone for the celebration to come, the group sailed between beaches and hot springs, enjoying the island views from the water as the sun set over the horizon.

On the wedding day, a forecasted storm threatened their ceremony plans. With the cooperation of their dedicated vendor team, Samantha made the decision that morning to postpone the entire event by one hour. Her bridal stylist, Julia, helped find a new look that would withstand the humidity and wind, and Samantha was so grateful for the ability to make some last-minute changes.

With the help of a close friend at Annika Bridal, Samantha found the perfect Ines di Santo gown from the designer’s Goddess Collection. This dynamic dress was simple and timeless, yet also modern and fun at the same time. Paired with satin pointed-toe pumps and minimalist pearl jewelry, the bride was incredibly excited to reveal her wedding look for the first time to her dad, bridal party, and of course, Daniel.

After the first looks, the bride and groom along with their photo and video team set off for the town of Oia for a mini adventure session. Usually crowded with tourists, they took advantage of the less than ideal weather to capture some memories at this quintessential Santorini location. This was one of their favorite parts of the day, and turned out to be a major silver lining.

Rocabella’s simple setting provided a blank canvas that could adopt almost any style. Drawing inspiration from Santorini’s iconic sunsets, Samantha and Daniel designed a wedding that conveyed modern elegance. A chandelier installation above Rocabella’s infinity pool set the stage for an intimate and emotional ceremony. In dramatic fashion, while the wedding partly lined up for the processional, the sun peaked out from the sky. Their cliffside venue was fully illuminated as an acoustic version of Coldplay’s yellow guided them down the aisle.

Guests enjoyed cocktails as the sun set over the caldera, while the couple took a ride in a 1957 Porsche Speedster. After their vendor team completed finishing touches on the reception setup, guests grabbed their custom luggage tag to find their seat for dinner. Celebrating greek culture, Samantha and Daniel treated guests to a 5 course meal, which highlighted some familiar and some new greek dishes. Floral adorned chandeliers provided ambiance to this special meal and swayed with the wind till the end of the evening.

Guests danced the night away under the canopy of lights until the early hours, capping off a memorable celebration. Samantha and Daniel were extremely grateful and proud of their vendor team for executing the wedding of their dreams. Looking back on these photos bring them back to that special weekend in Santorini, a weekend they will remember forever.

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Greek-American Wedding With White Luxury Details in the Heart of Rhodes, Greece

We’re not being dramatic when we say this might be one of our favorite weddings we’ll see all year! Between the fashion (umm hello, those Louboutins?!), the Aegean views, and the gorgeous couple – our jaw is to the floor in awe of every detail. They also just happen to have the most fashionable guest list ever, captured to perfection by Sotiris Tsakanikas with every candid shot. See all the details of this Greek-American affair at the full gallery of inspiration, all planned by Golden Apple Weddings with floral design from Kay Creations!

From Marina F. Hatzidakis of Golden Apple Weddings… On Sunday, July 31st, 2022, Nicholas and Georgia tied the knot! With Greek origins and a love for Greece, the couple decided to get married and knew that their dream wedding would take place in Rhodes, Greece, because of the grand scenic views and the medieval city architecture surrounding this charming island! Both Nicholas and Georgia were born in the United States and studied law.

The day began with the preparations of the bride, bridesmaids, groom, groomsmen, and family at the Hotel Elysium. The imposing waterfront five-star luxury resort and spa area are distinguished by its aesthetics, elegant décor, luxury style, and outstanding concierge service.

The beautiful bride is stunned with her custom-made bridal dress and the new Hot Chick Greekaba patent leather pumps by Christian Louboutin as her wedding shoes, which take you on a mystical journey through Cyclades and Athens. Georgia’s bridal bouquet full of white peonies was the ultimate wedding day accessory. During the reception, Georgia changed into her second pair of sandals by Christian Louboutin, the “Sandale Du Désert 100 satin sandals,” lavishly decorated with bows around the ankle, loubi eye prints, and red bottom soles.

For the ceremony, the couple traveled separately with their families from the Elysium hotel to the Evangelismos church in a vintage British luxury automobile of superior performance and unmatched comfort, a white and gray antique Rolls-Royce. As they arrived at the church, the crowd let out “Woah,” “Ouu,” and “Ahh.” This set the tone for the ultimate luxurious wedding vision the couple wanted for their memorable, once-in-a-lifetime event!

The Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony was at Evangelismos Church. This church is located next to Mandraki Harbor in Rhodes City and was built during the Italian occupation in 1925 and is known for its Gothic architecture, decorated with interior Byzantine murals.

After the church, the reception followed to Kallithea Springs, a property of water springs, swerving pathways, pebble-stone mosaics, and palm trees, giving it the touch of a tropical mystery in a natural cave overlooking the Aegean Sea. Kallithea Springs is a gorgeous venue not only for its history but also for its romantic scenery and serene atmosphere.

The wedding color and inspiration were a white luxury. The couple wanted to mix a tone of lavish luxury with the simplicity of white and a touch of green to keep the focus on the grand architecture and breathtaking nature of the venue.

The decorations and set-up included a combination of round and long tables, hanging crystal chandeliers, a garland of white florals for the main table, greenery, and art de la table rentals such as gold chargers, cutleries, crystal glasses, and sage table napkins. A grand greenery glam-inspired wall was a table chart that guided the guests to their table. The wedding florals and decor was created by a floral design company Kay Creations. The precious favors to the guests were placed individually on the table in a unique personalized box that had a ceramic miniature plate designed with the symbol of Rhodes. Inspiration for the favor came from the couple, with the intent of giving every honored guest a memorable keepsake that they can cherish forever. The creative ceramic had matching colors of the wedding and was created by a local potter.

The welcome drinks and cocktails were served at the beginning of the reception to the 400 honored guests. This bar setup included two external bars at the venue decorated with the wedding theme of luxury white.

Our newlyweds’ favorite moment of their wedding was the fireworks. This happened during the cake cutting, which added a touch of magic. The scrumptious cake was a three-tiered, all-white masterpiece finished with sugar roses.

The couple was excited to work graciously with wedding photographer Sotiris Tsakanikas and wedding videographer company Bowtie, who captured their moments to perfection and were stunned by the top-notch production of Golden Apple Weddings and Team.

We wish them a beautiful life journey together, and it was a pleasure to meet and experience the bonding of two friendly and warm-hearted families! Cheers, or should I say OPA!

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This Is the 2023 Pantone Color of the Year Done Oh So Right!

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Monica and Connor chose vibrant colors for their day. They wanted their wedding day to have a “wow” factor for their guests. Their wedding was a happy occasion and the goal was for the bright colors to reflect those feelings. The main wedding colors were Magenta, which is Pantone’s Color of 2023, and fuchsia. Monica and her mom share a love for magenta so they thought it was only fitting to add in lots of Magenta! Along with magenta and fuchsia, there were many hues of pinks and purples!

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Monica and Connor were married at The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion in Mechanicsburg, PA on a late summer afternoon. The original plan for their wedding was to host it at the bride’s home but with The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion– a new local venue on the horizon, they realized that it checked all of the boxes for them, and then some. The Victorian mansion, built in 1891, is full of character and has many rooms to entertain guests. The elegance and elevated aesthetic of Ashcombes, a classic timeless style, surrounded by luxury, with a touch of Gatsby was what drew the couple to this new venue. To add to the unique beauty of The Historic Ashcombes, the couple added an abundance of florals, textures, layers, and colors. The beautiful orchids displayed in the bouquets and ceremony backdrop were a favorite of the mother of the bride. The floral installations and tablescapes created by the incredible Petals with Style surely made an unforgettable statement! From top to bottom, the large ceiling installations, lighting details, staging, mix of tables for reception seating, layered table details, accents, and menus were all dripping in detail. The bride and groom had an outfit change for the reception, the bride’s sparkling gown to match the groom’s glittering suit jacket was a fun touch to set the tone of the evening. The night ended with the band escorting the guests out of the venue and cold sparklers to send off the newlyweds! It was a day to remember!

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The bride’s gown was Kitty Chen Couture. With an outdoor ceremony on a warm late summer day, Monica wanted a dress that she was comfortable in but also elegant to complement the black tie affair. The dress gave her princess vibes without the heavy ballroom feel. And the leaf appliqués cascading down the dress reminded her of the outdoors and all of the adventures that she and her groom, Connor, have shared.

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The bridesmaids wore Vera Wang in Magenta. The dress colors were chosen first and really confirmed the color palette for the day. The bride had her mom wear the same color as her bridesmaids. She originally wanted her mom to be the matron of honor but ultimately decided that it was more important for her parents to be able to share the day together.

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A custom menu based on the couple’s favorite places to travel and dine was created by the world-renowned and recognized Chef Jay of JDK. With an experience and touch point for their guests at every turn, from chef-tendered dumpling stations to an east coast meets west coast raw bar, Mediterranean grazing station, through white glove dinner and wine service, to hot dessert stations and buttered late night snacks to keep the dance floor kicking!

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The florals were obviously a huge part of their day. The bride and her mother share a love for bright colors so Magenta and Fuchsia was a bold and fun choice for the wedding day. They requested lots of floral layers on the tablescape and for the reception space to look full, luscious, formal and grand, yet inviting and intimate.

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The wedding cake was a beautiful four-tiered cake with simple white roses. They kept is clean and elegant against the abundance of color that was the reception space.

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The ceremony was sweet and short. The bride’s father walked her down the aisle as the groom shed a tear. Their grandfather married them and they shared their own personal vows with each other.

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The Montana Mountains Were The Perfect Backdrop For This Florist’s Intimate Wedding

The majestic mountains of Montana made for the most beautiful of backdrops for this florist’s wedding. Our bride and designer tumbleweed floral design’s vision came to life exquisitely, and Mum’s Flowers filled the day with fantastic blooms that rivaled the beauty of the scenery. Every magical moment was elegantly captured in timeless imagery by Jeremiah and Rachel Photography. You can get lost in all the lovely inside the full gallery.

From Be Inspired PR… When bride Kaylia, a wedding florist, started designing her wedding to Scott, she knew exactly what she wanted her day to look like. The Montana mountains made for the ideal ceremony backdrop, accented by low floral arrangements to highlight the aisle-flanking low bench seating for their closest family and friends.

A modern boho aesthetic permeated the design choices, with details like mustard tones and sophisticated paper goods. At their intimate dinner party reception, guests sat under alternating rattan chandeliers and hanging florals.

A classic creamy neutral-toned color palette was spiced up with a variety of tones and textures, and amber glowing votives added cozy warmth to the tablescape. The pair’s fun personality came into play with a funfetti cake and cannolis for a sweet treat to end the perfect evening!

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BBJ La Tavola

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A Summer Winery Wedding Full of Laid-Back Elegance

This Cape May wedding looks like a dream come true! Weddings Down the Shore coordinated the eye-catching day, and Betinas filled it with lush and romantic blooms that are sure to put a smile on your face. Magdalena Studios artfully captured the love and joy of the day in beautiful imagery. You can see it all inside the full gallery.

From Magdalena Studios… Landry and Jessie are “college sweethearts” and met in a bar in downtown Clemson, South Carolina. Landry is originally from Cameroon and moved to the United States in high school. He attended Clemson University on a basketball scholarship where Jessie was a transfer student, so it felt like destiny! After being together for 4 years (3 of them long-distance), Jessie spent the following 3 years abroad with Landry, where the two lived in Germany, Serbia, and Spain. During a brief hiatus in basketball due to the COVID pandemic, Jessie and Landry had the very rare chance to both come home to the States. Landry took this as the perfect opportunity to pop the question and be able to celebrate with family and friends! We have been traveling the world together for Landry’s professional basketball career. Together, we’ve lived in Germany, Serbia, Spain, and now South Korea! We have a mini French bulldog, Stormy, who we are obsessed with! Although we are polar opposites in almost every way, we can agree that quality time together and with family matters most.

Landry and Jessie have family all over the globe, so they knew choosing a wedding location would be difficult. In October of 2020, Landry and Jessie had their final date before getting engaged at Willow Creek Winery in Cape May, New Jersey. After getting engaged, it felt like the perfect place. Jessie always dreamed of waking up at her parents’ shore house and getting ready there with her girlfriends, so it really was a dream come true. “We wanted a rustic and warm feel, an outdoor ceremony, and autumn colors (even though it was taking place in July!) and Willow Creek Winery’s entire vibe was just that,” Jessie said. Jessie took the lead on planning when it came to colors, details, and flowers. Her vision was neutral colors with a pop of toffee and burnt orange to create a rustic feel. The wedding day started with Jessie and Landry getting ready in farm-house suites on the winery grounds before making their way to the gardens for their first look. The lush greenery was a beautiful backdrop for portraits. Guests were welcomed into the ceremony space with raffia fans and cold water to keep them cool on this Summer day. Jessie and Landry had the biggest smiles on their faces and after they said “I do,” is was time to party! The reception space was adorned with rustic decor that included goblets, farm tables, taper candles, and woven chargers to tie in to the vibe. Something Vintage totally nailed the aesthetic! The large reception space at Willow Creek Winery allowed space for lounges and a photo booth. Both provided guests with a fun area to hang out in when they were not dancing. The candlelit ballroom felt cozy and romantic. A dessert bar was complete with cookies, macaroons, cakes, and donuts. The setup was a work of art! During the party, Jessie & Landry changed into vibrant, traditional African attire that honored Landry’s Cameroon roots.

From the bride… The Jersey Shore wedding planning/vendor community was amazing. It truly felt as though vendors were recommending other vendors they’ve worked well with so creating a team came together naturally. Overall, we wanted the day to be tons of fun and feel casual. People were traveling so far and with the outdoor ceremony, we were not interested in a formal evening. However, with the reception hall, decor, and all of the planning put in, the night was truly elegant and picturesque. Everyone seemed so comfortable and ready to party! Choosing to have That Rad Booth photo booth, and jumping into countless photos with family and friends was seriously one of the most fun parts of the night! Changing into traditional African attire at the end of our reception was a blast. What made it even more special was that Landry’s mother brought them with her all the way from Cameroon! We didn’t necessarily care for a huge traditional wedding cake. One of the highlights of our day was definitely our farm table dessert assortment. That was one for the books! We had Chick-fil-a to end the night, because who doesn’t love Chick-fil-a? We feel like it was executed perfectly. We would not have had it any other way!

My biggest advice to a couple getting married would be to make sure every decision you are making is what you BOTH want, not what anyone else wants. At the end of the day, it is about the bride and groom and the day they envisioned together. The wants and needs of each partner should be top priority. When planning a wedding, every single person will tell you “you won’t worry about that on the big day” or “you seriously will not even notice those small details” and being a perfectionist, I didn’t believe them, but it’s 100% true. Create a list of your big, must-have items or ideas and stick to it. I PROMISE the smaller details will fall into place and if they don’t, you absolutely will not notice. The day will be perfect.

We went to Miami, Florida for our honeymoon. With all of the traveling going on in our life, we wanted something close by. We stayed at The Miami Beach EDITION and we would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a Miami getaway. It has everything you need right there (pools, beach, bars, restaurants), but is still a little north of the South Beach chaos. A highlight of our trip was using the resort’s electric bikes each morning to get breakfast in South Beach. It was the perfect getaway to decompress and relax post-wedding before moving again.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Summer Wedding in Tuscany at the Iconic La Foce

As the Spring 2023 wedding season quickly approaches – more and more we’re seeing the gorgeous gardens of La Foce grace our feeds. This recognizable villa is slowly becoming one of our favorite destination locations in Europe… and with just one look at today’s féte planned by Weddings in Tuscany by Chiara Sernesi, it’s so easy to see why. Rachel and Pete tied the knot in an intimate ceremony beneath the towering cyprus trees on the villa grounds. Later, welcomed by a limencello escort display, guests dined al fresco under a canopy of string lights at the courtyard reception! See every last detail of this Italian summer love story at the full gallery of inspiration, all taken by Stepan Vrzala Photography!

From Chiara at Weddings in Tuscany… A whole year of intense emailing had gone by when we first met with Rachel and Pete, upon their arrival in Italy from California. We met the morning before their wedding, with everything already planned during the year, and the couple staying in Tuscany just a few days, we wanted to make the most of the happiest day of their life! We had recommended the historical Villa La Foce unesco world heritage site resting on a Tuscan hill, in the stunning valdorcia area the ideal place to frame their romantic wedding.

All around the tiny villages vineyards and olive groves. The beauty of the Tuscan landscape is simply too great for words, Throughout Tuscany, stunning landscapes, like those to be seen from the Villa, are graced by the familiar and charming Cypress tree. We planned for them and their 70 guests 3 days of celebration, starting with the welcome dinner in Pienza, in a restaurant with a panoramic terrace overlooking the hills, to a pool brunch party the day after in a beautiful farmhouse, overlooking the crete senesi hills.

On the wedding day, the ceremony and reception took place in the beautiful gardens of villa La Foce. The wow moment was the ceremony entrance, Rachel was accompanied by her mom and dad from the balcony at the top of the monumental, when they started descending the long stairway of the magnificent Villa, at the sound of the graceful music. Rachel loved blue and yellow as colours with this in mind, we created the palette. It’s our job as planners /designers to take this inspiration and translate it into an original design. Our goal is to reflect our client’s interpretation of beauty so that their event is a true reflection of them.

The flowers style was loose, organic, and garden-inspired. The florists interpreted the wishes of the bride very well, Bright yellow flowers look so beautiful alongside cream or white roses, including some green tones with foliage for a really fresh look! We designed each details, from the escort card display in navy with the yellow limoncello bottles to tablecloths / runners / napkins with hints of navy on each table. The very talented photographer Stepan Vrzala captured beautifully every moment of the day, from start to finish Capturing a memory that will last a lifetime and allow for all of those moments to be relived in one place.

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Late Summer Tuscan Wedding In Pretty Pastels

You won’t want to miss a single moment of this pastel wedding under the Tuscan sun. Weddings by Silke designed and planned the idyllic day and filled it with special touches like fresh olive oil from the grounds of Villa Montanare as favors for guests. Romantic floral design by Copihue Floral Studio brings the couple’s love story to life, and Stella Mia Photography artfully captures every magical moment in timeless photography. Visit the full gallery for a closer look at all the lovely.

From Weddings by Silke… The lovely couple Meagan and Matt who live in Colorado connected with us in mid-June to plan and design their beautiful wedding with their nearest in dearest at the enchanting Villa Montanare and we were pleased we made their wedding dreams come to reality. Honestly, it was a challenge to bring together this gorgeous vendor team together last minute in the high season, but it helped a lot, that the wedding took place on a Thursday. Eight of Meagan and Matt’s family members joined them on the quaintest of Tuscan weddings set by the backdrop of the beautiful Villa Montanare. Their wedding proves that size and glam are two separate items that do not interfere with each other at all. Meagan and Matt’s wedding had all the elements you’d expect from two people who value family, delicious food and wine, art, fashion, nature, and of course each other! Black suits and bow ties were a great way to set that tone. While getting married in a Tuscan olive grove reminds you to stop, take a moment, and breathe it all in.

The marvelous color palette was in pastel tones – with white, rose, antique blush, mauve, purple, gold & greenery. The talented girls of Copihue Floral Studio created magic with juliette (english roses), lisianthus, spray roses, Japanese anemone, aster, clematis, scabious, and pittosporum. The couple arrived at the scenic Villa Montanare the day before their wedding and started with a warm-up coupled shooting with the super-talented Nick from Stella Mia Photography. On their wedding day, the couple was getting ready separately in the two spacious beautiful mountain view suites of the Villa. Meagan and Matt decided to hold their gorgeous symbolic ceremony in the charming olive garden behind the Villa and all loved this amazing aisle set up with a beautiful arch and gorgeous floral arrangements at the beginning of the aisle. Meagan looked so beautiful, she wore a stunning dress from Savin London and amazing shoes of Badgley Mischka. Matt looked so handsome in his classy tux. After the emotional ceremony, the couple and their guests celebrated the cocktail hour with finger food and gelato at the amazing pool area. The highlight was the amazing vintage ice cream cart of the gorgeous Cassia Vetus. While the guests enjoyed the Aperitivo, the couple took the most beautiful pictures in the golden light, and in the middle, Meagan switched for the dinner to a spectacular short dress by Watters. The impressive dinner took place at the amazing Terrazza Bellavista with a breathtaking view over the valley. Since it was supposed to be quite chilly at night, we decided on a beautiful gazebo with a crystal chandelier to cover the dining area, which rounded up this stunning elegant setup perfectly – of course with a 360-degree Tuscan view! We had the chance to represent the dinner set up to Meagan and Matt during their portrait session and they were so happy that they started immediately dancing. As guest gifts, Meagan and Matt choose the 100% biological hand-picked olive oil of Villa Montanare, which was prepared at the entrance to the dining area together with pictures of the ancestors of the couple.

As the shadow of the mountains overtook the light, the party just got started! The toasts were sentimental, the cake was sweet and the dancing was nonstop laughter! Nothing was left out… not even a proper sparkler send-off! Half the fun is just trying to light them, but once they are lit it’s a lot of hooting, hollering, and celebrating two people and the love they share under the Tuscan sky.

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Villa Montanare

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Babooche Calligraphy

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A Romantic Tuscan Affair in Neutral Hues at Borgo Di Castelvecchio

Today’s intimate nuptials are a true Tuscan dream! From the sun-soaked ceremony overlooking endless vineyard views to the al fresco reception in the courtyard of Borgo Di Castelvecchio – every inch of the full gallery by Latophotography is abundant with inspiration and the epitome of la dolce vita. Our favorite part? The mismatched bridesmaid dresses and the limoncello escort display 😍

From Weddings in Tuscany by Chiara Sernesi… A whole year of intense emailing had gone by when we met with Niki and Matt upon their arrival in Italy. A year of emailing may sound like a lot, but this becomes the average when the couple starts creating a relationship with their wedding coordinators that is not only pure business. The couple will begin sharing much more, and we are always happy to be included in their list of friends.

Niki and Matt are from Texas, where they live, met, and got engaged. Their 45 guests, all coming from US were to stay there for 3 days of celebration They could not believe their eyes, everything was so beautiful, the Tuscan landscape, with the narrow country roads leading through lush vineyards and olive groves was simply enchanting! During their weekend there we organized the welcome dinner pizza party and the goodbye brunch Niki and Matt were so excited, and their guests were even more.

Rudy and Kerry had decided to have their civil wedding at Home, but the main celebration was to be held at the Borgo, where we organized a symbolic ceremony to be performed in the garden, and their wedding dinner in the courtyard, overlooking the superb Tuscan countryside. And all this in the amazing environment of the Tuscan hills, immersed in the smells, the peace, the sound of the night crickets; outside the window, the fields of ripe, golden wheat gleaming under the sun setting behind the hills, and all around, farmed land marked off by lines of tall cypress trees, and more vineyards and olive groves.

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Photography: Latophotography | Event Planning: Weddings in Tuscany by Chiara Sernesi | Floral Design: La Rosa Canica Firenze | Reception Venue: Borgo Di Castelvecchio | Catering: Delizia Ricevimenti

A Monet Inspired Wedding at Dreamy Beaulieu Garden

The sweet summer palette at this Monet-inspired wedding has us feeling as if we’ve fallen into our favorite fairytale. Manna Sun Events, Inc. planned and designed the dreamy day, and awaiting the name Floral & Design filled it with fanciful blooms. Each image artfully captured by Sally Pinera Photography is more stunning than the last, visit the full gallery for a closer look.

From Manna Sun Events, Inc.… A summer palette of baby blue, pastel lilac, and a hint of peach blush set the scene for this fairytale wedding. After planning and designing by Manna Sun Events, Inc. team for 1 year, the wedding dream finally came true on July 17th, 2022 at Beaulieu Garden, CA, along with the sheer professionalism from photographer Sally Pinera Photography and florist awaiting the name Floral & Design. Taking inspiration from Monet’s Garden and the endless beauty of impressionist paintings, let’s take a closer look at how refined and sophisticated all the artful sentiments from this dreamy wedding are. A wedding that looks straight out of a Monet painting

We can’t help noticing that every detail was curated to perfection. Starting from the invitation set designed by Inkinity Studio, a mix of handwritten font and print font achieved a perfect balance between modernism and elegance. Featured with signature paintings from Claude Monet, the dusty blue paired with pastel lilac color was pure romance at its finest. Plus, the incorporation of Monet’s iconic Water Lilies with wooden frames not only served as delightful place cards but also became the most-wanted wedding favors to the guests. Without a doubt, all these whimsical calligraphy details, together with the bride’s Manolo Blahnik baby blue satin heels and other meaningful accessories, were artfully captured by Sally Pinera Photography, who absolutely did such an amazing job on flat lay styling and shots. Just like how Monet loosened his brushwork and lightened the palettes to include pure and intense colors, the florist awaiting the name Floral & Design filled the day with impressionism through their endlessly romantic and swoon-worthy floral arrangements. Being wrapped with blue silk ribbons, the light purple clematis made a bold statement through its ethereal feel while a hint of peach blush dahlia added vibrant and summer vibes to the bouquets. Interestingly, unlike the cascading style of these bouquets, the groom and groomsmen’s boutonnières were featured with various textures and greenery to complement the bridesmaids’ bouquets. As for the wedding arch, we are just enamored with its dramatic yet artistic look, which was adorned with flowers across the circle in a bright pop of color palette. With their natural appearances, the lush arrangement of hydrangeas and garden roses were visually impactful, standing out all on their own. Moreover, as a subtle nod to Monet’s masterpieces, the floating blooms in the pond undoubtedly took the romance to an ultimate level.


In addition to being committed to the impressionist aesthetic, a personal touch has been added throughout the wedding day. Since the bride, Stephanie is a big coffee lover while the groom Tony is a wine aficionado, the elements of coffee and wine were incorporated into the wedding design. In the seating chart area, a half-purple half sage board was placed, where these two colors respectively represented day and night moods. Sitting in front of the self-standing backdrop, there were two shelves providing wine and coffee with escort cards on. As the white calligraphy indicated, guests could take their favorite drinks and find their seats. “ Morning coffee, Evening wine. Find your seat, Enjoy your time!” Being adorned with themed color flowers both on the shelves and ground, this seating chart area was extremely lovely as well as whimsical! Besides, the involvement of the couple’s beloved pet could be evidenced by the gold foil napkins on the cocktail menu, on which an adorable corgi portrait was hand drawn in watercolor by Inkinity Studio.

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How To Find Wedding Day Beauty Inspiration – Wisely!

You will absolutely have all eyes on you on your big day, and the photos will last a lifetime! Because of this, it’s important to find hair and makeup styles that make you feel your best. To find the right look for you, you’ll need to do a little research first and at least meet up with your potential glam squad armed with some must-haves and must-nots. To find out the best places to round up wedding day beauty inspiration, keep on scrollin’!

Photography by Julia Kaptelova Photography

“Ideally, we love when brides have an idea of the desired hair and makeup look for her wedding day. If she doesn’t have inspiration yet by the time we meet, knowing what she doesn’t like can be equally helpful.” – Tanya, Page Beauty

Finding Inspiration

Style Me Pretty

Hit up our Real Wedding and inspiration features to find styles and events you love. Categorize by style or location, search your favorite venues or vendors, and view full galleries to see how all the elements came together for that event!

Photography by Sandy And Odysseas Photography

Instagram

The Gram is also a great place to explore beauty looks and styles (and we’ve got tons of content on there, too!). With their new “save” feature, you can hold onto your favorite vendors and looks, much like how you can on Pinterest. You can also vet potential vendors based on their overall portfolio, too!

Photography by Anya Kernes Photography

Pinterest

You can also explore Pinterest! Create a board dedicated to the hair and makeup styles you like. Seeing them side by side as a collection will help you compare and contrast the different looks you’re considering. You can also search to see how others have styled their hair and makeup with dresses similar to yours.

Photo by We Are Origami

Physical Binder

You can also go old school and rip out pages from your favorite bridal mags, or print them off from online. Don’t feel like you need to stick to only researching weddings, either—inspiration can come from anywhere, and, actually, some of the non-bridal beauty cues can be even better. The limits do not exist, so keeping your eyes open is key!

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Page Beauty

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A Chic Black And White Arizona Desert Wedding

A modern aesthetic in black and white meets the Arizona desert for this stunning celebration. Kaleb Norman James Design carefully curated chic details for the day, like an outdoor ceremony underneath crystal chandeliers, and filled every inch with utterly romantic blooms. Each image captured by O’Malley Photographers is more stunning than the last. Enjoy every second inside the full gallery.

From O’Malley Photographers… Maddie and Cade wanted to invite their friends and family, who largely reside throughout the Pacific Northwest to one of their favorite places, the Arizona desert, to exchange their vows. From the sweeping views of Camelback mountain to the lush gardens and incredible sticky buns, they knew El Chorro was the perfect spot for them.

Maddie’s vision was a blending of classic wedding looks- sparkling chandeliers, a crisp black and white color palette, lush white floral, but contrasted with modern accents- sleek black chairs, statement escort display, and pattern play in her place settings. A big focus of the event went into the tent structure, affording guests some relief from the direct sun and heat, but also creating a stunning design element, allowing for both shade and a series of oversized chandeliers overhead.

The tent was constructed at double its usual height to ensure the gorgeous mountain range wasn’t blocked, acting as the ultimate ceremony backdrop. From there the focus really went into the details, from the luxuriously appointed paper goods with blind embossed accents to the tablescape full of glittering candles, architectural floral arrangements, and the uniquely appointed place settings featuring tortoise flatware & contrasting china.

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Minimalist Wedding Style in Malibu at Cielo Farms

When minimal style meets cool, coastal vibes – the results are truly magic! The talented team at Two Hearts Event Design brought Kat and Matt’s dream SoCal wedding day to reality! From the dusty blue bridesmaid dresses that perfectly matched the Malibu skies to the al fresco reception complete with lush blooms by Milieu Florals… the beauty captured at the full gallery by Jenny Quicksall Photography is truly endless!

From Jenny Quicksall Photography… Kat + Matt wanted a day that embraced that simple, coastal Malibu vibe. We kept the day minimal in its colors but added the bride’s desire of having subtle hints of dusty blue in the bridesmaids dresses and the invitation suite to stay within that coastal theme.

The wedding cake and photo booth backdrop were both a nod to the Bride’s stunning floral embellished wedding gown and the custom signage shined against their specialty natural wooden long tables, and mountainous scenic backdrop at Cielo Farms.

Their guest count consisted of 100 of their nearest + dearest who traveled from coast to coast to celebrate K+M. Everyone dined al fresco under the Malibu stars during several heartfelt speeches from their family and friends. We were so blessed to be a part of this couple’s magical wedding day in Malibu!

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Found Rental Co.

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Photography

Jenny Quicksall Photography

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A Classic And Timeless Celebration Filled With Garden-Like Blooms

This gorgeous garden-inspired wedding has it all. From a beautiful setting to a focus on guest experience, Blissfully Styled Events planned a day that magnificently brought the couple’s Big Day vision to life. Whimsical floral design by Lily Roden Floral Studio adds just the right touch of playfulness, and the love and joy of the day shine through imagery captured by Jenny Quicksall Photography. You’ll love every moment inside the full gallery.

From the bride… Trent and I were set up on a blind date by a mutual family friend and we hit it off right away. We fell in love over our shared love of food – Trent with his background in restaurants, me with my love of beautiful plating, and a great dining experience. He was newer to Portland and I spent several months showing him my favorite restaurants in the city. Our love only grew as we traveled the world, shared new experiences, and discovered how much we had in common. Trent proposed out on a boat in August of 2021 in Newport Beach, where his family lives and we shared many special visits and moments throughout our 5-year relationship. We later did our engagement photos with Jenny on a sailboat to capture a location and hobby that is special to us. As a wedding photographer myself, I knew I wanted to get married before my wedding season kicked off the next summer which meant southern California was our best bet for a wedding in May. I always dreamt of an outdoor garden setting with dinner that lasted from dusk through candlelight. We fell in love with Rancho Bernardo Inn’s Aragon Lawn immediately and I could see the vision in my head come to life.

Trent and I have always loved entertaining our family and friends, and this night was no exception. Our wedding was designed around our shared focus on the guest experience being a beautiful and romantic setting for delicious and well-plated food, set to good music and great conversation. Cocktail hour was around the pool with live Italian music inspired by a recent trip to Italy, with a raw oyster bar and appetizer stations for the guests to taste their way through the hour. From the beginning, I had a pretty clear vision of how I wanted our wedding to come to life. After spending years in the industry myself, I knew that planning my dream wedding in 6 months was tight, but possible as we teamed up with the incredibly talented Karen, owner of Blissfully Styled Events to pull it off. I shared mood boards with natural greenery, whimsical garden bouquets, black tie attire, tables dripping with soft flowers and candles, and a consistent thread of classic and timeless elements pulled throughout. Karen took it from there and landed our stellar vendor team to bring it to life, and I couldn’t be happier. While Trent and I were sitting at our head table looking out over the dinner service at our family and friends enjoying the evening, I couldn’t stop smiling and I whispered to him, “Everything about this is what I imagined it could be. Thank you for trusting in what I envisioned for this day.” He smiled back and said, “It’s perfect.” And it truly was perfect from start to finish.

Our stationery was knocked out of the park by Kelsey Malie Calligraphy. We wanted soft, romantic invitations and she brought that to life with hand-torn paper, hand-tied with silk ribbon and our wax monogrammed seal holding everything together. We worked to find the perfect mix of garden vintage stamps to set the stage for the evening that was to come. These design elements were later pulled through our escort board, dinner menus, and table numbers. I worked with Sam, owner of The Bold and Bridal to find my wedding dress in LA. Because of the tight window, this was actually the first thing I did! I found my wedding dress at Oscar De La Renta a week before we found our venue, and from there everything else seemed to fall into place. I wanted a classic, elegant look and I knew Trent would love seeing me with my hair down. I started with my hair down (I knew that would be a surprise to him) and later pulled it back into an elegant ponytail.

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Photography

Jenny Quicksall Photography

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An Al Fresco Spring Wedding at Château Martinay Under a Canopy of String Lights

What could be more romantic than Provence in springtime? Jon and Lisa tied the knot in an intimate ceremony surrounded by towering Cyprus trees and lavender blooms by Sisters & Blush Floral Design. From the vintage getaway car to the al fresco reception under a canopy of string lights – there’s just so much to love in the full gallery of inspiration from the always amazing Oliver Fly Photography, with planning by Anne Laure Weddings.

From The Bride… Jon and Lisa have been traveling the globe since the early days of their relationship. Over the years their adventures have brought them to the beautiful national parks of the US, to see the wildlife on African safaris, and even a helicopter ride to Mount Everest. But in between those epic trips, they made a point to head back to the south of France often. Jon is an avid cyclist and they both looked forward to catching a few stages of the annual Tour de France as it approached the historical climbs in the region. Provence was a special place where the hectic lifestyle of living and working in NYC was able to fade away and they could enjoy the simple things such as beautiful lavender fields, amazing historical towns and of course patisseries everywhere we went!

So when Jon and Lisa got engaged, Provence was quickly on the top of their list to celebrate such their important day. And as they began to create a vision for their wedding, it became important (especially post-pandemic) to invite their close family and friends to experience some of what they found so special about spending time in the area (and had been missing the last few years). From culture to food to adventure, there was so much to share in order to create a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

One day just wasn’t going to be enough, especially with guests traveling near and far! Their first step was to find a local wedding planner who could be a guide and advisor to bring the vision to life through trusted partners. With her help, the final result was a beautiful 4 day event at the incredible Chateau Martinay. The Chateau exemplified everything they found beautiful about the Provence region. The main building was classic French style with a truly historic overtone. The grounds, and especially the gardens, completed the setting. The rolling fields in the back of the Chateau added a sense of adventure, and exploring all of the little hidden gems strewn across the expansive property gave a sense of intrigue.

As for Jon and Lisa’s wedding, the weekend began with a casual, warm and inviting welcome event where family and friends could mingle after their long travels. Local food trucks helped bring energy to the Chateau garden over sunset. Day two provided an opportunity for guests to explore the region with a city tour of Avignon, lunch at a local winery or, for those more adventurous, an escorted cycling climb up Mount Ventoux. Day 3 was full of celebrations that explored many special areas of the chateau grounds. A ceremony that began with a drive down the aisle of cypress trees in a vintage Triumph, then a cocktail hour in a secret garden with violins and a vintage Vespa cocktail truck, and dinner surrounded by loved ones under the twinkling lights and stars in the courtyard with the backdrop of live music. Day 4 concluded the weekend with a farewell brunch to send off our guests to the next leg of their holidays, some headed to Paris, some to Rome, some to Prague. Jon and Lisa headed to Lake Como for some additional relaxation before heading back to NYC.

With the help of the photographers/videographer and all the staff, both Jon and Lisa as well as their guests have amazing memories to last a lifetime.

A few special details:

Jon’s father was an antique car connoisseur (particularly British cars) having built a best-in-show winning Triumph TR2. As a teenager, Jon and his father together built a Triumph 1800 as well. Both of which Jon still owns today. His father passed away in 2019, and was important to Lisa to ensure his presence was there for such a special occasion. With the help of Provence Classics, Lisa was able to find a similar model to Jon’s father’s favorite and she surprised Jon (and his mother) with an opportunity to take it for a spin around the chateau ground. It also allowed for a pretty special way to arrive down the aisle!

During the pandemic, Lisa learned some new skills in needlepoint! She hand stitched lavender sachets as favors for the guests in their welcome baskets.

Bresha Webb Marries Nick Jones Jr. in a Glamorous Old Hollywood Wedding!

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]We went with a romantic palette of deep reds, blush, and gold. We wanted it to feel opulent and reminiscent of old Hollywood. [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]For our wedding, the design, vibe, and vision is a luxurious and elegant “Old Hollywood Glam” theme, featuring a red carpet entrance and romantic atmosphere. That’s why we chose The Beverly Hills Hotel. We aim to create an immersive and memorable experience for us and our guests, with the use of timeless music adding to the classic and sophisticated feel of the event. The atmosphere we wanted to create is one of glamour and romance, making it a perfect celebration of our love. The use of timeless music, particularly jazz standards, serves as an ode to my deceased father who loved that era of fashion and music. Our wedding day was not only a celebration of our love, but it also served as a tribute to my father and his memory, as well as my husband’s grandfather who was unable to attend. We included special touches and details throughout the day to honor them and keep them close in our hearts. It made the day even more special and meaningful for us.[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Loni Love introduced us during the Pandemic in 2020. We dated on facetime for a month while I was shooting a film in Canada. A year later he proposed. I was beyond surprised and overjoyed when Nick took me to Wally’s in Santa Monica for what I thought was a dinner meeting, but it turned out to be a party with all of our closest friends. To make it even more special, he had Getty images there (which is our own inside joke). He even went the extra mile by browsing my Pinterest board to buy my dream ring, with the help of my friends (who showed him the board) and Kelly Rowland, who even took him ring shopping. We took engagement photos by the beach and continued to party the night away with friends and family. It was truly the best surprise of my life and I couldn’t be happier.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

I was so fortunate to have met my bridal stylist, Simona Sacchitella, who introduced me to the talented Italian designer, Balde. He was able to bring my vision to life by custom-making all of my bridal shower, rehearsal, and farewell brunch looks. I wanted to incorporate a touch of nostalgia by incorporating lace and buttons, which was a nod to my mother’s wedding dress and a tribute to my parents’ love story. The lace embellishments and button details added a beautiful and timeless element to the overall look of my wedding. I couldn’t be happier with the results and I am so grateful to Balde for his amazing work. I have always been enamored with the elegance and glamour of black Old Hollywood and the 1950s Dior aesthetic. For my wedding dress, I wanted to channel the timeless style of iconic actresses like Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll, Ruby Dee, and pay tribute to designer Anne Lowe. I decided to customize a Galia Lahav dress from their ‘Make a Scene’ line to add even more drama and make it truly my own. The incredibly talented Matthew Reisman got to work on customizing the dress once it came in. He did so much more than alterations, he customized my gown until I felt like a Disney princess. The finished look was magical.

I was so excited when I got to work with Tal Kadeem for my second wedding dress. Their bridal fittings were truly a dream come true. They made me feel so special and allowed me to try on all of their beautiful dresses. I fell in love with one in particular and wanted to make some adjustments to it, shortening the length to allow me to dance comfortably while still keeping the train for a dramatic effect. My husband loves my legs and I couldn’t be happier with the final result. It was the perfect balance of fun and romance for me to enjoy my guests and dance the night away. Not only that, I fell in love with a sparkly feathered embellished jumper that I wore for my bachelorette party. The dress and the jumper were perfect and I couldn’t be more grateful to Tal Kadeem for creating such beautiful pieces for me. I’m so lucky to have the talented and friend, Charlie Lapson, as my jeweler. He created custom jewelry for me and my bridal party that was truly special and unique. For my daughter, he crafted a stunning diamond tiara that she could wear with her ballgown. He also made a charm with my father’s picture that I could carry with me on my bouquet, which was also adorned with my father’s cufflinks and rings as a way to honor him on my special day. He even designed something special for my husband, so he could sparkle too. I wanted everyone to feel special and shine alongside me on my wedding day, and Charlie truly delivered.

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]I couldn’t be happier with how my bridesmaids’ dresses turned out for my wedding. They were inspired by my show “Run the World” and we chose Amsale dresses in the color “slate.” Our costume designer Tracy L. Cox and Patricia Field styled them and they were timeless and elegant, which was perfect for our theme. Amsale was even kind enough to provide the fabric for my man of honor’s suit so that it matched the bridesmaid dresses. It was a collaborative effort and it all came together beautifully with our decor.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Nick actually changed looks for the wedding day too. For the ceremony, he wore a gorgeous black velvet tuxedo jacket with satin shawl lapel complete with a white pique shirt and black velvet bow tie. Then for the reception he changed into a black brocade jacket with peak lapel and a white sateen stretch shirt with satin bow tie. Both looks were custom made by ALBA.

The groomsmen wore handsome Calvin Klein black shawl collar tuxedos with a traditional white shirt and black satin bow ties. [/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Our food and drink choices for the wedding were carefully curated to reflect the elegance of the night. We chose an Old Fashioned as our signature cocktail, made with Whistle Pig whiskey, which is the bride and groom’s favorite and also my favorite. I also crafted a Kentucky Mule to keep it sweet and cozy, also with Whistle Pig whiskey. For the dinner, we decided on a steak and a fish entree to reflect the elegance of the night. We also kept it simple with Caesar salad, which is our daughter McKenzie’s favorite. To represent the decadence and richness of the night, we also decided on a variety of chocolate desserts. We wanted to make sure that all of our guests had a great time and enjoyed the food and drink as much as we did.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The florals and décor for our wedding were carefully chosen to create a beautiful and cohesive look throughout the ceremony, cocktails, reception, and after party.

For the ceremony, we wanted to create a romantic and intimate atmosphere, centered in love and faith. Our wedding ceremony was truly a beautiful and meaningful celebration of our Christian faith and Black heritage.

For the cocktails, we chose to keep it simple but elegant with tall centerpieces that featured a mix of flowers with deep, rich color, and silver candle holders.

The reception décor was designed to be grand and opulent, with a combination of tall and low centerpieces in shades of deep reds, blush and gold. The tables were adorned with beautiful candles and crystal glassware.

And there were personal touches throughout. My mom even crocheted the cake table overlay that our cake sat on top of. It coordinated with the décor beautifully and now we get to keep it as a family heirloom. It’s so beautiful and she spent so much time on it; I just love it. She also made my garter belt and additional accessories too.
[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake Details”]Our wedding cake was absolutely stunning, adorned with beautiful flowers. We chose a pink velvet cake as the main layer and added different flavors for each layer. It was a delicious and elegant addition to our special day, and it was a hit with all of our guests. We also served a variety of chocolate desserts. [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Our wedding ceremony was truly a beautiful and meaningful celebration of our Christian faith and Black heritage. We incorporated the tradition of jumping the broom, which holds such deep significance for us as a couple. We also paid tribute to my father, who was a singer, by having the choir sing his favorite gospel song “The center of my Joy” in his memory while we took communion and braided the unity rope.

Having our friend and Grammy recording artist, MAJOR., officiate the wedding was such a unique and personal experience. He sang his classic hit “This is why I love you” as I walked down the aisle with a string quartet accompaniment, it was an unforgettable moment.

The choice to say our vows in private and not see each other until the ceremony added an extra layer of anticipation and excitement to the ceremony. Overall, it was a beautiful, personal, and meaningful celebration of our love and heritage.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]My main priority for my wedding day is to have a wonderful time with my husband. I want to start the day off right by beginning with prayer and gratitude. I’ve invited my closest friends to join me in prayer before we start getting ready, it’s essential for me to focus my heart and mind on building a strong foundation for this next exciting chapter in our lives. I want to make sure that I am fully present and in the moment, surrounded by love and positivity as we start our journey together.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Vibrant Garden Wedding Full of Personal Touches In California

Bold and bright color choices help to tell this California love story beautifully. To Be Loved Events coordinated the fairytale-like day held at a private estate, and floral design by Unique Floral Designs created romance at every turn. Every special moment was expertly snapped by Christine Skari Photography, visit the full gallery for a look at all the lovely.

From To Be Loved Events… Sprouting from their magnetic friendship while at CalArts grad school together, Anna & Michael’s love for each other is much like their fairytale wedding they held at Quail Ranch, a flourishing private estate in Simi Valley, California. Their blissful day was nothing short of whimsical with vibrant florals and personal touches woven throughout, all captured by Christine Skari Photography. Anna & Mike expressed, “The wedding planning all started with a venue, a dress, and a romantic, garden fantasy. Once we started to define the location and theme of our wedding all the other details seemed to fall into place.” Planning for the big day themselves, they started to lean into letting each other plan the pieces that meant most to them. They also truly relied on key friends and family members to consult with, as well as their wedding coordinator, Samantha of To Be Loved Events, and her Aisle Planner wedding planning platform for keeping track of upcoming tasks. The magical, Spanish-style, private venue provided the perfect, romantic atmosphere for the evening. “Over the course of the night, the party moved across the property seamlessly, from the ceremony brick area to cocktail hour, to the reception space. This journey was one of the main selling points of Quail Ranch. And above all else, we wanted our big day to go perfectly, and felt like finding the right person to host us, the owner Joanne, was just as important as the space itself.”

As artists themselves, they knew right away it was important to add some creative and unique elements to the wedding to make it feel like a true reflection of their special union. Some of these included their polaroid photo guest book and photo display for guests to interact with throughout the event, their hired professional bouzouki player to perform in between the wedding band sets (as a nod to Anna’s Greek family, and their epic Greece engagement), and their special wedding party “readings of love” during their ceremony as a less traditional and more personal way to involve them. From Shakespeare to the Beatles, and the animated film Ponyo, each quote was moving and really set the tone for the romantic evening. Along with the other personal details, Unique Floral Designs made their wedding day flower dreams come true. The vision was executed so flawlessly by the floral team and the couple gushed about how “the flowers were easily the most memorable detail of the wedding.” The pops of vibrant bougainvillea with the cream and shades of the pink color palette were just breath-taking. Anna’s Claire Pettibone “Odessa” gown from the “Couture” collection and her accessories were fit for a princess and for the fairytale day they created. And we can’t forget Skiff’s Cakes’ magical confectionery masterpiece which was their three-tier wedding cake adorned with a gorgeous cascade of pink and champagne sugar roses (one of Anna’s absolute favorite details!). While the couple had so many favorite and special moments from the day, one moment that really stood out was the moment alone they had immediately after the ceremony and family photos. Everyone had left the ceremony area and they were given the entire space to themselves just to breathe and decompress from the intensity of the moments prior. “We weren’t sure it was necessary during our planning, but it became such an important memory for both of us to just sit and look at each other and reflect on the magical moment that had just happened… We were married!”

Noted by the couple, their most helpful tools for wedding planning: A shared email address just for wedding-related tasks to keep them extremely organized and their wedding coordinator who jumped into their wedding process at the 60-day point and was essential in creating deadlines, giving us friendly reminders and always providing helpful tips about how to approach the intense process of planning something so monumental!

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Lucky Devils Band

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Classic Champagne Filled Celebrations at Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

This majestic mountain wedding is simply magical. From the sweeping views to the carefully curated details artfully planned by Moments by Madeleine Weddings & Events, each elegant moment is better than the last. Garden-inspired floral design from Fall For Florals is wildly romantic, and the love and joy of the day is exquisitely captured in imagery by Justine Milton Photography. Prepare to fall in love inside the full gallery.

From the bride… One of the first trips Matt and I took together was to Fairmont Banff Springs. I remember thinking it was the most beautiful place I’d ever been. When it came time to plan our wedding, we knew we wanted a destination wedding as travel is a huge passion of ours, and Fairmont Banff Springs immediately came to mind. We couldn’t wait to share this magical place with our family and friends. After choosing our date and venue, I knew the next thing I needed was to get a wedding planner! Instagram was actually my biggest resource for this. I stumbled upon Moments by Madeleine Weddings & Events profile and immediately identified with her classically romantic style. I totally leaned into her vendor recommendations as we weren’t able to make it up to Fairmont Banff Springs until a few months prior to the wedding and we had the best group of vendors! We had a fair share of bumps in the road our wedding week (canceled flight, lost luggage, and a last-minute change in ceremony venue from the outdoor terrace to inside due to rain) and could not imagine doing it without our amazing vendors. Luckily Madeleine was able to work her magic and get the iconic Mt. Stephen Hall for our indoor ceremony!

My advice for other brides is to hire a wedding planner you can completely trust and try your best to roll with the punches. Things will inevitably occur you hadn’t anticipated but at the end of the day, you are still marrying the love of your life! I am by no means claiming this is easy, as I was in tears thirty minutes prior to walking down the aisle making the tough decision to move my ceremony inside! For photos, Matt and I decided to take time just for the two of us to go off the resort property and capture some amazing images with Justine Milton Photography! Despite the rain, the pictures all turned out better than I could have ever hoped! Madeleine and Justine went above and beyond and moved my ceremony flowers outside to the original ceremony spot so we could have photos on the outdoor terrace! We got a vintage 1956 Rolls Royce (a nod to Matt’s late grandmother) and it made the best photo prop! It was so fun to sneak away as newlyweds drinking champagne and enjoying this special time together. Not only did we have amazing photos, but our video teaser turned out amazing! After looking through the recommendations Madeleine sent I had no doubt that I had to have Justine Milton Photography for photos and Parfait Productions for the video! Matt was by my side every step of the way in the planning process. For the most part, he was very go with the flow but he did feel very strongly about him and the wedding party wearing Jordan 1’s for the ceremony and they all rocked it! He also knew how sad I was our dog, Luna, couldn’t be there for our wedding day so he surprised me and brought a squishmallow dog that resembled her! Although the weekend was all about our love story, we wanted to give a nod to our guest’s love story too! We found out all the couple’s first dance songs at their wedding and had our DJ play these songs during dinner. It was so fun to see their secret smiles and even tears as they recognized their song.

We knew we wanted an intimate wedding and it meant the world to us that our close inner circle traveled to Fairmont Banff Springs to be with us! It was amazing having such a small group and feeling like we really got time to spend with each and every guest. Family is very important to both of us so we kept our wedding party small and it was all family. Matt’s brother and my brother were his groomsmen, my nephew was our ring bearer and his sister and my niece were my bridesmaids! Our good friend, David, is a pastor and he was our wedding officiant and it was so touching to have such a personal ceremony. I’m not sure there was a dry eye in the audience! As soon as Moments by Madeleine Weddings & Events mentioned a champagne tower, we were all in! We love champagne and what better reason to celebrate!! We really wanted our reception to feel like an intimate dinner party and feel like the champagne tower, long tables, and all the candles helped us accomplish this goal. I went to many bridal stores and tried on a ton of dresses! Despite that none really felt like “the one.” Madeleine happened to mention checking out the brand Aleena Lena and luckily one bridal shop in my hometown carried it. It was a total last-minute decision so I actually went to this shop by myself! My dress immediately caught my eye but I didn’t grab it to try it on. When my consultant pulled it and I put it on, I knew it was the one! My family and friend affirmed my decision after I sent photos. I knew I wanted a timeless design but this had a playful touch with the ruffle sleeves and the silk polka dot textured fabric. I can’t tell you how many compliments I received on my dress! Our day was straight out of a fairy tale and I continue to re-live it through our amazing photos and video. I can’t thank Moments by Madeleine Weddings & Events and our vendors enough for giving us such a magical wedding day!

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How to Bring a Dose of Glitz and Glamour to a Desert Venue With Tips From Harutyunyan Events!

From Hovik of Harutyunyan Events… Selecting your wedding venue is one of the biggest wedding decisions you will make. Your venue determines the aesthetic concept; the vendors you’ll need or be required to work with; your wedding budget; the guest capacity; catering options; music and entertainment; etc. Desert venues present an array of possibilities for color schemes, decor, flowers, and rentals that can help bring your design vision to life. Below I share five tips on how to bring a major dose of glitz and glamour to a desert venue. I also share one of my favorite weddings at the elegant desert oasis Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Santa Susana, CA.

1. First Things First: Choose High-Quality, Experienced Vendors

Like most outdoor venues, desert venues tend to be a blank canvas. This means you will need to rent and install almost every aspect of the event. Invest in a high-quality wedding planner, caterer, and rental company who are familiar with the venue and all of its unique considerations. Since there will be a number of logistical and production needs, these experienced vendors will know exactly how and what you’ll need to produce your vision for the big day. Common considerations will be what furniture rentals are needed; power and lighting needs; vendor restrictions and rules; installation and breakdown requirements; guest flow and timing; and decorating guidelines. These vendors will align you with the resources and know-how to successfully design the glamourous wedding of your dreams. So now, the fun part can begin…

2. Bringing Glitzy Colors and Glamourous Flowers Outdoors

Don’t be afraid to color outside of the lines when it comes to your wedding colors at a desert venue. Metallics like gold and silver paired with bold dark colors perfectly capture all of the glitz. While these colors effortlessly work in typical glam style venues, we wanted to interpret how we can give it a fresh and organic touch to make it work in the desert. We didn’t want the typical heavy, dark glamorous color palette to overpower the natural space. We used clear and crystal textures in the vases and ghost chairs to keep it soft and lighter yet still feel glitzy. This allowed us to strategically sprinkle gold throughout the design to achieve the perfect amount of sparkle. We also complemented the darker colors with premium white flowers nestled in lush greenery. This created a great balance of romantic refinement – centerpieces that felt luxurious but still captured the wild spirit of the desert.

3. Statement Lighting Installations

A desert venue is the perfect blank canvas to create a statement lighting installation that defines the space and creates a WOW moment for guests. Think beyond the typical rustic market string lights, which can suffer from a lack of character and design. Lighting up the desert is not only a functional matter but also a not-to-be-missed design opportunity. For this wedding, we created a cosmo of lush twinkle lights over the reception that mimicked a starry night in the sky. While a covered tent or draped canopy may block and hide your venue, the open-air form of this twinkle-light installation harmonizes with the space. Light installations like this are a great way to beautify, enhance, and elevate an outdoor venue.

4. Plan an Unforgettable Party

To me, great wedding design is about more than just the decor. Achieving a truly glamorous wedding is thinking about all of the ways you can treat your guests to a memorable and fun celebration. Instead of just a regular buffet or plated dinner, work with your caterer to create a luxurious family-style menu that features a myriad of mezzes and multiple main entree courses. Keep your guests entertained with live musical performances. To honor the groom’s Mexican heritage, we surprised guests at the end of cocktail hour with a performance by the Grammy-award winning Mariachi Divas, who then led guests in a processional into the reception area. The couple made their grand entrance alongside Lebanese zaffa drummers, paying tribute to the bride’s cultural background. Unique, experiential entertainment elements like this really provide guests with an unforgettable celebration.

5. Don’t Forget the Fashion

And last, but certainly not least, we can’t discuss a glitzy, glamorous wedding without mentioning fashion. In addition to your wedding dress, we highly recommend a second party look for later in the night. Brides can wear a more formal, elegant gown for the ceremony while switching into a flirty, sparkly dance dress during the reception. Grooms can swap out their formal tuxedos for a statement jacket piece in a fun color or pattern. These second look not only add more personality and glitz to your big day but can also provide a much-needed reprieve from wearing formal wear all day long in the desert. And another important note: a desert venue may not always imply a formal dress code. Make sure you communicate your desired dress code on your invitations to communicate the formality level of the celebration to your guests. Designing your wedding decor is one of the most fun and most creative parts of the entire wedding planning process. A desert venue is one of the most unique places you can choose to tie the knot. We hope these tips inspire you to plan your perfectly glitzy and glamorous big day!

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“Ideally, we love when brides have an idea of the desired hair and makeup look for her wedding day. If she doesn’t have inspiration yet by the time we meet, knowing what she doesn’t like can be equally helpful.” – Tanya, Page Beauty

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1. First Things First: Choose High-Quality, Experienced Vendors

2. Bringing Glitzy Colors and Glamourous Flowers Outdoors

3. Statement Lighting Installations

4. Plan an Unforgettable Party

5. Don’t Forget the Fashion

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“Ideally, we love when brides have an idea of the desired hair and makeup look for her wedding day. If she doesn’t have inspiration yet by the time we meet, knowing what she doesn’t like can be equally helpful.” – Tanya, Page Beauty

Finding Inspiration

Style Me Pretty

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Physical Binder

Join The Conversation

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1. First Things First: Choose High-Quality, Experienced Vendors

2. Bringing Glitzy Colors and Glamourous Flowers Outdoors

3. Statement Lighting Installations

4. Plan an Unforgettable Party

5. Don’t Forget the Fashion

Join The Conversation

From Our Partners

Little Black Book

Lookbook

International Weddings

US Weddings

Real Weddings

Inspiration Galleries

Explore

Archive

Magazine

Style Me Pretty