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

White and Gold Wedding Inspiration in a Luxe French Chateau

It’s elegance all the way at this luxurious French chateau wedding. Oui Mon Coeur and Katy Lunsford planned and designed a day filled with gilded details and chic touches. A light and airy palette of neutrals, combined with the natural beauty of the venue, makes this the perfect inspiration for modern brides. Images by Katy Lunsford tell a timeless love story overflowing with French style. Blooms by Veronique Lorre add to the ethereal quality of the day, get lost in all the lovely in the full gallery.

From Katy Lunsford… A historic Cognac chateau, nestled amongst endless vines in sunny, unspoiled South West France, is the setting for this luxe white and gold editorial. The chateau, which opens its doors to weddings this summer, has undergone an epic transformation over the last 5 years, taking it from near-uninhabitable to the beautiful, luxurious home we see now. Owner, Jules Berry describes finding the chateau as a sleeping castle, the ruins of a French fairytale chateau, with heaps of history, hidden behind padlocked gates in the Cognac region of the Grand Champagne. She fell in love with the beautiful light flooding the property from all angles, and decided to restore the beautiful building to her former glory – but taking it so much further. Marrying modern comforts with timeless French style, the chateau is filled with gorgeous antique French furniture, gold roll-top baths, gilded mirrors, and glittering chandeliers. It is tastefully decorated in light, neutral tones, which creates a luxurious, yet contemporary chic space. Taking on such a restoration was no mean feat – especially such a historical building, in a foreign country, and involved some serious challenges, including creating a replica spiral staircase to allow access to the tower rooms, which before this could only be accessed by crawling across a narrow roof ledge. (You can follow their fascinating renovation story on Instagram @restorethechateau). 5 years later, No. 3 The Chateau emerges as the most magical of wedding venues, with a show-stopping edge of sleek luxury, as soon as you enter those now-unlocked gates.

For this editorial, we wanted to create something that would adequately showcase this stunning new venue, without distracting from its already gorgeous interior. We chose a classic all-white color palette, with hints of gold, to complement the opulent interiors and appeal to both the modern and more traditional bride. A truly fantastic team of France-based vendors pulled together to create magic, by marrying more classic wedding ideas played against modern and chic twists, but always with a luxurious aesthetic. France-based planner and stylist, Ajna of Oui Mon Coeur, tells us more: “To bring depth to an all-white color palette, we played with varying shades of whites and neutrals with soft gold accents to create a luxe feel. We also layered in a lot of different textures to create visual interest – from blind-embossed letter-press patterns on pillowy handmade paper, to carefully placed floral lace appliqués on sheer illusion sleeves, to put white linen tablecloths layered with diaphanous silk runners, and sumptuous ivory and gold brocade napkins paired with gold-rimmed Limoges china. Our gorgeous bride Andrea wore a couture gown by Daalarna Couture in a classical silhouette – channeling a hint of Grace Kelly – with long sleeves for a late September wedding. Her more traditional cathedral-length veil and exquisite Lena Rom headpiece play against modern pearl-drop earrings. Her look is finished with luxurious Freya Rose shoes, with stunning crystal-embellished heels. The intimate ceremony is performed with the golden limestone of the chateau as a backdrop. We chose a traditional arch shape, to echo the repeated arch shapes on the chateau façade, but updated the look with a triple-arch. To give it a modern twist, talented French florist Veronique Lorre left the central arch frame mostly bare, with clusters of larger, white statement blooms, and then covered the two smaller side arches in a modern single variety Limonium, dotted with white roses throughout.” Florist Veronique Lorre tells us more about the inspiration: “we envisioned this classical all-white wedding with a twist of modernity. We designed a triple-floral-arch statement piece to create a light, elegant and romantic ceremony backdrop that naturally echoes the arches on the chateau.”

For the cocktail hour, our couple sips signature cocktails mixed by the French Barmen by the stunning modern pool, before moving on to the romantic dinner setting. Dinner is overlooking the Cognac vines on one long, curved table with arches covered in feathery Limonium every few meters, installed as a method to hang sparkling crystal chandeliers above the open-air dinner tables. Candlelight glittered off the chandeliers and pale gold champagne awaited the guest’s arrival. Veronique Lorre tell us, “We kept the same inspiration for the reception as the ceremony – re-purposing the same arches and flowers from the ceremony – with cloudy floral arches that seem to ‘float’ over the long table and bring a whimsical, ethereal, yet intimate atmosphere to the dinner. A refined, romantic mood was infused in the centerpieces, featuring a mix of all-white hydrangeas, vases of dahlias, and arrangements in golden French-style pedestal vessels beautifully blended with garden and spray roses, while taper and pillar candles bring a magical, intimate atmosphere at night.” As the sun sets over the vines the couple sneaks away for a romantic golden hour shoot amongst the Cognac vines, and as dusk falls the candles are moved to the stone steps to create a romantic evening setting for their first dance under the stars.

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A Beautiful Homage To The Bride’s Parents Leads To An Unexpected Sign

They say rain is good luck on your wedding day and for this couple, it certainly is the case! After losing both her parents, it was especially important to our bride to honor them at such a momentous event. As the rabbi officiating their ceremony began talking about Allie’s parents, rain started to fall from the sky making our bride feel as if her parents were truly watching over her on her wedding day. Donovan-Groves Events planned the heartfelt day, and Blue Ridge Floral filled it with beautiful blooms. You’ll love every image elegantly captured by Mina Von Feilitzsch Photography, see every sweet moment inside the full gallery.

From the bride… Beyond the typical challenges of being a COVID wedding (we were originally going to wed on Nov 1, 2020), I knew our wedding would be extra special. Unfortunately, I lost my father at the age of 18 and then lost my mother 6 years later, in 2017. I was an only child and extremely close with both of them. It was extremely important to me to commemorate them on my big day. There are so many ways people have commemorated loved ones no longer living and there is no one way that is meaningful to everyone.

After a lot of hard thinking, I came up with a few ways. I included two empty chairs in the front row of the ceremony – one with my mother’s scarf and one with my father-in-law’s jacket, with my favorite picture of my father and me in the pocket. I found it most appropriate to walk down the aisle alone – there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd. I also chose to walk down to “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” a nod to my parents and grandmother. When I reached the middle of the aisle, my husband Lee came to meet me and we walked the rest of the way together – symbolic of our future together. When I reached my parents’ seats, a piece of my bouquet was made to break away and I placed a piece of it on my mother’s seat. The radar was watched closely and showed no sign of rain. Just as I started walking down the aisle, however, a rain cloud approached.

Every single person in attendance will confirm that just as our rabbi started talking about my parents, the clouds separated and the rain fell down. All of our vendors and guests told us they have never seen anything like it and how supernatural and surreal it was to experience. We did a quick change of plans and re-situated the ceremony under the winery’s covered patio. After the ceremony, the quick rain shower left us the most beautiful rainbow and sunset for incredible cocktail hour photos. Aside from being an incredibly planned party by our wedding planner, Adam of Donovan-Groves Events, at an INCREDIBLE venue (Jennifer Aniston married Justin Theroux there!), the miracle that happened during our ceremony was once-in-a-lifetime and a story that deserves to be shared!

Make Sure Your Wedding Bar Is Properly Stocked–Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Let’s face it, there are two main things that can make or break a wedding–food and drinks! You’ve got the catering covered, but do you know what drinks you’re serving yet? While it’s always an option to let your bartender select the wine, beer, and liquor, we highly recommend taking this VERY IMPORTANT matter into your own hands. First, your guests can enjoy a custom cocktail made just for you, then, with dinner, you can share with them that incredible red that you two had on your very first date, for toasts, a glass of your favorite bubbly, and top off the night with a glass of your favorite go-to nightcap. But how? All it takes is a trip to your local Total Wine & More!

One-Stop-Wedding-Shop

These days, weddings are all about the experience. Think wine pairings with dinner and special touches like surprising your dad with a glass of his favorite whiskey or your new hubby or wife with the cocktail you guys shared at that cool speakeasy you discovered together. For an experience like that, a custom drink menu is the only way to go. Talk to your caterer ahead of time to discuss what would pair well with the meal, then make your way to Total Wine & More, your one-stop-wedding-shop for all things drink-related. And, this isn’t their first rodeo! They have experts that work with couples and wedding planners to help you figure out exactly how much you should order of each bottle and even offer you samples along the way to make sure you’re 100% happy with your selections. Oh, and did we mention this is all complimentary?! So, one of these weekends, check one more thing off of your wedding planning to-do list and let the experts at Total Wine & More pour you a drink or two as you peruse their seriously impressive selection–you can even make a date out of it!

Design Your Own Wedding Cocktail Menu

The cocktail hour at your wedding is a great time to get a little creative and really add some personal touches to your wedding without having to do a lot of painstaking DIY crafts. A good cocktail hour should have a menu with 3-4 drinks. These drinks should be seasonally appropriate and be personalized in one way or another. We recommend each person in the couple create a drink based on their favorite cocktail with a signature twist and then at least one cocktail inspired by your wedding location/destination. Not sure how to put your spin on a classic? This is where the experts at Total Wine & More come in. They can make recommendations on everything from the cocktail recipe itself to the glass to serve it in and what would make a great garnish. They also have cocktail recipes on their website that you can play with ahead of time to figure out which direction you want to go. Now, all that’s left is to name it! For your couple’s cocktails, nicknames and inside jokes that only your guests will get are always a great place to start. Simply add that to the name of the cocktail your drink is inspired by and there you have it. The destination-based cocktail is simple, just think of the most popular drink in your area. Are you getting married in Cabo? Well, then a twist on the Paloma is a no-brainer. Voila! You’ve got a custom cocktail menu and you didn’t even have to hire a pricey mixologist.

Return What You Don’t Drink

Not only does stocking your own bar give you and your guests a customized experience, it can save you a ton of money! When you purchase your beer, wine, and liquor through your venue or bartender, you’re also paying their markup. By going directly to Total Wine & More, you cut out the middleman and those crazy high markups. Plus, (and this is a big one!) you can return anything you don’t use! That’s right, so instead of spending a ton overestimating (because, let’s face it, it’s way better to overestimate when it comes to drinks) and letting it all go to waste at the end, you can simply load up the extra and return it for a full refund. But, we would recommend hanging onto a few bottles to break out on special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays.

Unbeatable Selection

It says it all in the name, Total Wine & More, but we need to stress how impressive their selection is! They stock over 8,000 wines, 2,500 beers, and 3,000 spirits! For wine, you can even shop by year, which is really fun! Imagine serving wine with your wedding dinner from the year that you first started dating? Come on! How romantic is that? If you’re looking for a more laid-back cocktail hour they also have kegs and beer from breweries local to your area! They also offer free pick up at their 200+ stores or, in some areas, you can even have it delivered, which is one less thing you have on your plate!

They Do More Than Just Weddings

Now that you’re in on one of the best-kept industry secrets, the possibilities are endless. Total Wine & More can help you stock the bar for any party that may come your way, and with a wedding on the horizon, there will be plenty of reasons to pop some bottles. From wine for your engagement party and champagne for your wedding shower to liquor for your bachelor or bachelorette party, it’s a good idea to start stocking up now.

Check out their selection online or find a Total Wine & More near you and be sure to give them a follow on Instagram for more inspo for your wedding drink menu.

Elegant European Style In Upstate New York

It’s elegance all the way at this New York wedding. From a champagne wall to a fantastic floral chandelier over the dance floor, Michelle Elaine Weddings planned the most magical of days. DESIGNS BY AHN filled every inch of the occasion with blooms in shades of blush and cream. You can feel the love and happiness of the day bursting from the incredible imagery shot by Kylee Yee. Fall in love with every dreamy detail in the full gallery.

From Michelle Elaine Weddings… Katherine and Davis wanted a wedding that appeared organic with a lot of flowers and the surroundings of nature. She did not want anything to appear rustic or outdoorsy, she envisioned elegance in the grass. Katherine was also very specific in wanting their ceremony and cocktail hour fully open-air followed by a tented reception. While the property allowed enough indoor space for alternative options, she wanted to utilize the outdoor space no matter what; this was one of the most important things to her for their day. For the ceremony, there was an altar of full, lush florals accompanied by aisle arrangements that gave the illusion of naturally growing from the ground. To ensure guests’ comfort we had brought in large umbrellas to provide shade. The processional began with Davis and their beloved dog Pepper and ended with Katherine in the most stunning off-the-shoulder Pronovias ball gown. Exchange of vows, the kiss, a petal toss, and they were off to cocktail hour across the lawn.

By the time cocktails had taken place the sun was already moving and guests were able to enjoy the open-air and cooler temps. Specialty cocktails, one being A-Pepper-Ol Spritz, had a play on words, along with napkins illustrated with Pepper herself! A champagne wall for seating assignments was a refreshing and beautiful welcoming for guests. The reception was a floral wonderland from the lush entryway and over-the-top tall centerpieces for the head table, up to the greenery lined ceiling and overhead dancefloor installation. Tables were by roman numerals as they fit the romantic feeling more than the natural numbers of 1, 2, and 3. Place cards were beautifully tied around each napkin with silk ribbon, finished with one floral or piece of greenery. Their menu card was designed with their monogram on top laid on a beautiful leaf-designed dish to complete the vision. Two beautiful sitting areas with contrasting colors were set beside two ends of the dance floor so guests could give their feet a rest when it came time to party.

As the couple entered, Katherine was in her second look, a showstopping fully beaded, spaghetti strap, floor-length Millanova dress. The head table also had an unintentional second look with a previous mishap that was flawlessly recouped by the entire vendor team. Beautifully choreographed first dance, speeches, dinner, cocktails, laughter, dancing until the very end of the evening, and a sparkler send-off. This was one of the most spectacular weddings that made it through some tough times, from postponing and vendor changes to the uncertainty of family travel from China, but we did it!

Luxurious Secret Garden Inspired Wedding at The Cloister

Today’s Sea Island wedding planned by Bella Sposa Events is nothing short of a fairytale. An explosion of all-white blooms by Vine Garden Market complete with hundreds of English roses brought the couple’s secret garden vision to life. The bride looked like an actual Disney princess in a romantic Ines Di Santo ballgown and matching tiara. Dying to see the details? Watch the magic unfold at the full gallery of inspiration – all taken by Kristen Weaver Photography!

From Kristen Weaver Photography… Kate and Justin were married at the historic Cloister at Sea Island GA in a luxury secret garden inspired wedding. Full of lush floral pieces with classic white English roses and snapdragons, they created beautiful enchanting pieces to see their vision come to life.

A large floral arch, floral chandelier and floral entrance to their tented reception – which sat on the dunes of Sea Island – greeted guests for every event. Their outdoor cocktail hour showcased custom bars and a beautifully designed floral decor escort card display.

Music is incredibly important to the couple – so they made sure to have musicians at every stop – including a Bagpipe-lead champagne walk between their garden ceremony to their ocean-front cocktail hour. Custom-stamped ice cubes for their drinks and butler-passed hors d’oeuvres greeted guests at cocktail hour.

They also included their Frenchie – naming the bars with beautiful acrylic signage “Lulu’s Bar” – and featuring his and hers signature drinks (Red Hand for him, and White Linen for her). Every detail was meticulously planned and executed to perfection – and they ended the reception with a firework display before heading to their after-party!

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A Happily Ever After Wedding At The Ritz Paris

After having to postpone their wedding twice, this couple had the fairytale wedding of their dreams in Paris. Loli Events dreamed up a day that dazzles complete with all the bride’s favorites like white flowers, gold accents, and her favorite dessert- macarons! Floraison has us saying “oui” to their unforgettable floral design for a one-of-a-kind event in France. Sarah Stefani captured all the romance in imagery that will stand the test of time, take a trip to Paris in the full gallery.

From the bride… We had two wedding postponements. We started wedding planning in early 2019 for a July 31st, 2020 wedding date in Banff, Canada at the Fairmont Banff Springs. However, due to covid, the Canadian border remained closed throughout all of 2020, so we postponed it to a year later on August 6, 2021. Unfortunately, the border did not open until August 9th, three days past our 2nd wedding date, so we had no choice but to cancel this date as well. We chose Paris because this city has always been a special place for both Sam and me. We had our engagement photos taken in Paris in 2018, so it felt natural to also have our wedding in the magical city. We always knew we wanted a destination wedding, but also knew that it needed to be in a place that was meaningful to us as a couple.

With covid and the relatively quick turnaround, we knew and understood it would be difficult and/or stressful for guests to travel across the world for our wedding. We also knew those who truly wanted to be there and could be there, would be there, and we couldn’t be more grateful for every single person who made it work, and for those who congratulated and celebrated us from afar. We always wanted a smaller scale wedding, in which we could spend quality time with each of our guests throughout the day and evening, so it was perfect! Ritz Paris is one of the most beautiful hotels in the world. It’s iconic. We explored many other wedding venue options in Paris and surrounding areas but always came back to the Ritz. It felt right. It’s located in the city center, and it’s stunning with services and accommodations that are unmatched. I could envision us getting married there and having the perfect day, and it truly was! I had always dreamed of wearing Monique L’huillier on my wedding day, so that is where I started the search! I knew I wanted a lace or tulle ball gown style and ended up torn between the Kristen and the Olympia dresses. The team was so excellent and helped create a custom Olympia for our welcome event with the Kristen as my wedding gown.

As for the decorations, I stayed true to myself and what I love! I wanted the day to feel genuine and a representation of us. For example, I always have white flowers at home, so I knew I wanted white flowers at our wedding. Macarons are my favorite dessert, so we had small boxes from Laduree at all guests’ place settings. I prefer gold to silver, so we requested gold flatware for the dinner. The list goes on but we thought about all details in this manner, and at the end of the night the best compliment was how many people said the entire day and every detail looked like us. It was so exciting to see all our guests just as surprised and excited as we were. (Thank you Loli Events!) For the welcome event, we organized a boat cruise tour at Night on the Seine to explore Paris from the most magical angle. The boat cruise felt like the perfect tour of Paris for our guests. Some of them had never been to Paris so we wanted to make it as memorable as possible for them! Every aspect of this opportunity made us so happy, I love sunsets, Sam loves the water AND we saw the Eiffel Tower sparkle with our family and friends. It was truly the best way to kick off our wedding week and show our guests around one of our favorite cities. I daydream about this often!

A Parisian Fête in Washington, D.C. With Korean Influence

Paris comes to D.C. at this incredibly romantic wedding day! RSVP Events planned a day filled with carefully curated details like a pastel color palette, Rococo-inspired accents, and Ladurée macarons. Florals by Nava Floral have us feeling like we are walking through France in the springtime. Jacqueline Benét beautifully captured the magic of the day in her artful imagery, enjoy all the elegance in the full gallery.

From … Soyoung and Byung Kyu originally began planning an intimate wedding in France, the location of their first international trip together. When they decided to relocate their wedding to the United States due to COVID-19, they began a search for a European-inspired venue stateside and found the Larz Anderson House in Washington, D.C., historically known as one of the capital city’s most fashionable mansions. They decided to create a little Paris stateside in Washington, D.C. The bride and groom decided to maintain their original vision of an intimate wedding, hosting 47 of their closest family and friends. As a nod to their love of France and their travels together, elements of 18th-century Rococo design are woven throughout the wedding design, featuring gold gilding, scrolling curves, and a pastel color palette. Their color palette is inspired by Rococo design and reminiscent of Paris in the spring, with tones of cannoli cream, cream pink, pearl blush, oatmeal, orchid tint, anise flower, green lily, chambray blue, and French blue, accented by rich gold inspired by European gilded architecture.

For her bridal gown, Soyoung wore a column gown with a dramatic asymmetrical ribbon bow, sculpturally draped bodice, and voluminous sweep train by Parisian fashion house Viktor&Rolf Mariage. The bride paired her gown with an heirloom floral hair vine, a pearl-adorned veil, Tiffany & Co. jewelry, and embroidered botanical Stuart Weitzman heels. Byung Kyu wore a suit from a favorite designer, Thom Browne, accented with a bow tie and a colorful boutonnière. The bride and groom exchanged their vows in the Olmstead Gallery, where the Andersons displayed their larger works of art, including sixteenth-century Flemish tapestries. A harp, violin, and cello trio played as guests entered the Olmstead Gallery for the ceremony. The ceremony was haloed by a growing floral installation of Princess Charlene of Monaco roses, distant drum roses, lavender clematis, delphinium, gold combo roses, white jasmine vine, and the bride’s personal favorite, peonies. Guests were gifted traditional fans hand-painted by Soyoung’s cousin as a wedding gift. She painted the fans with oriental peonies, which represent the promise of love and a happy marriage. The trio played “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as Soyoung’s father walked her down the aisle. Rather than an officiant, Soyoung and Byung Kyu opted to have a dear friend and their parents guide the ceremony. To begin the ceremony, the mothers of the bride and groom each lit a candle, symbolizing lighting up the future of their children. Soyoung and Byung Kyu exchanged their vows and concluded the ceremony by giving thanks to their parents. They bowed to the parents of the bride and to the parents of the groom, thanking their parents for raising them to be who they are. After the ceremony, guests were invited to tour the historic drawing rooms of Larz Anderson House, with antiques around every corner.

After a cocktail hour of hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the ballroom, guests were welcomed to the reception in the garden. Guests found their seats at a gold-framed display with calligraphed escort cards stamped with custom crest wax seals. For a beautiful personal touch, Soyoung and Byung Kyu hand-tied norigae, a traditional Korean accessory, to the escort cards for every guest. A bar cart held two Polaroid cameras, and guests were asked to replace their escort card on the board with a Polaroid of themselves. Shaded by two of D. C.’s oldest magnolia trees in the walled garden, the trio played “Married Life” as guests entered the garden for an intimate, al fresco luncheon. Estate tables framing the reflecting pool were flowered with vibrant garden-style centerpieces of garden roses, butterfly ranunculus, lavender clematis, and French tulips, dotted with flickering candles. For a taste of Paris, lily green Ladurée macaron boxes accompanied each place setting, with chocolate, framboise, and pistachio macarons inside. Place setting paper goods embodied Rococo-inspired design with scroll flourished menus, scrolled place cards, and sketched floral garlands on the table numbers. The place settings sat atop champagne gold linens accented with scrolling flourishes, framed by Louis chairs. For the reception, Soyoung changed into a second look: a fuchsia Kate Spade bow back dress with floral print flats. Mirroring the ceremony, garden-style floral installations grew around the bar and the signature drink menu. Refreshing notes of mandarin oranges, lemonade, chamomile tea, sparkling ginger beer, lavender, and grapefruit were perfect for a summer fête in the garden. The luncheon began with an entrée of burrata with elderflower melon mosaic and lemon vinaigrette with rosemary focaccia and Italian grissini. For the plat principal, guests had a choice of a citrus lobster tail and herb-crusted filet with black cherry demi sauce, or a vegetarian miso ginger butternut squash with black forbidden rice. For dessert, guests enjoyed Ladurée vanilla mille feuille with caramelized puff pastry and vanilla cream and carrot wedding cake. As a sweet parting gift to their guests, Soyoung and Byung Kyu worked with their florist to gift their centerpieces to their guests as they bid farewell.

This Couple Had A Tearful Moment Before The Ceremony

Love knows no bounds at this beautiful The Paine Art Center And Gardens wedding. The day started on a sentimental note, with our couple standing side by side at the garden gates crying happy tears in an intimate moment before the ceremony. Whitney and Matsaya Photography captured every heartfelt moment exquisitely in artful imagery, and JJ’s Floral Design and Events filled the day with romantic blush blooms to make it an unforgettable experience. You can see the full day unfold in the full gallery.

From the bride… My wedding took place at The Paine Art Center And Gardens, a historic estate museum with lush greens and blooming flowers. This venue was a unique place in Central Wisconsin and one of the few venues that reflected a style I absolutely love. It’s hard to find an “old-word” and timeless venue in Wisconsin, so I was so excited to find this! The Paine is filled with photo-worthy gardens and rooms, and upon touring this venue, we knew we had to get married here! Traditionally, the venue has a specific spot for outdoor ceremonies, but I requested to have it right behind the mansion, so our ceremony was outdoors on the Great Lawn! The asymmetrical floral installation was designed with my favorite blush pink color palette in mind, with a unity ceremony table centered in the middle of the installation. For the reception, our florist,JJ’s Floral Design and Events designed a beautiful sweetheart table installation where crisp, white chandeliers hung down from. I chose La Tavola Linen Tuscany linens, a neutral-toned color with a hint of green to warm and freshen up the reception room! The beauty and the glory of a wedding is most magnified in the union of lovers. It was important for our wedding to be everything we wanted it to be, but at the very heart of our wedding day, what mattered the most to me was the man standing at the end of the aisle and the people witnessing this sweet, sweet day.

Soon before the ceremony was set to start, Junior and I met near the garden gates to have an intimate moment together, but with our eyes closed (I did not want to reveal my dress yet). I stood next to him and we prayed for each other, preparing our hearts for the rest of the day. Knowing how emotionally attuned Junior was, I anticipated that he would cry, but I never thought I would do the same! It was one of my favorite parts of the day! Walking down the aisle was also an emotional time for everyone: Junior and me, the bridal party, and the guests. My father is no longer with us, so my mother had the wonderful honor of walking me down the aisle. Throughout my wedding planning days, Junior mentioned that he had a surprise waiting for me on the day of our wedding. I was so nervous and excited on our wedding day, that I completely forgot about his wonderful surprise. As the wedding coordinator signaled my mother and I to walk down the aisle, I heard a familiar song playing and I knew right away that this was his surprise. It was the acoustic song Junior wrote and sang to me since the first day our romance began. My heart was so full.

Once the ceremony ended, guests were free to roam the venue gardens and enjoy cocktail hour while the bridal party and bride and groom went out to take pictures. The grand entrance began right before sunset and dinner and speeches were to follow. After having the first dance, we played an amusing game where Junior was blindfolded and tasked to find the love of his life in a pool of people. Using every hand as a clue, Junior narrowed it down to two people and eventually made his way to find me! This activity brought so much laughter and memorable moments into our lives.

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Make Your Wedding Day A California Dream Come True At The Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa

When it comes to Coastal California you really can’t go wrong when choosing a wedding venue, but the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa may be everything you’re looking for and more. The perfect mix of casual and chic with that carefree, California vibe, your wedding day will be the happily ever after you’ve been planning, while overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With ‘resort,’ ‘golf club,’ AND ‘spa’ in the name you know you and your guests will enjoy themselves and be fully taken care of at this Forbes Five Star location!

Garrett Richardson Photography

Whether you are looking for indoor or outdoor, the Park Hyatt Aviara offers 200,000 square feet of both which can be completely customized. For full capacity charts and floor plans, you can visit the Special Events section of their website, but some couples favorites include:

B. Miller Photography

THE GARDENS
The 19,822 square foot area offers the most picturesque outdoor spaces in San Diego lined with palm trees and can hold up to 250 guests or be sectioned off for smaller gatherings

Rene Zadori Photography

GRAND BALLROOM
Elegant and stylish, the ballroom is ideal for larger celebrations at about 12,000 square feet but can be customized to a smaller reception as well.

We Heart Photography

AVALON
With french doors leading to a terrace adorned with a fireplace and fountain, the Avalon gives you an estate-like feel with plenty of space to celebrate and dance the night away.

B. Miller Photography

With even more indoor and outdoor event spaces, you can truly do it all here from the welcome party to the day after brunch with their on-site planners and expert culinary team. With award-winning catering options for your special event to 6 different restaurants from private dining to poolside, the options are endless and you and your guests won’t have to leave the property.

Alicia Mink Photography

Speaking of endless opportunities, when you choose to say ‘I Do’ at the Park Hyatt Aviara, there will be plenty for your guests to do (and we recommend staying an extra day or two once you tie the knot to enjoy it all too!) The resort is home to the only Arnold Palmer-designed golf course in San Diego along with Topgolf Swing Suites. Deep-sea fishing, paddle boarding, and tennis are all available. Or, for the guests who like to lay low – the Aviara Spa offers saunas and steam rooms or they can relax by one of three different pools!

B. Miller Photography

With all of these accommodations, you might want to up your guest list which isn’t a problem! With 327 guestrooms, including 43 suites all with a balcony or patio, there is ample room for anyone and everyone you want to add. Not only is the Park Hyatt Aviara located in sunny San Diego, and a AAA Five Diamond resort, in 2020 it underwent a $50+ million reimagination to make all of your wedding daydreams a reality.

Garrett Richardson Photography

If you need a few more reasons to say yes (to this venue that is,) the team specializes in cultural weddings to incorporate traditions and customs into your celebrations. They also partnered with Food Network star and pastry chef Christophe Rull to personalize your wedding cake every time….. AND the resort is pet-friendly!

So, pack your bags and head on down to Southern California for your special day with picture-perfect botanical backdrops and the best of the best accommodations at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club, and Spa.

Location: Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa

A Charming Charleston Wedding With a Molton Brown Inspired Color Palette

From the bride’s less-is-more natural beauty look to the bridesmaids’ swoon-worthy mismatched aesthetic, today’s real wedding planned by Haley Kelly Events is serving up a major dose of style envy. In a unique palette inspired by Molton Brown hues, Shean Strong Design created organic arrangements that perfectly complimented the autumn season. Don’t miss out on the full gallery captured by Clay Austin to see all the pretty unfold.

From Clay Austin Photography… This was one of those couples where after the night was over I had that scene in Step Brothers where Will Ferrell says “did we just become best friends” rang through my head haha! They were the kindest people on the planet and you could feel all the love they shared with their guests! Shawn Strong (florist) and Haley Kelly (designer) beautifully wove hints of yellows, ambers, and touches of brown throughout all the design making for a jaw-dropping color palette!

From the Bride… I went to College of Charleston, which is what inspired our choice to get married there, and absolutely love the city – it’s one of the happiest places in the world for me. Many of our friends and family from other periods of our life hadn’t visited the city, so it was amazing to be able to have them experience it for the first time during our wedding weekend.

Our general inspiration was around making our wedding feel like home. As a couple we love to host friends and family in our space, and we really wanted our wedding to reflect that – we wanted our guests to feel taken care of by us and to really enjoy themselves. We wanted it to feel like a massive dinner party at our house. Hank and I are really into gardening and plants, so we went all out with florals – we wanted our florals to be the center pieces of the design for the wedding, and Shean our florist did such a beautiful job of capturing our vision and the colors of a Charleston fall – green, light and dark yellows, and amber and light brown. My mom loves Molton Brown, and we took a lot of inspiration from their color palettes as well.

We wanted people dancing, so we did minimal seating outside of the dinner seating. Our band was stellar and ended up bringing these amazing back lit lights for the stage, which made the effect of being at a concert.

Another sweet touch we loved – Hank takes a bath once a day, so we wanted to have an old vintage bathtub somewhere on the property – we loved having it and know it was an extra effort from our wedding planner to procure it!

We love candles and really leaned into candlelit lighting where possible – there were two long tables that were lined with hundreds of candles on either side of the stage, and the effect as the sun set was special.

Our best friend Brandon, who officiated our wedding, gave us the most beautiful book prior to our wedding day, that was inscribed with our wedding date, our initials, and the words “To Have and to Hold”. He wrote his officiant speech inside the book, and we included our vows. It was such a meaningful thing for him to do and love that we will have his words and ours from that day in the book forever.

Another lovely moment was when my best friend Sloane bought me a perfume for the day of. My whole family calls me Peach, in particular my dad, and she found a perfume called “Bitter Peach”. I wore the perfume and ended up putting on extreme amounts of it because I loved it so much – every time I put the perfume on now, I feel like I’m transported back to that day and all the joy that came with it. One of my other friends is an amazing artist and had found a white vintage leather jacket that she painted on the back – she included our astrological signs, the moon phase that would be on our wedding day, the South Carolina state flower, and other beautiful details. I wore it on our walk out to our getaway car.   Advice for future grooms and brides – this is such a unique time in your life! There is no other time that you will be celebrated so fully by all the people in your life. It felt so special to us to be able to see the ways that different people showed up for us during that weekend. Stay present and open to the experience – it can be stressful but if you are able to stay in gratitude it can make the weekend other-worldly.

A Boho Chic Lakeside Wedding In Shades Of Terracotta And Peach

Ready for some warm sunbaked vibes lakeside? This super chic wedding in shades of terracotta and peach, planned and designed by Shannon Wellington Wedding, is filled with fun. Every inch of this wedding is teeming with inspiration, from the one-of-a-kind champagne stand welcoming guests to extraordinary floral designs by Fresh Designs Florist. You’ll fall in love with every artful photo extraordinarily captured by Magdalena Studios, visit the full gallery for a look at all the lovely.

From Magdalena Studios… When asked to describe the wedding in 3 words, Zul said, “enchanting, breathtaking, perfect.” We think she’s spot on! The vibe was warm, bohemian & chic, and this skilled team of vendors pulled it off perfectly! Zul stunned in a romantic gown by Enzoani and her bridesmaids rocked mix-and-match BHLDN dresses that matched the terracotta & peach color palette. The lakeside ceremony was absolutely gorgeous. The couple said their vows in front of a vibrant floral structure and kissed under tossed petals after they said “I do!”

After the ceremony, guests were guided past a one-of-a-kind champagne stand and a faux hostess stand that doubled as a unique way to hand out escort cards. The reception took place in the grand ballroom with a gorgeous patio and lake view. During the celebration, guests were invited to use The Magdalena Booth, a modern open-air photobooth. The backdrop was a custom-made pampas wall with a neon sign that read “The Bigleys.” Zul & Todd danced the night away and ended the evening with a romantic sparkler exit.

Zul’s advice for future brides is, “Hire Shannon Wellington Wedding, Magdalena Studios, and Beautiful Love Productions as your primary vendors! We took a quick trip to Cape May for a couple of days to get away after the wedding as a mini-moon since we scheduled our honeymoon about a month after the wedding. This was a great opportunity to unwind and take everything in without having to be on the official honeymoon.”

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Spring in Full Bloom at Villa Di Geggiano in Siena

Today’s editorial planned by Caterina Weddings is your perfect blueprint for an ethereal Spring wedding – complete with one of our favorite bouquets of all time! In a feminine palette of ivory, blush and pale peach, Chiara Sperti infused the natural beauty of the season to her lush arrangements. Allow the full gallery to fully transport you to Springtime in Siena, captured to perfection by Linda Nari Photography!

From Linda Nari Photography…Rebirth, purity and flourishing beauty inspired this romantic editorial set at the 14th Century Villa di Geggiano wedding venue in Tuscany. Blush tulle, delicate flowers and several beautiful bridal looks create a timeless universe enlightened by love and fine art vibes.

The stunning visuals are created by fine art wedding photographer Linda Nari with planner Caterina Weddings and a team of creatives inspired by rebirth and the flourishing blooms of spring: “We wanted to create a tribute to life. A message of hope and a hymn to beauty, which will always be our salvation in hard times.”

The gorgeous floral design from Chiara Sperti Floral Events follows a soft feminine colour palette of ivory, blush and pale peach with tiny touches of blue and purple. The spring medley of flowers features garden roses, ranunculus, spirea, sweetpeas, narcissi and fritillary in a beautifully natural freeform style.

For the ceremony, Chiara created a floral structure echoing the design of the ornate stone arch at the head of the aisle, plus freeform clusters around the chairs for a lovely organic feel. The natural styling continues to the tablescape, featuring foliage decorated beech branches and informal floral compotes.

Every detail echoes a lightless touch, from the delicate lingerie and blush tulle gown to the intricate gold jewellery and understated stationery.

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Lo’s Nancy Meyers “Home Again” Inspired Wedding Inspiration

If you’re anything like me, a good Nancy Meyers film is the best cure to any bad day blues. Lighthearted storylines, envy-inducing kitchens, sprightly melodies and just the right amount of corny. As the great Iris Simpkins once said… “I’m looking for corny in my life”. The Nancy Meyers aesthetic has inspired just about every interior design choice I’ve made thus far, from the quintessential British coziness of The Holiday to Erica Berry’s Hamptons beach house in Something’s Gotta Give. My all time favorite? Alice Kinney’s 1929 Spanish-style hacienda from the oh-so underrated Home Again (if you guys haven’t seen it yet, prepare for a major treat) So, without further ado… I couldn’t be more excited to present to you a Pin-worthy moodboard for my dream Home Again inspired wedding. I hope you love it as much as I do!

Credits: Lauren Fair Photography, Lauren Fair Photography, Netflix, Plume Calligraphy, Erich McVey, Jose Villa, Lauren Fair Photography, Corbin Gurkin

THE DETAILS

First, tell us a little bit about the locale, season and setting of your inspo!

The setting of the mostly filmed at Reese Witherspoon’s sun soaked, Spanish-style home in Los Angeles. To emulate the setting, I’m envisioning a late summer wedding in a spacious SoCal backyard filled with bougainvillea, olive trees and tea light.

Can you describe your ideal type of venue to match the setting?

Definitely any venue that has a bit of Mediterranean flair. Terracotta accents, citrus trees, and pops of color would perfectly replicate the look of Reese’s charming Brentwood oasis.

Tell us about your ideal color palette!

I love the idea of playing the hues of the natural surroundings. The dream color scheme would of sage greens, blush pinks, some light blue and a joyful pop of lilac!

Which wedding dress style fits your bridal aesthetic best?

Perhaps a lacy ensemble, with a sweetheart neckline and A-line silhouette. Anything romantic yet light and fitting for the warm Summer weather.

In a few words, describe the overall look and vibe of your inspiration. How do you want your guests to feel?

Idyllic, romantic, warm, joyful. A bit of California cool mixed with Mediterranean charm.

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Photography

Jose Villa Photography

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Lauren Fair Photography

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A Custom Engagement Ring May Not Cost As Much As You Think–Just Ask Frank Darling

Back in the day, one person in a couple would wait around for the other one to “pop the question”, these days, we’re seeing couples make this big leap together. Not only does this make sense evolutionarily, it has also opened the door to joint ring-shopping excursions (which has both parties breathing a sigh of relief). Imagine, investing all that money into a ring that you hope they like. And if you don’t like it, imagine being the one that has to wear it for the rest of your life! Thankfully, these dreaded days are a thing of the past. Today couples can not only pick out engagement rings together, they can have a custom design created just for them! Sounds pricey right? Normally, yes, but there’s an NYC-based company that’s revolutionizing the custom ring game and we’re obsessed–Frank Darling!

Custom Designs At Any Budget

Whether you’re shopping for a ring together, surprising your partner, or picking something for yourself, it’s hard to beat custom. With Frank Darling, you can pick out every element of your ring from the setting and metal to the stone itself! Not only does this custom approach let you get the EXACT look you want, it lets you work within your budget to get it. You can play with different combinations of metals, clarity, carats, etc. to get the ring you want for the price you need. If you’ve got great taste, but don’t consider yourself a designer, don’t worry, Frank Darling has something for you too. They’ve got a beautiful collection of engagement rings and wedding bands that are ready to order as-is or can be customized to your liking.

How It Works

With Frank Darling, everything can be done super simply online. Their dream ring quiz lets you design your ring in real-time, allowing you to select every last detail from the color, cut, and type of stone to the thickness and style of the band and the type of metal. Once you hit submit on the quiz, Frank Darling sends you a complimentary sketch to make sure all of the details look as dreamy on paper as they do in your head, plus you’ll get your quote then and there (and it’s going to be a lot less than you’d expect, trust us, we’ve tried it!). It’s that easy! So, what are you waiting for? Take the dream ring quiz today and get your sketch!

Put A Ring On It

Now, Frank Darling knows there’s a big difference between seeing a sketch of a ring and seeing/feeling it on your finger, that’s why they’ll let you select up to three rings to try on in the comfort of your own home! You select the color of the metal, the cut of the stone, and the band type and they make suggestions based on your preferences. You get to keep the rings for five days and wear them in your everyday life to see which one best suits your life and style.

Affordable, Sustainable, And Socially Responsible–Yes Please!

Not only is Frank Darling providing an insanely custom service at a fraction of the cost of the other jewelers on the market, they’re making the world a better place as they do it–seriously! They exclusively work with conflict-free suppliers and recycled metals, they even offer lab-grown stones if that’s something you are passionate about. Oh, and did we mention that all of their rings are made in NYC?!

Follow @frankdarling on Instagram to see how other couples are creating their dream rings with Frank Darling!

Jewelry: Frank Darling

Garden Countryside Wedding Inspiration Filled With Old-World Details

Dreaming of a garden wedding? Look no further than the relaxed elegance of this stunning celebration in shades of ivory, beige, and cream. Feminine touches play perfectly with classic detailing all artfully shot by Tailor James. From the old-world-inspired stationery by Beautifully Noted to the endlessly romantic alfresco reception, everything about this editorial has stolen our hearts. See every incredible detail of the day unfold in the full gallery.

From Tailor James… Inspired by the romance of the English countryside, we created an intimate garden wedding filled with old-world details. The feminine-inspired design included lush floral arrangements of ivory, beige and white. The couple was married under a floral arch teeming with garden roses.

The stationery design focused on old-world elements in a sage green and ivory color palette with gold calligraphy details. We added a modern touch to the place settings with the textured champagne coupes and taper candles.

The bride wore an Alena Leena gown with romantic bell sleeves for the ceremony and changed into a playful spring-inspired Alena Leena dress for the reception. The overall effect transports us to a garden wedding in The Cotswolds!

Blushy, Tulle Perfection in Kestrel Park

With a fresh twist on an outdoor garden celebration, you’re about to fall in love with this inspired wedding editorial at Kestrel Park. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of the surroundings, Krissy Campbell planned a day done in neutral tones for a delicate yet bold look. Beautiful blooms by Solstice Bloom created an unforgettable experience at every carefully curated vignette. The details come to life in artful imagery by Bonphotage that makes us feel as if we’ve just fallen into the fairytale, come see the full day unfold in the full gallery.

From bonphotage… The rolling hills and oceanside escape off of the iconic Highway 1 brought us to the beautiful Kestrel Park in Santa Ynez, California. The blend of this incredible area with the nod to the English countryside architecture made it a perfect choice for a dream couple’s intimate west coast celebration. I couldn’t wait to create around the natural elements and beauty of the space, while also speaking to current topics of connection, thoughtful celebration, intimate post-COVID weddings, fashion, and travel at this stunning location. I wanted to showcase the versatility and options that a stateside venue like Kestrel Park provides to couples without necessarily having to travel outside of the United States. We decided to showcase a few vignettes throughout the property that highlighted the beautiful English-style architecture and gardens that could be used all year round. We designed a ceremony, tablescape, cake design, and various portrait locations that brought together cohesive designs for the couple’s aesthetic. To bring the vignettes to life, we decided on a late winter wedding date and, again, played to the property and its surroundings. I chose a color palette with primarily neutral tones and a touch of soft pinks and yellows, keeping in line with the fine art aesthetic while adding both personal touches and subtle wintery pops of color. I described the couple and their ideal celebration with descriptors such as “European-inspired, authentic, historic, refined, romantic, intimate, sophisticated, delicate yet bold, simply textured, hopeful, artistic, organic, timeless, and cultured.”

We also wanted to create a story for this couple that could be reflected in the experience and details of their time at Kestrel Park. This is the story of a couple with a love for travel and culture. They want to reflect their connection to the natural and European-style architecture while inspiring their guests to discover for themselves perspectives and stories beyond their own – to see from someone else’s “window”. To celebrate places and people that may surprise, challenge, and inspire. Their celebration speaks of their desire to use their travels and privilege to connect themselves and others to the innate beauty found in places and people wherever they go. All of this gave us a wonderful foundation to work with as we designed the experience. We began to connect with professionals that could beautifully bring these elements and values to life. We worked with the incredibly talented floral designer, Solstice Bloom, to create stunning floral vignettes that flowed naturally throughout each space – from a show-stopping ceremony installation outside the country house property to the tablescape lush with pops of softly toned florals, candles, and even added fruits – pears and grapes for guests to partake in. She also created the most romantic bouquet for the bride, just perfectly sized for her, and her delicate and romantic gowns by Lillie Mae Collection along with her whimsical bridal hair, makeup, and jewelry. The touch of florals and these lovely delicate details perfectly enhanced the already stunning natural landscape and architecture. The color palette softly played off tones of winter and the subtle tones both outside and inside the venue. We had so much fun weaving these together. From the light-colored chairs that perfectly fit to the simple English architecture to the velvet linens, the most natural pieces held the guest tables together while the pops of soft color came through in the florals, fruit, and paper details. The invitations and day of stationery by Ciarra Claire Fine Art were a truly personal touch as each guest received an antiqued grey floral menu topped with detailed vellum and tied with petite twine in addition to a personal place card. Subtle natural tones, hand calligraphy, and a floral printed vellum design in the invites and paper goods gave a nod to the inspiration found in the location and its surroundings as well. The texture in the china and flatware brought a true nod to the simple, yet elegant look of the venue’s iconic stables and gardens. The backdrop of the stone structure with the garden and mountains in view was the perfect spot for an outdoor dinner soiree surrounding the wedding day.

We also wanted to ensure that we captured the couple taking special moments for themselves throughout the experience. This is one of my top priorities as a planner and designer – to provide our couples with not only a stunning space but the ability to cherish the beauty of the moments together both alone and with their guests. The bride and groom were captured throughout the property in the natural element with the most perfect golden light and rolling southern California landscape. As you can see through the beautifully captured photos from the bonphotage team, each detail of the celebration and experience at Kestrel Park was thoughtful from beginning to end. The aesthetic and beauty was only heightened by the intimate moments between them and the intentional touches added for themselves and their loved ones. We hope this project inspires a timeless, yet highly personal and thoughtful approach to celebrations at a stateside destination that fits a couple’s love, values, and journey together!

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EDEN LUXE Bridal

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bonphotage

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Everything You Need To Know About Rings Before They Pop The Question

There’s something in the air. Maybe it’s the ads popping up on your shared computer or maybe it’s your crazy cosmic connection, but you’ve got a feeling…a proposal is not far off. This is one of the most exciting times in a relationship, but can also be nerve-racking. Your mind is going a mile a minute, “What if I don’t like the ring?”. It’s a legitimate fear. But let’s talk through it together. First…do you have an engagement ring Pinterest board? If not, get on that ASAP and definitely leave it face-up on your unlocked phone a few times as you strategically leave the room. You may be like some people that find they’ve been dreaming of this day but never actually stopped to think about what they wish the ring looked like. If that’s the case, we’ve got a crash course for you right here thanks to the engagement experts at Grown Brilliance. Here’s everything you and your partner need to know before they pop the question!

Shape and Style

Before you start dropping hints, you’ll want to narrow down your ideal engagement ring aesthetic. Are you into the classic yellow gold round solitaire or are you looking for something a little extra like a big pear-shaped rock in platinum? Grown Brilliance diamonds come in 10 different shapes: round, emerald, princess, cushion, Asscher, heart, emerald, pear, oval, radiant, and marquise. And choosing a shape is just the beginning! You’ll need to decide whether you’re looking for something ornate with multiple stones and a detailed setting or something more minimalist, where it’s all about the rock!

Types of Diamonds

Diamonds are by far the most popular stone for engagement rings. But, modern couples are leaning away from mined stones because of the less than savory methods used to acquire them and opting for lab-grown diamonds like the ones offered by Grown Brilliance instead. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to their mined counterparts. Not only will going with a lab-grown diamond give you peace of mind, you can also get more bling for your buck–it’s a win, win!

The 4 C’s

If you’ve been doing any research on engagement rings, you’ve probably caught a few references to the 4 C’s, but what are they and how do they factor into your decision? While the 4 C’s do impact the look of your diamond, they’re more influential in the value/cost of the ring. Depending on how open you and your partner are about the whole engagement discussion, these factors are a little harder to comment on (at least subtly), but let’s get into it, just in case…

Cut

Not to be confused with shape (pear, round, emerald, etc.), “cut determines a diamond’s ability to reflect and refract light.” In other words, the better the cut, the bigger the sparkle. The good news is, there’s no bad cut, there’s only Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent, and Ideal.

Color

Diamonds can range from completely colorless to light yellow. The closer the diamond is to colorless on the spectrum the rarer it is, making it more expensive.

Clarity

This refers to any “imperfections” in the diamonds, the less imperfections, the more clarity a diamond has. If you do decide to go with a lab-grown diamond the cost for clarity is significantly less than a mined diamond because the growing process naturally produces diamonds with less flaws–yet another reason lab-grown is the way to go!

Carat

Now, we know you’re familiar with this one! Carat measures the size (technically the weight) of the diamond. The higher the carat measurement, the bigger the rock. Not sure what size you’re looking for? On their website, Grown Brilliance has a way to see a live preview of carat size compared to a hand.

With the design your own ring feature on their website, Grown Brilliance allows you to select the stone of your dreams! Each of the 4 C’s has a sliding scale that you or your partner can play with and see how it influences the cost of the ring in real-time. So, you can splurge on the factors that are most important to you and save on the ones that aren’t.

Anatomy Of A Ring

You want to make sure that you’re using the right terms when you’re describing your dream ring…you know, so there isn’t any confusion. Here are some terms you may not know yet and why they’re so important.

Center Stone

This one is pretty obvious, it’s the big stone in the middle. This is the one that you will be talking about when you’re discussing everything from shape to the 4 C’s.

Shank

This is what the industry calls the “band” part of an engagement ring. Shanks come in different shapes and widths and with different levels of embellishments, so really think about the ring as a whole when you’re imagining it.

Prongs

This is what holds your ring in place, and believe it or not, there are multiple options. Some prong types look better on certain shapes. So, once you find a shape you like start looking at the different types of prongs that pair well with that shape.

Gallery & Bridge

This is the elevated part of the ring that holds up the center stone (and surrounding stones). It can be simple or it can be super decorative, it all depends on your personal style.

Know Your Size

While most rings can be resized, it’s obviously ideal to get the size right on the first try, especially if you want a band with stones in it! Thankfully Grown Brilliance has a ton of resources to make the size question a little less daunting. You can check out their ring size guide here which even includes tips for getting someone’s ring size in secret. Or, you can download their printable ring sizer that allows you to measure and select your size on one easy worksheet. Once you know your size, you can conveniently drop it into conversation or tell it to your bestie in case they get asked for intel.

Check out @grownbrilliance on Instagram for even more helpful shopping tips and some serious engagement inspo.

Love Is In Full Bloom At This Wine Country Watercolor Wedding

This Texas couple decided to tie the knot in Napa at a watercolor-hued wedding that will take your breath away. Simone Lennon Events brought the bride and groom’s vision to life with a palette of soft pink, blue, and purple driving the design. The florals by Water Lily Floral Design, are not to be missed- just wait until you see the blooms suspended from overhead above the dance floor! Each incredible image captured by Rebecca Yale Photography is lovelier than the last, you can see them all in the full gallery.

From Rebecca Yale Photography… Sam and Jakub are from Texas, but love Napa so planned a destination wedding weekend that kicked off with a welcome dinner for their family and wedding party at Castello Di Amorosa, followed by a cocktail reception for all of their guests. It was so wonderful to see 100+ people finally being able to gather safely once again! Simone drew inspiration from watercolors and used pink, blue, and purple watercolors throughout the day. Each of the handmade invitations and menus was uniquely hand-painted watercolors and the floral abundance created by Water Lily Floral Design was the perfect tonal match.

The wedding took place the following day at the Estate Yountville and we spent the day exploring both the Villagio and Hotel Yountvile’s properties taking photos in their vineyards. The bride and her bridesmaids got ready wearing Kim Kardashian’s Skims and sipping champagne and the bride’s maid of honor helped her into her gown. The couple had a private first look moment in a secret lawn hidden amongst the vines before being joined by their family and friends for formal photos. Samantha and Jakub put honoring their families at the center of their day and Samantha’s grandfather actually served as the officiant. And Samantha’s cousins served as flower girl and ring bearer. Jakub’s mother sadly passed away last November, but framed photos of her were included at the ceremony and reception so her presence and memory were felt throughout the day. Samantha’s mother has MS and is in a wheelchair, but it didn’t stop her from dancing the night away on the dancefloor with her family.

Guests enjoyed cocktail hour in a courtyard next to the reception tent, sipping on the couple’s two signature drinks—an Aperol Sprtiz for Sam and a Manhattan for Jakub. After cocktail hour, they made their way into the beautiful reception tent, covered in blue/grey drapery to provide some shade on the hot June day. The structure was completely custom built and Water Lily Floral Design suspended huge centerpieces growing out of slabs of wood over the tables as well as an oversized floral chandelier over the dance floor. The couple took a quick peek into their tent and practiced their first dance before the bride kicked off her heels and changed into her sparkly reception dress for their grand entrance. After a year of postponements and distancing, the couple wanted their friends to have the best night of their lives and dance the night away, which they most certainly did! Chris Clouse combined DJ and live instruments and vocals to create an incredibly unique experience that had the dance floor full all night!

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Rebecca Yale Photography

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Secret Garden Wedding In Santa Ynez Full Of Fall Colors

The lavish color palette of this Santa Ynez wedding is sure to steal your heart. Tyler Speier Events brought our bride’s wedding vision to life in the most beautiful of ways, with crisp autumnal hues and carefully thought out details like “Bridgerton-inspired” music welcoming guests to the festivities. Lush flowers, velvet linens, and injections of fun make the images beautifully captured by Dear Lovers an absolute must-see. Revel over every detail in the full gallery.

From Dear Lovers… Shaylyn and Gabe were married at Kestrel Park in Santa Ynez, California. They wanted their celebration to focus around their love of family, gourmet food, craft cocktails, and the joy of being with friends. Since Gabe’s family is from Cuba, they wanted to incorporate fun cultural elements as well.

The invitation suite was full of autumnal colors, a custom painting of the couple’s dog, and a detailed itinerary for the weekend getaway in Santa Ynez, complete with a welcome wine tasting, and farm-to-table rehearsal dinner, wedding festivities, and an after-party at a western bar. When guests arrived at the wedding, they were greeted with rosé and champagne served in vintage glassware as the string quartet played “Bridgerton-inspired” music. Their ceremony took place underneath the autumnal branches in the allay at Kestrel Park, with lush autumn florals adorning the large arch and aisle.

Then, guests were invited into the secret garden, for sumptuous appetizers, a charcuterie spread, and signature craft cocktails – a passion-guava Mezcal inspired cocktail entitled “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”, and a New York Sour, a bourbon cocktail with a smoked glass served with red wine. The multi-course dinner reception took place underneath a sailcloth tent in the horse pasture, with lush autumnal flowers, velvet linens, vintage glassware, and a full band. As a nod to Gabe’s Cuban roots, the cake was infused with Guava—a decadent finish to the incredible culinary experience!

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TEAM Hair and Makeup

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Jimmy Choo Has You Covered On Your Big Day From Head-To-Toe

Your wedding day is a great excuse to invest in some must-have designer staples. Of course, you know and love Jimmy Choo for their famous pumps, but they’re so much more than just shoes. From handbags and shoes to makeup and fragrance, they’ve got you covered from head-to-toe for your big day, literally! Oh, and this is a total game-changer–did you know you can design your own pair of Jimmy Choos? Is that not every bride’s dream come true?!

COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZE YOUR LOOK

First things first, let’s dive right into this–Jimmy Choo now lets you completely customize your bridal look. For shoes, you start with your style, then your heel height, and finally the material (can you even?!). When your design is finalized, you can even add a custom nameplate or wedding date to the bottom as a special wedding keepsake. Not only are these a must for your wedding ensemble, they would make a great gift for the MOB or your MOH. You can also create a custom handbag to match! Start designing your dream wedding shoes today.

FOR THE BRIDE

If you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for, let the experts at Jimmy Choo do the design work for you and shop their exclusive bridal collection. They’ve got everything from crystal-encrusted ankle boots to strappy pearl pumps. It’s safe to say these aren’t your mama’s wedding shoes. If you’re one of those brides who has been dreaming of their princess moment their whole lives, then you absolutely have to check out their Cinderella collection, it’s nothing short of a dream come true! Jimmy Choo also has a gorgeous selection of sculptural handbags and clutches that were designed with weddings in mind.

FOR THE GROOM

That’s right, Jimmy Choo has a ton of great men’s shoes too! For the more traditional groom, they offer timeless wingtip styles. But, if you’re feeling a little adventurous, our favorite designs are definitely their loafers! Their loafers come in a variety of styles ranging from printed fabrics and velvet to full-on crystal-encrusted embellishments. If you are wearing a classic tux, why not have a little fun with your shoes? Jimmy Choo also has a killer line of sneakers that would pair beautifully with a tailored suit for that effortlessly chic look.

MORE THAN JUST ACCESSORIES

In addition to their famed accessories, Jimmy Choo also offers a selection of lipsticks and nail polishes. They come in super cute gold cases and will look great in your getting-ready photos and would make the absolute perfect thank you gifts for your bridesmaids! Another important part of your bridal ensemble that often goes overlooked is your wedding day fragrance. Not only do the fragrances from Jimmy Choo smell delectable, they all come in beautiful glass decanters that will look great on your nightstand for years to come. Break out your wedding day fragrance on anniversaries for an added touch of nostalgia.