Texas Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

9 Wedding Locations You Havent Heard About Yet

We know that finding the perfect wedding venue isn’t always easy, especially if you’re looking for something that totally speaks to you and yours. So today we’re running through a list of nine (yes, NINE) fab venues we absolutely love, so you can find that dream locale. Scroll for some hidden gems you haven’t even heard of.

THE ST. REGIS WASHINGTON, D.C.

Why we love it: Just steps from the White House, The St. Regis Washington, D.C. is the perfect mix of luxe accommodations and upscale wedding offerings – all with a dash of historical charm. You can opt for a cocktail hour in the Italianate revival lobby, or celebrate your “I do’s” in the Astor Ballroom with its hand-stenciled ceiling (an original 1926 decorative feature) and Palladian windows overlooking The Astor Terrace. This place is beautiful, you guys – and it’s no wonder it continues to be named the “Best Hotel for Small Weddings” by Washington Magazine. It’s just that good.

What you can’t miss: The Astor Terrace. Perfect for ceremonies OR receptions, this gem of an outdoor space features a dreamy fountain. Need we say more?

W SCOTTSDALE

Why we love it: Located smack-dab in the middle of Scottsdale’s Entertainment District, W Scottsdale is every modern lovin’ bride’s dream. Think totally chic contemporary spaces (both indoor and outdoor) perfect for celebrating your Big Day, plus amazing accommodations that will make your entire wedding weekend.

What you can’t miss: Their fab W Insider service. It’s concierge plus some with everything you’ll ever need just a push of a button away. Whatever you want, whenever you want it.

LE MÉRIDIEN DELFINA SANTA MONICA

Why we love it: Situated just three blocks from the ocean with great access and breathtaking views, plus offering up some awesome amenities for guests (hey there, Bicycle Programme), Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica seamlessly combines a glam spot to say “I do” with all of that laid-back Southern Cali charm we love so much. We’re obsessed with their Pool Terrace receptions, not to mention their chef-inspired catering menus and views of the Pacific Ocean.

What you can’t miss: Their venues. From the Delfina Ballroom to the Terrazza Garden, Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica has you covered when it comes to celebrating in style.

HOTEL COLONNADE CORAL GABLES, A TRIBUTE PORTFOLIO HOTEL

Why we love it: Ideal for those travel lovers who want to say “I do” in complete luxury, the Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables has elegant weddings (and accommodations) down to an absolute science. From their 23,000 square feet of event space to their gorgeous venue options (hello, marble-tiled rotunda) to their talented staff that knows everything there is to know about throwing the perfect wedding, you’ll most definitely be making a statement.

What you can’t miss: Their Make a Green Choice Program. Guests receive a $5 food credit or 500 SPG points just for making the choice to conserve natural resources in their room. We love that.

THE WESTIN CHICAGO NORTHWEST

Why we love it: It’s hard not to fall in love with a setting as pretty as Hamilton Lake and when you add in a climate-controlled tent and fully-renovated guest rooms, you have yourselves one of the prettiest wedding locales in all of Chicago. Plus, the Westin Chicago Northwest also offers up a plethora of indoor + outdoor venue options, customizable menus AND your very own wedding specialist.

What you can’t miss: Their 24-hour room service. (Enough said.)

SHERATON SAN DIEGO HOTEL & MARINA

Why we love it: You honestly can’t go wrong with a San Diego wedding, and the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is the epitome of a perfect SoCal soiree with a gorgeous seaside location and deluxe amenities. Now add in a stunning garden ceremony spot (with marina views) and indoor venue options that are just as cool and you have the perfect place to say “I do.”

What you can’t miss: The Culinary team. They’ve been named “Best Caterer” by San Diego Magazine for 15 years running. Yum.

THE EQUINOX, A LUXURY COLLECTION GOLF RESORT & SPA, VERMONT

Why we love it: You know we can never get enough of Vermont weddings and if you’re looking for the perfect destination spot: this is it. From their three unique venues (Pond Pavilion, Colonnade Ballroom and Meadow House) to the amazing views of the Equinox Mountain and the Taconic Mountain Ridge, The Equinox Resort has everything you’ll ever need for that dream wedding… AND can accommodate anywhere from 80 to 250 guests.

What you can’t miss: The activities. This four-season resort offers up a world of fun-filled adventures, from golfing to skiing to fishing to snowshoeing – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

THE ST. ANTHONY, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, SAN ANTONIO

Why we love it: Four words: Open-air rooftop ballroom. Yep, you can literally dance the night away under the stars. Plus, the St. Anthony has been hosting weddings for over a century, so you know you’re in good hands with their talented staff of event professionals. From their gorgeous rooms to their convenient downtown locale, you won’t be missing a thing.

What you can’t miss: The details. From crystal chandeliers to a winding staircase to theatrical lighting and a 19th Century French tapestry, get ready for some non-stop oohing and ahhing.

THE WESTIN GALLERIA & OAKS HOUSTON

Why we love it: If you’re having a celebration with a lot of out-of-town guests, you can’t pick a locale better than the Westin Galleria & Oaks Houston. Its Uptown location paired with its amazing guest amenities and reception space for up to 1,000 makes it the ideal location for those looking to explore the Galleria neighborhood of Houston. Think shopping, dining and spa-ing the days away. It’s perfect.

What you can’t miss: The Monarch Ballroom. With floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the city, this 24th floor gem is a reception dreamland.

Visit SPG Weddings to find out even more about these hidden gems AND all of the amazing perks of having an SPG Wedding. You can thank us later, friends.

Capturing the Spirit of Havana No Matter Where You Are

Highland Avenue invoked the color and essence of Havana for their recent party and you would swear it was all inspired by tile….really amazing balcony tile. It was a day to celebrate wedding industry greats and though it took place at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas it was nothing but Cuban vibes. Infused with the perfect tropical florals by Botanical No. 9, fun paper goods by Meldeen and Sophie Epton behind the camera, get inspired to throw your own Havana celebration no matter your local.

Adorned in gorgeous Romanesque Revival architecture, The Driskill Hotel is Austin’s oldest and most iconic hotel. Built in 1886, it has served as a welcoming haven for numerous past U. S. Presidents and historic events, and it continues to wow guests today. After two years of restorations to the hotel, the Driskill reached out to Highland Avenue Planning & Design to create an event to welcome Austin’s finest planners and industry friends back into the newly refreshed and gleaming space. Two beautiful balconies grace the hotel’s façade and serve as a welcome outdoor respite above the active streets of Austin below. The balcony tiles were one of the decorative touches updated during their recent renovations and they became the inspiration for the beautiful May luncheon. Lindsey Farrell from Highland Avenue took one look at the floors and knew they spoke perfectly to a modern Havana theme. The team at The Driskill agreed it was a great opportunity to showcase the historic hotel in a new and fresh light, and incorporating a colorful and tropical palate into the design would capture the environment perfectly. From Lindsey of Highland Avenue Events…The Driskill is such a special place and I was honored to bring their refreshed space to life for all to see! Prior to the event, we collaborated with Meldeen and Botanical No. 9 to create unique invitations that hinted to the theme with live tropical leaves and the hotel’s signature D applique. They were a festive touch that set the tone for the event. Once the day arrived, guests were greeted to the welcoming sounds of jazz as Big Night Quartet played through the historic halls. A modern take on the daiquiri was served from a custom bar graced with signage designed by Meldeen and draped in tropical blooms by Botanical no. 9. Festive bites of crispy plantains, jalapeno crab croquettes and watermelon mojito shooters were passed as guests roamed the revitalized space. Crisp tables of white, decked out with lush tropical greens and bright flowers welcomed guests onto the breezy balcony for lunch. Modern twisted ghost chairs and Havana styled china by Premiere Event Rentals set the stage for the summer-style three-course meal. My personal favorite touch of the day was the place setting. We knotted colorful napkins and folded them around the black, gold and white place settings as a nod to the scarves Cuban women often don in their hair. We used mini pineapples to add a thoughtful and festive touch and guests found their seats through sleek Spanish tiles beautifully created by Boarding School Collective.

This Is How You Combine Timeless Romance + Modern Minimalism

Hello, wedding inspiration after my very own heart! Jenna McElroy Photography and Bespoke Events, with the help of Clementine Botanical Art, set out to combine the old with the new. They chose Laguna Gloria, a stunning, Italian-style estate located in Austin, and romantic wedding gowns by Alexandra Grecco and Linyage for that timeless aesthetic, then layered in a modern and minimal tablescape, provided by 10th Collection. The result literally took my breath away, so I’ll leave you to get lost in this enchanting gallery.

From Jenna McElroy… For the design of this shoot, Lindsay and I wanted to combine the ideas of old with new. Laguna Gloria is a beautiful estate turned museum and wedding venue in the middle of Austin. It is an oasis on the lake. The Italian style villa was designed after the owner’s honeymoon to Lake Como. We wanted to combine this masterful Italian architectural design with a modern and minimal tablescape, all tied up with a hint of romance.

It was important for us to keep the table design simple and clean. The plates, cups, and modern candle tapers from 10th Collection were ideal for the aesthetic. Clementine stunned with a floral centerpiece that was the flawless addition of color and movement to our minimal design. The Linyage and Alexandra Grecco gowns from Unbridaled added romance and movement. The minimal ring designs by L Priori were simple yet stunning. The ring paired against the paper design by Lazywood Lane perfectly married our idea of minimalism and timelessness.

This inspiration shoot was a reminder that the timelessness of this beautiful architecture can be paired with the minimalism of today to create a gorgeous design of old and new that any Bride would find appealing for her wedding day.

This Bride Refused to Let a Little Rain Ruin Her Romantic Wedding Day!

You learn a lot during the wedding planning process and our favorite brides are the ones that share that first hand knowledge with other eager to learn ladies. Case in point: this blushing beauty who took a rainy forecast and turned it into a wonderful wedding adventure with the help of Heavenly Day Events. She crafted a letter to other brides who dread the raindrops and her words are wise – read on below and see the proof that rainy wedding days don’t mean dreary pics with The Mill Photography Studio’s gallery right this way!

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From Heavenly Day Events… Rain is one of the fastest ways to crush a bride’s spirit. Utter disappointment … the destruction of a vision that has been dreamed of and paid for penny by penny.

Though, as a seasoned planner, I’ve learned one thing: headspace can make or break the experience. Remaining positive is the best way to navigate those frustrating challenges.

Our couple got married in the Texas Hill Country and when rain clouds threatened their day, they made a choice. It was still going to be the best day ever, no matter the muddy dress and noodle hair. They handled things so well that I later asked the bride if she would write a letter to a future bride facing a rainy day and her words are words that all couples could benefit from hearing. It rained the entire day and seeing how beautiful images can be, despite the grim, is a testament to hiring a professional photographer that will go the extra mile.

Before jumping into her sweet letter, I think it’s also important to note that their positivity rubbed off on the vendors. We couldn’t have been more proud to serve them. The photographer was literally laying in a mud puddle to get these images. Everyone was soaking wet and pretty chilly but none of us cared. We just loved that they were having a good time.

Here is the letter.

Dear future rainy day bride,

You don’t know me – but we have a lot in common. We’re both Texans, 2017 brides, we’re both obviously super smart because we both hired Amber and now it sounds like you might get to join the rainy day bride club. I know you might be thinking that it’s not necessarily a club you want to be a part of right now. It’s not what you envisioned, everything is outside, you might be a little concerned people aren’t going to have fun, your dress may get dirty, your Jimmy Choos are going to sink in the MUD – the list goes on.

Just a few weeks ago, on March 4th – I was in your shoes and facing the same predicament. I was getting married at an all outdoor venue and months out (I may or may not have started looking January 4th) it was looking like rain on March 4th. I inquired in Farmer’s Almanacs, I enlisted my wedding party to do rain dances, I tried it all to get it to not rain on our big day but by Wednesday March 1st, it was time to face the music. It wasn’t just going to rain on my wedding day, it was going to POUR. Mother Nature and I simply just weren’t on the same page about how we envisioned March 4th.

Admittedly, I was really pouty about it. That was until that Friday before all of the festivities were about to begin. Chris (my now husband) sat me down in the car and insisted that I pout for the next 30 minutes but after those 30 minutes are up – it was time to move on. He reminded me of all the hard work I had poured into planning this day, that this was likely the only time in our lives when all of our friends and family would be in one location ready and eager to celebrate us, and that while this grand event that we had looked forward to for months hadn’t included rain in our heads, it was only seven hours of rain on our wedding day and according to everyone else, nothing but blue skies ahead for the rest of our lives. So that’s what I did. I sat, and I cried and when those 30 minutes were up, I moved on and decided to choose to be positive for the rest of the weekend. No matter what the weather was, at the end of the weekend, I’d be married to the man of my dreams – and that’s what this is really all about! You’re getting married!!

This week, as your big day approaches, I’d encourage you to do the same. It might sound a little silly – and Amber can be a great shoulder to cry on if you need – but just let it all out. Cry like a baby, pout about it and then leave it behind you and stay positive – because this is the day you’ve been waiting your whole girl life for! When March 4th rolled around it was pouring down rain but I was cool and calm as a cucumber. I knew I was in good hands with Amber and her team (btw, you’ll have to get her to tell you the time she handled a wedding in a tornado). All of the vendors totally picked up on my positive attitude and I really feel like they went above and beyond their already amazing selves to make my day the most wonderful.

Looking back, some of my best memories of that day revolve around the rain – and not to mention, my most favorite pictures. We’ve had friends come up to us for weeks saying that our wedding was the most fun they’ve been to in months and that they didn’t even notice the rain half of the time (that maaaay have been alcohol induced?).

Anyways, that’s my completely unsolicited advice, but it served me well and I was happy to provide it to another soon-to-be fellow rainy day bride. It’s a fun club a few other friends of mine are in as well… now we have a new found laughter about Alanis Morisette’s Ironic :)

And just remember at the end of the day, no matter how nervous or stressed, excited, overwhelmed and all of the other feelings you might be feeling right now, just remember that your very best friend is going to be on the other side of the altar just waiting for you and that’s all that matters anyway. Everyone is there to celebrate you guys – and they don’t mind getting a little wet!

PS.Try to take in EVERY single moment, it will be over before you know it!

Sincerely,

The Bride

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Choosing Traditional Over Trendy Totally Paid Off

For this Bride, her main wedding goal was to create a celebration that was timeless in its beauty. So anything trendy or that would seem out of place in her grandmother’s or mother’s wedding was out and with the help of Events by Sarah, the result is the most beautiful of ballroom affairs held at the Houston Country Club. From the Carolina Herrera princess gown to the beautifully draped reception, this wedding is all about elegant details and they shine through in the images by Amalie Orrange. See the full celebration right here.

My goal was to create a wedding ceremony and reception that felt timeless, elegant, and graceful. I had a tendency to chose traditional over trendy and classic over contemporary, but all the while ensuring that pops of our personality shown through to make our decor unique. The trick I used to make a decision if I was unsure about a decor item was “Would this have been out of place at my mother’s wedding? How about at my grandmother’s wedding?”. Perhaps that seems to simplistic, but if I didn’t think it stood the test of time, I didn’t want to incorporate it into our special day!

When you walked in you first saw a beautiful willow arch with orchids draping from it as though they were growing. It was a WOW piece that felt classic and beautiful, but was also unique. Our family fell in love with orchids when we lived in Singapore, and it was fun to incorporate the flower into the wedding in a way that made the florals more personal.

Our wedding crest was another important aspect of our design. We had a crest custom water colored for us and we are so glad that we did. It was a beautiful yet simple way to customize items like menus, place cards, and cocktail napkins and tied our decor items together well.

I also adored the fact that I tried to utilize my talented friends and family members in ways that I could. My bridesmaid Bess Garison put together a stunning water color map of Houston for our out of town guests, and my new sister-in-law and bridesmaid Laurel made our caligraphied escort cards and place cards.

I should also note that one of my favorite aspects of planning the wedding was seating all of my guests to the place (I do admit that this can be the most frustrating!). When you do this, you are committing to spending a lot of time really thinking about the guests that you have coming and considering who they may enjoy meeting and spending time with at your wedding. I found that my guests appreciated this attention to detail more than I thought they would, and I keep getting notes about how many new friendships were formed at our wedding. As an added bonus, I really felt like I knew who was in the room and knew generally where I could find our guests so that I could greet them.

We spent time putting together a memory table with photos of our parents’ and grandparents’ weddings on both Jordan and my side. This was a very sweet touch and brought back many happy memories for everyone.

I wish I could say the entire day. But I think my favorite moment was saying our vows to each other. Jordan and I spent a long time writing our own vows. We used the traditional vows as our template, and line by line we wrote down exactly what these traditional christian vows meant to us in our own words. The results were vows that were extremely personal, but also reverent and meaningful. Looking into Jordan’s eyes as he said his vows, and as I returned mine, is a sight I am sure I will never forget.

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Nate Puhr

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Pops of Color Make This Garden Party Wedding

This Bride originally thought she wanted a neutral palette for her spring wedding in Houston – that is, until she saw a photo of a romantic and colorful bouquet that completely changed her vision! We are so glad she entrusted F. Dellit Designs with the task of incorporating pops of color into her gray-toned wedding, because the final look captured by Courtney Leigh Photography couldn’t be more perfect for this garden wedding.

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From the Bride… When Andrew and I started to dream about our wedding, we didn’t know the specifics, we just knew that we wanted something that reflected us well. One of our favorite things is to gather with our friends and family, preferably somewhere outside, and just hangout and share good food together. We like to host people. So for our wedding, an outdoor celebration with all of our friends and family gathered together was the true foundation of what we wanted. Throw in some of our favorite foods, great music, and string lights, and you’ve got our perfect party.

Once we found the River Oaks Garden Club, everything else fell into place nicely. The garden club is a gem in the middle of the city and made the perfect backdrop. It was filled with green and trees, so we didn’t need many decorations, which was great because we wanted to keep our wedding simple and filled with natural beauty. Our colors were classic, natural, and again simple. We both love the color gray, and gray Bridesmaids’ dresses and table cloths seemed like a nice complement to the gardens as well as to the guy’s black tuxedos.

The flowers were inspired by a photo I had seen of a brightly colored bouquet of loose flowers. I fell in love with it and went from wanting neutral colored flowers to bright pinks, oranges, and yellows with ivory and greenery accents. Our florist, Fawn of F. Dellit Designs, did an amazing job of bringing that inspiration to life. We loved our flowers and loved the pop of color around the gardens – they were perfect for spring time.

With an April wedding in Houston, there was a good chance it could rain, but that Saturday we got so lucky with amazing weather. Not only did it not rain, but it was a perfectly blue skied evening with cooler temperatures and even a breeze! That is a big deal in Houston!

The most meaningful moments of that day are the many times I would look around and see all of the people we love most gathered together to celebrate with us. I loved exchanging our vows beneath the trees with them, sitting at long tables with them, and dancing to a killer band beneath string lights with them. I would look at all of this happening and then look back at Andrew and know that everything was just right. And now I’m carrying those sweet wedding day memories with me and looking at him still thinking the same thing.

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Inspired by Jewel Tones and the Most Beautiful Personalized Details

Infused with the most gorgeous jewel tones, watercolor and a pop of gold, this Texas celebration crafted by Two Be Wed is the perfect combination of beautiful design and sentimental details. From heirloom family jewelry to show-stopping floral installations by Blush and Vine and the sweetest gifts between the Bride and Groom, see how this wedding captured by Dana Fernandez really let the couple’s personality shine through.

From photographers (Dana and Josh) and Ashley Joseph (Two Be Wed)… I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this couple and their wedding! Betsy and Joel are definitely one of a kind! When we first met Betsy, we were one of the first vendors she booked besides her venue so she was still looking for the majority of her vendors. Almost everyone we suggested (which was based on a previous styled shoot we did that she loved), she ended up booking. She viewed every vendor as very talented and let each of us interpret her style board from Two Be Wed with our own take because she thought that we each could come up with the most creative ideas when there were minimal requirements involved. To say the least, each vendors’ end product was unique and beyond beautiful.

Betsy’s inspiration for the day were rich fall colors with pops of gold. She absolutely loved watercolor, calligraphy and florals. Also, Betsy and Joel are very sentimental and wanted their personalities to be shared with each guests as well as what they wore and gave each other on their wedding day. Betsy wore a custom engraved gold cuff with their wedding date as well as heirloom pieces from her grandmother (rings and bracelet). In addition to these, she had pictures of her family that had passed, each individually framed in small frames that were tied to her bouquet. Joel created custom patterned ties for himself and his groomsmen with his being extra special with their wedding date sewn into to the back of the tie. As for their gifts to each other, they each secretly consulted with Nib and Pixel to create a unique gift with their vows to each other incorporated. Since Joel loves cigars, she had her vows custom written and engraved on the lid of a humidor. Along side some cigars for Joel to enjoy on the wedding day, she had custom labels wrapped around cigars for Joel for major milestones of their life (wedding day, first home, first child, anniversaries, etc). Joel’s present to Betsy was a custom hand drawn 4 foot banner with a space to thread a rod so it can hang in their new home together.

Since they had a lot of out of town guests, each one received a welcome bag with information about Texas and was filled with all of their favorite snacks and goodies. In addition to each guest having their name laser cut for their escort card at their seat, they each were given a “midnight snack” box with Topo Chico (Betsy’s favorite), Coke and their favorite popcorn.

As for the reception, since both Betsy and Joel do not drink alcohol, they had a custom coffee bar set-up and had not only 1 but 3 total cakes. One of my favorite surprises was the gift that Betsy’s father gave Joel. When Betsy was a child, her father gifted her a heart necklace and at the reception, her father gave Joel the matching key, which he had been saving for Betsy’s future husband.

Overall, Betsy and Joel and their families are some of the best around and the amazing custom details was the icing on top for one of our favorite weddings to date!

A Modern Wedding Featuring Pantone’s Color of the Year

You may have heard Pantone’s big announcement that greenery is officially the color “it” of 2017 and we’re seeing it in weddings all across the board. Longtime sweethearts, Lillian and Alex translated the trend for their modern Texas nuptials with lush garden greens in every detail, including mismatched ‘maids in every varied shade. Get inspired by the photos from Honey Gem Creative and don’t miss the couple’s al fresco rehearsal dinner tucked inside the gallery.

Lillian and Alex have known each other since elementary school, were best friends in high school, and started dating after college! This is a real life fairytale and it totally melts my heart! Their love is so genuine and sincere and it radiated on their wedding day. The wedding was designed by the bride and her talented wedding planner Camille Ross, who went with the theme of greenery. The bridesmaids wore varying emerald green gowns to compliment the look of the wedding.

Guests were greeted with a glass of champagne topped with a raspberry where they mingled and made their way to the ceremony location at the ever-gorgeous Prospect House. Post-ceremony, guests enjoyed a mix of barbecue and Tex-Mex (the perfect Austin tradition) from Valentina’s catering and danced the night away to a playlist of greatest hits selected by the groom- a big time music buff! The groom also provided all of the printed materials for the wedding and rehearsal dinner including menus, cups, napkins, bar signage, save the dates and the invitation itself.

The theme of greenery was seen throughout the wedding with cactus placed throughout the entire venue, as well as greenery garlands on the tablescapes, greenery topped wedding cake and cup cakes with hand-piped buttercream succulents. The team created a greenery wall with ferns that made for a great backdrop for the photo booth later on in the evening.

A special touch to their wedding was the groom’s handkerchief embroidered with the letters of his late sister, so she could be with them throughout the wedding. The bride also had the same sewn into her dress which added the perfect sentimental touch to their special day.

This Bride Proves You CAN Throw an Aspen Wedding on a Budget

If you’re about to tackle planning your Aspen wedding, but are unsure it can be done on a budget, take it from this beautiful bride… it most definitely can. Yep, with the right team of vendors and an eye for DIY design, she crafted one seriously stunning celebration – and proved that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have that Aspen dream day you’ve always wanted. Scroll to soak it all in.

The first step to planning that gorgeous Aspen wedding on a budget? Finding the right team of vendors to help you make it all happen. And with ASC Catering, you’ve most definitely found your match. A talented team of chefs + event managers, they have yummy meals down to an absolute science. From farm to table buffets to five-course dinners to certified kosher catering, they’ll take that vision dancing in your head and make it an absolute reality… and all with organic and sustainable local produce. Not to mention their six on-mountain venues at Aspen Snowmass, aka, a list of locales that will totally make your celebration. Now add in some DIY details and breathtaking views and you have yourself the wedding of the century… and for far less than you think.

If you’re ready to tackle planning that Aspen wedding without breaking the bank, contact ASC catering to talk menu and venue options today. Trust us, they’re the team of wedding professionals you definitely want in your corner, because, well… they’re amazing.

Photography: Tiffany Cook Photography | Ceremony Venue: Aspen Snowmass Weddings | Reception Venue: Aspen Snowmass Weddings | Catering: ASC Catering

Our New Favorite Idea for Styled Bridal Portraits

We’re all about backdrops when it comes to weddings—whether it’s a breathtaking view, a fresh flower wall or meaningful words. But today’s simple, yet stunning hand-painted canvas in this shoot crafted by Ben Q. Photography and CHRYSQ handcrafted might just be my new favorite. It’s the perfect scene for neutrals and golden yellows to take center stage. Soak in all the elegance here in the full gallery, and if you decide to try this backdrop for your Big Day, we’d love to see!

From Ben Q. Photography and CHRYSQ handcrafted… An aesthetic we’ve always really loved is the use of a monotone color palette. It started with a canvas cloth Ben hand painted. We really love the texture and neutral color tone. Using that as an inspiration, Taylor with Something Pretty Floral created the most gorgeous floral arrangements using soft colors and lush greenery. Kristin Mullen helped source a gorgeous gown from Stanley Korshak and style our decor including a custom invite suite from Pink Champagne Paper, a golden-toned cake from Amuse Bake Shop and rentals from Bella Acento. Anastasia Strattan provided makeup and created a gorgeously tousled, loose braid hairstyle for our model.

This Summery Texas Wedding Knew What Mattered Most

This couple, who have been friends since junior high, knew exactly what mattered most for their wedding weekend. First, they chose a special venue, Perkins Chapel, where the Bride’s parents married 27 years prior. Second, they asked one of their close childhood friend to officiate the ceremony. Finally, they wanted the reception to be enjoyable for their guests, many of whom had traveled all the way from Taiwan and Argentina for this weekend. Stephanie Brazzle Photography was behind the lens during this pretty and summery nuptials, so head on over to the Vault to see the rest of the photos!

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Whimsical

From the Bride… Josh and I have been friends since junior high, and I always knew our wedding day would be special because we have shared so many experiences with our mutual friends and family members over the years. When planning our wedding, we weren’t too keen on sticking to a theme. However, we knew a few details would make the day truly memorable – getting married in Perkins Chapel like my parents did 27 years ago, having one of our close childhood friends officiate the ceremony, and making the reception one that would be worth the many hours our guests that had traveled from Taiwan and Argentina.

Since both of our venues (Perkins Chapel and The Room on Main) had a very classic and airy feel to them, I wanted our color scheme and decor to reflect the season and my love for all things summer. Shades of pink and peach popped in our vibrant green florals, and aqua and cobalt were picked up in our Jenny Yoo Bridesmaids’ gowns and the ginger jars that adorned our tables.

While our vendors did a wonderful job of making everything a total vision, I have to say our biggest joy was simply the experience. No detail went unnoticed, and we were able to breathe and enjoy every second of the day we had waited so long for! All of the moments I will forever remember are a perfect reflection of the things we enjoy as a couple. From my giddy grandmother sharing her wonderful jewelry collection with me as I got ready, to Josh being able to relax with his friends and uncles at the Hotel Lumen pool before the wedding, to being able to laugh with my friends as we were pampered by our amazing hair and makeup artists. It truly was the happiest day ever. Both Josh and I agree that there was no better feeling than watching all of our friends and family members break it down on the dance floor, many with silly glow in the dark accessories on their heads and Steel City Pops in hand.

Our summer celebration was everything I could have ever wished for – our favorite people together in one place, enjoying good music and laughing as we started our new life together.

A Life Size Crest Is the New Wedding Arch

Dionne of Nib and Pixel dreamed up this “Love Is Alive” themed wedding inspiration based off of her most popular request for wedding invitation suites – floral laden crests. To pull it off, she brought in a rock star team of vendors – including Dana Fernandez Photography, Kelly Doonan Events, and Hey Lovely Makeup – who helped her create a life size crest, the perfect ceremony arch alternative or way to frame the Bride and Groom in photos. The gorgeous ideas didn’t stop there; she also created and invitation suite using actual flowers. Run, don’t walk, to this incredible gallery.

From Dionne of Nib and Pixel… As a wedding invitation designer, I have been seeing that crests and monograms are really popular with today’s couples, and I had an idea to bring those wedding crests to life – literally. I knew I couldn’t do it on my own, so the first person I turned to was my friend Dana of Dana Fernandez Photography, who is not only a talented photographer, but also always has creative ideas, so I knew she’d be able to help bring my ideas to fruition.

There were three main ideas that I had for this “Love Is Alive” themed shoot, and it all began with a large, life-sized wooden crest laced with flowers (just like the wedding crests I’ve been designing for my invitation clients). I wanted something that would make a statement backdrop to frame the wedding couple.

The next component was having live-flower invitation suite. Normally I paint flowers around crests on invitations, but for this one, I wanted real flowers to play on that “alive” concept. So together with the amazing Maggie of Bramble and Bee, Dana and I assembled live flowers over a crest outline I created and then Dana shot it so that I could then incorporate that into the invitation design.

The third concept came during watching Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (not your usual wedding inspiration source, ha!). During the dinner scene of the movie, I was completely focused on the flower pattern flat lay, lining the center of the table. I knew I wanted a romantic, modern update of that, and that Bramble and Bee alongside Kelly from Sparkle & Shine Events would make it even better.

The rest of our amazing team fell into place with cake artist Lisa from Maple and Love, who totally ran with the “Love Is Alive” theme. She incorporated fresh fruit and even used real leaves from a lime tree to bring it all together! Post Studio Houston, who manufactured our amazing wooden crest, did an amazing job, and I loved the fact that only a minimal amount of florals were needed since the crest was so ornate on its own! To tie everything together, Hey Lovely Makeup did a fresh bridal look that perfectly completed the Noel and Jean two-piece gown from Unbridaled alongside the unique emerald engagement ring by Trumpet & Horn.

I couldn’t have asked for a better team and I think everything came together perfectly! I hope some of these elements will start to show up in the spring 2018 wedding season!

Cheerful Summertime Wedding Layered with Every Shade of Pink

If you’ve ever gotten sucked into the YouTube blackhole of Dude Perfect, you know that today’s groom, Cory Cotton, is well known for pulling off some seriously cool tricks. But today, our oohs and ahhs are reserved for his I do’s—to this stunning Bride. Their day, planned by Lindsey Brunk and captured by Lauren Peele, is woven with every shade of pink, done oh-so-right. Not to mention, the sweetest smiles. More right this way!

From Lauren Peele… Cory Cotton, who you may recognize from Dude Perfect, and his now bride Amy were wed this summer with their close friends and family in attendance. Their wedding was light, cheerful, and of course fun-which is to be expected considering the groom is a Dude Perfect dude. Not a detail was missed with Lindsey Brunk styling and planning-from the stunning florals by The Southern Table to the adorable popsicles served by Steel City Pops, everything was perfection. Most importantly the wedding reflected Cory and Amy, and their love for their friends and family.

Groom Serenades Bride in this Fort Worth Fete

Does it get any more romantic than writing your own vows? Why yes, yes it does lovelies. Just grab a guitar and a mic and sing those sweet vows from your heart—like these two beauties did. OK, how freaking cute are they?! Their entire day captured by Feather & Twine deserves a bow, but that vow story? That’s where the love is at my friends.

From the Wedding Planner and Event Designer, Lindsey Zamora… I met Victoria four years ago when designing for a photography workshop she attended. We had kept in touch via social media and I was thrilled when she reached out about her own wedding! It was very clear early on that Victoria and Will wanted a wedding that was intimate and filled with their closest friends. The design included a color palette of varying tones of lavender, farm tables with loose vines mixed with low, lush centerpieces and an abundance of soft candlelight. Will serenaded Victoria as she was escorted down the aisle by her mother and father. Surrounded by a semicircle of wildflowers, they sang their vows to each other. Guests congratulated the newlywed couple by showering them in rose petals. During the reception, guests were served corn bread red pepper roasted chicken, macaroni and cheese and roasted root vegetables. The dinner was filled with laughter and tears from the heartfelt toasts by the best man and maids of honor. Lastly, loads of dancing and photo booth snapping continued throughout the evening.

Spring Lakeside Wedding With The Prettiest Shades of Blue

You might think the panic of an impending tornado would be enough to make a bride lose her cool – but not Kayla. She and her husband-to-be, Joe went with the flow and luck was certainly on their side. They enjoyed a wedding right at the perfect golden hour with their dearest ones along to celebrate. See how it all unfolded with captures from Brittany Jean Photography.

From Brittany Jean Photography… You would never know that Kayla and Joe’s wedding day was welcomed by a tornado warning – Kayla was so at peace with the fact that by the end of this day, she would have her sweet husband by her side, so the weather didn’t shake her one bit! Thankfully, the bad weather moved through town more quickly than anticipated and as they shared their first kiss, the clouds parted and brought us an incredibly gorgeous golden hour!

This was my first time back at Vintage Villas since their recent renovation and I have to say, they completely blew me away! I love the openness the space has now – better than I could have ever imagined. Kayla and Joe love being on the water – they got engaged on a boat! It was only natural that they promised each other forever with beautiful views of the lake. I cannot begin to count how many times I saw Joe staring at his beautiful bride in complete adoration all day. You can see it in the way he holds her, looks at her, and kisses her with so much intention, that she is the most incredible woman he’s ever laid eyes on.

When You Say I Do in Front of the Dallas Skyline

While this architect-turned-bride admitted that wedding planning was one of the tallest tasks she’s ever taken on, I think we can all agree the payoff was pretty major. Luckily she brought on some of the best pros in the business, including Keestone Events to make sure the day went off without a hitch, and Bethany Erin captured the couple – not to mention the Dallas skyline and that Sugar Bee Sweets cake – to absolute perfection. Get your glam roof party wedding fix with even more in the gallery!

Words from the bride… Wedding planning was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. I’m an architect — I’m used to working diligently to make intensely detailed projects come together as flawlessly as possible…so I thought planning a wedding would be a piece of cake. I was wrong. Planning and coordinating this one single day of events were quite possibly more complex and time-consuming than many of my past architecture projects! I was never that girl who knew since she was a kid what my wedding was going to look like, so I felt like I was pretty much starting with an empty canvas. However, when I got engaged, I did know I wanted an outdoor wedding with Southern charm in a historic architecture setting. Christopher and I originally planned to have our wedding in Charleston, SC. But a destination wedding in the second-most popular place to get married in America deemed near impossible within the coming year. Because we had been together for five years already, we were eager to seal the deal, and we soon decided to have the wedding in our hometown, Dallas, TX, instead.

At this point, four months into our engagement, I felt like I had to start all over with wedding planning. Which Dallas venue would provide that charming and historic southern feeling I envisioned? After lots of online searching, I stumbled across photos of the Venue at 400 North Ervay. It seemed to have everything I was looking for, and on top of that, the rooftop terrace had a bonus wow factor–I couldn’t wait to see the expressions on the guests’ faces when they walked off the elevator. This was it! Once we nailed down the Venue and wedding date, the rest of the planning seemed to fall into place. Planning a wedding is like running a marathon; you’ll become overwhelmed if you think about the 70,000 steps it’s going to take to complete it. Instead, you have to take it step by step knowing that, with time, you’ll eventually get to the finish line. I spent many nights staying up after work to find the right local vendors who, all together, would be able to help complete the look and ambiance I was going for. In the end, I lucked out with just about all of the vendors too, which, I hear, isn’t always the case.

Wedding planning seemed to be going well and time was flying; next thing I knew, I checked the calendar and noticed that we were just within the 15-day forecast window of April 1st. Little did I know, the next 15 days of my life would be the most stressful there ever were. Rain. Rain. Rain. For two weeks straight, the forecast for my wedding day was rain. I had always envisioned a beautiful outdoor wedding and now I was having to re-imagine it indoors. What about the party on the rooftop terrace? My biggest advice to any bride out there is to make sure that if you want an outdoor wedding, your Plan B will make you just as happy as your Plan An outdoor setting – otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for a potentially huge disappointment.

It was the day before my wedding, and I woke up to check the weather like a kid on Christmas morning. I still had hope. At this point, we were in the 48-hour window which allowed me to check the forecast hourly through the weekend. I thought I must have been a good kid this year because Santa had brought me “partly cloudy with a lesser chance of rain,” and I can tell you that’s the best gift I’ve ever received from Santa. Now with hope in the forecast, I was able to enjoy what turned out to be a pretty flawless wedding weekend. All the hard work was done, and I could now sit back and enjoy the best weekend of my life. I didn’t sleep much the night before the wedding; I remember the sun coming up and being so excited to get the day started. I enjoyed every minute getting ready at the Stoneleigh with my bridesmaids and my mom. We moved over to the Venue, and the ceremony was to begin at 4 pm. I’ll never forget the feeling of waiting behind the door with my bridesmaids and my dad before walking in down aisle. I heard the music I selected to have to play before and during the ceremony, and immediately it hit me, “This is really happening! I’m finally going to get to marry the man I’ve wanted to marry for years!” When the door opened and all the people there to support us on our special day stood up as my dad and I walked down the aisle, I had the most amazing and overwhelming feeling of excitement and happiness run through me. At the end of the aisle stood Christopher with a big smile and a bit of shock on his face. All the joyful feelings at that moment made all the time and stress of planning the day worth every minute.

Our entrance at the reception was another unforgettable moment. I was finally going to be able to (and very lucky to be able to) see the reception as I had envisioned it for the past six months–and it was more beautiful than I had ever expected. When the elevator doors opened, Christopher and I got to experience the wow factor of the rooftop. We were greeted by all the guests and, most importantly, our parents. One of my favorite moments of my night was getting to see all four of them, hug them, and thank them for helping this dream of a day come true. The rest of the evening flew by, and I’m so glad I have amazing photos and video footage so I can continue to relive the day now and in the future. And…the rain held off until AFTER the party on the roof top was over. I guess the only ones who were April fooled that day were us – by the weather! April 1st, 2017, will surely be a day we never forget.

Unleash Your Inner Festival Girl With This Boho Wedding

This elegant, bohemian wedding is equal parts Tex Mex and California with signature festival style details and Southwestern accents. Strawberry Milk Events created the perfect, laid-back luxe atmosphere with the magnificent ceremony arch, dreamy floral crowns, tipi lounge, and neutral tablescapes. 31 Films and Koby Brown Photography captured the day, and we have it all waiting for you right here.

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From Julie of Strawberry Milk Events… The theme was “bohemian luxe,” and I nicknamed it our “bohemian rhapsody wedding.” Regan wanted it to be beautiful, but also feel laid back, intimate, and unpretentiously elegant. We wanted to marry the Tex Mex ranch vibe (The Inn is a luxury Relais and Chateaux property on 300 acres of Texas countryside) with the spirit of “California Dreaming.” We created a twist on the typical boho vibe by using mostly neutrals and a white on white scheme, creating interest by layering textures, with minimal pops of lavender, gray, and peach. We also channeled a bit of a Coachella vibe with the tipi lounge in addition to boho accents. Regan wanted it to feel like a weekend full of multiple celebrations where partying all night was not out of the question.

From the Bride… We wanted a sunset ceremony, so we did our first look photos in the afternoon while our guests were back at their hotels getting ready. I’m so glad we did – it gave us a moment to really take a deep breath and appreciate this experience together in a way that I think we wouldn’t have if we had waited to see each other at the aisle. We were shuttled separately to a beautiful, treelined driveway at The Inn, with old oak trees hanging over either side. When I arrived, Colin was facing away from me, waiting for me to turn him around. That first moment together was awesome – I think it helped calm us both down and made it all sink in. Our photographers, Koby and Elizabeth of Koby Brown Photography, were so great about capturing the candid moments and not making us feel awkward or stiff. We walked around that area and hung out with Jorah the horse before meeting up with our bridal party near the ceremony site for some group shots.

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A Fresh Take on Pastels in Texas Hill Country

When Amanda and Oma set out to plan their fall wedding at Ma Maison, they knew an ultra romantic day dressed up in mint and pink pastels was priority #1. They layered in beautiful draping, loads of charming details, and the result is rustic romance mastered to perfection. Scroll on for all the captures from Jen Dillender Photography with even more this way.

From Karen of Ma Maison… Amanda and Oma had met through mutual friends who set the two up for dinner. Amanda and Oma hit it off then and there and were inseparable ever since. After dating two years, the couple built a home together and got married a short time after.

Looking for a romantic style, Amanda and Oma chose mint green, light gray, creams, and blush for their wedding color palette. Complimenting their theme, they chose Ma Maison as their ceremony and reception venue in the gorgeous hill country to complete their wedding vision.

Inspired by the soft tones, draping was brought in to accent the French inspired wedding venue outside on the covered trellis for cocktail hour as well as inside the reception space.

180 of Amanda and Oma’s closest friends and family members gathered at The Grove Ceremony site at Ma Maison. The Grove’s arch was covered in greenery and draping to soften the exposed brick. All eight of Amanda’s bridesmaids wore long chiffon aqua dress while Oma wore a charcoal gray suit with aqua tie, the five groomsmen wore light gray suits with aqua ties as well.

Once the wedding party walked down the aisle, the Grove doors closed. As Amanda and her father walked down the pathway, the doors opened for a grand reveal of the bride walking down the aisle. Amanda wore a long lace weddings dress. The two incorporated a sand ceremony in their ceremony. Once the two said their “I Do’s” they walked to Ma Maison’s bell tower and rang in their marriage with the 100-year-old church bell.

During cocktail hour, passed appetizers of thyme and parmesan stuffed mushrooms, savory bread pudding with roast chicken and pumpkin butter, with whipped ricotta crostini with truffle honey and pecans were offered to guests. Stemless wine glasses were available for each guest to write their name on their glass and served as their wedding favor. A custom photo booth with a chalkboard backdrop was open for guests to snap a photo and place it in the guestbook to help Amanda and Oma remember their special day.

As the Great Hall opened for the reception, guests looked at the custom glass door to find their table assignment. Guests were greeted with sail draping along the vaulted ceiling beams and large lush arrangements. Farm tables were used as the head table, placed down the middle of the room. Rounds were placed around the head table. Dinner was a buffet style that included a farmer’s market salad, stout braised short ribs with truffle mash potatoes, orecchiette pasta with braised chicken, crimini mushrooms and parmesan, broccolini with almonds and brown butter, whole roasted heirloom carrots with carrot top pesto.

Once dinner had finished, Amanda’s brother, the maid of honor, and the best man all made their toasts which were followed by cake cutting. Amanda then had her father daughter dance and also danced with her stepfather to the song “My Wish”. Oma danced with his mother to the song “Forever Young”. The dance floor was then opened and the DJ got the crowd going! A smores bar was set near the fire pit and guests made their own dessert smores. The night came to an end with a grand sparkler exit with the couple running through the tunnel of sparklers. The new Mr. and Mrs. Dawn left in a vintage car to the island of Mauritius for their honeymoon.

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Look No Further for Southern Bridal Portrait Inspiration

Look no further if you needed a little inspo for your bridal portraits! Tammy’s Table and a team of excellent vendors put together this pretty, southern shoot, showing different ways you can incorporate meaningful elements from your wedding or pretty props into your session. From statement jewelry and lacey shoes to a romantic tablescape and three delightful cakes, Kaley Elaine Photography captured each beautiful vignette. The options are endless, so get more bridal session inspiration, right this way…

From Tammy’s Table… Your wedding dress is delicate, graceful, and an intimate part of your personality that will be showcased on your upcoming celebration; and if there is ever a garment that should be remembered along with your Bride-to-be smile, it’s your wedding dress!

“What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” — Aaron Siskind

I couldn’t agree more, and it is one of the main reasons I encourage Brides to take traditional bridal portraits. I remember trying on my wedding dress and falling in love with the way it was going to be bustled as I strolled among all our friends and family. Quaint details such as these should be captured, but they may get lost with all the bubbly commotion of the wedding day. Having a day dedicated to you and your dress will ensure those sentiments are remembered forever. The extravagant train on this BHLDN gown is an unforgettable detail for the wedding dream books!

Bridal portraits don’t solely have to be about the dress. I encourage Brides to implement other wedding day influences such as their ring, sweet treats, invitations, and inspired décor as well! This blue topaz diamond ring from Brian Gavin is so unique and undoubtedly a highlight that expresses the individuality of a special Bride!

Another way to express your distinctive bridal persona is through a custom invitation. I absolutely love this invitation set created by In Loft Calligraphy! The details are phenomenal and very well executed, right down to the gold doors inspired by The Folmar’s one-of-a-kind rustic chapel. Capturing this detail is certainly a great way to achieve a swanky bridal portrait session.

To make your session even sweeter, incorporating consider simplistic and chic wedding cakes as a fun prop! Similar to the saccharine textures of the BHLDN gown, these textured white wedding cakes from Dolce Designs brought out the southern and sugary side of the shoot.

An alternate focal point to add to your bridal session is a stunning table setting! This setting was inspired by the classic countryside ambiance that radiates as you arrive at The Folmar. The entire event space brings on a beautiful stillness that makes you stop and take in the natural splendor around you. I wanted to keep that same sense of calmness with this tablescape, applying soft creams, pastel blues, and supple pinks. E-Johnston Designs did a wonderful job executing the vision with angelic blooms. The white chiffon table runner mirrored the train on this wedding gown to perfection and brought this bridal portrait session full circle.

Overall, bridal portraits are about capturing the monumental moment in time before you take the first steps into your new forever. However you decide to do them, make these photos uniquely geared towards the things that you never want to forget about your upcoming big day!

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Bringing Show-Stopping Fashion to an Elegant Texas Garden

To celebrate their anniversary, this couple decided to return to their old stomping grounds of Houston for a glamorous garden shoot infused with fashion. From a dapper suit to a show-stopping black and white gown, see how they bring major style to an elegant Texas garden with keepsake photos by Marsais Photographie.

From the Photographer… Lanvin and Jason wanted to celebrate their anniversary with a well styled photoshoot together at an adorable venue in Houston where they used to live. Having a beautiful and unique eye for fashion, Lanvin handpicked special items for them each to wear and planned details that meant something to them and that overall pulled at her heart strings. This session was not only filled with beautiful things but more importantly a beautiful love story of a young couple who fell in love and chose to celebrate their union with a well throughout and perfectly styled anniversary celebration.

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