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Beautiful Weddings at Morada Bay

Seaside weddings make my heart happy.  And a seaside wedding at Morada Bay?  Well, that’s an entirely new level of joy.  Think a breathtaking bayside setting, a talented team of wedding experts and a never-ending lineup of fabulous resources that will turn that dream day into an absolute reality.  We are sooo on board.

From their stunning locale in the heart of Islamorada to their staff that knows everything there is to know about throwing a fabulous party, Morada Bay’s fabulous accommodations and sparkling beaches were simply made for marrying.  Which means that whether you’re planning a small, intimate affair with just your nearest and dearest or a grander event with 200 special someones, Morada Bay has JUST what you are looking for… and all overlooking those pristine beaches and glistening waters the Florida Keys are known for.

Contact Morada Bay TODAY to begin planning your unforgettable wedding.  We CAN’T WAIT to see the results.

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Photography (Top to Botton): Maxime Photo & Video (Photos 1,3,6) + Pierre’s (Photo 2) + Jannette De Llanos Photography (Photo 4)

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An Engagement Story That Proves Timing Is Everything

Emmie and Todd’s love story is proof that timing is everything. For even though these two shared mutual friends, a mutual schedule, and  performed in the same show (!!) it wasn’t until an ordinary night out in Orlando that these two were finally introduced. Soon thereafter they were long distance, dated all over the country, and became engaged and Tracy Enoch captured it all to share in The Vault!

From Tracy EnochAgainst all odds, the way Emmie and Todd met proves that timing is everything! Without realizing or even knowing one another, despite their mutual ties and even performing in the same show, it took both Todd and Emmie being on the complete opposite side of the US to meet. In April 2014, Todd was acting as a band road manager for a musical act that was touring all over the states. Emmie was into her fourth year working in entertainment at Walt Disney World. Todd’s tour took him to Orlando for the week, and through friends, wound up meeting Emmie. It didn’t take long for them to realize how much they had in common, and how it was hard to believe that they hadn’t meet before. After spending time together that one week in Orlando, Emmie was sure Todd would be on to the next city, possibly never to be seen again. Luckily, the two realized they had something special, and began going on dates in many different states! They took turns flying back and forth to see each other and committed to a long distance relationship for a year and a half. Todd, now back in his hometown of Las Vegas, proposed to Emmie on December 3, 2015. He surprised her by taking her to Lake Las Vegas, where a suite with a candlelit pathway covered in rose petals, surrounded by twinkle lights. led to a storybook poem. After reading it aloud, Emmie turned around to find Todd on his knee. To top things off, Todd had arranged for her entire family (and his) to be their to congratulate the newly engaged couple! They plan to be wed in Dallas in April 2017.

Photography: Tracy Enoch Photography | Hair + Makeup: Terry Snyder | Venue: Dallas Texas | Blue + White Dress: For Love And Lemons | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Floral Crown: Everly Alaine Florals | Pink + Black Chiffon Dress: Sherri Hill

Head Back to Summer Camp with this Rustic Texas Wedding

This Texas wedding is making me long for summer. With a bright color scheme and exuberant details, Brandi Hines Events + Design created a wedding with the same joy and happiness as a great day at summer camp (the fun Silvercloud Events Co. didn’t hurt either!). Experience all the fun for yourself, thanks to Anne Marie Photography and The Bird And The Bear, in The Vault!

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From The Bride…Looking back on our wedding day it’s hard to pick a word to describe the day other than joy. We both felt so much joy that the day had FINALLY come after dating for just shy of six years. We both had never-ending smiles all day, truly enjoying our time with all of our friends and family.

Jon and I met our freshman year at Texas A&M University while we were out dancing with friends. We dated all throughout college, so our wedding was a huge reunion for our wedding party and guests, many of home had known each other since we met. Being true Aggies, we played the Aggie War Hymn during our reception and even sang a cappella when the DJ’s music stopped mid-song by accident. Jon proposed while we were on a camping trip in Colorado, so having our ceremony and reception outside somewhere beautiful just made sense to us. Once we saw Camp Comfort we knew that we had found our venue.

The venue…Camp Comfort is a bed and breakfast is located in Comfort, Texas (how cute of a name is that?) nestled in the Hill Country and the perfect mix of rustic, modern, and eclectic. Having our wedding at a B&B also meant that we could stay there with our wedding party both the night before and night of the wedding, which really added to the fun of the weekend. Our time hanging out around the fire pit with our groomsmen and bridesmaids after our rehearsal dinner was one of our favorite memories from the weekend.

The location…We’re both Texans, born and raised, so we loved getting married in a tiny Texas town. Most of our family members arrived in Comfort on Friday for an all-ladies bridal luncheon hosted by my aunts (a tradition in my family). We had our rehearsal dinner at a pizza place just down the street from the venue called Comfort Pizza. Everything is within walking distance in Comfort, so the weekend was laid back and all about spending time with our friends and family who had come in from all over the state. One of our favorite parts about having our wedding in Comfort was the drive out from Austin. We knew that drive would be beautiful for our guests.

The photography…Traci and Kellie at Anne Marie Photography were exactly our style! It was incredible to see how well their photos caught the light and colors of the day. It helped that both of them attended Jon and I’s alma mater, Texas A&M, and were the sweetest people all day. We felt right at home with them and could not have loved our photographers more! Jon and I decided pretty late in the planning process to use a videographer as well. Luckily Bryan with The Bird and The Bear was still available for our wedding date. We LOVED how the wedding video turned out and will always recommend budgeting for a videographer to other couples getting married. Bryan captured the emotions of the day in a way that we couldn’t have imagined.

The details…After we met Brandi with Brandi Hines Events + Design, our wedding coordinator, we knew that her style would be perfect for the day that we were envisioning. She was amazing! We knew that we wanted the feel to be colorful, eclectic, and not too formal. She pulled it off perfectly. We thought through so many small details for the wedding to make everything feel like us. The invitations were letter pressed by Studio 3 Press. Jon and my brother built our wedding backdrop themselves a month before the wedding after I found the perfect macramé hanging. We chose songs for the night by artists that we have seen together live in Austin including Iron and Wine, Of Monsters and Men, and Death Cab for Cutie. Jon and I wrote our own vows and had our guests say “we do” when our pastor asked if they would encourage us in our marriage. We had Bibles passed down from both sides of my family at the small table where Jon and I had our first communion as husband and wife. Our exit included sparklers and riding bicycles down the street and back.

The food…The dessert table was one of my favorite things at the wedding! My mom hunted for vintage cake stands and even had a cake stand custom made with our names and wedding date. The bridal cake from Cynthia at Cakes and More Bakeshop was unique and covered with colorful succulents and flowers. We went with our gut (literally) and chose flavors that we have loved forever, alternating layers of confetti with strawberry cream and strawberry with cream cheese frosting. The groom’s cake was a simple spice cake with cream cheese frosting and greenery lining the bottom. My mom also made her famous chocolate chip cookies and Jon’s aunt made
delicious bite-sized apple pastries.

Cocktail hour and reception…We wanted people to mingle and let loose during the cocktail hour, so we placed a table with chips, queso, salsa, and guacamole in the Social Hall. Meanwhile, the bar was outside near the dance floor and photo booth by Airstream Photo Booth, which kept people up taking photos and dancing. We decided not to do table settings for the reception to keep the feel informal and encourage mingling among our guests. Jon and I wanted to keep things simple with the menu, so offered a mix of heavy appetizers including South Texas cheese steak egg rolls, stuffed mushrooms, mini chalupas, and cilantro chicken empanadas from Anne Marie’s Catering. Our drink options were local craft beer from Austin, margaritas, and sangria. Our head table was under an open wooden structure with lights strung up everywhere. It felt so romantic and fun!

Flowers…I worked at a flower shop in high school, so the flowers were important to me. Brandi knocked it out of the park. I can’t even describe how much I LOVED my bouquet! It was one of my favorite things from the wedding. Brandi made the bouquet look wild, eclectic, and bohemian in a way that I could not have imagined…and it was HUGE! I loved it! The centerpieces were fun and whimsical with succulents, gold accents, and lots of greenery and color.

My look…I wore a Catherine Deane dress for the wedding and a white lace romper for our exit. Both were from BHLDN. My wedding dress was actually one that I found on Pinterest months before we were even engaged! It was the first one that I tried on and just felt like me. I loved the bohemian feel and all of the detail. I kept the rest of my look simple with a headpiece by Justin & Taylor and a veil by Debra Moreland. The only jewelry that I wore was a blue vintage cocktail ring that belonged to my great-grandmother and earrings that Jon gave me as a gift the day of the wedding. I loved how freeing it was to change into the romper and ride off on bicycles for our exit! The girls at Hey Lovely Makeup did the hair and makeup for myself and all of the bridesmaids. They were AMAZING! The bridesmaids all wore black dresses with lace detailing. I could not have been happier with how all of the dresses looked together; it looked like they were curated just for the wedding. We heard from our guests that our wedding was so “us”. You can’t get a better compliment than that! We are still in awe of the love that we felt from our family and friends on our wedding day. It really was an incredible day!

Photography: Anne Marie Photography | Cinematography: The Bird And The Bear | Floral Design: Brandi Hines Events + Design | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Cakes And More | Invitations: Studio 3 Eleven | Jewelry: Vintage | Catering: Anne Marie's Catering | Hair + Makeup: Hey Lovely Makeup | Venue: Camp Comfort | Bridal Boutique: BHLDN | Hair Accessories: Justin & Taylor | Photobooth: Silvercloud Trailer Events

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
White Dress, Red Lip, Bright Blooms? We’ve Got It All!

I have this thing for white barns and this shoot right here is fulfilling every one of those fantasies. Add in the bright florals and a delicious looking jalapeno blood orange margarita and we’re good to go. Birds Of A Feather and The Southern Table created this magic, with help from Bella Acento and Sugar Bee Sweets and we’ll be forever in their debt after going through Jess Barfield’s pics over and over and over again – all in our Vault here!

From The Southern TableThis vibrant and colorful inspiration shoot was brought together to showcase this gorgeous white space venue, The White Sparrow. With the artful eye of Wendy Kay of Birds of a Feather Events, this collective of vendors perfectly showcased this dreamy space while focusing the design on vibrant colors and romantic details.
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Continue crushing on bright blooms this way!

Photography: Jess Barfield Photography | Event Design + Styling: Birds Of A Feather Events | Event Styling: Max Owens Design | Floral Design: Max Owens Design | Wedding Gown: Watters | Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets | Make Up + Hair: Natalia Issa Hair and Makeup Artistry | Calligraphy: Harts And Quills | Venue: The White Sparrow | Modeling Agency: Callidus Agency | Rentals: Bella Acento

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Say “I Do” at The Greenhouse at Driftwood

Texas Hill Country is made for marrying, I don’t need to tell you that.  And when it comes to choosing a locale in this pretty little Lone Star State paradise, look no further than The Greenhouse at Driftwood, a breathtaking venue that is equal parts elegant AND unique. Think lush foliage, natural open spaces and a true attention to conservation and sustainability.  We’re honestly obsessed.

Tucked amidst the Onion and Jackson Creeks just miles from the Austin city limits, The Greenhouse at Driftwood is unlike any other venue you will ever have the privilege to visit with amazing structures and surroundings all cared for by THREE generations of the same family.  Yep, from the century-old Oaks to their beautiful greenhouse to their breathtaking deck, The Greenhouse at Driftwood is giving Hill Country weddings a whole new meaning.  Not to mention that The Greenhouse has been collecting rainwater for primary water use since the 1970’s, uses rooftop solar panels for most of their power needs AND proudly supports Hill Country Conservancy and the Travis Audubon Society. We love that.

Can’t wait to say “I do” amongst the native plants and awe-inspiring scenery of The Greenhouse at Driftwood?  Contact them TODAY to start planning the wedding you’ve always wanted.  It’s going to be awesome, lovelies.

Photography: Ashley Bosnick Photography | Photography: Charla Storey Photography | Photography: Sophie Epton Photography | Photography: Ashley Garmon Photographers | Floral Design: Oh Deery Floral | Floral Design: Rosehip Flora | Wedding Venue: The Greenhouse At Driftwood | Planning: Grit & Gold Event Co. | Planning: 36th Street Events | Rentals: Loot Vintage Rentals

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These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
Want an Outdoor Wedding with Killer Florals? This is How It’s Done.

First things first, a standing ovation to The Southern Table for knocking the floral design on this day Out. Of. The. Park. They chose to celebrate the fall season with blooms that felt distinctly autumn, and when paired with the work of Birds Of A Feather EventsBella Acento, and Apryl Ann Photography? Let’s just say it’s rustic chic done SO right. Fall brides, head to The Vault for more steal-worthy ideas – cheese + cider bar included.

From The Bride… You get married and you’re both over the moon with happiness. Then comes numerous questions about the big day. “Congratulations! You looked beautiful! Did everything go as planned?”, they say to me. All I can say is it was all that plus more. A true fairytale. The kind you see in romantic movies where everything goes perfectly. I truly felt like a princess the entire day. Usually, you would think nerves come with the big day, and normally they do. For everyone. I had such a great team putting our wedding together that I do not remember being nervous. Surrounded by my friends and family, it was all excitement.

I wanted a very open feel to the wedding. So naturally, being outside for the ceremony and reception was what I was going for. We were obsessed with our venue, The Grove, in Aubrey, TX. From the beginning, I told our wedding planner, Wendy Kay, that flowers and greenery were very important to me. Little touches of flowers and color were everywhere you looked. Pinks, magenta, and deep burgundy stood out all over The Grove. From floating flowers on the tables at the reception to elegant floral crowns for my bridesmaids. Even the tiny details on the grooms and groomsmen boutonnières were incredible. The Southern Table stayed within our budget yet completely surprised me and Scotty on how amazing it all looked!

Another thing that I really wanted to incorporate into the night specifically, was lighting. Especially since it was outside. We had lights installed in the trees, which made for a perfect backdrop to our bride/groom table but also for our guests to take memorable pictures. My favorite part of the day was our first look. I knew it would be good because Scotty is an emotional guy. It was such a sweet moment between both of us. Both crying and smiling while we saw each other for the first time. Nothing can beat that moment.

Looking back at the whole process, planning a wedding is no joke. It definitely IS fun and exciting but the first thing I would say you have to figure out as a couple is how the wedding day is going to run. At what point will a wedding planner step in or what relative is going to tell where your vendors need to be. My next piece of advice is to remember to have a moment of just you and your husband to look at the day. Step away and take it all in. It’s one day but goes incredibly fast! Lastly, your wedding day is a day to remember. So get a photographer you trust and who is amazing at their job! (Like mine….Apryl Ann Photography) you will want photos and video to show your kids, friends and family for years to come of the day your life started together, as one.

Photography: Apryl Ann Photography | Cinematography: When It Clicks | Event Planning + Design: Birds Of A Feather Events | Floral Design: Max Owens Design | Cake: Jar Cakery | Invitations: Minted | Catering: Remarkable Catering | Hair + Makeup: Pretty Little Style | Calligraphy: Harts And Quills | Lighting: Lumiere | Officiant: Love Notes | Transportation: Blue Diamond Limousines | Venue: The Grove | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Bella Acento

This Texas Wedding Proves You Don’t Need a Big Budget for a Gorgeous Day

One look at this gorgeous Texas day and you’d never guess it was planned on a tight budget. From the beautiful Bride’s soft hair and makeup to her bedazzled backless wedding dress to the soft blush florals and handmade décor, this wedding is every kind of pretty. See it all, thanks to Tracy Enoch, in The Vault!

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From The Bride…Prior to our wedding I envisioned clean colors and outdoors. We searched all over the DFW area and finally found the outdoor venue we were searching for- The Orchard. I wanted green grass, trees and peace and quiet. The color palette and style vision for the wedding was to be clean and comfortable.

I knew from the very start that I wanted light pink (blush) colors and for the bridesmaids to all be in different styles that their bodies felt comfortable in. I have seen too many friends cry over having to wear a dress they did not feel pretty in and I wanted to make sure all of my friends felt gorgeous! We found the perfect bridesmaids dresses with options for all body shapes in Bill Levkoff Petal Pink.

I did not have a wedding planner, coordinator, decorator or anything. I was on a tight budget and I did not have access money to spend there. Some of the DIY from the wedding were the greenery on the archway and the doors, the cross at the ceremony site, as well as a lot of the flowers on the tables. We purchased a lot of signs from Homegoods that helped decorate the day and other nicknacks. I purchased all of my hurricanes and vases from Michaels at Christmas time since gold was so in last year, it helped save a ton!!

My favorite memory of the entire day was that I never felt stressed or nervous-I was beyond excited and ready. Once I walked down the aisle with my father and finally saw Thomas, my husband, it was like all nerves went away and I was able to walk confidently and know that this is the best decision of my life.

My favorite crafted detail was the cross that hung at the ceremony site. We both are very religious and wanted to get married in a church, but we could not find a church that provided the space or the outdoor feel we were looking for. One of our family members hand crafted it for us and hung it so we could have a little piece of the church where we were.

My flowers were done by Central Market and it was the best experience! They were so easy to work with and I did not even spend $1,000 on flowers!

My bridal gown was my favorite thing in the world! It is a Maggie Sottero Phyllis gown and I was so comfortable all day! I do not think that many brides can say they were beyond comfortable in their dress and wore their heels all night! I was even able to boogie on the dance floor as much as my heart desired!

My favors were cute little wine bottles with straws and personalized labels and surprisingly everyone loved them! My hair and makeup could have been a disaster, but Jenn Karsner saved the day!

My best advice to a bride is to always do a trial! I did a hair and make up trial the day before my wedding (thinking it could save me money and I could have it done for the rehearsal) and it was a bad idea. I learned that my hair stylist was awful, it took three tries to not even get close to what I wanted. I then was connected to Jenn Karsner and she came in and saved the day by doing my hair and makeup as well as all of my bridesmaids. I think that all brides should do a trial at least a month before they get married so they have time to find someone new if needed! It was a situation that could have been very stressful, but thankfully I found the right resource to come save the day.

I also got really lucky and one of my wedding guests surprised me with a wedding video! It is not a fancy professional video, but I love it because she took the time at the wedding day to include all of my favorite moments and sent it to me on my honeymoon! It is better than any professional could do because she knew how to include all of my favorite people! 

Photography: Tracy Enoch Photography | Cinematography: Julia Masera | Floral Design: Central Market | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Cake: Cake Baby And Company | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Catering: Blue Mesa Grill | Hair + Makeup: Designs By Janet Suzanne | DJ: Le Force Entertainment | Venue: The Orchard

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
See the Beaded Gown We Can’t Stop Staring At

I have fallen completely head over heels in love with this bridal shoot; Ashley Bosnick, can we please be BFFs?! These images are going up on my inspiration boards stat and that Gossamer gown is what dress dreams are made of. 36th Street Events was the mastermind behind it all and I do believe I’ve never seen cachi look this chic. Our Vaults’ got the goods right this way!

From Ashley Bosnick PhotographyStyled by 36th Street Events, this bridal shoot was inspired by the beautiful natural surroundings the Texas Hill Country has to offer.

The Greenhouse at Driftwood was the perfect wedding venue for this shoot with its abundance of greenery and cacti in their stunning indoor greenhouse space. The one of a kind, vintage beaded gown from Gossamer along with the wild green and white bouquet complemented the greenhouse space by adding a touch of glam without overpowering its surroundings. This shoot is a perfect example of how to let your wedding venue be the statement piece at your wedding while using gorgeous details, such as your dress style and floral design to complement your overall wedding style and look.

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Peruse more beautiful bridal shoots here!

Photography: Ashley Bosnick Photography | Styling: 36th Street Events | Floral Design: Rosehip Flora | Wedding Dress: Gossamer | Makeup: Avery Allen Makeup | Hair: Sabia Austin | Venue: The Greenhouse At Driftwood

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
This Calligrapher’s Spring Wedding is a Must-See

Caroline and Josh’s theme for their spring wedding in Texas? All things beautiful. With a fusion of simple, classic elegance and boho whimsy, this sweet couple pulled off their theme to perfection. From the Bride’s beautiful Willowby By Watters dress to the vintage furnishings, this day is nothing short of special. See it all from Magnolia Adam’s Photography in The Vault!

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From Magnolia Adam’s PhotographyA private residence set on several acres of land has opened up their space for weddings. Chandelier Grove is a stunning property and has the best of everything; a tree grove, a summer home large enough for both sides of the wedding party to comfortably get ready in and a large white barn full of natural light.

Caroline and Josh were married recently on a spring day. During our pre-consultation, I asked then what the vision for their day was and Caroline responded with, “I want it all to stick with the theme ‘beautiful’. So if I think it’s beautiful, it will be incorporated into our wedding.” Being a calligrapher herself, I knew the details would be perfect.

From The Bride…How did you and Josh meet?
Josh and I met in Houston at a church small group. I had moved back home from Oklahoma about a year earlier and he had just moved to town after completing his masters at Baylor. We were friends (he pretty much liked me for two years) and then he asked me out. I may have turned him down, but after three weeks of not being able to stop thinking about my decision, I called him back and asked him if I could reconsider my answer. I think this beginning was very fitting to our personalities: Josh is thoughtful, detailed, and deliberate. I’m more easy going, outgoing, and whimsy, but I think we both would say after our first date, we never looked back.

What was your inspiration for your wedding?
Josh and I both love beauty. On our honeymoon we took time to visit Musee de L’Orangerie where a good portion of Monet’s “Water Lilies” is housed. As we looked at these massive paintings it hit me how much of their contents reflected what I wanted our wedding to be (and was!): cool blues accented by warm hues, peaceful, a place of beauty and of rest, and (like every bride’s wish) memorable. I knew from the beginning I valued simple, classic elegance with a little bit of whimsy. I so wanted a boho look, but my love for clean, modern lines won out and voilá! You had the Smith wedding.

What were your favorite moments?
Josh would say his most memorable moment was me walking down the aisle. I loved all of it. Some of my favorite details were the potted plants scattered down the aisle, filled with fragrant rosemary and sage. I specifically wanted a “floral chandelier” over the dance floor and Striking Stems was able to catch the vision and run with it. The flowers were perfect.

One of my favorite moments at the wedding was serving communion to our guests as our “first act” as a married couple. It was so special being able to make eye contact with every guest, whether or not they took part in the sacrament. I felt it so reflected what Jesus gave as the greatest commandments and highest goals for life with Him: to love Him with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength, AND to love others above ourselves. Serving communion felt like the perfect intro into marriage for us that reflected our heart and goals.

Photography: Magnolia Adam's Photography | Event Planning: J Low Events | Floral Design: Striking Stems | Wedding Dress: Willowby By Watters | Cake: Mrs. Weber Bakes | Bride's Shoes: J.Crew | Catering: All Star Catering | Hair + Makeup: Glam Studio | Calligraphy: THE BRIDE - Caroline Carthey | Groom's Attire: J.Crew | Venue: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab

Stunning Bridesmaid Dresses with twobirds Bridesmaid + A Giveaway!

twobirds Bridesmaid is awesome, I don’t need to tell you that.  I mean, gorgeous bridesmaid frocks that can be wrapped in endless ways to flatter ALL body types?  Genius.  From their amazing selection of soft + stunning fabrics to their 40+ color options to their fab new collections, twobirds Bridesmaid is the best thing to happen to weddings since, well… gold, glitter and peonies.  Soak them all in below.

We’ve all been there.  That crazy day of bridesmaid dress shopping that turns into an almost impossible task, because, well… each one of your besties is sooo different.  Enter twobirds Bridesmaid and their insanely gorgeous lineup of convertible dresses.  I’m talking dresses that requires ZERO alterations, are totally maternity friendly and can be worn time and time again… long after the Big Day is over.  Not to mention their lineup of beautiful hues + brilliant fabric options.  It’s a mixing and matching lovers dream with options in jersey, tulle AND rosette.  And don’t even get me started on the many styling options. These dresses are magic.

Ready to begin your journey towards the world’s happiest bridal party?  Head to twobirds Bridesmaid TODAY to peruse the pretty.  And stay tuned for new collection featuring their bridal gown in lace (!), tulle ombre and jumpsuits.  Not able to visit the showroom in New York? No worries.  twobirds Bridesmaid will ship you samples you can try on in the comfort of your own home, because, well… they’re amazing.

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the-giveaway

What: twobirds Bridesmaid is giving away THREE convertible dresses to one lucky bride and her bridal party! (Value $930)

Who: One lucky bride, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, April 22, 2016.

How: Enter below, lovelies! Good luck! xo

SMP Southwest Giveaway!

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A Day With Earthy Floral Greenery Done So Right

It’s hard to believe that Lauren & Jon planned their celebration from afar. Knowing that fact alone we’re in awe, but add in a romantic palette, earthy greenery, and one majorly elegant gown and our jaws drop. Oh and the stationery goods were designed by the Bride – ah-mazing, right?! Loft Photography and Brad & Monica Wedding Films filmed every second to share and we’ve got it in The Vault!

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From Loft Photography… We swoon over weddings with thoughtful details strewn throughout the day, and Lauren & Jon’s day had just that. A romantic color palette, earthy greenery and florals, gorgeous stationery and elegant gowns are just a few of the elements we loved about this wedding. And Hotel Havana was the ideal backdrop for this fun-loving couple as they prepared for their wedding festivities. Lauren, being the talented graphic designer that she is, created all of the stunning paper goods herself. And we love the minimal & ethereal table centerpieces at the reception, which perfectly complimented the delicious family style catering from Royal Fig. We must admit, we’re a little envious of Lauren & Jon’s dance moves, they tore up the dance floor thanks to a little help from London Calling! These two planned their wedding day from afar, and we think they nailed it!

Photography: Loft Photography LLC | Cinematography: Brad & Monica Wedding Films | Coordination: Sweet August Events | Floral Design: Sweet August Events | Wedding Dress: Laure De Sagazan | Catering: Royal Fig Catering | Band: London Calling | Bartending : Royal Fig Catering | Ceremony + Reception Venue: San Antonio Museum Of Art | Host Hotel: Hotel Havana | Rentals : Great Events and Rentals

Elegant Austin Wedding at Villa del Lago

From now on, when I think of a classic and elegant wedding with a timeless feel this wedding captured by Heather Rowland Photography will undoubtably pop up in my head. Every gorgeous moment sitting pretty in this gallery planned by Pearl Events Austin couldn’t be more lovely if it tried, and you can see them all here.

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From Heather Rowland PhotographyThis stunning lakeside wedding was the perfect mixture of intimate and elegant. The bride Khaki and her groom Grant made for a beautiful couple and truly set their wedding apart from so many others by emphasizing elements that represented their love, style, and taste. By remaining true to themselves the wedding was simply exquisite yet laid back and extremely personal to this precious couple.

The bride and her bridesmaids spent the morning drinking mimosas and getting dressed overlooking the beautiful Barton Creek resort. Her custom Anne Barge gown was on display and her mom’s vintage veil complimented it perfectly adding a sweet family touch to her bridal couture. Khaki’s invitation suite is by far a favorite of mine and I’d give anything to turn that gorgeous envelope liner into custom wallpaper in my home! It was a unique look that represented Khaki and her ethereal taste so well.

Later that evening the string quartet and chiavari chairs were set for the ceremony overlooking beautiful Lake Travis. As the sun was setting Khaki and Grant tied the knot surrounded by their loved ones on the most perfect September evening. The ceremony was followed by a chic cocktail hour where guests were greeted with a signature cocktails garnished with jalapeños, which made for a nice (and subliminal) Texas touch. Guests mingled on the lawn while the men gravitated towards the cigar bar where cigars were being hand-rolled by professionals on site. Custom matchboxes adorned with the couples name made for a perfect signature touch and take-home favor for guests to enjoy. Beautiful hors d’oeuvres were passed on custom monogrammed cocktail napkins until dinner was announced. Guests then ate family style along the Villa del Lago pavilion lawn and enjoyed southern comfort cuisine under the Texas stars and intimate string lighting.

“The Pictures” a local Austin favorite, set the pace for the evening by playing a wide variety of hit songs both past and present. Guests visited the dance floor all night long while Khaki and Grant relished in the moment in the midst of it all. The bride’s cake was understated and elegant with a bit of an art-deco theme coupled with vintage green crystal toasting glasses, which have been used by Khaki’s family in weddings past. The couple had a classic sparkler exit where they were whisked away by a unique vintage car. This wedding was truly one of my favorite events I’ve photographed to date. It felt so extremely personal and heartfelt while still remaining stylish and upscale.

Photography: Heather Rowland Photography | Cinematography: When It Clicks | Coordination: Pearl Events Austin | Floral Design: Jessica Crisco | Wedding Dress: Anne Barge | Cake: Simon Lee Bakery | Invitations: Invitations Etc. | Bride's Shoes: Stuart Weitzmen | Band: The Pictures | Venue: Villa Del Lago

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Rose Quartz + Serenity-Filled Texas Winery Bridal Inspiration

It’s no secret — we’re pretty in love with Pantone’s 2016 colors of the year: Rose Quartz and Serenity. And, we’re not the only ones. Using the rosy pink and pretty purple as inspiration, Chic Fleur Weddings And Events and Something Pretty Floral created a soft and dreamy wedding inspiration at Texas’ Grape Creek Vineyards. Head to The Vault for all the pretty inspiration thanks to photos from Tenth And Grace!


From Chic Fleur Weddings And EventsTexas has an up-and-coming wine industry, and the beautiful wineries throughout Texas Hill Country are a popular spot for weddings and special events. This inspiration shoot was designed to showcase the beauty of Texas wineries at a time of a year that is typically considered a slower season for weddings. Winter in this part of Texas is mild, and the landscape remains green – this beautiful landscape shows that you don’t have to get married in Tuscany or Napa to enjoy a winery wedding, even in fall or winter. Designed by Chic Fleur Weddings & Events, this shoot combined the beauty of a local Texas winery with the new Pantone colors of the year, Rose Quartz and Serenity. Something Pretty Floral used these popular colors as inspiration for lush floral arrangements that complemented the pastel colors of the Texas landscape, while the Styling Stewardess kept the makeup soft and neutral as a reflection of Pantone’s Rose Quartz. We hope this shoot will serve as inspiration for brides considering a winery wedding in Texas, or those who want to incorporate the colors of the year in a beautiful and timeless way.

Photography: Tanya Menoni | Event Design: Chic Fleur Weddings And Events | Floral Design: Something Pretty Floral | Wedding Dress: a&be bridal shop | Cake: Sweet Treets Bakery | Invitations: Bunny And Bear Paper | Bride's Shoes: Betsey Johnson | Jewelry: Shapiro Diamonds | Hair + Makeup: The Styling Stewardess | Venue: Grape Creek Vineyards | Rentals: Birch And Brass Rentals | Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

Rustic White Sparrow Barn Wedding

This is the kind of wedding that makes me fall head over heels in love with weddings all over again. It’s beautiful in every sense of the word – the gorgeous blooms by Blooming Accents are beyond pin-worthy, the White Sparrow Barn couldn’t be a more dreamy venue, and the images from Shaun Menary Photography are truly works of art. But you know what really gets me? The love this couple and their families obviously share. That gets me at my very core. See even more in the VAULT.

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From The Bride…Five years ago when I opened up my Pinterest account, I unashamedly started a “Fairytale” board to pin all of my future wedding details. 500 pins later and with a big rock on my finger I was quickly overwhelmed by all of the ideas and trends I had pinned on my board, Needless to say, I sifted through my pins and found that my style had changed quite a bit over the years. However, I let Style Me Pretty lead the way for my inspiration, while they provided real life examples of ideas I had envisioned.

I wanted the room to look very soft, elegant, and dare I say magical when people came into the room. I was also very drawn to antique looking items so my mother searched high and low at every thrift store around. We bought glass vases from the dollar store and mercury-glassed them to create a high-end look on a high-end budget. We found candelabras on sale and spray-painted them the colors we desired. I hand-lettered our decorations to give it a personalized look. Our amazing florist Gloria Parker helped gave me the full look I was going for by adding lots of moss and garland to the centerpieces. We also had pictures of my parents and grandparents wedding invitations framed on our cake table as well!

On the more personal side, we wanted our wedding to be as Christ-centered as possible. Jordan and I are both Christians, and since it was the Lord that has kept us together throughout the 4 and a half years of dating, we wanted to make it a point to others that he was the center of our day. My bridal party prayed over me before the wedding, we worshipped at the beginning of our ceremony, we had our family pray over us, wrote our own vows, and washed each others feet.

We also, however, wanted to make sure that our celebration was a P A R T Y. My bridesmaids and I had a choreographed dance, there was a margarita bar, Jordan and I shoved cake in each others faces, and to top it all off Jordan surprised me with fireworks at the end! But right before we left, we kicked everyone out of the room and had a last dance, just Jordan and I. It was one of my most favorite memories from the wedding.

Needless to say, it was a day full of magical details, lots of laughs, family, friends, Jesus, and a pretty awesome dance party.

Photography: Shaun Menary Photography | Cinematography: Brad & Monica Wedding Films | Floral Design: Blooming Accents | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Invitations: Minted | Bride's Shoes: Macy's Bar III | Bridesmaids' Dresses: For Her And For Him | Catering: Abuelo's | DJ: Andy Austin | Transportation: Federal Limousine | Venue: The White Sparrow | Bridal Boutique: Brides And Beaux | Bridesmaids' Rompers: Forever 21 | Groom's Shoes: Men's Wearhouse | Hair Accessories: Allure Wedding Jewelry | Margarita Machine Rental: Margarita Patrol | Whiskey Decanter: General Greenes Gifts

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This Wedding Takes Southern Chic to an Entirely New Level

This wedding right here?  It’s my happy place.  A perfect mix of rustic and romantic, all set against the breathtaking Creek Haus in Texas Hill Country.  From the insanely gorgeous florals crafted by Petal Pushers to that stunning Monique Lhuillier gown to the Southern-inspired treats of Crave Catering. Ready for an entire world of beautiful inspiration? See it all captured by Jenna McElroy in THE VAULT.

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Doug and Rocki have always had a love for adventure. After living in the Cayman Islands for three years together, their love for nature and the outdoors only grew stronger.

As a native Texan, Rocki has always had a love for the unique beauty and quaintness of the Texas Hill Country. Doug and Rocki wanted their wedding to encompass a rustic shabby chic feel which The Creek Haus, in the little town of Dripping Springs, was just what they were looking for.

The Creek Haus property is absolutely stunning! It has everything from a wooden alter made from distressed wood overlooking a creek with the rolling Texas hills painted in the background, to a rustic shabby chic indoor venue which the architecture was inspired after an elegant barn. They both fell in love with the fact that the property was able to capture both a whimsical and romantic feel with still keeping its Texas charm.

Their inspiration was to keep the natural rustic beauty of the property by using a neutral color palette with pops of burgundy and rust to tie into the Fall season. The decor was designed by Petal Pushers who did an undeniably beautiful job bringing their vision to life. They used assorted cylinder glass candles and mixed gold mercury votives to create an elegant antique feel with lots of greenery and cascading floral for a romantic feel. The floral design was like a dream which consisted of a lush mix of in peonies, garden roses, ranunculus and dark berries.

Doug and Rocki have are both huge foodies and two very important thing to us was making sure their guests had happy bellies and great music to groove to. Crave Catering served up a finger licking reception dinner of bison chili and shrimp grits just to name a few of the top hits. Doug searched everywhere for the perfect band for their guests to dance the night away and The Royal Dukes kept our guests on their feet all night long. They chose Jenna McElroy for their photographer to capture some of the best candid moments and the most memorable day.

Doug and Rocki feel every aspect of their wedding encompassed everything they wanted and is truly a day they will never forget!

Photography: Jenna McElroy | Cinematography: Lizama Videography | Floral Design: Petal Pushers | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Simon Lee Bakery | Invitations: Smock | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Crave Catering | Hair + Makeup: Urban Betty | Band: Royal Dukes Band | Venue: Vista West Ranch | Bridal Boutique: Joan Pillow Bridal | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints

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Colorful Organic Wedding at Hickory Street Annex

Current mood?  Happy.  The reason?  This breathtaking Hickory Street Annex Wedding from Jessica Gold Photography.  Think gorgeous florals from The Southern Table, the beautiful stylings of Jen Rios Weddings and sweet paper goods from Magnolia Tree Paperie all coming together for a romantic meets industrial affair that is all sorts of awesome.  Fall in love with every moment in THE VAULT.

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From Jessica Gold Photography… Jennifer & John set out to have a wedding full of organic details and colorful florals. Wedding planner Jen Rios celebrated the industrial setting while incorporating whimsical decor such as personalized place settings, unique linens, and a variety of lanterns. The ceremony space was adorned with a variety of greenery and a candlelit atmosphere. The Southern Table gave the wedding extraordinary florals, creating an eclectic color palette that gave the wedding it’s standout look.

Photography: Jessica Gold Photography | Cinematography: Silverbear Films | Floral Design: Max Owens Design | Invitations: Magnolia Tree Paperie | Hair + Makeup: Beauty And The Blush | DJ: Jason Esquire | Venue: Hickory Street Annex | Cake + Desserts: Jar Cakery | Event Planning + Calligraphy: Jen Rios Weddings

Romantic Woodland Creekside Austin Engagement

We’re pretty sure that this gallery is the what every engaged couple dreams about. A romantic stroll in the woods with the one you love complete with Winsome and Wright behind the lens? Done, and done. See, I told you it’s what dreams are made of, but not only that it’s the perfect blend of pretty meets perfect. The best part? We’ve got it all waiting for you to pin and peruse in The Vault!

From the Bride-to-be… Mike and I both went to college at the University of Colorado at Boulder. We had only been dating for three months before we decided to move to Austin together. Some people might say that it was fast, but for us we knew it was the right decision for us and of course our dog, Libby too. After looking for our first jobs, we ended up working together on a Senate campaign for a year and a half. Our boss tricked me into going to the Texas State Capitol for a work event, but when we got to the front stairs, Mike got down on one knee and proposed! We had the whole place to ourselves and it’s the most memorable moment of my life. We have been engaged for a year and a half so we are really excited to be getting married in July. Since we met in Colorado, it has a special place in our hearts and we feel so lucky to be getting married in Vail.

Photography: Winsome And Wright | Dress: Rent The Runway | Hair + Makeup: Lola Beauty | Film Lab: The Find Lab

Ethereal Emerald Inspired Wedding Inspiration

In the event that you didn’t wear a pinch of green today, fear not little lads and ladies because Charla Storey Photography has got you covered. See this emerald green Mrs. Box? It’s as good as gold (at the end of a rainbow of course), and this gallery? Enough to make Saint Patrick green with envy. Thanks to Bella Accento rentals and lovely details it’s the type of pretty you’ll want to pin. See it all in The Vault!

From Charla Storey PhotographyOur Late Summer Floral Workshop took place in the breathtaking White Sparrow Barn in the peaceful north Texas countryside. We knew that this gorgeous space, with its beautiful white washed interior, stunning natural lighting, and tall arched ceilings would be an inspirational setting to learn and play with the gorgeous floral.

This one-day floral intensive was centered around designing with a natural, garden-style aesthetic. Instruction and discussion focused on creating movement and depth within a large compote arrangement using classic floral frogs. After a design demonstration by Maxine Owens of The Southern Table, each attendee chose a vase of copper and mixed metal and was able to create their own design from a spectacular assortment of both locally and globally sourced blooms and greens. Inspired by the vibrant colors of late summer sunsets, we chose floral in warm rich tones of coral, orange, pinks and plums. Each student worked individually with with photographer Charla Storey, to style and shoot their arrangements. After lunch and a Q&A of floral business life, the group collaborated with their designs to put together a head table inspiration with gorgeous rentals from Bella Accento. The class also built a simple yet striking ceremony space inspiration using layers of hops vine while discussing tips and techniques for creating successful inspirational shoots. In beautiful Watters gowns, hair and makeup by Beauty and The Blush, our model posed with a bouquet by Maxine, bringing the tablescape and ceremony backdrop to life.

While Charla continued to capture images of the collaboration, the group toasted the day with sips and bites. The day was filled with learning and laughter and produced an lovely display of floral magic. Coming together over a passion for design and flowers is something we love to do! This day was so wonderful. We can’t wait to design and host another workshop adventure!

Photography: Charla Storey Photography | Floral Design: Max Owens Design | Wedding Dress: Watters | Jewelry: Shapiro Diamonds | Hair + Makeup: Beauty And The Blush | Venue: The White Sparrow Barn | Model: Gabbie A., Callidus Agency | Rentals: Bella Acento | Ribbon: Silk and Willow

West Texas Ranch Wedding Full of Rustic Elegance

Laura and Luke’s big day is the stuff rustic wedding dreams are made of. With details like the Bride’s bell-sleeve vintage-inspired wedding dress, the refreshment-filled canoe and the ceremony cedar arbor built by the Groom, the former NFL cheerleader and her entrepreneur hubby’s at-home ranch wedding is every kind of perfect. See all the pretty from NBarrett Photography in The Vault!

From NBarrett PhotographyThis is one of my favorite West Texas weddings! The couple was married at the Groom’s family ranch in Knickerbocker, just outside of San Angelo. Laura is a former 49ers cheerleader and Luke is an entrepreneur that recently started his own fly fishing company- @txflyco! They were wed under an arbor on the back lawn and then danced under the stars for the reception.

From The Bride…My husband, Luke, grew up in San Angelo, TX where he spent most of his time on their family ranch right outside of town. The ranch is a place where Luke learned to hunt and fish, and it is a place he has bonded with his family and friends. It has always held a very special place in his heart and when we stared dating, it became a huge part of my life, as well.

In December of 2014, what was supposed to be an evening hike on the ranch, Luke dropped to one knee and asked to spend forever with me. This wonderful place where we had shared so many memories now possessed my most favorite memory to date!

Soon after the engagement we started brainstorming on where we wanted to get married. I’m from Austin, TX, which boasts some of the most beautiful wedding venues in the country, but for Luke and I it seemed silly to rent a venue when we had such a special one out west – the ranch. As daunting a task as it seemed to plan a wedding completely from scratch at a place that was not a “set” venue, we knew our hearts were set on the ranch! And, Luke and I were so lucky to have such generous, hardworking and creative families to pull this wedding off!

We wanted the wedding to be a reflection of who we were as a couple. From my bell sleeved vintage inspired dress to a canoe filled with refreshments to geode slices on each place setting, we made sure to have bespoke touches in every detail of the wedding. We both have an immense love for the outdoors so we wanted that rustic feel to come across in our wedding, but we also wanted to convey a formal and traditional feeling to our day, as well. We incorporated antlers found on the ranch and utilized river rocks from the creek, but also hung chandeliers and had the men in tuxedos. We chose a color theme of burgundies, blushes and white accompanied by gold accents and lots of greenery because we thought it would be a lovely contrast against the green pastures on the ranch. When thinking of my favorite parts from our wedding, it’s so hard to pick just one! However, there were several details that were the most memorable from the cedar post arbor that Luke built to the table settings that my mom put together to the most delicious mashed potatoes ever! Aside from incorporating unique touches to the wedding, our main goal was to give our guests a romantic and joyful vibe the whole evening. We had a cocktail area for guests to enjoy drinks and conversation under lighted trees and stars, while we had a band and dance floor set up under a large white tent for twirling the night away! It was the greatest gift to look around and see all the people we love in total merriment!

Photography: N Barrett Photography | Event Planning & Design: City Cafe & Bakery | Floral Design: HEB | Wedding Dress: Stardust Celebrations | Cake: City Cafe & Bakery | Invitations: Dragonfly Designs | Catering: City Cafe & Bakery | Hair + Makeup: Kacey Jenkins | Band: McKay Brothers | Venue: Knickerbocker Ranch | Linen Rentals: City Cafe & Bakery | Photography - Assistance: Matchless Photography | Rentals: City Cafe & Bakery

Whimsical Ranch Wedding in Texas

After 3 moves, 2 puppies, 1 house, and graduate school, Bradley asked Mary to be his Bride, and the results? Absolute wedding day perfection. An evening complete with a Spanish guitar serenading, delicate flower crowns, and an open aired utility acting as the getaway car, their day was filled with whimsy and romance. As evident through the captures from Sarah Kate Photo, you can witness it all in The Vault!

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From the Bride… Brad and I met in April of 2008. He was working at the Capital Grille in the Crescent Court and I was working at Stanley Korshak. We bonded over our time living and traveling abroad throughout Southeast Asia. After our first date, we were inseparable. 3 moves, a new house, 2 puppies and graduate school later, he proposed. We were visiting Santa Fe in the fall and went to a Japanese style hot springs that was situated overlooking the side of the mountain. He surprised me with a beautiful ring and we spent the rest of the trip celebrating and thinking about how we wanted the wedding to come to life! We wanted the wedding to have an air of whimsy and romance, and we tried to incorporate this with the florals, the beautiful outdoor setting under and oak tree, the Spanish acoustic guitar music, and definitely the dress. I wore a beautiful long sleeved romantic gown from Berta Bridal along with a delicate flower crown. All of the bridesmaids wore long gowns of different styles in a romantic blush tone, along with beautiful flower crowns. Brad combined a bit of polish with his Vera Wang tux with a bit of punk with his patent leather tennis shoes. In the spirit of rustic chic, we drove away in a Mule (open aired utility vehicle) with flower petals in the bed that flew away as we drove off.

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Photography: Sarah Kate, Photographer | Event Planning: DFW Events | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Wedding Dress: Berta | Wedding Cake: Panini Bakery | Invitations: Wild Almond Blue | Reception Venue: White Oaks Ranch | Hair + Makeup : Maitee Miles | Lighting: Beyond Lighting | Linens/r + Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals | Photo Booth: The Photobus DFW

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