Project leftovers, introvert bliss, book club, drinking wine and making cookies, thoughtful bagel delivery + outdoing one another in love, loving what you do, an open door on a beautiful day, knowing our worth is not in what we do, finding joy at home, scripture, connecting, homemade jam, vulnerability and nerves, taking in a sunrise on the way to the doctor, dinner parties + side splitting laughter, peace.

What a fun little undertaking this daily Instagram project is turning out to be!  I love this mix of images and the things that are bringing us joy in our day-to-day. The images above are just a few of the images I’ve shared, mixed in with some you have shared too! Making a thoughtful effort to pause for just a minute each day to capture a moment that is bringing joy to my life…to be intentional with living a life of gratitude…well, that is always good for my heart! My hope for this project is that these little snapshots are nothing fancy and not always perfectly styled (despite my desire to making every little detail beautiful + perfect) – but moments and bits and insights into the everyday blessings that I want to savor.  Thank you for sharing your images too! I love the glimpses into your lives and the ways you’re finding joy in your everyday. Please tag me (@stefaniemiles) and use the #findingjoy hashtag if you join in!

I love design and logistics…but I also love the process of developing a sustainable business AND a life that allows you to do work that you love! Keeping priorities straight and maintaining balance in life is a work-in-progress for most small-business owners (as we are always full of ideas!), so I was so honored to be asked to speak at the Branches & Light workshop this year, as these gals are amazing at equipping others to do just that!

Have you met Nancy Ray + Caroline Joy yet? Both of these ladies have so much joy and life in them, it’s contagious! Without a doubt, they are both talented photographers and artists + believe in giving generously of their time and expertise to encourage other photographers starting out…a philosophy I can get behind!

The workshop will be held from 9am-5pm on Monday, January 28, at the beautiful Winfield Inn in Austin, Texas.  This creative retreat/workshop is filled with business strategy, honest discussions, and stylistic inspiration for ladies who desire to live a balanced life and run a profitable, sustainable business. I’ll be sharing a bit on developing vendor relationships and working with a designer and stylist. Last I heard, there are just *two* seats remaining, so you can get more details and register here! Be sure to watch their sweet video recap from a previous workshop below!

Branches & Light 2012 from Aaron Rector on Vimeo.

Pssst…I’ll also be staying in Austin for a few days, and would love to connect
with you while I’m there! Drop me a note at stefanie@lavenderjoyweddings.com.

We’re setting some big goals for 2013.  Patrick and I have made some exciting goals together as a couple for the ways we want to work on our home and marriage. I’m full of ideas for creative projects I want to do with Lavender Joy, and we have some amazing clients we’re working with this year. As a ‘recovering perfectionist’ though, goal-setting and crossing items off the to-do list is something that comes fairly easily.  Living with intention, yet finding joy and contentment in the midst of goal-setting, well…that is a bit harder.

So for 2013, my biggest goal (and the one I’m most excited about) is to focus on finding joy in the everyday. To breathe in contentment and peace in the midst of working, creating, serving, balancing, loving and living.  To fully embrace the process and intentionally cultivate gratitude.

My Instagram is @stefaniemiles and I would love for you to follow along with the hashtag #findingjoy. If you’re on Instagram, I’d love for you to join me and post about how you’re finding joy too!

With excitement and joy for all that’s ahead!
Stefanie

We began with a limited color palette of sunny yellow and white, mixed in a healthy dose of pattern and texture in classic and approachable Southern style to create this visual story full of modern and stylish inspiration for Southern brides.

Styling these bridesmaid dresses was so much fun! They are all cheerful and fresh, and truly wearable after the wedding. One of my sweet and amazing assistants, Cary, is the second one from the left! I can’t get over the stunning Kate Spade ‘yellow rose’ dress on the far right – it couldn’t have been more perfect for our concept! The gorgeous Bows + Arrows florals added just the right amount of texture and interest.

This beauty is one of my favorite parts of this shoot as a designer. Concepting this ceremony backdrop, making a few sketches, and pulling a few images of natural flowers and Southern fences, I worked with Bows + Arrows to create this effortless scene…you wouldn’t know that the yellow roses are not growing there naturally, unless you know a thing or two about flowers! (I’m in love – can you tell?!)

Lastly, I adore this shot of these precious children – no small feat to have over 20 models on site that day! There’s nothing more Southern than sweet kiddos having just as much fun as the adult guests at a wedding. We really wanted to use real people instead of models for this shoot, and I can’t thank Lindsey Shea enough for her help with keeping these little ones entertained and happy!

Eleven 29 Films created a fun video that captures just a small bit of the work that goes on behind the scenes for an editorial shoot like this…you should have seen the SUV that was filled to the brim with wardrobe and props. We worked at multiple locations, and accomplished so much that afternoon…talk about an amazing team effort! (Oh, and it was 100+ degrees outside that beautiful day…can you tell?!)

You can see SO much more of this shoot as well as all the other amazing inspiration by picking up a copy of V5 on newsstands! (And you’ll get to experience for yourself the lovely gold foil flag on the cover too!)

Thank you so much to Lara + Emily + the rest of the sweet-as-honey Southern Weddings team, and see more of the online V5 features here, here, and a special preview from the Wedding Chicks here.

Creative Direction + Styling: Lavender Joy  Photography: Ryan Ray  Floral: Bows + Arrows  Paper: The Creative Parasol Hair + Makeup: Lindey Duckworth Linen: La Tavola Video: Eleven 29 Films

Thank you so much to the awesome Style Me Pretty team for featuring this wedding, and to each of the talented members of this wedding team for your amazing work!
Ryan Ray Photo, Bows and Arrows, Howell Family Farms,  Candlelight Films
Astounding Sounds, JD’s Catering and Coffee, Artist: Carolynn Seibert

Love collaborating with these two, and sweet Meg too!
Kari Crowe Photography | Kate Foley Designs

See more on the Wedding Chicks here!

 

All lovely images courtesy of Ryan Ray.

Time to ring in a new year with a bit of sequins and confetti…

We’re so inspired by pinks + golds these days, especially for a holiday soiree! I love the details in the gold flatware, gold rimmed glassware, and gold sparkle in the flower vases for a little dose of the unexpected.

This gold painted log Bows + Arrows created is stunning…and that peony!

Subtle flowers allow this sparkly bridesmaid dress to shine.

Custom champagne labels + mini champagne bottles for each guest add a festive touch.

Thank you so much to Green Wedding Shoes for featuring these fun + inspiring
wedding ideas…more images from this shoot can be see on the GWS blog here.

photography + coordination: nBarrett photography //
creative direction + styling: Lavender Joy Weddings //
floral design: Bows and Arrows // cake + cakeballs: Sugar Bee Sweets //
stationery and paper flowers: Southern Fried Paper //
makeup: Something You Makeup Artistry // vintage rentals: Period Charm Rentals //
jewelry: Crown Ginia Collections // meringues: Moore Joy Meringues //
wedding dress: Bella Bridesmaids  // reception dress: ModCloth

Wedding Details::
Highlights :: blush bridal gown, handmade red bridesmaid dresses, DIY dance floor, antique window archway, BHLDN decor elements, yellow vintage curtain panels on the cake backdrop. The red, yellow, blush color palette transitions summer into fall while still being light and sweet.

The Inspiration ::
The inspiration behind Brian and Emily’s wedding day was vintage Anthropologie with an elegant yet laid back spin, and was truly the epitome of a DIY wedding. A perfect blend of timeless and trend. Almost everything was DIY from the officiant (a friend of the family) to catering (the groom’s family!) to the many creative details. A few of the decor elements included an antique window archway and a “Let The Celebration Begin” banner to welcome guests, custom drink boxes, dance floor (yes, we built a dance floor!), signs, fence panel backdrops with BHLDN paper decor, cake stands, and all of the flowers (done by the bride herself with her bridesmaids and close friends) . The bride’s dress was a pretty pale blush, her veil was handmade from vintage lace, and even the bridesmaid dresses were handmade! The old wood was sourced from the bride’s brother’s fence that had blown over during a hail storm, and the cake and cupcakes were made by dear friends. The bride’s dad and friends put together the drink boxes, photobooth, signs and panels. The bride collected vintage cake stands and created her own with glass candle holders and vintage plates glued together. A longtime friend of the family officiated the ceremony, and the groom’s family catered the reception, and still found time to enjoy time with the guests!

From The Bride ::
“The fun thing about doing a DIYwedding besides saving a lot of money is that everyone gets to be together days before the wedding putting everything together. I loved being able to spend time with the people that Brian and I love and putting together a dream I had. It was such a special week not only because I married my best friend and love of my life but also because of all the ways I got to see my Heavenly Father provide through the help of so many amazing friends and family!”

Brian and Emily are full of joy, faith, devotion to family, and love for each other, and they were able to pull of a gorgeous DIY wedding for 300 guests, without the stress and anxiety that often accompanies DIY weddings – because of their ability to relax, to trust the people around them, and excellent preparation and planning!

Thank you so much to the lovely Wedding Chicks ladies for featuring their wedding today!

–
Photographer: Half Orange Photography, LLC
Ceremony Venue: Trinity Baptist Church
Reception Venue: Sullivant Retreat Center
Hair: Take 5 Salon
Dress Designer: Reem Acra
Groom’s Attire: JJ Kelly’s
Rentals: Marianne’s Rentals
Tent Rental: Oklahoma City Party Tent & Event