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From Samuel Lippke Studios… This absolutely gorgeous wedding screams classy and intimate. The couple is adorable, and the stunning Beverly Hills Hotel setting could not have been more perfect. Details like the bride’s incredible Carolina Herrera dress, the elegant flowers and the draping of the ceremony space are why we are loving this wedding so much! These images stand out to me as iconic, classic and romantic, which is everything this couple exudes. It was great to be able to work alongside the talented and ever professional Yifat Oren and her team at YOA.

Wedding Photography: Samuel Lippke + Matt Land for Samuel Lippke Studios / Ceremony: The Polo Lawn at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California / Reception: Rodeo Ballroom at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California / Wedding Planning + Coordination: Yifat Oren & Associates / Floral Design: Floral Art / Wedding Cake: NancyKay’s Confections / Wedding Invitations: Cartier / Draping + Other Décor: Dolce Designs Studio / Entertainment: West Coast Music / Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Hair: Calista Sanderson of The Andy Lecompte Salon / Makeup: Cecile Do / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale

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Post tags: Amsale, Calista Sanderson, Carolina Herrera, Cartier, Cecile Do, Christian Louboutin, Dolce Designs Studio, Floral Art, Matt Land, NancyKay's Confections, Samuel Lippke, Samuel Lippke Studios, The Andy Lecompte Salon, The Beverly Hills Hotel, West Coast Music, Yifat Oren & Associates
Post categories: The Blog, Traditional Elegance

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From the Bride… When Donnie and I started planning our wedding, the most important thing to us was that it be FUN and feel like us. So we focused less on the traditional wedding components and more on throwing a fun party. Because Donnie owns a wine shop, libations played a big part in the festivities. We had over two dozen craft brews by the bottle, plus Columbus Brewing Company on tap, over a dozen wines and a handful of signature cocktails featuring locally-made liquors like OYO vodka and Watershed Distillery gin. We also are very into food and are big supporters of all things local, so we tried to feature as many local products as we could, from the flowers grown on a farm up the road (we ran very close to the end of the season but luckily had a late frost!) to having a friend design our invitations that featured our heart (over the wedding location) in Ohio logo. For centerpieces we cleaned and spray-painted lots of bottle and jars, and I popped flowers in them randomly. The invites were a great precursor to the evening’s fun, from the cheeky wording and fun chevron envelope lining (hand-cut and glued by me!) to the mad-lib style RSVP postcards.

The party took place at the local Rockmill Brewery, which is situated on a beautiful old horse farm. We set up a tent outside the beautifully restored farmhouse, which we surrounded with food trucks! Wanting something for everyone, we had tacos, gourmet sandwiches, pizza, and local favorite Jeni’s Ice Cream. Jeni’s crew even made a special flavor for the evening featuring Rockmill’s Dubbel beer. We had Rockmill’s owner Matthew do a beer tasting at the beginning of the party, with which we paired cheeses (some local) and chocolate, plus my dad’s famous pistachio pork pâté and crab dip. For dessert, in addition to Jeni’s, we set up a s’mores bar down by the fire. Our guests were sent home with dark chocolate truffles I made with Rockmill beer and topped with sea salt we brought back from our first vacation together.

The party was preceded by a very intimate ceremony in the tiny chapel sitting on the property. It barely seats 16, so only our immediate family and closest friends were able to join. Even that felt festive because the small space meant that we could laugh with each other during the personal ceremony. We escaped for a few moments for photos with Uma afterwards to take advantage of the naturally beautiful setting. It was truly an amazing and fun day, and we love that our friends and family are still talking about how unique and awesome our wedding was!

Wedding Photography: Studio Uma / Wedding Venue: Rockmill Brewery in Lancaster, Ohio / Floral Design: Sunny Meadows Flower Farm / Wedding Invitations: Marit Hanson Weddings / Food Trucks: Mojo Tago, Skillet, Mikey’s Late Night Slice + Jeni’s Ice Cream / Wedding Dress: Mori Lee via Wendy’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Nine West / Hair: Max the Salon

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Post tags: Jeni's Ice Cream, Marit Hanson Weddings, Max the Salon, Mikey's Late Night Slice, Mojo Tago, Mori Lee, Nine West, Rockmill Brewery, Skillet, Studio Uma, Sunny Meadows Flower Farm, Wendy's Bridal
Post categories: Casual, The Blog

Click here to see the entire Farmyard Chic soiree!

As we started to plan our wedding, we knew we didn’t want a New York City wedding as much as we loved living there.  We were hoping to find a place that was available in late summer that would provide our guests a bit of a getaway but that wasn’t a particularly far drive for our tri-state family and friends.  After narrowing it down to a few areas outside of NYC, the search began!  We toured many different places but none seemed to have the right feel.  Then, on our way home from a friend’s wedding in Lake George, we stopped to see Locusts-on-Hudson.  We knew immediately it was everything we were looking for!  It was elegant, it was rustic, and the view over the Hudson River was breathtaking.  Combined with the working farm that spoke to the foodie in both of us, it all came together in such a unique and wonderful way.  It was the exact vision we were looking for yet were struggling to find.  We had hoped we could also find a place where we and our bridal party could stay the entire weekend given our top choice of late summer weekends was the Labor Day holiday.  The different houses on the estate provided us with the option to have everyone stay in one place and celebrate all weekend.  The Locusts ticked every box and we couldn’t stop grinning at each other as we toured the property, we knew this was it! 

The estate provided us so much natural beauty and inspiration to work with.  The windows on the barn were so lovely and Nicola at Lettuce Paper masterfully helped me turn them into a pattern that we used throughout all the stationary for the wedding – envelope liners, custom stamps, menus, and even as a single flourish at times.  As I explored the colors that both Greg and I loved, a peacock theme emerged.  I loved the idea of the vibrant peacock palate against the neutral and natural colors of the estate, especially at that time of year.  Peacocks have a natural elegance which was the perfect complement to The Locusts.  My goal was to incorporate the colors and feather in various different ways so that it didn’t become monotonous or overwhelming.  Linda Baldwin, our amazing florist, was able to help me achieve this.  The colors in the flowers were stunning.  I loved the way the arrangements all came together yet remained unique as we did something slightly different for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.  I particularly loved the mint which we used in the bridesmaids bouquets.   As we moved into the evening, the amazing lanterns that lined the path to the tent and also surrounded the pool provided a wonderful ambiance for a late summer wedding. 

Overall, we wanted our wedding to capture the warmth and beauty around us – from both the setting and our family and friends – and to be a reflection of who we were.  As an interfaith couple, we worked to ensure our ceremony and the events of the day reflected each of our backgrounds.  We wanted our guests to feel relaxed and enjoy the entire day, so our goal was to have an evening that effortlessly flowed from start to finish, which it did thanks to our stellar wedding planner and caterer!  I can’t say enough about them both.  Most of all, we wanted our guests to feel as if they were all part of our new extended family!  So after a family style dinner that reflected our love of food and the region, the band took over and it was time to party….and that we did well into the evening, admittedly taking advantage of the pool for the after party!  It was the perfect day and every time I look at my favorite photo of us in front of the wall to wall dart board, I’m reminded of this!!

Photography: Gulnara Studio / Ceremony & Reception: Locusts on Hudson / Wedding Planner: Carrie Wycoff, Events That Matter / Florist: Linda Baldwin Flowers & Event Design / Stationary: Lettuce Paper / Gown: Monique Lhuillier from Mark Ingram Atelier / Hair & Make-up: Sandra Downie Event Design / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Videographer: Fred Marcus / Music: Hank Lane Music & Julie Berman Quartet / Catering & Cake: Oliver Kita Fine Catering / Envelopes, Escort Cards & Table Numbers: Love Jenna Calligraphy / Tables & Chairs: Party Rentals Ltd. / Tent: Sperry Tents

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Post tags: Chickens, Events that Matter, fred marcus, Gulnara Studio, Hank Lane Music, Interfaith Ceremony, Jimmy Choo, Julie Berman Quartet, Lettuce Paper, Lisa Baldwin Flowers, Locusts on Hudson, Love Jenna Calligraphy, Mark Ingram Atelier, Monique Lhuillier, Oliver Kita Fine Catering, Outdoor Weddings, Party Rentals Ltd, Pigs, Sandra Downie Event Design, Sperry Tents, Staatsburg, Tented Reception, Waterside, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Casual, Little Black Book Blog

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Aaron and I met in 1999 when I was a freshman and he was a senior in high school in our small hometown in upstate New York. We actually went to prom together as friends the following spring and then lost touch until around 2007, where we reconnected at the engagement party of mutual friends. We dated long distance for a few months until Aaron decided to join me in Connecticut. Fast forward three years to a vacation in Myrtle Beach when Aaron asked me to marry him on a moonlit beach walk where he had written the question in the sand.  I wish that one of us could remember the genuine heartfelt things he said, but in that intense of a moment (unless on camera), I don’t think any couple does! It was a ridiculously exciting time for us, and we absolutely could not wait to be husband and wife. As the year and a half of wedding planning began, we knew the most important aspect of that day was to be surrounded by all of our family and friends. In order to stay on budget with a large number of guests, we had to get creative and incorporate a lot of DIY ideas like our chalkboard signage and Mr. and Mrs. chair markers. I am an INCREDIBLY indecisive person (except when it came to choosing my dress), and Aaron really helped to keep me grounded, focus on what was important and tell me when the shades of purple in the bridesmaids’ shoe clips and clutches were “close enough.” The theme we went with was “Vintage Romance,” incorporating classic black and white with hints of purple, and we think that our vision came together flawlessly. Jenna St. Clair, a close childhood friend of mine, designed all of our stationery as well as the seating chart, and they couldn’t have set the theme any better. We used purple stained glass lanterns and books for our centerpieces and went with classic love story titles for the table names. We tried to embrace tradition, while at the same time adding our own unique and personal touches to the day. I used some of the lace and buttons from my late grandmother’s wedding gown to wrap around the stems of my bouquet, and we had pictures of family members who have passed away surrounding our guestbook. Our cardholder was an old suitcase that belonged to my grandparents’ neighbor who had been like another grandmother to my siblings, cousins and me. Our first dance was to a song from Aaron’s all-time favorite band, Better Than Ezra. We honeymooned in Puerto Vallarta because neither of us had ever been to Mexico. Aside from what went “wrong” or was flawed or did not go exactly according to plan that day, it didn’t matter. It was a day meant for us, our family, friends and our love — and because of that it was perfect. Looking back, we wouldn’t change a thing! Wedding Photography: Justin & Mary / Ceremony: Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Whitehall, New York / Reception: Arts Center on Hudson in Mechanicville, New York / Floral Design: The Murphys Cottage Crafts / Catering: Faldoni’s / Bakery: Lake George Baking Company / Custom Soda: Avery’s Beverages / DJ: G.T. Entertainment / Wedding Dress: Enzoani via Bancroft Bridals / Makeup Artist: Looks by Lacy

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Post tags: Arts Center on Hudson, Avery's Beverages, Bancroft Bridals, Enzoani, Faldoni's, G.T. Entertainment, Justin & Mary, Lake George Baking Company, Looks by Lacy, Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, The Murphys Cottage Crafts, Whitehall
Post categories: The Blog

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

From White Room Events… “I love you but I have chosen DISCO.” This was a shoot inspired by my love of disco. The disco ball has been popping up in all sorts of places, inside interiors and also in wedding decor, so I wanted to style a gray styled shoot with monochromatic styling in a palette of white, charcoal gray and metallics. I wanted it to be beautiful and have a simple opulence, with the cheeky use of the disco balls and no groom — she is in LOVE with disco. Her makeup is bold and amazing — I just loved how it all turned out. We used an old dairy on my farm to shoot in. The amazing worn walls were the perfect backdrop, and the foiled print-custom designed by Akimbo is one of my favourite things about the shoot. With the ghost chairs, it all just worked. Simple, bold and modern — monochromatic and beautiful with an edge. I sourced an amazing vintage dress and also a current season shorter dress — it just goes to show disco never dies.

Photography: Jennifer Sando / Location: A Private Farm in Lobethal, Adelaide Hills, South Australia / Styling + Concept: Emily of White Room Events / Floral Design Evie & White / Paper Goods: Akimbo / Ghost Chairs: Atmosphere Events / Long Gown: Vintage / Short Dress: ONElittlePIECE / Hair: Chloe Reed / Makeup: The Swoon Effect / Model: Chaye Jesson

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Post tags: Adelaide Hills, Akimbo, Chaye Jesson, Chloe Reed, Disco, Jennifer Sando, Lobethal, ONElittlePIECE, Photo Shoot, The Swoon Effect, White Room Events
Post categories: Australia Weddings

Located in historic, downtown Fullerton, The Dresser Bridal offers something for everyone in your wedding party, so bring along your entourage! They can even create custom, one-of-a-kind gowns for religious ceremonies. Upcoming trunk shows include Essense of Australia & Ella Bridal on June 1st and 2nd and Maggie Sottero, August 10th and 11th. Comment below with what wedding detail is most important to you and we’ll select one random winner to receive a $100 gift certificate! Contest ends June 14th. Call 714-870-7101 or click here to schedule your appointment today and happy dress shopping!

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Post categories: California Weddings, Los Angeles Weddings, Palm Springs Weddings, Pasadena Weddings, San Diego Weddings, Santa Barbara Weddings, Sponsored Posts

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Kevin Trowbridge Photography… After this couple met when Simon was invited to Polly’s Christmas dinner in Hong Kong, they kept in touch for many years via Facebook, long distance calls, and many, many postcards, which are featured in some of the photos. They are now together in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and inseparable. Polly envisioned her perfect engagement session to take place out in nature with horses, so I organized a ride with Okanagan Stables up at Heartland Ranch. After an introduction to their beautiful silver grey horse Remington, or “Remi” for short, we headed out across a golden field with Simon leading Polly on the horse. 

Katherine (my wife, business partner and second shooter) set up a special picnic for the couple, including a bowl of fresh organic strawberries, French lemonade and European chocolates — suitable as Polly works at a chocolate shop in Calgary and dreams of opening up her own pastry shop someday. Together, they sat enjoying the sunset overlooking the valley and reading through the postcards sent to one another from distant lands that kept them connected throughout their years apart. Awww. They are getting married on May 27th, 2012 at Summerhill Winery in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. 

Photography: Kevin Trowbridge Photography / Location: Heartland in Kelowna, British Columbia / Horse Stable: Okanagan Stables

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Post tags: Engagement, Heartland, Kelowna, Kevin Trowbridge Photography, Okanagan Stables
Post categories: British Columbia Weddings, Canada Weddings

AND, The Wedding Salon is even offering free tickets! All you need to do to enter is email  StyleMePretty@WeddingSalon.com with your wedding date. It’s super easy! Trust us, you don’t want to miss this spectacular event! Head over to the Sax Hotel on Monday, June 4th from 4-8pm for fabulous inspiration and goodies galore!

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Post categories: Chicago Weddings, Illinois Weddings, Sponsored Posts