Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride & Groom… Michael and I are high school sweethearts and dated nearly 11 years before he popped the question. We had been to countless weddings together, so we had tons of ideas and wanted ours to stand out. We looked at numerous venues before stumbling upon the perfect venue in our own hometown. Although we had never heard of it, The Cravens Estate was exactly what we were looking for. The French-style estate was built in the 1920s in what was known as Millionaires’ Row in Pasadena, California. It was donated to the American Red Cross in 1962 and is frequently used as a venue for weddings and movies. We loved its uniqueness and old world charm. I don’t consider myself to be creative, but I had a vivid picture of what I desired. I wanted our wedding to be elegant with a touch of shabby chic and envisioned a rosy-peach and gray scheme. I loved the idea of lace, which I was able to incorporate in our invites and cake. Michael and I made our escort cards from trinkets we found at a local flea market, and we were able to find several items fitting specific guests. My grandmother made our ring pillow from lace and burlap, and my father made our table numbers from our engagement photos.  

As our guests arrived, they were offered pre-ceremony champagne and enjoyed a string trio that played classical music. Michael and I wrote our vows together to make our wedding ceremony a bit different. This allowed us to personalize our ceremony by saying exactly what we wanted to promise one another, without the associated fear of having your significant other hear your vows for the first time at the altar. Michael’s childhood pastor married us, and we had each of our grandmothers read a meaningful Bible passage. After our ceremony, our guests had their choice of cocktails and were free to explore the estate and appreciate all it had to offer. We also had a caricaturist during cocktail hour and gift bags for the kids. After eating, drinking, and dancing, we ended the night with a sparkler send off in a get-away car built by Michael’s dad. After the wedding, Michael and I honeymooned in France and Italy for three weeks, and we were able to visit the chateau after which the estate was modeled. Our wedding went off without a hitch and was more beautiful than I had ever had imagined.

Wedding Photography: Kevin Wynn Photography / Wedding Venue: The Cravens Estate in Pasadena, California (626-799-0841) / Event Planning: Theresa Shlimanoff of Hustle & Bustle / Floral Design: City of Commerce Flowers / Wedding Cinematography: Cloudbreak Films / Wedding Dress: Jim Hjelm / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

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Post tags: Badgley Mischka, California, City of Commerce Flowers, Cloudbreak Films, Hustle & Bustle, Jim Hjelm, Kevin Wynn Photography, Pasadena, The Cravens Estate, Theresa Shlimanoff
Post categories: The Blog, Traditional Elegance

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Help Me Get Hitched… Christine and Matt Cox dated for 10 years before they decided to get hitched, and I think it’s safe to say the bride started planning this wedding even before Matt popped the question. They were married at The Carneros Inn, located in the wine country of California. Christine, being a creative bride, thought of everything, from the candy apple favors to their send-off at the end of the night (on a tandem bike the groom bought as a wedding gift). The couple decided to play off their last name and since Cox is a type of apple, they went with an apple theme. The bride had the right idea by keeping it simple and classy at their modern, barn-like venue. The wedding party got prepared for the day in their country chic cottages at the inn. They stood in front of two wine barrels and crates full of green apples to say their “I do’s.” The cake had four layers of wainscoting, just like the walls at the dinner reception. The floral arrangements were in a mix of modern metal and warn wood boxes to keep with that modern barn feel. All the perfected detailed planning paid off with the perfect wedding day.

From the Bride… Matt and I based our wedding around two main themes: green apples and the tandem bicycle. We chose the green apple because the ceremony took place in The Carneros Inn’s apple orchard, and we chose the tandem bicycle because Matt is an avid cyclist. We wanted our wedding to feel warm and inviting for all of our guests. From the handmade table numbers to the “Christine & Matt” wedding labels, we wanted it to feel special and unlike any other. In the end it was by far the best day of our lives, and we love to look back at all the fabulous photos and reminiscence! 

Wedding Photography: Larissa Cleveland Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: The Carneros Inn in Napa, California / Wedding Planning: Help Me Get Hitched / Floral Design: Julie Stevens Design / Wedding Cinematography: Thomas Hughes Films / Wedding Cake: Branching Out Cakes / Wedding Stationery: The Aerialist Press / Quartet: Starlite Strings / Wedding Dress: Priscilla of Boston (Now Closed) / Hair + Makeup: David Magna Workshop

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Post tags: Apples, Branching Out Cakes, California, David Magna Workshop, Help Me Get Hitched, Julie Stevens Design, Larissa Cleveland Photography, Napa, Priscilla of Boston, Starlight Strings, Tandem Bicycle, The Aerialist Press, The Carneros Inn, Thomas Hughes Films
Post categories: The Blog

From the Bride… I totally started planning my wedding before I was even engaged. My husband and I dated long distance for a year and a half before we were finally in the same city. I am Canadian and he is South African; we decided to get married in South Africa because that’s where we met. My family was so supportive throughout that process. They didn’t bat an eye to come thousands of kilometers to be there for me on my day. Even though we didn’t have a very big budget, they overwhelmed me with their support through the entire process. I have always wanted to have a “fabulous DIY wedding with an eclectic, whimsical and a little bit hippie theme.” I’m so happy with what I got. My wedding dress was $100 from a one day closeout sale that I stumbled upon completely by accident with my mom one day. It was magical. Maureen Patricia of Queen Couture in Victoria made some alterations so that the dress fit my vision and my body like a glove! I also decided to make a second dress to wear at the reception. My dream dress has been the Vera Wang from Bride Wars but in case anyone hadn’t noticed, Vera is a bit steep for my pocket, so instead, she was my inspiration and I started sewing. I bought $10 shoes from Costa Blanca and made a killer necklace from a 1920′s vintage belt buckle and some ’60s costume pearls. Double score. Two outfits: $400.

The flowers were an amazing score as well, we picked arum lilies from a farm two days before the wedding through a friend, free of charge. I also asked a few other friends and family members if they could donate some white flowers, greenery and lavender for the reception decor and my bouquet. I kept a crocheted doily that my great-grandmother made for me when I was eight and used it to wrap my bouquet — it was my little piece of home that I took with me when I got married. My bridesmaids and I also spent hours scraping labels off of wine bottles to put flowers and candles in at the reception. My parents, grandparents, fiance, my aunt and some dear friends made it a group effort to cut and sew the long table runners for the reception. This wedding was truly a community effort!

I designed and sewed my junior bridesmaids’ dresses (one was repurposed; it was originally my own dress), and they looked completely fabulous. My bridesmaids wore whatever they wanted (within a color palette — my inspiration was the colors of a peacock feather) so I could rest assured they would be comfortable in whatever they wore. Our wedding cake was a Rice Krispie cake. I love the stuff and am not really such a fan of cake. Plus, it was cheap. My mom made it the day before the wedding. The cake toppers were a favor from another wedding that I reused. Because some people could only make the ceremony, we split up the speeches into two parts. Reece said his speech to me directly following the ceremony along with Mitch, his brother and best man. My dad and I, as well as my maid of honor, made speeches after dinner. I loved it because I knew Reece was so relieved to have his speech out of the way for the rest of the wedding! Our wedding was a continuous affair throughout the day. There wasn’t really a lull where people didn’t know what to do between the ceremony and reception. By the time the tea and treats had wrapped up at the chapel, the guests were invited to have drinks, cheese and hors d’oeuvres at our reception venue. We had some amazing friends who also provided live music and even wrote us a song that everyone joined in singing. By the time we arrived, everyone was already completely wound up, excited and ready to party. 

Photography: Katrina of Blue Bottle Photography / Ceremony: Crab Apple Chapel in Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa / Reception: Hillhouse in Dargle, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa / Flowers: DIY from Friends’ Gardens / Wedding Cake: DIY by the Bride’s Mother / Table Runners: DIY by the Bride’s Friends & Family / Wedding Dress #1: Bought on Closeout in Victoria / Alterations to Dress #1: Maureen Patricia Couture / Wedding Dress #2: DIY by the Bride / Bride’s Necklace: DIY with Costume Pearls + 1920′s Vintage Belt Buckle / Junior Bridesmaids’ Dresses: DIY by the Bride

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Post tags: Blue Bottle Photography, Crab Apple Chapel, Dargle, DIY, Hillhouse, KwaZulu-Natal, Maureen Patricia Couture, south africa
Post categories: Casual, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, The Blog

Click here for a total image LOVE fest!

Looking back on our wedding, I realize that I was that bride that had never tapped into the well of obsessions over all things bridal that exists within myself. I thought that I would be the most laid back and nonchalant bride ever. Not the case. I cared about every, single, detail and decision made. My mother and I were like two Tasmanian devils whirling around for a year planning this wedding and pouring over wedding images on Style Me Pretty. We loved every minute and thoroughly enjoyed the process as a creative outlet.

Pierce and I both grew up in Savannah, Georgia and both attended the University of Georgia. We started dating the second week of my freshman year of college and have now been together for eight years. I have always envisioned getting married at Palmetto Bluff. My parents have been taking weekend trips there for the past several years and it is the dreamiest place- a real life Pleasantville. Since it is only 30 minutes outside Savannah, it was the perfect semi-destination location and a nice getaway for our guests.

We couldn’t have picked better vendors, some local and others from different parts of the country. Mollie Stone made our cake and is the godmother of one of my closest friends, so I have been eating her pound cake for years. It was vanilla almond flavored and not only delicious, but beautiful. Mr. Boddington made our save-the-dates, invitations, bridesmaids luncheon invites, and thank you notes. Their style is fabulously quirky and I fell in love with their unique fonts and wallpapers. For the décor, I wanted a very natural and understated look to fit the setting. We used a natural linen for the table cloths and a mixture of ranunculus and garden roses for the bouquets, boutonnieres, and table arrangements, mixing in succulents and lavender throughout the ballroom. Our wedding planner at Palmetto Bluff, Kelli Corn, was made of magic. She coordinated all of the details and our requests so effortlessly.

I found my Vera Wang dress at BleuBelle Bridal Salon in Savannah my first round of looking. I loved how beautifully made the dress was and it fit my style perfectly, simple and tailored, but with a twist. When deciding on accessories, I knew that I wanted pieces that I would want to wear again and again. I got my Isabel Marant earrings as a gift the previous Christmas and snagged my Valentino sandals seriously on sale! I have a soft spot in my heart for anything with studs.

As soon as I spotted Docuvitae’s work on Style Me Pretty, I knew that we had to hire them. Our photographer, Eric from Docuvitae, was amazing to work with. Along with digital, we chose to include film to get that grainy, romantic quality that vintage cameras give. It was so cool to see Eric use several different types of vintage cameras throughout the night. He never told us to do anything we wouldn’t normally do ourselves. As a result, every photo is natural and captures a brief but sweet moment that depicts the excitement and love we were all feeling that day.

I started out the day exactly how I wanted, relaxing with my friends and family and doing yoga with my favorite yoga teacher, sister, and new sisters-in-law. The weather was dramatically overcast and windy, making for some beautiful pictures. Our ceremony was held in the Waterside Chapel, overlooking the May River as the sun began to set. Cocktail hour was on the lawn next to the chapel where we passed hors d’oeurves. Some of the favorites were mini crab cakes, beef carpaccio on toast, and smoked salmon mousse on parmesan crisps. We had the reception in the ballroom of The Inn, where we had stations of paella, charcuterie and salads, and beef tenderloin with sweet potato gratin. Not wanting to end the night early, we had a late night DJ party in the wine cellar downstairs in The Inn. This was a major hit with all of our friends!

There is nothing Pierce or I would change about our wedding day. We were in such a beautiful setting and surrounded by all of the people we love. I just wish we could do it all over again!

Photography: Docuvitae Photography / Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Inn at Palmetto Bluff / Wedding Coordination + Design: Kelli Corn, Wedding Design Studio of The Inn at Palmetto Bluff /  Event Design: Sebrell Smith, Sebrell Smith Designer Events / Harpist: Phyllis Mauney, Hilton Head Entertainment / Choir: Hallelujah Singers / Lighting: Stage Presence Equipment Rentals / Linens: La Tavola Linen / Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals / Bakery: Mollie Stone Bakery / Band: Atlanta Rhythm and Groove / Transportation: Old Towne Trolleys / Stationery: Mr. Boddington Studio / Dress: Vera Wang from BleuBelle Bridal Salon / Shoes: Valentino / Earrings: Isabel Marant

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Post tags: Atlanta Rhythm and Groove, Black and White Photography, BleuBelle Bridal Salon, Docuvitae Photography, Georgia, Hallelujah Singers, Hilton Head Entertainment, Isabel Marant, Kelli Corn, La Tavola Linen, Mollie Stone Bakery, Mr. Boddington, Old Towne Trolleys, Savannah, Sebrell Smith Floral and Event Design, Snyder Event Rentals, South Carolina, Stage Presence Equipment Rentals, The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Valentino, Vera Wang, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Traditional Elegance, Wedding Photography

DIY Paper Heart

Materials:

A good amount of toilet paper tubes and/or packaging tubes in varying sizes
Paints
Paintbrushes
Tissue paper
Scissors
A pen
Clear tacky glue
Mod Podge glue

Prep:
If you choose to use packing tubes, make sure to cut them down to the size you want with a knife or small hand saw.

Step 1: Take the tissue paper and cut out your shape, I decided on a heart shape for this project. It may help to draw your shape before cutting. After cutting, lay your shape on a flat surface.

Step 2: Make sure the paper tubes are free of any left over paper and paint them. I liked the look of pops of color and chose to paint only a few rolls.

Step 3: Place your tubes around the perimeter of your cutout shape.

Step 4: Using your tacky glue, begin to glue your tubes to one another. Pinch them together and hold for a few seconds to allow the glue to settle in.

Step 5: Continue to layer rows of tubes until you have reached your desired thickness and shape, gluing as you go.

Step 6: After the tacky glue has had a chance to harden, begin to reinforce your tubes by painting the perimeter with Mod Podge glue. Don’t worry, it will go on white, but it does dry clear.

Wedding Planning: Naturally Yours Events / Wedding Photography: Shane Welch Photography / Wedding Videography: Sterling Wedding Cinema / Wedding Venue: Catalyst Ranch / Wedding Florals: Pollen / Bridal Ceremony Gown and headpiece: Mignonette Bridal / Bridal Reception Gown and headpiece: Dame Couture / Menswear: Humble Collective / Makeup: Makeup by Pamela / Hair: Debbie Petrielli / Jewelry: Due Sorelle / Wedding Cake: Luscious Layers / Truffle Cake & Sweets: Truffle Truffle / Candies: Get Local Chicago / Stationery: Lily Red Studio / Juice favors: Juice RX / Photo Booth: The Traveling Photo Booth / Linens and Flatware: M&M Special Events / Models: Brittany Clapper and Andrew Bochniak  / Event Design Assistant: Janae Laverdiere

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Post tags:
Post categories: Chicago Weddings, DIY Projects, DIY Wedding Decor, Illinois Weddings

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

From Bridal Bliss… This photo shoot took place at the natural light filled Imago Ballroom, a new event venue in Portland. The goal of this project was to create a look that would appeal to a modern couple seeking a fairytale wedding. Using metallic elements, crystal accents, textures and rich colors, we created a setting that Cinderella and her prince would feel right at home in. The table was draped in a soft golden-champagne satin cloth with a custom, textured, blush overlay. The florals were designed to introduce bold, opulent colors to our otherwise neutral palette. Silver succulents, rhinestone-studded chargers, classic silver filigree china, mercury glass and crystal accents brought the sparkle and shine to the shoot. A whimsical dessert table, signature cocktail and custom ring bearer pillow and flower girl purse added to the layers of detail. Our modern day Cinderella bride wore a Martina Liana gown with a bead-encrusted bodice and a feathery, layered tulle skirt. She was also dolled up with custom, hand-crafted jewelry and rhinestone-covered pumps — our modern version of the traditional glass slipper. The invitations, menus and signage featured the words, “happily ever after…” to convey our fairytale theme.

When planning your own Cinderella wedding, first, choose a neutral background. Neutrals have come a long way from the typical black, white, brown of the past. Modern neutrals like our blush, champagne, and metallics really allowed our rich purple palette to stand out. Second, add some sparkle. We love the way that the crystals and mercury glass pieces reflected light and caught the eye. And lastly, showcase your theme throughout. From the invitations that give your guests a first impression of your wedding before it’s even happened, to the dress, the desserts, drinks and décor. Each piece to the puzzle should speak to each other, having a common thread that helps convey your fairytale theme.

Photography: Emily G Photography / Venue: Imago Theatre Ballroom in Portland, Oregon / Event Coordination: Bridal Bliss / Floral Design: Bella Bloom Florals / Cinematography: Black Label Event Films / Stationery: Paper Bloom / Officiant: A Beautiful Ceremony NW / Catering: Vibrant Table / Dessert Styling: One Divine Party / Rentals: West Coast Event Productions / Wedding Dress + Accessories: Martina Liana (Style 377 in Silk Ivory with Dove Sash) via Charlotte’s Weddings and More / Shoes: Benjamin Adams (Charlize) / Jewelry: Mandalena / Hair + Makeup: Face Body Beauty / Menswear: Duchess Clothier

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Post tags: A Beautiful Ceremony NW, Bella Bloom Florals, Benjamin Adams, Black Label Event Films, Bridal Bliss, Charlotte's Weddings and More, Duchess Clothier, Emily G Photography, Face Body Beauty, Imago Theatre, Martina Liana, One Divine Party, Oregon, Paper Bloom, Portland, Vibrant Table, West Coast Event Productions
Post categories: The Blog

All these gorgeous gowns feature Winnie Couture’s signature luxury embellishments and impeccable attention to detail. Bring your besties and your mom too because they have beyond gorgeous bridesmaid dresses and sophisticated styles for your mom. When you visit their beautiful flagship store in Beverly Hills you’ll get a truly VIP bridal shopping experience with knowledgeable, attentive service. At Winnie Couture it’s all about you and the gown. Click here for more info and happy dress shopping! xoxo

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Post tags: Winnie Chlomin, Winnie Couture
Post categories: California Weddings, Los Angeles Weddings, Orange County, Palm Springs Weddings, Pasadena Weddings, San Diego Weddings, Santa Barbara Weddings, Sponsored Posts

Yup. That’s right, they’ll have beer and champagne, food tastings, chocolate raffles, you name it! There’s even a Man Land for the guys to hang while you primp and preen in the ladies dressing room. With live music, fashion parades a plenty, and wedding vendors like Samantha Wills, Aria Catering and Mr. Cook, there’s really nothing not to love!

Get your booty over to Sydney’s Sun Studios on Sunday, May 27th. It’s guaranteed to be a fabulous day for everyone. For more info head over to One Fine Day where you’ll find all the nitty gritty details including admission tickets. xoxo

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Post tags: One Fine Day Sydney
Post categories: Australia Weddings, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Sponsored Posts, Victoria