Really NOW: Caroline and Stephen

Sarah & Benjamin wanted guests to feel like they were entering a magical world when they arrived at their wedding and the day was full of awe-inspiring details which made that vision a reality. From getting married at the castle-like Wonderland Cluj Resort, to the horse-drawn carriage fit for royalty, to the show-stopping, jaw-droppingly lush, floor-to-ceiling florals by Elena Bodea – Las Floristas that filled both the ceremony and reception, guests were transported into a fairy tale for the day. Add to that that these two look like they walked out of a magazine themselves, and this may be one of the most dreamy weddings ever! The gallery is full of more incredible photos by Ioana Porav Photography, from the stunning rose petal seals on the stationery by Invogue Art, to Sarah’s romantic Milla Nova wedding gown (a nod to her Hispanic roots), to even more photos of their unbelievable florals, and trust us, you absolutely want to see them all!

Almost instantly, a wedding in Washington, DC has visions of ultimate grandeur. Jen and Nick wed in the early spring at the Four Seasons and they left no stone unturned when it came to the ins and outs of their wedding design. Jen’s favorite blooms are the ever-stunning and lush magnolias and with that color inspiration as their jumping point, they coveted a white/ivory and green wedding with gold accents. Florist Amy from Amy Lauren Floral Designs expressed and continued the color palette by using sumptuous white peonies and white roses along with the glossy magnolia leaves. This wedding has too many impeccable elements to it, both in design and in personality. We’re just glad that Kristen Gardner captured all the splendor in full!

Let’s all take a moment (or two) out of our day to check out this bliss-inducing Janita Mestre wedding. It’s delightfully in the desert, so of course you’re going to spot a few cacti at Galway Downs, but you’re going to see such a dreamy color palette too. Being so close to Valentine’s Day, Stephanie and Alex wanted to evoke love all throughout, so they picked pink as their go-to hue. Big and bright blush and ivory florals by Events by Floral Sensations complemented the eye-catching David’s Bridal mauve bridesmaids’ dresses, and we loved this idea, too. Instead of continuing the soft tones everywhere, shake up the colors like Stephanie and Alex and throw a deep hue in the same color family somewhere that will be seen. Adding it to the bridesmaids’ dresses was a clever touch without overwhelming the couple’s desire to have an airy feel to their wedding day.

When you combine the rolling hills of the Edna Valley with an evening dinner party celebrating true love, you have a truly magical day! Elizabeth and River selected the Center of Effort Winery for their Central California wedding, and chose a color palette of shades of of blue and purple, which made the rugged backdrop even more beautiful! Vanessa Noel Events worked with the couple to design an event full of unique details: the seating chart was displayed on lanterns, textured blue velvet linens from La Tavola Linen graced the farmhouse tables, and a fabulous dessert table from Paper Cake Events with woodland florals by Noonan’s Wine Country Designs was a showstopping addition to the intimate outdoor affair. You won’t want to miss a single moment in these gorgeous images by Anna Delores Photography!

When you think of Colorado, rustic mountain events are top of mind, but when planning their Denver wedding, Grace and Conor knew that they wanted their contemporary and minimalist aesthetic to shine. Cherry Creek’s new Halcyon Hotel was the perfect fit. Rooftop views gave guests a glimpse of the city to the north and mountains to the west, and the sleek ballroom and modern interior beautifully accentuated the theme. Grace found her dream gown, a sleek Theia Couture design, at A and Bé—it was the first gown she tried on!—while Conor selected an incredible navy Hugo Boss tuxedo. The couple eschewed the traditional bridal party and cake and splurged on a welcome party for their guests at a rooftop bar in downtown Denver and a band for the reception, accomplishing their goal of an incredible dance party! Kimberlee Berman of Sweet Bee Designs created bright, native arrangements, adding a healthy dose of color to the otherwise neutral palette. Completely spellbound by this sophisticated couple and the beautiful images captured by Sara Lynn Photographic!

Chris and Lauren envisioned a flower-filled English garden for their nuptials at Pennsylvania’s John James Audubon Center, and working with Sebesta Design, they brought their romantic, classic dream to life. The rustic elements of the venue’s orchards and pavilions set the stage, but Corinne from Sebesta Design incorporated elegant arrangements to mix the two worlds of rustic and formal. The wooden pavilion was transformed into an elegant garden with ivy, roses, and hydrangea paired with scabiosa blossoms, purple pansies, and pearl peppers for unexpected arrangements. Not a detail was left unfinished from ceiling to mantel. We are suckers for pups in weddings, and love that Lauren and Chris incorporated their little one into the ceremony, floral collar and all! Lauren’s lace gown from Amsale is positively regal, and befitting her background as a Fashion Institute of Technology grad. Each moment captured by Redfield Photograph is gorgeous!

It’s our favorite time of the year! During the last several weeks of each December, we share some of our absolute favorite events of the year—those that we feel perfectly encapsulate the year in weddings. We’re kicking it off with the most incredible Florida soiree from Justin DeMutiis! Jessica and Arthur have a truly unique love story. Theirs is a romance of many continents: a chance meeting in Thailand while Jessica was backpacking pre-medical school and Arthur, a paratrooper for the British Army, was on leave from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, a long-distance romance and proposal in NYC, and a wedding in Florida near their families. They selected Winter Park’s Casa Feliz, a venue with an Old World feel that was perfect for their intimate, festive theme. We’d utterly in love with the day’s fashion, from the dusky purple and blue Jenny Yoo bridesmaids dresses to Jessica’s sleek Ulla-Maija Couture gown and Arthur’s bespoke suit from Bindle and Keep. The couple designed each element of the wedding with flair, from the hand-picked craft beers to the farmhouse tables dressed with unfussy flowers by Botanica and sourced from a vintage rental company and made from repurposed farm wood. Enjoy each and every stunning image from Justin DeMutiis!

Negar and Carl’s Vancouver wedding is full of love and togetherness! The first event of their wedding weekend was a night of culture, color and dance, followed by a classic, intimate and romantic wedding two days later. Carl proposed to Negar at the Pan Pacific Hotel, so it was only natural that they return for their wedding. Carl’s sister also happens to be Negar’s best friend and she along with Negar’s sister served as the maidens of honor. Art of the Party transformed the elegant ballroom with a mixture of luxurious linens, mercury glass candle holders, and a mix of high and low arrangements from Sunflower Florist. Perfectly Flawless made sure the day was—of course—perfectly flawless, and we absolutely adore these images from Melissa Gidney!

Wow—we are just smitten with the gorgeous details of Daniele and Aydin’s cross-cultural wedding in Austin, Texas! These beautiful images from Caroline + Ben show a lovely, laid-back day filled with bright smiles and sophistication. Daniele and Aydin’s Catholic wedding mass at Central Christian Church was followed by a Persian ceremony celebrating Aydin’s heritage, held at the Green Pastures Reception. The first part of the day included soft taupes in bridesmaids dresses by Alfred Sung and cream and pink peony and orchid bouquets by Unexpected Elements. The scene at the backyard-style reception included bolder touches, like gold and jewel tone sequin linens and bright flowers, where the team from Brock + Co. Events kept the evening running smoothly. Throughout it all, Daniele dazzled in a strapless Enzoani gown from Blush Bridal Lounge. This is one fun party—see it all in the gallery!

Bold and pretty are the perfect words to describe Angela and Michael’s Santa Rosa wedding, held at Annadel Estate Winery. The beautiful blues, red, and purples of the flowers by Elyse Litt of Willow Floral Design are somewhat unexpected, making that much more of a statement. Bret Cole Photography did a stunning job capturing the day’s details, including the intricate beading on Angela’s Lazaro gown and the rustic, elegant surroundings of the vineyard and barn-style space where the ceremony was held. On the lawn for the reception, Melissa Panico of MAP Weddings & Events coordinated lovely centerpieces along long tables with gold touches and pretty linens from La Tavola Fine Linen Rental. We are completely head over heels for this chic and colorful vineyard wedding—swoon over all of the details in the gallery!

Michelle and Marty live in New York, but they chose Michelle’s hometown of Chicago to celebrate their big day. We’re drooling over their rich color palette in fuchsia, blue, and purple, and although their reception was held at the Chicago History Museum, it was totally elegant and modern! The flowers by Kloeckners are absolutely amazing and really pop both as centerpieces as well as against the soft gray of the bridesmaids’ dresses. The event was stunning! The team at Greatest Expectations did an incredible job and these photos by Gerber+Scarpelli Photography have surely brightened our day!

We love a good, lush garden wedding, and Lindsay and Johann pulled off a gorgeous fete at Laurel Court in Cincinnati, Ohio! Jen & Jonah captured all the elegance of the day, especially the rose and hydrangea floral arrangements mixed with wildflowers by Lindsay’s family’s business, Expressions by Elizabeth. What a sweet touch! Lindsay’s sister served as maid of honor, while other special attendants chose their own teal dresses to coordinate with the decor. Jeana’s Great Cakes baked the fabulous, intricately designed dessert that added another elegant touch to the blue, cream and pink flowers and linens at the reception. We are completely in love with the classic elegance of this soiree!

This romantic wedding from Clary Photo is one of our absolute favorite weddings of 2012! Alison—in a Lazaro gown with an accordion-pleated skirt—and James held a traditional church ceremony, complete with pale pink and white flowers from Sisters Floral Design Studio, before wowing guests with their beautiful reception. Held at Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel in Missouri, the decor coordinated by Proposing Dreams Weddings—featuring pale blues, pinks, and white—made for an ethereal environment in which to celebrate. The Cakery provided a sweet treat for guests who danced the night away to tunes spun by Rockstar DJs. We love every stunning detail!

Morgan and Matt’s outdoor wedding at Bella Luna Farms was as rustic and charming as it was pretty and timeless. The lovely images from one of Michele M. Waite Photography‘s favorite weddings of this year showcase bold blooms in arrangements and bouquets, as well as Morgan’s classic column-style gown. Sweet farm animals meandered around the grounds as guests enjoyed first a ceremony—where the couple took vows beneath a traditional chuppah festooned with a floral garland—and then a reception inside a barn strung with lights. We think Chambers and Company did a fabulous job with the design of this fun and fabulous affair!

Casey and Joey dreamed of a rustic, romantic Virginia wedding, and we know they must’ve pinched themselves to make sure their fantasy had really come to life. These photos from Timmester Photography are gorgeous and capture the country-chic theme of the day. Merriweather Manor in Leesburg served as the woodsy backdrop for vibrant bouquets and arrangements featuring dahlias, cockscomb, and bark wire from Holly Chapple Flowers. The couple incorporated a tree theme for the weekend, and we adore the round stumps they used as table numbers. Kelley Cannon Events coordinated the picture-perfect day, ensuring the atmosphere was pretty but laid-back for Casey and Joey’s guests. And we’re betting the classic navy bridesmaids dresses from Vineyard Vines will actually get more than one day of wear! The heart motif on stationery by Miss Merkle Design sweetly sums up Casey’s feelings about the wedding: “The love and support from our family and friends helped make the day a magical experience for us.”

Hold onto your (wide-brimmed) hat for this preppy wedding! Britton and Campbell met while studying medicine at the University of Vermont, and when they returned to tie the knot five years later at the Quechee Polo Field, a seersucker soiree was in order! Self-described as “snappy casual,” we love the fresh colors, cool floral designs and pops of paisley. Making full use of the venue’s grounds, guests enjoyed a ceremony on the grandstand, cocktails at the scoreboard and reception under a sailcloth tent with entertainment provided by The Pulse of Boston. Thanks to Hendrickson Photography for sharing these amazing images!

The picturesque shore of Lake Leelanau in Traverse City, Michigan, was a lovely gathering ground for the wedding of Ilana and Matt, who had family flying in from both coasts as well as overseas. The couple wanted a laid-back party for their “favorite people in the world,” and this one was full of style, too—from the custom sash made of feathers, moss and bark around the waist of Ilana’s J.Crew wedding gown to the casually elegant wildflower and herb arrangements from Bloom. An outdoor ceremony at Crooked Creek Ranch took advantage of the water views, while the property’s rustic barn was a gorgeous woodland scene for the reception, including a delicious four-tier cake from Aunt B’s embellished with a cascading fondant branch and leaves. These images from Harrison Studio make it clear this was one fun event—from the spirited dancing to Lady Sunshine and the X Band to the groom grabbing the mic to serenade his bride with “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.”

Ashley and Kevin’s wedding is so deliciously gorgeous, it’s hard to decide my favorite part! The celebration began with an outdoor garden ceremony at Aristide and then moved inside for a candlelit reception. Tables and decor were inspired by peacocks with a color palette of teal, aqua, and violet, and place settings even included a peacock feather tucked in the napkins! Centerpieces of flowering branches and white florals by Twigs were just the right amount of rustic and really made the colors of the linens and peacock details pop! I absolutely love Ashley’s beautiful Amsale gown and all these gorgeous photos by  Jessica D’Onofrio Photography!

The gowns, the flowers, the colors…I absolutely love all of the details from Nina and Michael’s wedding. This beautiful couple celebrated their marriage right on Lake Erie with a traditional and elegant reception at Shoreby Club and an in-credible color palette. I love the rich and moody purple and navy bouquets and the bright pops of fuchsia and lime in their fantastic centerpieces by HeatherLily, Inc. Oh, and Nina’s gown? Love!! Then again, there isn’t much *not* to love from these gorgeous photos by Z MEDIA!