Real Weddings: Melissa + Steve

Autumn in North Carolina is magical, and Anna Mobley and Chris’s wedding at Biltmore Forest Country Club wedding makes full use of the gorgeous surroundings! Working with a traditional fall color palette of shades of orange and red, Flower Gallery of Asheville designed fanciful florals with colorful blooms and accents of feathers, and beautiful dahlias and berries. The Asheville weather in October was picture-perfect, and Party Envy coordinated an outdoor ceremony under a spectacular floral arch, then guests moved into the country club’s beautiful ballroom for the reception, where they danced the night away to tunes from Right to Party of East Coast Entertainment. Love the special moments and beautiful details captured by A.J. Dunlap Photography!

Laura and James were married on a lovely summer day at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, New Jersey. Rolling hills and trees were the perfect backdrop for the ceremony, held alongside the mansion overlooking the golf course, and the natural beauty of the upper lawn set the stage for the cocktail hour. The reception tent featured punchy florals from Jardiniere and cheerful details like the coasters from For Your Party and balloon guest book by Suzy Shoppe. Peach Donna Morgan bridesmaids dresses were the perfect complement to Laura’s gorgeous and airy Jim Hjelm gown. Peony Events made sure the day went off without a hitch, and guests partied throughout the evening to the sounds of Phase One. We are head over heels for these classic images from Charlie Juliet Photography!

New Orleans may be our most charming of cities, and Katie and Daniel’s wedding in The Big Easy is full of pure, simple elegance. Held at The Arbor Room at Popp Fountain, their March nuptials were set under clear blue skies fountainside, with a reception in the open, airy atrium. Poppy and Mint created gorgeous lush florals in shades of peach, yellow, pink, and coral. We’re especially in love with Katie’s gorgeous bouquet, its pastel tones a perfect match for her lace Maggie Sottero gown from Love Couture Bridal. Sweet Southern traditions abound, from a quintessential New Orleans Second Line dance to cake pulls in the pretty layered confection from Haydels Bakery. Matoli Keely Photography captured the images of the day with her usual magic—we know you will fall head over heels in love!

There is little that’s more stunning than a gold-and-orange hued autumn wedding, and Jenny and Brian’s affair at the Silver Lake Lodge at Deer Valley Resort doesn’t disappoint! Outdoors surrounded by Park City, Utah, mountains, the couple exchanged vows beneath a chuppah. Jenny wore an embroidered Heidi Elnora gown and, while she chose to keep things simple with no bridesmaids, the couple’s lab donned an orange bow tie and stood in for the occasion. Orange roses and calla lilies mixed with yellow and green florals and fall berries by Orchid Dynasty were rich and colorful in Jenny’s bouquet and on reception tables. Fiery blooms graced the cake from Deer Valley Resort, set amidst a gorgeous fall-inspired reception indoors, with flawless decor orchestrated by Soiree Productions. All of the images from Pepper Nix are simply breathtaking!

We just love the pops of wildflower color in Kelly and Jerald’s rustic, elegant Utah wedding at Earl’s Lodge! The stunning mountain backdrop is earthy, but touches of classic glamour abound to balance the setting. Colorful roses and green hydrangeas make up the flower creations by Mayflowers, which pop against blue Lily & Iris bridesmaids dresses and the rest of the setting. We’re swooning over the fur shrug Kelly paired with her simple column-style gown from Alta Moda Bridal Boutique! At the reception, Michelle Leo Events coordinated classic décor mixed with the stone and wood surroundings of the lodge. Our hats are off to Chudleigh Weddings for the beautiful images of this day!

Nothing says fairytale like a castle, and that’s exactly what Daryl and Larry got when they chose Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York, for their wedding celebration! Elegant ombre details like taupe and brown shades on Amsale bridesmaids dresses gave way to gorgeous orange and green fall flowers from Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design, giving the entire affair a crisp, seasonal look. Daryl looked as stunning as a princess in a lacy Monique Lhuillier gown from Wedding Salon of Manhasset, and we’re particularly swooning over her gold glitter J.Crew sandals! We love the way Betsi Ewing Studio and second photography team Alexis June Weddings captured the dreamy details! Touches of gold and more lush florals at the reception inside the castle are taking our breath away—we are absolutely in love with all of the gorgeous details in the gallery!

Isn’t Amy and Jeff’s Milton, New York, farm wedding lovely? We just adore the charm-filled setting of Buttermilk Falls, with the gorgeous scenery and rustic-elegant red barn. Amy and Jeff exchanged vows beneath a twig and flower arbor outdoors, with Amy wearing a delicate lace gown from Fontana Couture. Steven Bruce Design created dramatic fall bouquets and arrangements, with hits of plum, golden yellow, and orange, which complemented natural elements like pumpkins and fall leaves. Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography captured great details like the linen place cards from Gallery360, simple and elegant stationery by Wedding Paper Divas, and a cool wagon wheel place card presentation featuring vintage keys from Sister Nomad Supplies. We adore a pretty autumn wedding—see all of the gorgeous images in the gallery!

Nothing says cheerful like a beaming bride and groom in a dreamy field of golden sunflowers. Add some beautiful bridesmaids in peacock blue, sharp-looking groomsmen sporting black tuxes and bright-colored bouquets, and you have one seriously happy day. Sarah and John’s Dearborn, Michigan wedding was filled to the brim with joy, and we are obsessing over these photos by Amy Carroll Photography! Sarah and John were married at Our Lady of Orchard Lake and had an elegant reception at The Dearborn Inn that included dinner, dancing and many personal details. (The couple had their favorite Chicago popcorn and Michigan pizza as snacks for their guests. How fun is that?!) We are especially loving the blue champagne glasses at each place setting that perfectly accented the soft blue hydrangeas in arrangements by Wedding Flowers by Heidi! These images brought big smiles to our faces, and we wish the sweet couple a lifetime of love!

The pastoral beauty of the Clifton Inn in Charlottesville acted as the backdrop for Jen and Joseph’s outdoor ceremony, and they couldn’t have asked for a more gorgeous Virginia day! We adore the soft green, gold, and blue color palette inspired by the seaside, and the beautiful floral table runner. All of the simple but elegant details, from lush hydrangea bouquets by Southern Blooms to Jen’s lovely strapless scalloped gown, were captured by the impeccable Katie Stoops and we are utterly in love.

Gina and John’s Florida wedding brought the Tuscan coast to the Emerald coast. Gina comes from an Italian family so it was important to them to have their big day filled with friends, family, dancing and great food! It was an intimate, al fresco celebration of only about 70 guests with lots of Tuscan-inspired details to transport guests across the globe. I love the warm shades of orange and yellow that Nouveau Flowers used for the florals, the amazing pergola that stood over the head table at the reception, and all the grape leaf vines and lanterns used to decorate the space. Such a warm and marvelous celebration that honored two very beautiful places and two very beautiful people! Thanks to Rae Leytham Photography for these lovely images!

Lauren and Matt’s wedding was classic and elegant with some wonderful Southern details. Gorgeous magnolia leaves were used not only in the floral arrangements but also in the large garland they created which hung over the main doors to the church! I can’t believe that Lauren, her mom, and grandmother created all the florals – a beautiful blend of hydrangea, hypericum berries and roses (I guess it helps that her mother is a florist!). Aren’t the tall magnolia centerpieces incredible? Lauren and Matt had a beautiful wedding, captured just as beautifully by Elizabeth Scott Photography!

Sarah and Bill were married at the majestic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. It was a classically elegant event filled with unbelievable florals by The Bloom Room in shades of peach, blush, and orange. Their gorgeous ceremony aisle was lined with lanterns, flowers, and moss and they were married under a dozen twinkling natural globes. I love their color palette and the photos by Two Ring Studios are just perfection!

Rustic but elegant, beautiful but relaxed, Lydia and Joel’s wedding at the gorgeous Narnia Estate in the Chicago suburb of Lemont is oh so lovely and lush.  These two didn’t let a little downpour stand in their way! After moving their planned outdoor ceremony into the cocktail hour tent, they married to the sound of raindrops softly falling on the roof, and Lydia walked down the aisle to Trumpet Voluntary in D major after Joel surprised her with a trumpeter for the ceremony.  Inside the reception tent, the chic color palette of golden yellow, green and purple was brought to life by the unique planter-style arrangements and loose, organic bouquets from Moss Flowers.  Sit back and enjoy all of the beautiful images captured by Jennifer Kathryn Photography!

If I were to describe Lindsey and Dan’s wedding in 3 words, they would be magical, elegant, and glamorous. Lindsey is positively stunning in her stunning Monique Lhuillier gown, and you can’t get much more glamorous and elegant than their venue, the Royal Palms Resort and Spa in Phoenix. Oh, and the magical part? The breathtaking flowers by White House Flowers. Color, color everywhere! As always, the ladies from Outstanding Occasions created a flawless event and Melissa Jill Photography captured absolutely amazing images – get ready to fall in love!

Lesley and Matthew’s wedding was a blend of old world vintage and romantic with a beautiful and fresh color palette of apricot, gray and french blue. Their ceremony took place on the Tiffany-inspired staircase of Chicago’s Newberry Library, the bridal party lining each side of the staircase as guests looked on. The beautiful florals by the always breathtaking Fleur included some of my absolute favorites: ranunculus, dahlias, and juliet roses, with touches of pale blue hydrangea. I love how the framed table numbers and damask linens add texture to the table without distracting from the incredible flowers. A stunning wedding flawlessly pulled together by Greatest Expectations with gorgeous photos by Jennifer Kathryn Photography!

Is it just me or does California host some of the most awesome weddings? Kara and Matt’s bright and beautiful wedding was held in Sonoma County at Healdsburg Country Gardens. With a fun, sunny color palette and gorgeous, cheery florals by Maria Philbin, I can’t help but just smile as I look at these incredible photos. An amazing job by Jen Stewart Photography capturing such a wonderful day!

As you might know by now, I’m kind of a travel fanatic, so I fell in love with Nichole and Tim’s travel-theme wedding immediately. A “guest book” of vintage map postcards, tables named after countries they want to visit, and handmade travel postcards as escort cards are just a few of the little touches that carry the theme through the day. Of course, for travel lovers, what’s better than a destination wedding? The Palmetto Bluff Resort in Bluffton, SC was their lovely backdrop, and Atlanta’s David Murray Weddings captured all of the beautiful images.

In the wake of Mardi Gras, what better to show off than a classic New Orleans wedding?  Lauren and Ryan’s wedding was held in the heart of the city at the New Orleans City Park, and the sweet, simple details are brightening my day.  In true New Orleans fashion, as they walked from the ceremony site to the reception, a solo violinist played “All You Need is Love” softly, until their band picked up halfway through and rocked out the song, setting the mood for the party!  MQ Photography captured all of these lovely images, and the beautiful florals were created by Les Deux Soeurs.  Lauren, thanks for sharing your special day with us!

There is so much I could say about Catherine and Matt’s elegant and classic New Jersey wedding.  I could talk about how Catherine is positively glowing in her Ramona Keveza gown.  Or how Nicole Polk’s photos captured my heart from the moment I laid eyes on them.  Or how the love between Matt, Catherine, and their families is so palpable you can almost feel it.

Elizabeth Messina’s photography is so romantic … so artistic … so natural.  She has a way of making each and every bride and groom look hopelessly head-over-heels in love.