Photographing my sister’s wedding

I’m pretty much in love with the beautiful and classic details of Chris and Vanessa’s Manhattan wedding.  These two are chock full of personality and it really shows through in the amazing photography of Chris Humphreys. Vanessa’s bridesmaids were dressed in strapless gowns in varying hues of purple, and she is a princess in her flowing gown and veil. The ceremony was held at the Central Presbyterian Church in Manhattan (of Sex and the City fame), then it was on to the American Museum of Natural History for the reception. Beautiful white paper lanterns graced the ceiling and low, striking centerpieces created by Louis Guerra featured submerged orchids and calla lillies. Meghan Walls did a wonderful job coordinating the event and making sure that every little detail was attended to. I also had to throw in just a few shots from their engagement session, where Chris and Vanessa played in fountains! Love the personality in this NYC affair!

A lot of our brides are in the last throes of planning fall events so I have a great one for you today, courtesy of Heather at Vallentyne Photography.

Mariana and Salazar’s Portugal wedding is a little slice of perfection! Mariana, an event planner, envisioned a classic wedding with a modern twist and the couple selected a timeless palette of white, green, and gold. Solar de Levada was the perfect setting. Elegant florals and candlelight were accented with on-trend geometric elements, from the hanging seating chart to circular taper candle holders, and even a greenery-adorned swing for guests to enjoy! Mariana chose a sophisticated Rosa Clara gown featuring a detatchable skirt (and pockets!), and accented the gorgeous gown with 92-year-old earrings gifted to her gread-grandmother by her great-grandfather on their wedding day. Salazar donned a chic suit/tuxedo mix, and a watch gifted to him by friends for his thirtieth birthday. The couple sprinkled their day with many handmade elements, from “tears of joy” tissue packets to little hangover kits for guests, and created some fun photobooth signage, which was a hit! Read on to see this spectacular event captured by 135milimetros and hear all of the details of the day from the couple – this is one wedding you won’t want to miss!

Ashley and Tate are head-over-heels in love, their laughter endless, and their classic winter wedding in the Northwoods of Wisconsin is overflowing with love and joy! The couple both wanted a traditional wedding, with a sophisticated style and simple color palette. They chose Wausau’s Rothschild Pavilion to play host, and selected a color palette of black, white, and gold, with a mix of winter blooms for bouquets and fresh greenery for the reception, featuring a dramatic king’s table and swaths of white draping from the pavilion’s ceiling. Ashley donned her grandmother’s vintage gown for their ceremony and changed into a custom silk gown by Monirose Bespoke Bridal for the reception. Classic black tuxedos and black bridesmaids’ dresses of the maids’ choosing completed the elegant winter look. Wisconsin winter is magical, and we adore the images by Natashia Nicole Photography!

As wedding photographers themselves, Andie and Tony are surrounded by celebrations. When it came time to plan their own, a winter wedding was only natural, as they began dating in the winter and Tony proposed to Andie in the winter! Maryland’s Silver Swan Bayside was the perfect setting to showcase their color palette of white and green with pops of burgundy. Though their wedding was held in December, they didn’t want decor that was overtly Christmas-y, but instead had touches of the holiday, such as evergreen trees, gold details, and even Andie’s Martina Liana gown, with detailing reminiscent of snowflakes! Cascading greenery, candlelight, and a snow-flurried send-off is a winter wedding lover’s dream, and their special day is captured beautifully by Molly Lichten Photography!

April and Michael’s intimate wedding at Denver’s Halcyon Hotel is full of classic and modern touches! The Halcyon is a cozy boutique hotel, and their 68 guests were a perfect fit, ensuring that the couple could celebrate and chat with each of their closest family and friends throughout the evening. April selected a timeless, slim-fitting Nicole Miller gown from BHLDN, accentuating with a veil handmade by A Busy Mother and pretty pink Badgley Mischka shoes. Her bouquet by The Flower House Denver featuring snowy white blooms accentuated with anemones for a pop of black. Centerpieces of textured flowers, succulents, metallic elements, and lots of dreamy candles accentuated the reception ballroom at the Halcyon, with its dramatic dark details. Each detail is pure sophistication, captured beautifully by Tamara Gruner Photography!

Amy and Damian’s South Africa wedding is full of the most lovely florals and light, and we’re absolutely smitten. Designed and styled by Joelene of Oh Happy Day, the dusty pink and white palette perfectly showcased the Orchards Wedding Venue, a beautiful venue nestled in the rolling hills of the Caversham Valley. Adore Weddings created spectacular florals of blush and white blooms and greenery, including a suspended greenery ceiling arrangement, organic arm bouquet, gorgeous ceremony arch, and low and lush centerpieces that paired beautifully with silken runners, depression glass chargers, and taper candles. Each design element is thoughtfully curated and woven together to create an elegant and modern look that is also wonderfully relaxed and chic. Amy is resplendent in a sophisticated Casey Jeanne gown, and her maids donned flowing pink dresses from Chanelle Wright. Every moment is so romantic and beautiful that we could gush all day about how in love we are, but we’ll let the fantastic images from Bright Girl Photography tell the story instead!

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!

Christina and Pablo are high school sweethearts, and friends and family from around the world converged onto St Petersburg, Florida for their classic wedding at the St. Pete Museum of Fine Arts. A black and white color palette and black tie wedding party attire added an elegant touch. The museum’s natural beauty needed little in the way of decor, so petite centerpieces from Northside Florist atop shimmering linens added a finishing touch to the expansive room. Bridesmaids selected their favorite black dresses from Azazie, while Christina was radiant in a lace mermaid gown from The White Magnolia Bridal Collection. Loving the love and cheer in the beautiful images from Caroline & Evan Photography!

Rachel and Clark were married on a crisp, clear Alabama winter day. After attending a number of wonderful but scorching summer soirees, the couple selected January 23rd (1/23!) for their nuptials, and after they chose the date, they realized that the “stars” were literally aligned for the occasion: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were in perfect alignment! Whether it was due to the celestial phenomenon or the flawless execution by Invision Events—or both!—their day went off without a hitch. After a private ceremony in their church during winter’s golden hour, the couple and their guests made their way to the Birmingham Museum of Art, where everyone enjoyed fantastic food from A Social Affair and danced the night away to the Chad Fisher Group. We love the unexpected color palette of marsala, ice blue, and ivory, brought to life in exquisite florals from Buffy Hargett. Many of the larger arrangements featured unusual combinations such as kale, turnips, pomegranate, and quince, which blooms only in January! We are swooning over every lovely moment captured by Mary Margaret Smith Photography!

Manhattan’s iconic Rainbow Room was the setting for Sara and John’s classic New York City wedding. Surrounded by their family and friends, the couple tied the knot after almost a decade of dating with sweeping views of the NYC skyline as their backdrop. Their sophisticated evening of dinner and dancing began with a ceremony underneath an intricate branch chuppah from Spina with Sara’s grandfather’s tallit atop, and ended with her grandfather’s flawless rendition of “New York, New York” performed for the reception. A chic Sylvia Weinstock cake with fresh blooms complemented the lush florals in ivory, blush, and lavender, decorating the one-of-a-kind Rainbow Room. We are head over heels for every moment of this NYC soiree captured by Brklyn View Photography and captivated by the beautiful film from McKenzie Miller Films!

Megan and Joshua were married on a beautiful, sunny June day at the stunning Sunset Beach Hotel on Shelter Island. The idyllic New York getaway is reminiscent of a European seaport, with crystal blue waters. Their celebration was a true family affair, with their twins, Noah and Sydney, taking part in the ceremony—under a gorgeous chuppah by Bella Flowers—which commemorated their unification as a family. As the sun set behind the glistening water, guests enjoyed a perfect summer evening and danced the night away to The Gypsy Kings Tribute Band. Every moment of this heartfelt gathering was captured beautifully by Karen Hill Photography, and we are smitten!

The sweeping views of Public Chicago‘s Ava Terrace set the stage for Erica and Troy’s gorgeous Windy City soiree! The couple set out to create a warm and welcoming affair for their nearest and dearest, and were treated to a picture-perfect Chicago day for their October nuptials. Estera Events designed a ceremony and reception with an urban, modern touch. Erica and Troy said their vows in a circle of prairie grass and ferns, after which guests moved downstairs to the Library Bar to sip cocktails before being seated for a full five-course candlelit dinner. Vale of Enna worked with Erica and Troy to bring their modern romance theme to life with elegant florals overflowing with foliage. For the intimate reception, organic and lush arrangements of ferns, taper candles, and roses graced a large king’s table. A wedding planner herself, Erica knew that their day would go by in the blink of an eye, and made sure to take several moments throughout the evening to truly take in all of the joy. We know they will cherish all of the gorgeous images from Julia Franzosa Photography!

Washington, DC is magical in the winter, and the snowy streets of Georgetown were the gorgeous setting for Monica and Christopher’s chic soiree. The couple selected Sequoia, with its sprawling views of the Potomac River and the Kennedy Center (where the couple first met!) to host their celebration. The blown glass chandeliers became the inspiration for their decor, which featured a seasonal palette of blue, white, and silver with splashes of gold and sparkle and florals by Edge Floral Event Designers. The ceremony was a reflection of their families’ traditions as well as their own personal touches, with favorite quotes from books and movies included, as well as music from two of Monica’s close friends. Their Ketubah used traditional Hebrew and English text, written by Chris, and was designed and printed by Monica. We couldn’t imagine a more perfect setting, or a sweeter couple, and we are in love with the stunning images from Audra Wrisley Photography!

The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills was the perfect venue for Julie and Jonathan’s dream wedding! With the help of their wedding planner, Catherine of CCL Weddings, the couple designed a private outdoor ceremony (featuring the couple’s adorable pup, Nala) and elegant indoor reception with lush and romantic florals by Heavenly Blooms. Luxury and personality came together perfectly, with champagne escort cards that doubled as favors and a cocktail hour snack of beef jerky, the groom’s favorite! We are obsessed with every fun detail in the beautiful images from Closer to Love Photography!

Elizabeth and Brandon’s wedding can be summed up as contemporary, modern, and chic. The couple was engaged in France, and a Chantilly lace gown, handmade macarons, and a modern palette added a bit of French flair. A New Leaf was the setting for their intimate affair. Elizabeth was 5 months pregnant, and they were all too happy to make this an integral part of the occasion. They embraced her bump in the gorgeous images from Clary Pfeiffer and announced during the reception that they were expecting. It was truly an occasion to celebrate and we know you’ll fall in love with their clean and simple soiree!

Modern and sophisticated, Melissa and Michael’s Chicago wedding at Hotel Allegro captivated us from the moment we set eyes upon it! The couple worked with Bianca of Estera Events to bring their vision of a chic, contemporary spring wedding to life. Working with a sleek color palette of silver, white, green, and navy, the always-fabulous Fleur created arrangements with an assortment of candles and white peonies, hydrangea, tulips, and garden roses. Every element down to the gorgeous cake from Alliance Bakery featured snowy white blooms! We simply adore Melissa’s classic bridal updo and natural makeup by Sonia Roselli, a perfect complement to her trumpet gown. Each moment is beautifully captured by Kina Wicks Photography!

There simply isn’t one single thing we don’t adore about Jen and Jesse’s modern Brooklyn wedding. Rather than a formal dinner, the couple chose to enjoy a progressive cocktail party with their guests, a perfect mix of formality and casualness. Liberty Warehouse set the perfect scene with its industrial aesthetic. The organic greenery from Violet and Verde highlighted the brick, wood, and metal throughout the venue. As if their locale couldn’t get more breathtaking, Jen’s father created a wooden altar from scratch that, paired with Violet and Verde‘s floral, made an exquisite and personal ceremony backdrop. Jen is a vision in her Blush by Hayley Paige dress from The White Gown and the bridesmaids’ dresses add just the right pop of color. Even their choice of wedding date is perfection—they were married on Loving Day, the anniversary of the overturning of the criminalization of interracial marriage in the US. We know that you’ll join with us in falling head over heels for every sweet moment as captured by Kat Harris Photography!

Laura and Joey’s Austin wedding is full of glitz and glamour! The couple was living in Connecticut while planning their Texas nuptials, so they brought in the fabulous CLINK to execute their vision of formal-meets-fun, with a healthy dose of sparkle. They selected The Driskill Hotel for their venue—it was love at first sight—and enlisted Amy of Merveille Event Design to create a mix of showstopping arrangements for the tables bedecked in gold sequin linens. Our favorite? The showstopping estate table with a “runner” of white roses and votive candles! Though Joey patiently assisted in choosing stationery and centerpieces, his excitement bubbled over at selecting the menu for the day. After consuming an inordinate amount of options during the tasting, he chose a nicely balanced selection of filet, sea bass, and veggie risotto to go along with their gorgeous cake from Simon Lee Bakery. We are head over heels for every perfect detail in these images from Forever Photography!

When two architects fall in love and marry, you know you are going to have one stylish day! Laura and Eric fell in love with The Kampong at first sight, and with its contemporary architecture and beautiful gardens, it was a fitting setting for their interfaith ceremony and intimate reception. Persnickety Events worked with the couple to design a classic reception with garden-style arrangements from Anthology Co. Blush and ivory blooms on dove gray linens are offset by modern white vessels, and escort cards were nestled in a display of ferns, bringing the outdoors in. It was a drizzly South Florida day, but that only added to the tropical feel of these gorgeous images from Becca Borge!