Real Weddings: Meggie + Josh

For their Massachusetts wedding day, Alex and Chris wanted nothing but everyone to have a splendid time, good food, good drinks, and good memories being passed around. All captured through the lens of The Light and Color Wedding Photography, the Ipswich couple chose to have a traditional wedding day. Alex chose a classic A-line Hayley Paige beauty and the cherry on top of her trousseau was her mom’s veil that she donned for her day. Their ceremony was held at St. John’s Prep (fun fact: Alex is a dentist and St. John’s Prep was the same school where Alex’s boss and Chris’s dad went. The guys are still good friends!), Chris’s high school alma mater. For their wedding reception, they dressed up The Hellenic Center in shades of soft blues and pinks, and organic-style blooms designed by Chris’s sister-in-law, Teresa. Weddings like these that are centered around family and steeped in tradition always leave such a feel-good warmth to our day.

Molly and Mike’s lovely Wayzata, Minnesota, wedding was a family affair, starting with the location of their ceremony and reception—Mike’s parents’ backyard! With help from Jennae Elizabeth of Blush & Whim, Molly and Mike planned the summer wedding of their dreams, which included vows beneath a pergola constructed by Mike’s stepdad. Along with Sarah of Four Finches, Molly’s mom, Mary, helped style the colorful flowers for the affair, some of which she grew in her own garden. Molly paired her ivory gown by Blush by Hayley Paige from The White Gown with a lace mantilla veil, also made by her mother. Bridesmaids in navy dresses from J.Crew and groomsmen in gray suits were casual but perfectly in step with the rest of the laid-back elegance of the day. Other fun touches included a heart-shaped pinata handmade by Molly’s sister and a delicious looking unfrosted chocolate wedding cake by Catherine Miller of Camelbear Bakery. Enjoy all of these gorgeous images from Clary Photo!

Love was blowing through the Windy City on Carrie and Mike’s wedding day, and these breathtakingly sweet photos showcase the elegance of it all! The couple wanted guests to have a real taste of the city, and the downtown Chicago Cultural Center was just the right venue for their ceremony and reception. Jesse Deckard of Event Creative made sure Carrie had a classic all-white bouquet to accent her White by Vera Wang gown – Carrie is a drop-dead gorgeous bride and we have to admit to being just a wee bit smitten with her! We love details like the moss reception table numbers wedding planner Lauren Carter of Lola Event Productions found, and the foam fingers that guests used to welcome Carrie and Mike to their reception. Such a fun day captured by Bobbi+Mike!

Sarah and Scott originally had a large celebration planned, but like many other brides, COVID changed that. In a cautious manner they decided to move forward with their wedding with just their 12 closest family and friends. Despite the small guest count, the design aspect was large. Their outdoor ceremony took place surrounded by banyan trees under the most stunning Chuppah. Reception was followed with the most divine tent with flowing florals and hints of citrus.

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!

Elena and Jonathan’s wedding vision was “Grace Kelly does New Orleans” and wow, did they deliver! With classic, timeless elements inspired by her grandmother’s wedding and a palette of soft blues and mustard yellow, their New Orleans wedding at Maison Montegut pays homage to their families while creating a chic and sophisticated atmosphere. Emily Sullivan Events made sure the day went off without a hitch, and Poppy and Mint created florals with vibrant pops of yellow to accent the fresh greenery of the courtyard reception. Their day is beautifully captured by Mon Soleil Weddings!

We love this absolutely classic féte hailing from an illustrious museum in our nation’s capital today. This Washington DC wedding was photographed by one of our favorites, Lisa Blume, and it is elegant and so special and timeless. According to Kelly, she couldn’t take her mind off of the National Museum of Women in the Arts’s design and sweetly, how she could picture traipsing down the staircase to meet her dear dad at the bottom to walk her down the aisle to her beau Jamie (tears!). Speaking of tears, we had to mention this touching detail. Kelly needed to have her grandmothers there in some way, so to commemorate these wonderful women in her life, she shipped in two paintings from North Carolina of them and had her grandmother’s tea cup in her bridal suite. Endearingly, the teacup was a gift her grandmother gave to her sister for her wedding.

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.

After Jessica and Zach got engaged, they sweetly joined Jessica’s parents on a trip to DC to celebrate their wedding anniversary. One of their excursions there was to take a walk on the grounds where her parents held their wedding ceremony, the National Cathedral. Naturally, they were so smitten with the gardens and the buildings that once they found out the Gothic-style cathedral was now hosting wedding receptions in addition to ceremonies, the New Yorkers jumped on the chance to get married there. Jessica wanted an “elegant and ethereal” day so with the help of Caroline Dutton Events and Kate & Lilly Floral Design, they drew inspiration from the Bishop’s Garden on the grounds. With Audra Wrisley capturing all the pretty pale pink roses, peonies, greenery, and everything in between, the duo said their I do’s and partied the night away in one of the most amazing venues we’ve seen.

The word ‘beautiful’ barely does justice for this Scottish Rite Cathedral Wedding, photographed by Danielle Harris Photography! Patia and George envisioned a quintessentially classic wedding in the heart of Indianapolis. The Scottish Rite Cathedral, with its richly appointed ballroom, was decked out from head to toe with lush greenery and overflowing blooms in vases that the couple collected in the year leading up to their wedding. The beautiful patina of the blue and white pottery paired with the spectacular space makes for a stunning affair that we know you’re going to adore!

Elegant, romantic, and colorful perfectly describes Tara and Georg’s wedding at Sarasota’s sophisticated Field Club. The couple lived in Italy for a time, and added some subtle Tuscan vibes to their Florida soiree. Working with Nicole of NK Productions (which Tara describes as “the best decision we ever made”), Tara and Georg created a romantic setting with stunning florals by Victoria Blooms that featured large coral peonies, olive leaf, and blush garden roses. Our favorite detail? The entrance fountain overflowing with lush florals! Petite bottles of olive oil served as place cards and favors, atop french blue linens and set next to table numbers hand-drawn by Tara’s maid of honor, labeled as their favorite Italian cities. Every small detail is flawless and beautifully captured by Tiffani Jones!

Erin grew up spending summers nearby Horseshoe Bay Resort, so when selecting their wedding venue, she and Alex knew it would be the perfect choice! Situated an hour outside of Austin, the picturesque lakeside location is naturally gorgeous, and the couple selected their color palette of French blue and sage green based upon the surroundings. Working with Eclipse Event Co., Erin and Alex formed a cohesive vision: clean, classic, and welcoming. Erin shares “I wanted elegant yet un-fussy florals, which Gypsy Floral and Events translated into works of floral art.” With painterly arrangements set inside ginger jars and a showstopping hanging arrangement adorning the ceremony pavilion, we have to agree that these florals are heavenly! Read on to see the gorgeous images captured on film by Brittany Jean Photography and hear more from Erin—this Texas wedding is a favorite!

Meghan says “I was never the girl that had dreams of my wedding and had everything planned out! But I did come to the realization, very quickly, that I wanted it to be simple, elegant and FULL of candlelight.” With this simple but classic ambiance in mind, Meghan and Josh enlisted NK Productions Wedding Planning to bring their vision to life. The couple fell in love with the ornate details of The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club. The resort reflects the grandeur of a golden age, and NK Productions and Victoria Blooms accentuated the venue’s charm with florals of ivory and white set in glittering gold vessels, loads of candlelight, and a spectacular ivy ceremony backdrop that was the perfect setting for the couple’s outdoor ceremony. Binaryflips Photography captured the simple, modern elegance to perfection and we know you’ll be as smitten as we are!

Laura and Sebastian grew up in two different worlds—he from England and she from Alabama—so when planning their Austin wedding, the couple had a grand time combining their backgrounds in a fun, yet classic, way! The setting of Austin’s Villa Del Lago was perfect for their “English garden” wedding with a Southern dinner party atmosphere. STEMS Floral Design created natural and lush florals with hydrangea, roses, eucalyptus, and magnolia leaves that perfectly complemented the ladies’ royal blue Amsale bridesmaids dresses and Laura’s lovely Watters gown, and created a romantic atmosphere atop the tented reception’s elegant farm tables. The celebration was a complete melding of Laura and Sebastian’s cultures, right down to the day’s menu, which featured bangers and mash alongside fried quail with buttermilk ranch dressing. We’re simply spellbound by the timeless images captured by Jenna McElroy Photography!

Jared and Lauren’s wedding was a self-described “giant garden party” at the stunning Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Though the Florida weather can be temperamental, the couple was greeted with gorgeous, sunny skies for their outdoor soiree. Jared is Jewish and Lauren Latin Catholic, so their ceremony—officiated by Lauren’s Godparents—was entirely customized to include traditions from both. The couple said their vows beneath a beautiful chuppah from Ever After Floral Design, played Ave Maria during the mantilla ritual, and broke the glass before their first kiss. The whimsical reception featured an eclectic seating area with settees and chairs from The Salvage Snob, a honey cake with rosewater buttercream frosting from Bake Bar, and a bourbon bar and cigar roller, a must-have in Cuban culture. Every moment is magical in the images from Merari Photography!

Jessica and Patrick’s wedding is filled with personal touches, love, and laughter. The couple met while in college at Notre Dame and though life took them in different directions for a time, were reunited at a football game in 2010. As it is central to their love story, their alma mater became an inspiration for their Milwaukee wedding. Their color palette of navy and gold gives a nod to school colors, with blush added in for romance and whimsy, and the open lawn of their reception venue, Lake Park Bistro, played host to several matches of bags on a custom cornhole board. Belle Fiori created loose and romantic florals in a mix of blush and white which were set atop long, wooden farmhouse tables from A La Crate. Flowing ribbons graced the ladies’ bouquets. Jessica is an absolute vision in a mermaid Monique Lhuillier gown and blusher veil. We are head over heels for every image of this charming day as captured by Olivia Leigh Photographie!

Brent and Lydia were married on a glorious Virginia spring day. After a ceremony at Church of Our Savior at Oatland’s Plantation (where the couple went on their second date, and where he proposed), the celebration continued at The Hillsborough Vineyard. Theirs is a wedding which gives a nod to the traditional, but was peppered with intimate and personal details throughout. Not a detail was left unfinished, from the scent of the church to the favor signs. Lydia, a talented artist, hand-painted the illustrations for the place cards, programs, favor tags, and table signs, which were named after significant places in the couple’s relationship. The day couldn’t have come together without the help of family. Lydia’s aunt handmade the gorgeous blue toile tablecloths as well as Lydia’s stunning veil, while Lydia’s parents opened their home to those visiting for the wedding. We’re positively in love with Lydia’s gown, a vintage piece purchased by her grandmother for her mother. Loose flowers and greenery designed by Melle Fleur echoed the day’s palette of aqua, blue, and green. The overall effect of all of the planning is ladylike and elegant, and is beautifully captured in these images from Sarah Bradshaw Photography!

It doesn’t get more beautiful than an enchanting garden setting, classic wedding details, and gorgeous photography, and Amanda and John’s wedding has each in spades! The elegant Annesdale Mansion and its lush grounds was the backdrop for their Memphis garden soiree. The stately mansion provided inspiration for the decor by Angela Mazanti Designs, which featured lush greenery and pretty pastel hydrangea. Amanda is positively regal in a lace Anne Barge gown and Untamed Petals veil, highlighted by loose chic waves by Janice Allen. We adore each beautiful image from Ashley Upchurch Photography!

Diane and Brendan’s fancy summer garden party is the perfect mix of preppy and classic, and the couple peppered sweet details throughout the day to make their celebration uniquely personal. Diane’s grandmother’s family china not only graced the tables, but its beautiful toile pattern was also carried throughout the day, from the invitations by Alissa Bell Press to bow ties and shoes. In lieu of a traditional wedding party, a little flock of “flower kids” joined the couple for their backyard ceremony, for which Brendan composed the processional. Diane and her mother truly brought the event to life: they custom-cut the table runners, rubber-stamped confetti bags, handmade the pups’ bow ties, and even hand-painted a toile pattern on Diane’s shoes! We love the touch of thistle in the blooms from Mindy Rosenberg Design, and are simply head over heels for these images from Diana Marie Photography!

Romantic and classic, with a bit of vintage flair (oh how we love the BHLDN booties and Allure Bridal gown), Karen and Corey’s wedding at Colorado’s historic Stanley Hotel is the perfect early-autumn soiree! Elegant compote-style arrangements by The European Flower Shop set the stage, beautiful hand-tied bouquets and centerpieces with seasonal berries and pale yellow blooms. The couple set out to create an intimate and personal event (their siblings were the honor attendants), and wove a polaroid theme throughout the day. They selected favorite photos to make into polaroids for innovative escort cards and table numbers. We simply adore the beautiful images from Rachel Havel Photography!