Real Weddings: Judy + Fabian

Nicole and Ryan’s dream was to have a Florida beach wedding that was a mini-vacation for everyone who attended, and it seems they succeeded! The couple used a clean and fresh color palette of blue and yellow, and Blooming Flowers made sure to mix Nicole’s favorite flower, tulips, into the cheery arrangements. The entire day was laid-back, effortlessly elegant and personal. The couple even included their pup in the ceremony — a detail we can’t help but adore! A big thank you to Shipra Panosian for these beautiful images!

When I think of what an elegant Newport Beach wedding should look like, Alison and Chris’ event is exactly what I picture. The color palette is fresh and clean, the florals classy and understated, the bride decked out in pearls…so classic! Oh, and wait till you see where they got married. If I had access to a private residence like this, there is no doubt in my mind that our guests would have been dining in long tables along the water under string lights too! Sigh…I can feel that fresh breeze now. Incredibly beautiful event coordinated by Joyful Weddings & Events and photos by the always amazing Meg Perotti.

Raven and Michael’s beautiful North Carolina beach wedding has me so excited for the upcoming days of summer!  The couple worked with Jennifer of Salt Harbor Designs to create their stunning event, with a classic and clean color palette of white, green, and navy, and beautiful details like vintage mirrors, chandeliers in the reception tent, a unique message in a bottle guest book station, and gorgeous farmhouse tables with lush white blooms.  The overall result is elegant, warm, and cozy – perfect for an oceanfront affair.  Thanks to Andrew Bryant Photography for sharing!

We are thrilled to share this beautiful elopement captured by Ashley Noelle Edwards. Lyka and Kenton held their romantic ceremony at the iconic San Francisco City Hall surrounded by friends and family, including some who flew in from the Philippines. They then took the ferry to Oakland for a charming intimate reception, including traditional tea ceremony at a fabulous restaurant overlooking the water.

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!

Chicago History Museum has been Nora’s dream wedding venue ever since she learned to ride her bike there as a kid, so it was an obvious choice when her college sweetheart, Daniel, popped the question! With its iconic checkered floor, stone façade, ivory crown molding, and crystal chandeliers, it was important to the couple that they highlight the venue’s elegance. Working with their planner Clover Events, they chose a fresh white color palette for the florals by Revel Décor, adding just a hint of blue in the ceremony arrangements as well as the bridesmaids’ dresses. Countless meaningful details filled the day, making it a special event for the bride and groom as well as all their guests and Ashley Bosnick Photography was there to capture this stunning event!

Ellie and Drew traveled from Texas to the beautiful Capen House on Lake Osceola for an intimate wedding with their closest friends and family. Pixies and Petals ran with Ellie’s vision of a Lilly Pulitzer-inspired English garden with florals in vibrant shades of peach, raspberry, coral, and fuchsia and created a lush pink garden wonderland in the ceremony and reception space. Along with stunning florals, their day featured 3 different musicians, an epic grazing table, and even a few fun pranks! These photos by Kristen Weaver Photography are guaranteed to brighten your day so be sure to check them all out and read more about the amazing details of their wedding in Ellie’s own words below!

Kelsey and Scott exchanged vows in front of friends, family, and a spectacular cotton candy sunset on the bay where they both grew up. Even their adorable dog was able to enjoy the celebration, walking down the aisle adorned with the perfect floral collar! The couple chose to complement Waters Edge‘s natural beauty with french blue and sage tones, bleached driftwood collected by Scott’s mother, almost a thousand succulents, and clean white florals by Lush Flowers. Every detail, from Kelsey’s stunning Monique Lhuillier gown, to one of the coolest getaway vehicles we’ve ever seen, is elegant, glamorous, and perfectly captured by Paul and Grace Photography!

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!

Audrey and David had the absolute privilege at marrying at a beautiful French chateau and with the smiles on both of their faces in various photos from Romain Vaucher, their day was beyond joyful and seeped out everywhere. After a proposal in Japan, the two found Chateau de Razay to call their wedding venue. Japan is near and dear to them, so they wanted to bring the colors of a Japanese spring to their wedding, using white and green with blush pink peppered across their decor. Their ceremony was steeped in Madagascan traditions in homage to David’s heritage. The groomsmen wore Malagasy hats and the service was conducted under the Madagascan church. For motif, we love they went simple with their colors; a chateau almost never needs any excessive decor and allowing the chateau’s present decor shine like Audrey and David did will create such a memorable experience.

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.

Cass and Dave set out to show their guests, many of whom were visiting Virginia from afar, a true Southern experience! Upper Shirley Vineyards is set against the James River and it was the perfect setting for their classic, minimalist summer wedding. Selecting a color palette of shades of blue, which beautifully offset the whitewashed reception hall and lush green ceremony locale, the couple worked with Maggie Richard to create a relaxed and slightly preppy atmosphere. Cute and comfy LulaKate bridesmaids frocks were accompanied by fluffy bouquets by The Proper Petal, who also created a beautiful ceremony arbor and clean and simple reception tables, all reflecting the event’s summery vibe. We are totally smitten by the beautiful images from Audrey Rose Photography!

Eleanor says “From the moment we got engaged, we realized it was most important that our wedding be classic, elegant, but crazy fun.” We couldn’t agree with her sentiment more! From Eleanor’s classic Peter Langner gown to the chic, nautical location of Narragansett, Rhode Island’s The Dunes Club, the wedding came together perfectly within their vision. Ellie and Tim infused personal details into every aspect of their nuptials. The ceremony was held at Brown University (Eleanor’s alma mater), Tim and his groomsmen wore custom ties from The Knotty Tie with anchors and the state of Wisconsin (to blend their East Coast and Midwest families), and the couple enlisted Kearsley Lloyd to create a custom monogram and Sharon Morgera to design their wedding map. Bridesmaids dresses by Monique Lhuillier and soft pastel florals by Stoneblossom echo the seaside setting. We are smitten with each image from Erin McGinn!

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!

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!

We adore the relaxed, casual vibe of Meredith and Graham’s summer backyard wedding! With a ceremony at the intimate Smithfield Church and a reception held at Graham’s family’s New York country home just one street away, these two brought all of the comforts of home into their celebration. Meredith is radiant in a demure Lela Rose gown, and we love that although she wore a chic chignon for the ceremony, she let her hair down (literally and figuratively) for the outdoor reception! Bridesmaids in simple white dresses, simple centerpieces of daisies and greenery topiaries, and pretty runners with pops of blue complement the garden setting under the tent. After a family style dinner by , guests danced the night away to John Ragusa Music. Sit back and enjoy the beautiful images from Charlie Juliet!

We are head over heels for Lauren and Taylor’s chic blue-and-white San Francisco wedding! Lauren, a wedding planner herself, immediately began pulling together ideas after Taylor’s proposal, so that—with the help of Ryder Sloan Events—they could have an outdoor affair to remember. She started with the location, Stable Cafe. The urban garden space was a great backdrop for a collection of blue-and-white ginger jars filled with florals from Mandolin Flowers. Plumosa fern garlands and cafe lights added an air of sophistication, while classic arrangements of hydrangeas, anemones, and roses accented tables covered with Swiss dot linens from La Tavola. Lauren wore her cousin’s couture Carolina Herrera Bridal gown with embellished blue Manolo Blahnik heels, a Christmas gift from Taylor; her bouquet was wrapped with long pieces of vintage lace and blue velvet ribbon. Amy Nichols Special Events ensured the day ran smoothly from start to finish, which included transforming the courtyard after the ceremony into a luxe space for dinner and dancing, along with lounging areas outfitted with seating from One True Love Vintage Rentals. Later in the evening, guests sipped warm spiked cocktails from the DIY coffee bar, the perfect accompaniment to a salted caramel wedding cake from Cake Coquette—the design of the dessert mimicked the ginger jar pattern. We are just in total love with all of these fabulous images from Julie Mikos!