Real Weddings: Nichole + Derk

As an enormous dog-lover, Mary and Michael’s darling dog-themed wedding made me fall in love the moment I set eyes upon it! The couple selected the Havana 59 restaurant in Richmond to host their intimate gathering, and their wedding day was filled with handmade and personal details. Mary’s mother created lovely watercolor paintings for the stationery and guest book, which visually told the story of how the couple met and fell in love. Both being dog lovers—Mary is a dog photographer!—the couple knew they wanted to incorporate their puppy love into the wedding theme. Mary ordered dog figurines to serve as escort cards and hand-painted them gold, and designed the table numbers to feature different dog breeds. Their pup even made an appearance on custom stamps for the invitations! Kate Spade‘s Elena flats were the perfect finishing touch! We couldn’t be more smitten with this charming couple and the images from Michael and Carina Photography!

Meg and Matt were married on a gorgeous fall day in Cambridge, MA at the lovely Multicultural Arts Center. The couple were instantly charmed by the historical venue with its gorgeous high mint and gold ceiling and urban, sophisticated feel. With the color palette of the venue as their inspiration, they selected florals from Nature’s Design in neutral white and ivory, with wild touches such as branches, berries, and succulents. Meg’s bridesmaids each selected a beaded or sequin metallic dress and—paired with her chic Nicole Miller gown—the effect is spectacular! Meg’s father home-brewed 40 growlers of beer, which he drove to Massachusetts from Iowa, inspiring the reception’s “I-90 Beer Bar”, and he also collected vintage beer glasses, which were served at the bar and doubled as favors. We love all of the couple’s personal touches such as a playful Jenga guest book, feather place cards, and cannolis in place of a traditional cake! We adore each lovely image from George Rivera!

Ahh we just adore the crisp, clean look of Emily and Chris’s modern but timeless black, white, and gray wedding! A classic church ceremony at Church of St. Cecilia gets a mod twist with white bouquets trimmed with black and white striped ribbon streamers from Sadie’s Couture Floral & Event Styling—we love the gorgeous poppies! Black bridesmaids dresses from J.Crew are a perfect contrast with Emily’s Vera Wang gown and veil. We’re loving the metallic silvers and grays throughout this affair, from contemporary stationery by Amy Hunt to Emily’s sparkly Jimmy Choo heels and the silver-embellished cake by Rosa’s Cake Gallery at the reception, held at the chic Cafe Lurcat in Minneapolis. Letting the sophisticated decor at the cafe guide them, Emily and Chris opted for lots of candles interspersed with black and white details that are elegant and refreshing. We’re swooning over this perfect affair and the images from Two Bird Studio!

Old South charm and elegance abound at Historic Mankin Mansion in Richmond, Virginia, where Carly and Paul chose to host their wedding festivities. The bride stunned in a strapless Blue by Enzoani gown, and her elegant maids shined in short black bridesmaids dresses from Forever Yours International. Flower Girls crafted classic bouquets that included white and green hydrangeas—a Southern staple—and they carried the color palette over to the reception tent with white flowers set amid gold details and green linens. The three-tier confection from Cakes by Graham featured white flowers and green icing details to match the decor. Katie Stoops Photography masterfully captured both the emotions and details of the day, including the custom candy bars from For the Love of Chocolate, wrapped in gorgeous personalized labels by Jacqueline Weppner of Merci New York—the perfect sweet ending to an even sweeter day!

Constance and Jesse wanted something “elegant and classic, with just a hint of quirky” for their Costa Mesa wedding, and when they found Segerstrom Concert Hall, they knew they’d struck gold! The stark white, minimalist space created a dreamlike vibe for the couple’s ceremony, with classic details like calla lily bouquets from In Flower and a timeless, strapless gown by Watters. The otherwordly French feel of the reception at Pinot Provence lent another element of sophistication. Enjoy these beautiful photos taken by Sarah K Chen of the “happiest day of our lives,” says Constance.

Meaghan and Fleetwood’s intimate wedding at The Corson Building in Seattle’s Georgetown district is perfectly unfussy and elegant.  Together with a handful of their closest friends and family, they celebrated the evening with a dining experience, connecting over wine, conversation, and gourmet, locally-sourced organic food. Each and every image from Jonas Seaman Photography is more beautiful than the last, drawing me in and letting me fall in love one frame at a time – I know you will be captivated too!

What better way to announce the launch of the Richmond wedding guide (run over and meet EAD’s two wonderful Richmond brides-to-be, Meredith, and Rachel – their first posts were just published!) than with a stunning Richmond wedding from one of my favorite ladies, Courtney from Merriment Events!  Courtney is not only a wonderful person who I’m proud to call a friend, but also an incredibly talented event planner and stylist.   Natalie and Lincoln’s beautiful wedding featured shimmery, elegant, silver and gray details.  All of the lovely images are by Jennifer Colina Photography.

Southern weddings are usually steeped high in customs and ceremonies that are nothing short of endearing. When Catherine and Benjamin were planning their Richmond wedding, they made sure to include a bourbon burial and unearthing to hold off the rain for their big day (definitely a big deal in the south). Around her Tommy’s Garden bouquet, Catherine wrapped a handkerchief that her maternal grandmother had on her wedding day. She also commissioned Incredible Edibles Bakery to create a carrot cake tier since it was her paternal grandmother’s favorite. These touching gestures carry on through David Abel‘s lens as he captured some of the most heartfelt scenes during Catherine and Benjamin’s fall wedding. Not going to lie, the tender moments from this Virginia wedding took our breath away.

Allie and Bryce love their Virginia heritage, and their wedding vision was centered first and foremost around Allie’s dream of being married at Tuckahoe Plantation. Their classic Southern soiree feels traditional and timeless but not at all stuffy! A fresh color palette of shades of purple and green echo the lush surrounding gardens, while touches such as black and white striped grosgrain ribbons add a modern twist. Whitehouse Flowers incorporated peonies into the arrangements as the couple’s own garden is filled with peonies replanted from each of their grandparents’ gardens. In keeping with the Southern theme, they opted for a classic buttercream cake with a cascade of lilac hydrangea. Special touches abound, from oyster shell escort cards to a fabulous custom monogram crest – each moment captured by Sarah Jane Winter Photography is so special and joyous and we’re in love!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Tammi and Dave’s wedding at the modern L’Auberge Del Mar is the epitome of sophistication. The couple let the seaside backdrop set the stage and kept their attire and decor soft and romantic. Tammi is exquisite in a floaty Sarah Seven gown, while her maids donned white chiffon frocks of their choosing. The gossamer gowns allowed the lush, organic florals from Isari Flower Studio to bring a touch of color, with each bouquet its own unique and whimsical creation. Earthy elements such as a rustic wedding arbor, herbs nestled in the centerpieces and peppermint soap favors from Bar Soap Brooklyn echoed the gorgeous surroundings, and crisp white linens and calligraphy escort cards (hand-lettered by Tammi) added a modern touch. Prepare to be swept away by the stunning images from Steve Steinhardt!

All at once perfectly preppy and beautifully classic, Sydney and Matthew’s New England wedding is chock full of seaside charm! Set in Sydney’s hometown of Essex, CT, their ceremony on the Essex Town Green was a short walk from the Griswold Inn, where her parents met and their guests stayed for the wedding weekend. The nearby Connecticut River Museum is a dream reception locale, steps from the water. The town’s maritime history inspired nautical details, the most special two of which must be Sydney’s grandfather’s hand-built model sailboat from 1937—prominently displayed alongside vintage card catalog drawers used as escort cards—and a lobster boat aptly named “Tied the Knot”, built by her cousin. Florals by Ashley Drago Botanicals were kept loose and simple, inside containers collected by Sydney and her mother. A few drops of rain during the ceremony did nothing to dampen guests’ spirits, and the love this couple shares is evident in each image from the fabulous Ashley Caroline Photography!

Good morning lovelies and happy 2015! We are so excited to usher in a new year full of beautiful soirees, and couldn’t think of a better way to kick off a new year than Nga and Tinh’s lovely wedding at Los Altos History Museum. Classic garden romance was the theme of the day. The couple partnered with Oliveta Design to design a lush, sophisticated reception with bouquets and centerpieces full of greenery and roses in a rainbow of pastels from Studio Mondine. Nga is a vision in a relaxed Jenny Packham gown and Gucci heels, perfectly paired with a ribbon-tied bouquet, and her three maids wore hand-picked frocks in the palest of blush from BHLDN and J.Crew. We simply adore each and every detail—right down to the floral garland on the getaway car from Elegant Journey—in these stunning images from Clary Pfeiffer!

NYC has some incredible wedding venues, and Long Island City’s The Foundry is sublimely chic. It was an absolutely perfect setting for Aynsley and Nate’s cozy, modern urban wedding. The couple worked with Saipua to bring their whimsical, rustic vibe to life. From the ceremony’s stunning, wild arbor to the garden-style centerpieces in shades of lavender and blush, Saipua created unique and natural florals to accent the soaring space. The couple paid homage to family tradition by inviting their parents to present well-wishes during the ceremony in lieu of a reading, and their Momofuku Milk Bar cake was adorned with a cake topper used in Aynsley’s parents’ and grandparents’ weddings. Aynsley is a vision in a Stone Fox Bride gown with a simple floral wreath adorning her loose waves. We’re sure you’ll agree that this incredible wedding from Jen Huang Photography is one of this year’s most lovely!