Real Weddings: Stephanie + Richard

It’s pretty much impossible to look through the photos of Lynn and Stefan’s wedding by Kellie Kano and not immediately feel happier. Lynn knew she had to have yellow flowers because every since she was a little girl the color has always put a smile on her face. Thanks to Hedge Fine Blooms and all the other details in this sweet wedding, we’re now smiling too! Their big day was effortlessly elegant and set to the beautiful backdrop of Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia. Every detail of Lynn and Stefan’s wedding is all about happiness and love so sit back and enjoy!

I’m a southern girl through and through, and I am a sucker for a beautiful wedding at a historic Southern estate!  Carla and Seth’s Alabama garden wedding at Madelyn’s in the Grove is so fresh and bright, I love the minty green bridesmaids dresses, the cheerful pink and yellow bouquets, and all of the handmade details!  Carla and her mother designed the wedding themselves, and much of the decor was either made by or belonged to their family, the linens, the signs, the lanterns – even the Spanish moss was brought from Louisiana by Carla’s family.  The Greshams of Simple Color captured gorgeous images that truly bring the wedding to life.

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!

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!

There is something so effortlessly elegant about Laurie and Michael’s sun-washed wedding on the grounds of the gorgeous The Villa of San Juan Capistrano. Could that be because the bride is a Newport Beach, California interior designer?! Laurie put her skills to work for her wedding, envisioning a vibrant, French-inspired affair complete with the happiest floral arrangements by Floral Occasions. From casually color-coordinated bridesmaids dresses to burlap-wrapped water bottles, we’re in love with every single detail that Troy Grover Photographers captured!

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.

Valerie and Ken’s Tower Hill Botanical Garden wedding was like walking into another time. Every corner was filled with gorgeous flowers and art, every detail simple in its elegance. The greenhouses and gardens at Tower Hill inspired the color and style for their wedding. Julie Lapham Designs created arrangements with succulents and airplants, roses, eucalyptus, and anemone, and many of the succulents are now growing in the couple’s home! Seeded paper escort cards doubled as favors, a Jenga game served as the guest book, and colorful tabletops graced the Orangerie. We’re simply in love with every moment captured by Arielle Doneson Photography!

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!

KJ and Kenny are two Midwesterners currently living in California, and when they became engaged, they knew that they wanted to marry in the groom’s hometown of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. The classic Detroit Lakes Country Club was the perfect (albeit only!) choice for their outdoor ceremony and tented reception, which fused their North Dakota and Minnesota roots with elegant details, such as a fabulous floral arch by Natalie of Native Poppy that served as the backdrop for their vows. Using local greenery foraged from the Detroit Lakes area and over 2,500 blooms, Natalie created gorgeous arrangements and a cascading bridal bouquet that is simply heavenly! Fun details honoring their home states, such as die-cut state invitations and escort cards and a Fargo-friendly hashtag—#youBlattcha (youbetcha, get it?)—make this Midwest destination wedding a favorite! We are head over heels for the beautiful images from Abby Anderson!

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!

Erin and David selected the elegant Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara for their July nuptials. Erin was inspired by the idea of a Southern garden—lush, lively, and romantic—and worked with Precious & Blooming to craft a “perfectly imperfect” feel, mixing white, ivory, and light gold blooms, surrounded by swaths of greenery. After a showstopping ceremony set around the lily pond with a dramatic altar draped with fabric and dressed with greenery, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with “Babes and Bombers” cocktails (a nod to their softball team) and a Polaroid guest book, before moving inside the ballroom for the reception, where they danced the night away to the tunes of Gold Standard. Erin shares “The end of the night was one of my favorite memories. There was a grand piano in our venue and our best man, Matthew Walker, started playing. Everyone gathered around and sang along with him to “Rocket Man” while I sat on the piano, straight out of an old movie. At the top of the chorus, everyone would through petals in the air, making the most incredible smelling confetti.” We are smitten with every gorgeous image from Jillian Rose Photography!

Rachel and Charlie’s Wisconsin wedding is the epitome of relaxed elegance. The only wedding ever to be held at Door County’s historical Horseshoe Bay Farms did not disappoint, as the couple worked with Carrie of Door County Event Planners to perfectly blend the grand property’s charming setting with a show-stopping reception tent for a magical result. After a waterside ceremony, guests were greeted with champagne-filled glasses for their short walk to the farm, and Rachel and Charlie embraced each guest as they entered cocktail hour under a stunning, larger than life canopy created by Flora Flowershop. The classic Sperry reception tent was filled with a sea of paper lanterns and a mix of unique tabletops, from farmhouse tables to rounds, each with a different centerpiece. A perfect Door County sunset and the glow of the tent illuminated the barns, resulting in a marvelous scene not likely to be forgotten. We are simply smitten with each image from The McCartneys Photography!

Vero Beach’s Quail Valley River Club sits along the Indian River and made for a picturesque setting for Kim and Drew’s Florida wedding! With a fresh color palette of ivory, green, and gold, their wedding was equal parts waterside preppy and clean-and-classic! The couple both grew up in Vero Beach, but didn’t connect until they were living in NYC, so celebrating at home in Florida with both their Florida and NYC friends and family was special. Kim, her best friend Jen, and her mother-in-law Glen (an artist) worked together to create the stationery, with a laurel wreath emblem hand-painted by Glen, who also created the husband and wife chair signs for the reception. The chic and modern aesthetic of the day carried through to the fashion, and we are head over heels for Kim’s bridal ensemble of Karen Willis Holmes separates, Alexis Bittar earrings, and relaxed waves styled by Haute Dry. Ivory J.Crew and Amsale frocks for the maids were accented with bouquets of lisianthus, astilbe, rose, and greenery from Lara’s Theme. Not to be outdone, Drew donned a navy suit from Combatant Gentlemen and bow tie from Fox & Brie. Prepare to be transported to paradise in the beautiful images from Charlie Juliet Photography!

Rebecca and Cory were married on a spectacular August day at the Wentworth By The Sea Country Club in Rye, New Hampshire. The couple selected a pretty, neutral palette of cream, gold, and blush, and after a ceremony along the water, moved inside the nearby reception tent for an evening of celebration with their nearest and dearest. Inspired by the waterside setting, the couple incorporated subtle seaside details into their wedding, including adorable oyster shell place cards with calligraphy by Honey Honey Calligraphy. Flower Kiosk created a mix of garland and traditional centerpieces with soft hydrangea and roses, and our favorite detail may just be the romantic swaths of greenery on the bride and groom’s chairs! The I Do Scene made sure that the day was more perfect than Rebecca and Cory could ever hope for, and every detail came together to create a day they will never forget. Enjoy each beautiful image from Rachel Red Photography!

Katie and Jeffrey celebrated their nuptials on a gorgeous winter day. After a ceremony at Katie’s childhood church, the guests moved to New Jersey’s Ryland Inn for a warm and cozy reception. The Ryland Inn’s large rustic ballroom with a beautiful stone fireplace was dimly lit by candlelight and Conroy’s Creations created breathtaking large arrangements to accent the cathedral ceilings. To combat the chilly December day (theirs was a 12/13/14 soiree!), the bridesmaids accented their J.Crew gowns with soft gray pashminas. Their warm and romantic day was beautifully captured by Brklyn View Photography!

A little rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of Lauren and Robert on their wedding day at the lovely Bedell Cellars in Cutchogue, New York! The theme of the day was “refined rustic.” A clean color palette of green, white, and ivory brought out the natural beauty of the surroundings. Lauren’s father officiated their ceremony, held under a large tree within the orchard. The rain let up for a few precious moments, allowing for the outdoor celebration! Paying tribute to their locale, the couple’s favors were baked apple cider donuts from the nearby Wickham’s Fruit Farm and created a “North Fork Iced Tea” for their signature cocktail. House of Flowers created beautiful arrangements of anemones, succulents, peonies, hydrangea and wildflowers, and set next to iron lanterns the result was classic and sophisticated. Lauren is a vision in a lace Marchesa gown from Mark Ingram Atelier, with the perfect Tiffany blue Badgley Mischka heels as her something blue! Every image from Lindsay Madden Photography is absolute perfection.

Meagan and Adam’s Missouri soiree is the perfect summer affair. Held at the lakeside venue of Integrity Hills, the couple worked with Abby Mitchell Events to bring their nautical theme to life. Flowers were an important part of the day, and Artistry in Bloom matched the beauty of the surroundings with lovely and interesting arrangements of kale, hydrangea, coffee berries, garden roses, and protea. Meagan traveled to South Africa during her veterinary training and became enchanted by protea, so incorporating the exotic bloom was close to her heart. Maritime accents such as rope and knots decorated the tables, which were set with navy linens and striped silver napkins echoing the bridesmaids’ pretty J.Crew frocks. Meagan is a vision in a vintage Priscilla of Boston gown from Marry Go Round and veil handmade by her aunt. We love the perfect pop of pink lipstick in her flawless makeup by Makeup by Melissa Britt. Each image from Christine Bonnivier Photography is perfection, right down to the sparkler exit!

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!

Elise and Michael’s wedding showcases the stunning city of Chicago almost as well as it illustrates their love for each other! An interfaith ceremony at Old St. Patrick’s Church brought together both families’ traditions, and their Chicago Cultural Center reception—planned and designed by Beth Bernstein of SQN Events—is the epitome of classic sophistication. The stunning Preston Bradley Hall, with its ornate dome and stately marbled walls, was the perfect backdrop for a reception featuring elegant calligraphy details, centerpieces of greenery, candles, and soft white blooms from Flora, and a rocking party set to the tunes of Matt Lewis and The Union. Each and every image from Olivia Leigh Photographie is perfection!