Classic + Elegant Estate Wedding

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.

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.

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.

Cassie and Cameron were married at one of Santa Barbara’s most gorgeous venues, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. They wanted their wedding to reflect a natural and organic feel, and worked with Wild Heart Events and Ella & Louie to bring their theme to life. Both their gorgeous outdoor ceremony and reception featured swaths of greenery and eucalyptus, with a matching floral crown gracing Cassie’s loose waves. Cassie’s Wtoo gown is perfectly chic, and we adore her bridesmaids’ coordinating pastel frocks. Each and every image from Diana Marie Photography is absolute perfection!

Kristin and Max both wanted a traditional, elegant historical Chicago wedding that would show their guests all the city has to offer. To set the tone for the chic affair, Kristin chose vintage-style details and pastel peach and pink florals mixed with dusty miller from Nancy Krause. The soft flowers paired well with taupe one-shoulder bridesmaids dresses by Bella Bianca, which is where Kristin found her gown as well. We are swooning over the timeless lace confection by Junko Yoshioka! After a ceremony at the intricately detailed St. Vincent de Paul Parish that included communion, Kristin and Max directed guests to the Chicago History Museum for an elegant, sophisticated reception that really shows off the Windy City. Gold, silver, peach, and pale yellow decor is slightly unexpected but still classic, and we adore the incorporation of the colors and greenery on the wedding cake from Konrad’s Bakery! And because we love a bit of whimsy in every wedding, we can’t get over the Ferris wheel escort cards—adorable! These gorgeous images from Hunter Photographic capture the day perfectly!

We are simply dazzled by Devin and Ryan’s gorgeous Napa Valley wedding, held at a lush private estate in the heart of wine country! Lush spring blooms, olive branches, and details in lovely peach and green hues make this affair classic and pretty, all thanks to the expertise of Napa Valley Custom Events by Sharon Burns. Even the invitations from Foglio Press incorporate the olive leaf theme. Devin’s romantic strapless gown and filmy peach bridesmaids dresses are lovely at the outdoor ceremony, which was also punctuated with peonies and other exotic blooms from Julie Stevens Design. These images from Julie Kay Kelly Photography are just brimming with beautiful details, and we love them all!

Lauren and Tim’s San Juan Island, Washington, resort wedding is a mix of whimsy and elegance, from the waterfront locale at Roche Harbor to the fanciful pink and peach dahlias and hints of dusty miller in the florals. We adore the lush flowers and design from the ever-talented planners at Sinclair & Moore Events! Invitations with adorable illustrations from La Happy are fun and filled with personality. Bridesmaids dresses from Bill Levkoff in dusty blue recall the color of the nearby ocean and complement the surrounding peach and cream hues. Lauren’s Vera Wang gown features simple beading and a gorgeous A-line silhouette. A tent reception on the resort grounds includes elegant florals contrasted with more rustic elements like the wine barrel table—which holds cakes from Pure Bliss Desserts—and leather and wood chairs scooted up to linen-draped dining tables. We’re crazy about this beautiful celebration and all of the images by Michele M. Waite Photography!

Lauren and Dallas settled on Chicago for the location of their wedding festivities, the place where they first met at Northwestern University. Together they chose Saint James Chapel for their traditional Catholic ceremony and Racquet Club of Chicago for the site of their reception. To tie in with the peach and gray decor scheme, bridesmaids wore strapless Donna Morgan dresses from Nordstrom, paired with peony bouquets from Fleur. Lauren’s embroidered Lazaro gown from Bridal Couture was a classic choice that sparkled with a beaded headband and jeweled shoes purchased from Etsy. A DIY seating chart, a project Lauren and Dallas completed together, set the scene for an elegant but personalized reception with lush florals, vintage touches like mercury glass, and a dessert by Cake on a shiny silver stand. We’re swooning over every perfect detail in these images from Shane Welch Photography!

Amanda and Mike’s big city Chicago wedding portrays a certain sweetness that is both charming and sophisticated! Following a traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Josaphat Parish, the couple and their friends and family headed to the gorgeous Chicago History Museum for a night of great food and dancing, thanks to Blue Plate catering and tunes from Matt Lewis and The Union. Amanda says she wouldn’t change a thing about the day, and we can see why! From the lovely ice blue bridesmaids dresses from Bella Bridesmaids to her own amazing Tara Keely gown, the attire was simple and elegant. Emilia Jane Photography captured beautiful images—we especially adore the iconic photos with the backdrop of the Chicago skyline! We love the mix of baby’s breath, peach roses, and white peonies in floral designs by Revel Décor, as well as the adorable confection by Amy Beck Cake Design—there’s so much to love, catch it all in the gallery!

Ronda and Jeff’s gorgeous Nashville wedding is the epitome of Southern chic! These two are completely in love—there’s not a single image from Kristyn Hogan where the two aren’t beaming! Sara Fried of Fete Nashville Events & Design helped Ronda and Jeff create the perfect day filled with Southern touches like monograms and lush hydrangeas. The white, purple, and green florals dotted throughout were created by The Enchanted Florist, and they absolutely set the scene for the day. After Ronda and Jeff’s ceremony at Scarritt Bennett, they joined guests for an outdoor cocktail hour and indoor reception at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. We adore the attire of the day, first with the sand-colored bridesmaids dresses by Dessy and classic tuxes for the men, and then Ronda’s breathtaking custom Vera Wang gown. Before a dramatic send-off down the symphony hall steps with sparklers, Ronda and Jeff cut their Dulce Desserts cake, an extra-tall confection accented with more hydrangea blooms. Everything about this affair is simply flawless—see even more in the gallery!

We are really loving the peach and black color palette of Carrie and Brandon’s Orange Park, Florida, wedding! Held outdoors at The Club Continental, the pastel and bold combination is unexpected and sophisticated. Soft flowers and black lace linens dot the event, created and styled by Aime Peterson Flowers & Event Design. The bridesmaids dresses from Belk are also lacy and black, while peach and cream bouquets soften the look. Carrie’s Wtoo gown from Victorian Rose Bridals features a jaw-dropping open back, and we love the punch of color from her blue satin shoes by Nina. Shipra Panosian Photography didn’t miss a single detail when capturing this chic affair—see all of the gorgeous images in the gallery!

Lee and Raul honored the groom’s Spanish heritage in their Miami, Florida wedding, even incorporating a coin tradition into their ceremony at Church of the Little Flower. How sweet is that? Lee looked stunning in her Justin Alexander gown, which featured a dramatic button-up back and long train. We love the light silver bridesmaids dresses by Alfred Sung—a soft complement to Lee and Raul’s color palette of ivory, peach and yellow. Flowers By Carol created beautiful arrangements of hydrangea and roses that lined banquet tables at The Coral Gables Museum, where Lee and Raul held their outdoor reception. There isn’t a single detail we don’t love from their big day, and we’re so glad Starfish Studios shared it with us!

Pardon our gushing, but this is one of our favorite weddings ever! It just so happens to be one of Jen Huang Photography‘s, too! The gray and pink color palette is soft and romantic, and the setting at the Houston Zoo is unexpected and fun. The photos from Jen Huang Photography are so breathtaking that we can only imagine how fabulous this fete was in person. Rachel and Naomi planned for 15 months, leaving not a detail untouched. The bride designed the flowers—assembled to her wishes by The Nouveau Romantics—including her rose, peony, ranunculus, and dusty miller bouquet. The adorable gray and pink ruffled bridesmaids dresses from Eden Bridals are playful and go perfectly with the color scheme, too, but we simply can’t stop staring at the gorgeous Ines Di Santo gown. This wedding definitely has the wow factor!

Alice and Christopher described their ceremony and reception at the rustic but beautiful Stones of the Yarra Valley in Melbourne, Australia, as “a stunning day with special friends and family.” The bouquets and arrangements from Blooming Brides—a mix of hydrangeas, white blooms and magnolia leaves—take their cues from the woodsy surroundings. We’re smitten with Alice’s gown, too—those lace sleeves! These gorgeous photos from Love Katie + Sarah almost make us feel like we were Down Under at the celebration, too!

Catie and Mike wanted their wedding to be an homage to their Greek heritage and what a wonderful homage it was! Timeless but also fresh, they chose to celebrate at Union Station in Los Angeles. Flowers in yummy shades of peach and melon with hints of gray by the incomparable Bash, Please are absolute perfection! Their reception was a bit of a distance from their ceremony, so they chose to take the LA metro between the two venues which made for some fantastic photos. This whole wedding is just so chic and gorgeous, I can’t get enough of these wonderful images by Justine Ungaro!

Sarah and Ethan’s wedding was personal, intimate, and infused with Southern charm. They incorporated family photos and mementos throughout the day, placing photos of themselves as kids on each of the tables, a large screen with family wedding photos at the reception, and (my favorite) Sarah pinned a brooch worn by Sarah’s great-great-grandmother and grandmother on their wedding days to her bouquet. I absolutely love the soft pink, peach and ivory color palette of the flowers by Jan Parker! Each and every one of these photos by Yellow House Photography is more beautiful than the next!

Sarah and Bill were married at the majestic Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. It was a classically elegant event filled with unbelievable florals by The Bloom Room in shades of peach, blush, and orange. Their gorgeous ceremony aisle was lined with lanterns, flowers, and moss and they were married under a dozen twinkling natural globes. I love their color palette and the photos by Two Ring Studios are just perfection!

With any outdoor wedding ceremony in Florida you have to have a rain plan, which was the case for Taylor and Jacob’s Alfond Inn wedding. What was meant to be a garden style ceremony on the lawn, was moved into the atrium due to weather. But, that didn’t stop the garden vibes.

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.