Classic Pastel Serbian-Jewish Wedding

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!

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!

From the ceremony at Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church to the reception at The Drake in Chicago, Stefanie and Matt’s weekend was filled with family, love, and lots of tradition the bride holds dear. “One of the many things that I love about Matt is that he has always embraced my Ukrainian heritage, which is a really significant part of my identity,” says Stefanie. The elaborate church ceremony included lush florals by Stems, with pale, mostly white bouquets that popped against taupe and black bridesmaids dresses from the Jenny Yoo Collection. Stefanie dazzled in an Oscar de la Renta gown that was topped off by a big, modern bow on the shoulder. Ukrainian custom called for an overflowing sweets table with desserts from family friends and Shokolad Pastry & Cafe, but the couple still offered a traditional tri-flavored cake made by Sarah’s Pastries & Candies. The lively end of the night included special dancing—the kolomeyka—by Stefanie’s family. We’re swept off our feet by this fun wedding documented to perfection by Melissa Hayes Photography!

When Liz and Eric went looking for a venue, they were seeking something that could capture the essence of quintessential Chicago. As soon as they saw Cafe Brauer at the Lincoln Park Zoo, they knew it was the place! Elegant, unique and timeless, they also loved the cafe’s central location. Their wedding design was inspired by the cafe’s classic architecture, with just a touch of garden sweetness added in. Oh and speaking of sweetness? The croquembouche to honor Liz’s year in France: swoon! The color palette of floral arrangements by Scarlet Petal includes the softest pinks and peaches in roses, tulips, stock and even some Queen Anne’s lace. We absolutely adore these photos by Alaina Bos Photography and hope you do, too!

I’m so completely in love with Danielle and John’s Chicago wedding. Personalized details filled the day from their monogrammed accessories, to the all-over use of lavender (a nod to Danielle’s French roots), to the cannon that John’s grandfather fired at the end of the ceremony (a tradition in their family)! They’re a stunning couple with impeccable taste and the absolute cutest and hands-down best idea for a card box ever!! It’s no surprise the bride is an event planner herself. I adore every single detail about their modern elegant wedding and every wonderful photo by Paul Gero!

Madeline and Audie chose the Chicago History Museum as the venue for their classically elegant Chicago wedding. The bride’s gown, designed by Ines Di Santo, is the crown jewel of this wedding. It’s simply unbelievable, and combined with her gorgeous bouquet and lovely pink Loubouton shoes, this bride look is an all-time favorite.

You know when two wedding photographers are getting married, it’s bound to be spectacular! And such is Sarah and Matt‘s magical affair at Salvage One. The industrial, whimsical locale was perfect for pastel florals from Fleur, romantic candlelight, and vintage decor from BHLDN. We adore their invites, elegant but fun with silhouettes, from Love vs. Design. Sarah said no to traditional bridesmaids and matching dresses, and instead focused on a gorgeous classic gown from J.Crew for herself paired with glittery Kate Spade shoes. Special touches at the event, coordinated by Liven It Up Events, included desserts from Molly’s Cupcakes, mini burgers from The Slide Ride food truck, and custom cloth napkins by Dot & Army. We’re swooning over the amazing images by Pen / Carlson and we know you’ll agree that it’s one of our favorites of 2013!

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!

We love Kari and Drew’s fresh wedding color palette! Creamy taupe bridesmaids dresses, cream invitations with gold lettering, and colorful springy bouquets all blend for a timeless look that’s anything but boring. Their ceremony, held at Chicago’s St Michael in Old Town, was traditional and beautiful. The couple held their reception at Cafe Brauer, with lots of warm woods, mercury glass, and pale flowers decorating the space. Kari looks amazing in her fitted gown with mermaid-style skirt, and both she and Drew are beaming in these photos from Pen/Carlson Photography—see them all in the gallery!

Ana and Andre’s Miami wedding just may be the zenith of all elegant, sophisticated South Beach bashes—it also happens to be one of the photographer’s favorite affairs of 2012. Held at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, the Jewish ceremony featured traditions such as a chuppah—festooned with lush peach, green, and cream blooms by Parrish Designs—breaking the glass, and the hora. Bridesmaids shimmered by candlelight in deep metallic gray dresses from Amsale, while Ana’s Rivini gown was accented by an ethereal mantilla veil. Some of our absolute favorite details are the couple’s vintage getaway car, and the traditional English fruitcake made by Ana’s family. The photos from KT Merry Photography are stunning, just like this waterfront wedding!

Joanna and Erick were determined to find a serene setting in Chicago for the backdrop of their wedding, and they sure found the perfect oasis with Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The couple brought casual elegance to this refreshing venue with vintage accents like mason jars and milk glass vases bearing pastel flower bouquets created by Fleur for their outdoor ceremony and reception. To go along with their “loose and natural” theme, the bride and groom encouraged their bridal party to embrace their unique sense of style by assigning a color scheme and allowing their friends to choose their own attire. A variety of pies replaced the traditional wedding cake, and hand-sewn teabags were given as favors to all the guests at the end of the evening. We love with the heartfelt touches incorporated into this wedding and Jaclyn Simpson did a fantastic job capturing the 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.

We adore the elegant Pasadena wedding of Sarah and Ron! These images from Stewart Uy are like a fairytale, with frothy pinks and lots of ethereal tulle. Sarah wore a custom gown from Kara Wedding for the ceremony at Glendale Presbyterian Church and reception at the stunning Imperial Palace Banquet Hall. We’re loving the unique mix of blush peonies, black anemones and white ranunculus in Sarah’s bouquet by Dana of Karen’s Garden. Two of our fave details are the romantic taupe bridesmaids dresses and the garden of blooms surrounding the cake from Queen’s Bakery. Simply gorgeous! When asked about her favorite memory of the day, Sarah shares, “I love the last few shots taken of us dancing. It was the perfect ending to such a beautiful, crazy day.” We couldn’t agree more with her sentiment!

Katie and Dan planned their nuptials in just four months, but these images from Two Birds Photography show flawless touches and attention to detail that belie the couple’s short engagement! Says bride Katie, “There were three main feelings we wanted our celebration to evoke: a classic feel, a cozy environment, and a fun atmosphere.” We think it’s an absolute success, starting with the venue, Chicago’s The Rookery. “It is such an amazing space with an incredible history that is deeply intertwined with the city,” says Katie. “Both grand and cozy.” From there, the couple looked to Exquisite Designs for florals that would accent the existing decor, including white roses, anemones, ranunculu, sweet peas, and hydrangeas.  In keeping with the chic, sophisticated feel of the day, bridesmaids wore black dresses by Amsale. Katie’s lace Rafael Cennamo gown from Dimitra’s bridal salon is stunning, and we love the edginess her black Jimmy Choo heels provide. Vintage decanters from Rent Vintage Chicago add a sparkle to the reception’s cream and gold decor, as does the gold bride and groom topper set on the cake from Sweet Mandy B’s. How we adore this elegant affair!

The romance and softness of Emily and David’s Long Island City wedding belies the chaos of Manhattan just across the river, and we love the juxtaposition of both worlds in these images from Lindsay Madden! Appropriately held at Water’s Edge, with a breathtaking view of the city beyond, Emily and David began their married life together beneath a custom chuppah from Olam Wedding Canopies. She wore a Nicole Miller veil and gown, first spotted by her mother in the window of a Philadelphia bridal salon. Pastel flowers punctuated the venue and bridal party, including Emily’s bouquet—a mix of ranunculus, patience garden roses, parrot tulips, and Juliette garden roses in cream, white, and soft green and peach wrapped in antique white lace and ribbon—all by Sweet & Flower. Amidst the pale color palette, olive bridesmaids dresses from Amsale are rich touch that reference the fall season. Elegant decor and sparkly mercury glass continue the beautiful setting at the reception. We cannot choose a favorite from these stunning details!

Liz and Jason’s elegant wedding completely eschews a modernist LA vibe for pretty pastels and soft touches that shine in these images from Christine Farah Photography! We’re enamored with the airy layers of Liz’s bridal gown, paired with delicate pearl jewelry and a romantic updo. Soft pink bridesmaids dresses set the tone for flowers in the same color family by Milieu Florals. With CCL Weddings and Events onboard to lead the planning and design, Liz and Jason created the perfect day for them and their friends and family. Following the ceremony at Los Angeles Full Gospel Church, the lovely Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at The Music Center played host to the reception. There, the couple took part in a tea ceremony to pay homage to their heritage. Pink chevron and vintage touches created a fairytale space for dinner, dancing, and a luscious dessert from Cakery Bakery. This affair couldn’t be more gorgeous. See it all right here!

We love the pretty pastels woven throughout Su and Ray’s outdoor wedding at Promontory Point in Chicago’s Burnham Park. Lush bouquets of pink and cream ranunculus and peonies mixed with dusty miller by Vale of Enna are the perfect complement to romantic coral bridesmaids dresses by Jarlo. Su’s Vera Wang gown is hands-down one of our favorites ever, with a big structured bow taking the focal point of the gown’s front. To celebrate their heritage, Su and Ray incorporated a tea ceremony into the celebrations, and the red dress Su wore to cut the cake from Bridgeport Bakery is simply stunning! We are swooning over these beautiful images from Kina Wicks!

Lauren and Zach’s Chicago wedding is just as elegant as can be, with soft and sweet details that will be in style forever! The breathtaking Saint Clement Parish served as the location of the Catholic ceremony before the couple’s reception at Galleria Marchetti. Unique bouquets from Cornelia McNamara that included poppies and dusty miller are one of our favorite details of this affair, and the alternating pastel floral and baby’s breath arrangements at the reception have us drooling as well! Pretty pink bridesmaids dresses from Jordan are lovely, and the silhouettes complement Lauren’s Kittychen Couture gown, which she paired with a mantilla veil from Veiled Beauty. In a departure from typical fondant cakes, Lauren and Zach chose a buttercream frosted confection from Alliance Bakery, festooned with lush blooms in shades of pink and peach.The entire scheme is stunning, as you can see in these amazing images from Justine Bursoni!

We are just in love with all the soft elements of Suzanne and Esteban’s glorious Vero Beach wedding, especially the soft pink, purple, and gold details! Held at the Windsor, Suzanne and Esteban vintage style with silver, lace, and soft classic florals by Pink Pelican. A single bridesmaid wore a one-shoulder gray dress, which made an elegant contrast with the lighter hues of the day. Palm trees and flickering candlelight framed the tables at the outdoor patio reception, and we adore the rhinestone brooch that festoons the classic wedding cake, which reminds us of the rhinestone flower hairpiece Suzanne wore. The most stunning vision of the day, of course, was a beaming bride swathed in strapless Monique Lhuillier gown that wowed guests and, most especially, groom Esteban! These images from Vitalic Photo are so stunning and sophisticated—see them all over in the gallery!

Kiera and Jay’s wedding feels like a warm spring day, thanks to deep lavender bridesmaids dresses by Priscilla of Boston and a gorgeous Arizona landscape at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa. Adding to the seasonal feel are lush flower garlands and petite fuchsia and purple bouquets by Flora Bella. We love how every detail is perfectly coordinated, thanks to Outstanding Occasions. Modern embellishments on the classic silhouette of Kiera’s Melissa Sweet gown makes it a timeless show-stopper, and we adore the bow sash! At the reception, the pink-and-gray rose motif on the cake repeats the graphics on Kiera and Jay’s Idieh Design stationery. We hope you enjoy these swoon-worthy images from Melissa Jill Photography!