Rustic + Elegant Wedding at Serenbe

This inspiration shoot is so achingly gorgeous, so ethereal, there may be no words to do it justice. Entitled Gossypium—the Latin name for the cotton plant family—this stripped-down, elegant session was created for The Little Workshop, held in Southern Virginia and orchestrated by the incredible Michael and Carina Photography. Taking cues from nature and the cotton field at their venue, The Lewis Dream Home, Gossamer first styled and outfitted an intimate bridal boudoir session and then progressed to sunset portraits in the fields of cotton and a rustic but sophisticated tabletop with florals from White Magnolia Designs and hand-lettered place cards by Written Word Calligraphy. The stunning ivory and greenery bouquet was beribboned by Silk & Willow, and Stephanie Knight‘s gorgeous hair and makeup was done by Lora Kelley. We could not be more in love, and are honored to share the absolutely perfect images from Michael and Carina Photography!

The juxtaposition of Brittany and Nathan’s rustic but elegant wedding is just stunning! We love the gorgeous church setting of First Baptist Cornelia, in Georgia, for the ceremony and also stone-and-wood reception site of The Cornelia Community House. Along with taking these beautiful images, Mark Williams Studio took care of the loose but structured flower arrangements and bouquets as well as the event design. Classic lavender bridesmaids dresses by Lela Rose are pretty and stand out at the white church. And we are just swooning over Brittany’s romantic embellished Watters gown!  Gold and purple details abound at reception tables, where Spanish moss draped over candelabras helps set a cozy mood. We’re aflutter over the lavender lovebirds perched atop Brittany and Nathan’s wedding cake by Cecilia Villaveces Cakes. This wedding day looks simply perfect to us!

Sarah and Michael’s charming vintage farm wedding, at Silver Buttons Farm in Pipersville, PA, is so full of their personalities. Sarah, a buyer for Anthropologie, and Michael, an architect, put together an impeccably sweet vintage soiree. We love the soft light of these images from the always amazing Love Me Do, especially in the details of cream and plum bouquets by Sullivan Owen, and the intricate detailing of Sarah’s utterly gorgeous Claire Pettibone gown. Gray bridesmaids dresses by Yoana Baraschi matched the misty weather, creating a dramatic effect for the outdoor ceremony. Fun details at the reception fit right in with the quirky barn locale: ombre napkins, wooden place cards, and whimsical florals dot the tables. We are head over heels for every little detail—see the full wedding in the gallery!

The picturesque shore of Lake Leelanau in Traverse City, Michigan, was a lovely gathering ground for the wedding of Ilana and Matt, who had family flying in from both coasts as well as overseas. The couple wanted a laid-back party for their “favorite people in the world,” and this one was full of style, too—from the custom sash made of feathers, moss and bark around the waist of Ilana’s J.Crew wedding gown to the casually elegant wildflower and herb arrangements from Bloom. An outdoor ceremony at Crooked Creek Ranch took advantage of the water views, while the property’s rustic barn was a gorgeous woodland scene for the reception, including a delicious four-tier cake from Aunt B’s embellished with a cascading fondant branch and leaves. These images from Harrison Studio make it clear this was one fun event—from the spirited dancing to Lady Sunshine and the X Band to the groom grabbing the mic to serenade his bride with “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.”

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!

Sugar, spice, and everything really nice sums up Jamie and Casey’s South Carolina shindig. The Charlotte couple wanted something more quintessentially southern, so they traveled a bit further south into Charleston and fell in love with The Governor Thomas Bennett House. They were spellbound by its classic look; white exterior with black shutters, and its all-in-one manicured garden perfect for the ceremony and reception. This accommodating setup can go with any style or color palette, but we are totally fawning over the soft pastel wedding aesthetic that Ashley Wenz with Boutique Planning made come to life. Reception tables were kept light and airy with dove gray and blush linens from Snyder Rentals. To add some oomph, weathered farmhouse tables sans linens were the ideal complement to add some texture to the space. Before we go on and on, we’re just going to let Ava Moore Photography do the rest of the storytelling about this beautiful day.

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.

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!

On the day of Katie and Alan’s wedding, Dallas decided to unleash a massive storm, so the couple and their wedding planner, Sarah of Keestone Events, moved their planned outdoor ceremony inside the gorgeous ballroom of Arlington Hall. And while we wouldn’t call a monsoon on your wedding day ideal, we have to say that the stunning indoor celebration may just have been a blessing in disguise! The golden ballroom made a beautiful ceremony and reception setting, and the elegant floral arch by Moss Floral Design did double duty as ceremony altar and a lovely backdrop for the reception! For the reception, white and gold centerpieces enhanced the golden beauty of the ballroom, while a pop of purple echoed the bridesmaids flowing dresses. The result is timeless perfection, beautifully captured by Dyan Kethley Photography!

Sara and Conner met while were both were on vacation in Nashville. There was an instant connection, and after spending as much time together as possible during that trip, they began dating long distance and were married at Nashville’s Cedarwood just over a year later. Their festive, intimate dinner party was a nod to Sara’s Southern roots. Magnolia leaf place cards were set atop each place setting on long wooden tables where each flower was handpicked by the bride. The couple’s monogram was sprinkled throughout, even on the wreath above the historic home’s door. From their ceremony on the rolling hills of the estate to the reception glimmering with candlelight, we are smitten with this entire day, beautifully photographed by Erin Lee Allender!

Lake Tahoe was the perfect setting for Kacie and Austin to treat guests to an epic weekend celebration. The mountain destination played host to a Field Day for all ages, a lakeside “Something Blue” rehearsal dinner, and their stunning waterside wedding ceremony amongst the trees at West Shore Cafe & Inn Lake Tahoe. Bello & Blue Events worked with the couple to create a fabulous and colorful reception in shades of magenta and navy, with bold and beautiful flowers by Petal & Thread. Each place setting featured a laser cut place card and a fragrant cymbidium orchid, and lieu of favors, guests received a lovely welcome box including a customized candle with scent chosen by Austin, champagne with an aspen tree straw, and a hand-drawn painted map of Lake Tahoe. There’s so much to love in their gorgeous day, and we’re totally gushing over the images captured by Ether & Smith!

Laura and McLean were married on a gorgeous April day in South Carolina, at Pawley’s Island’s picturesque Litchfield Plantation. The historical home and its avenue of live oaks made a magical day even more beautiful. The couple enlisted the help of their two adorable pups to become a part of the bridal party! We can never resist a wedding with pets! Cricket Newman selected lavender and ivory blooms to accent the natural greenery of the surroundings, and the soft tone paired beautifully with deep purple Joanna August bridesmaids dresses and Laura’s Christos gown from Bridals by Lori. We love the classic, timeless feel in each of the images from Amy Arrington Photography!

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!

Analise and Thomas held a breathtakingly beautiful wedding at Carnation Farms, Washington’s Camp Korey. Three months into their relationship, Analise was diagnosed with alopecia and experienced complete hair loss. Analise shares: “This chapter of our lives was a never ending roller coaster, but Tommy was able to show me an unconditional love.” Their wedding was the first time that Analise had been photographed without her wig, and we are in awe of her beauty and spirit. Sinclair and Moore created a stunning ceremony and reception with swaths of greenery and pale blooms. The neutral color palette of gray, green, and ivory is both rustic and elegant, a perfect match for the natural beauty of the venue. We have fallen in love with this couple and with each and every image from Michele M. Waite!

The rolling Virginia mountains and North Garden’s picturesque Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards were the backdrop for Chris and Rachel’s relaxed autumn wedding. As University of Virginia graduates, the Charlottesville area holds a special charm for the couple, and the beautiful countryside inspired the day’s decor and color palette. The florals from Hedge Fine Blooms feature ivory and cream stems, accented by deep greenery and late summer fruits. Each compote arrangement was unique, with pears, cabbages, and asparagus among sea holly, Queen Anne’s lace and ivy. Rachel enjoyed hand-crafting many of the elements of their wedding, including designing and letterpressing the stationery with plates from Boxcar Press, hand-lettering the magnolia leaf escort cards, and creating seed packet favors with varieties of seeds grown in the Monticello gardens. We adore the peaceful setting and gorgeous images from Sarah Jane Winter!

Cheyenne and John’s lovely wedding at The Outdoor Art Club in Mill Valley, California, is an earthy but elegant interpretation of the local scenery, with garden florals by Studio Choo and a ceremony beneath a canopy of lush green trees. Continuing with the bohemian spirit of the day, Cheyenne’s matron of honor and solo bridesmaid chose their own dresses from J.Crew and Free People, while Cheyenne stunned in a column-style lace gown from Atelier des Modistes. We love the green garland details on Cheyenne and John’s stationery from Painted Tongue Studios and menu cards from Fairmount Creates, which ties in with the rustic look of the venue. Events by Satra helped the couple coordinate the day, ensuring that every detail was perfect. Organic touches like seed packet favors and loose arrangements in gold and green reinforced the laid-back elegance of the affair, creating a cozy ambience. We are loving every single image from Matthias Photography!

What do you have when you mix an enchanted garden and a romantic vineyard setting? Pure romance! Mary and Mark’s stunning wedding at Northern California’s exquisite Bear Flag Farm features some of the most drool-worthy flowers we’ve ever set eyes upon. From bouquets of protea, orchids, viburnum berries, roses and dusty miller to the lush herb and floral wedding arbor and, of course, gorgeous centerpieces with a dash of succulents, the day was full of beautiful blooms.  The day’s theme was “Versailles in the park” and a color palette of lavender, pale pink, and gray—along with a surprise from Mary’s parents, a rented Ferris wheel!—brought the feeling to life. The couple wrote their own ceremony, with an excerpt from A Farewell to Arms (one of my favorite ceremony readings) and the poem Love by Roy Croft. We are smitten with each thoughtful detail, especially the wine rack escort card board (how very apropos!), linens from La Tavola, and the vintage truck filled to the brim with flowers and hay bales. The lovely Carrie Patterson Photography captured the day with her always-graceful eye—visit the gallery to see it all!

Central Oregon may be one of the most lovely natural settings on earth, and we love how Julia and Kevin’s wedding at Sunriver Resort echoed the natural essence of the setting. After a ceremony at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, guests were greeted by the wedding party at Sunriver through a pathway of aspen trees, and then gathered in the stunning Great Hall for an evening of dinner and dancing. Sunriver Floral kept the reception decor natural, letting the elegance of the Great Hall shine with twenty one live aspen trees and a fire in the hearth. Seedling favors from Heritage Seedlings complemented the natural theme. We just love the gorgeous gowns from J.Crew—the delicate chiffon is a perfect match for Julia’s gorgeous lace Watters gown. And how adorable are these two ring bearers? Natural elegance abounds in each and every image from Marina Koslow Photography!

We have the best New Years Eve present for you today! Kendall and Hagen’s Ojai wedding is absolute perfection and a gorgeous way to close out a wonderful 2013. The grounds of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Ojai Valley Inn & Spa were the stunning backdrop for their nuptials: their ceremony held under a canopy of trees, with a romantic and elegant tented reception following. The reception featured both charcuterie and patisserie stations brought to life by their event planner Merryl Brown Events, and utterly gorgeous floral and decor by Mindy Rice. We are swooning over the tables with their hints of thistle and pretty peach linens from La Tavola! You must visit the gallery to immerse yourself in all of the gorgeous images from the divine Elizabeth Messina!