Elegant White Ballroom Wedding

There’s only one word befitting Temmy and Wayne’s Edmonton wedding: exquisite! Held at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, a landmark building fashioned after a castle, their intimate event was truly out of a fairy tale. It was love at first sight for the couple, and after six years and two children, saying “I Do” couldn’t have been easier. Working with Samantha of J’Adore Design & Events, they designed an enchanted wonderland of flowers, from topiaries lining the aisle and dressing the altar of their rooftop ceremony to elegant reception tables with shimmering pink linens, gilded accents, and patterned stone chargers. The final perfect detail? A something blue settee for two at the head table. We are mesmerized by this gorgeous family and all of the incredible images captured on film by Justine Milton!

Above all else, there are three words to describe Alyssa and Scott’s wedding: classic New York. Their Saturday night, black-tie wedding at The Waldorf Astoria is quintessentially Manhattan, and their vision of an elegant and sophisticated black and white wedding came to life thanks to a dream team of vendors. Belle Fleur created an incredible rose, hydrangea, and orchid chuppah for the couple’s interfaith ceremony and a mix of dramatic arrangements for the ballroom reception. The Steve Delisi Band played a mix of top 40 hits, Nat King Cole, and wedding classics (hello Journey!). And the spectacular Lindsay Madden Photography captured every moment from a first look on Park Avenue (car free thanks to Alyssa’s befriending of police officers on hand post-UN summit) to the last dance and everything in between. We are smitten with Alyssa’s bridal style: her Badgley Mischka gown from Kleinfeld Bridal and Jimmy Choo Fearne sandals are befitting a princess. Each and every detail is perfection!

Jordan and Joe’s Chicago wedding is all about classic, timeless glamour. After a ceremony in River North’s Holy Name Cathedral, the couple selected the venerable Millennium Knickerbocker for their reception—a venue with an old Chicago feel—and its stately ballroom with its gold gilded ceiling was the inspiration for their decor. Sarah from Vale of Enna worked magic in the ornate ballroom, creating romantic and lush centerpieces of candelabras, greenery, and white and ivory blooms. We simply adore this couple’s elegance and style, and the gorgeous images from Emilia Jane Photography!

Jill and Luke had an elegantly preppy wedding at Hotel del Coronado in northern California. Luke and his groomsmen wore gray pants, navy sport coats and uber-preppy Vineyard Vines ties, while the bridesmaids wore short navy Jenny Yoo dresses in various styles. The elegant white and gold reception was positively stunning, and my favorite detail is the place setting – clear chargers rimmed in gold, revealing a doily framed menu underneath. Such a fabulous detail that worked to compliment the stunning florals by Kathy Wright & Company. A gorgeous day with beautiful photos by the always amazing Jennifer Dery!

One gaze at this wedding and it would be hard to imagine that Leah and Andy wanted a laid-back fête to reflect their easygoing selves because their wedding is dripping with classic elements. To say the least, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is an old world vision that Renee Lemaire Photography certainly captured at the Porter’s big day. Every aspect of the grounds exudes romance and the whole place looks like it was plucked out of a fairytale. Leah recalls going to Stan Hywet often as a little girl, so she knew it was THE place and after showing Andy, they were both hooked and began dreaming up their wedding. Their September wedding day consisted of a delicate cream and ivory palette with dabs of blush, expert florals by The Budding Tree, and ending the night twirling away underneath the trees and the stars.

Chicago’s University Club is one of the most spectacular settings in the city, and Adriana and Stephen’s wedding made its beauty shine even brighter. LK Events and Exquisite Designs worked with the couple to create a romantic and cozy ambiance in the stately ballroom. The majestic florals by Exquisite Designs featured roses, hydrangea, and peonies in a mix of low and high arrangements and a sea of candles – each tabletop its own work of art. Dramatic lighting by Frost accented the University Club’s incredible stained glass windows, and Adriana says “When we walked into the reception (to the song Pony by Ginuwine) you could smell the flowers and the sun was still streaming into the room showing off the stained glass.” From their sweet first look to the afterparty on the roof deck underneath the city lights, each unforgettable moment was captured beautifully by Amanda Megan Miller!

We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate Independence Day than with Elizabeth and Jeff’s classic Americana wedding at the Daughters of the American Revolution National Headquarters! Not only is this wedding chock full of red, white, and blue details designed by Cheers Darling Events, but Elizabeth and Jeff are so incredibly fun, and their quirky. personal additions make this wedding one for the books. Elizabeth subtly incorporated her love for cats with kitty flats perfect for dancing the night away, and Jeff’s childhood of raising and showing goats as a 4H member gave way to the “Granby Goat” cocktail, a nod to his hometown and hobby. As if that weren’t cute enough, topping their Buttercream Bakeshop confection was a topper with a cat bride and goat groom. More importantly, Elizabeth and Jeff made sure to honor their family and guests too. Elizabeth’s grandmother handpainted the invitation envelope liners, and each place setting at the reception was customized with an individual note to that guest, sharing memories and thanks for their love and support. We’re celebrating the 4th with these spectacular images from Lisa Blume Photography!

Rana and Andy’s Chicago wedding is classic and beautiful! The festivities began at the grand Holy Name Cathedral where the couple exchanged vows during a traditional Catholic ceremony. As guests made their way to Congress Plaza for the reception, the bridal party traveled to many of Chicago’s stunning vistas for portraits, including Olive Park, with its sweeping views of the skyline. The Gold Room at the Congress Plaza lives up to its name, and Anthony Gowder Designs created elegant decor befitting the gilded ballroom. Hydrangea and rose centerpieces paired with crisp white china and gold chiavari chairs for a crisp, sophisticated feel. After enjoying the decadent tiered confection from The Baking Institute, everyone danced the night away to tunes from Okyne Medialab. We’re head over heels for the stunning images from Artistrie Co.!

Elegance and romance were the theme of the day for Kara and Lance’s winter black tie wedding at Tampa’s The Vinoy Renaissance. The couple were married on a gorgeous Florida day at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, one of the most stunning cathedrals in the area. After their traditional ceremony, guests moved to the Vinoy’s Mezzanine for cocktails overlooking the water and a reception in the grand ballroom where amber uplighting created a magical display in the stately hall. Events in Bloom created centerpieces in neutral tones of ivory and soft peach with roses, peonies, ranunculus, and stock. Kara and Lance opted for a sweetheart table, and it was a true centerpiece of the reception, with glimmering sequin linens and an elegant garland centerpiece of roses and eucalyptus. A sophisticated palette of warm metallics carried throughout, from beaded Adrianna Papell bridesmaids dresses to champagne bottle place card holders. Of course, it’s the personal touches that make a wedding special. Guests signed wine corks in lieu of a guest book, and Lance—a baseball player—wore Batman cleats in his Major League debut, and donned a special gift from Kara, monogrammed Batman cuff links. We are absolutely smitten with every detail, from Kara’s lace Girl with a Serious Dream dressing robe to the sparkler exit and vintage Rolls Royce. Prepare to fall in love with every beautiful image captured by Justin DeMutiis Photography!

Laura and Joey’s Austin wedding is full of glitz and glamour! The couple was living in Connecticut while planning their Texas nuptials, so they brought in the fabulous CLINK to execute their vision of formal-meets-fun, with a healthy dose of sparkle. They selected The Driskill Hotel for their venue—it was love at first sight—and enlisted Amy of Merveille Event Design to create a mix of showstopping arrangements for the tables bedecked in gold sequin linens. Our favorite? The showstopping estate table with a “runner” of white roses and votive candles! Though Joey patiently assisted in choosing stationery and centerpieces, his excitement bubbled over at selecting the menu for the day. After consuming an inordinate amount of options during the tasting, he chose a nicely balanced selection of filet, sea bass, and veggie risotto to go along with their gorgeous cake from Simon Lee Bakery. We are head over heels for every perfect detail in these images from Forever Photography!

We couldn’t think of anything more romantic than a Paris destination wedding and Sayaka and Shaokai’s wedding at the heart-stoppingly gorgeous Shangri-La Hotel is pure magic. The couple reside in Hong Kong, and fell in love while she was living in New York, so it was only fitting that they celebrate with 60 of their nearest and dearest with an intimate soiree with travel-themed details. Sayaka and Shaokai worked with Fete in France to plan their wedding from afar, and Estelle Preston created the gorgeous florals adorning the Shangri-La’s ornate ballroom. Sakaya brought many personal touches to their day, hand-making fascinators for her bridesmaids and personalizing luggage tags as favors. We simply adore the iconic Parisian landmarks and classic elegance in the stunning images from One and Only Paris Photography!

Jessica and Ben’s wedding is quintessentially Chicago. A ceremony at Rush Street’s St. James Chapel gave way to the reception at the Windy City’s iconic Drake Hotel. The Drake’s stunning ballroom doesn’t need much dressing up to be gorgeous, and we love how the couple enhanced the beauty of the room with a color palette of ivory, gold, and a touch of spring green. Florist Anthony Gowder created a mix of low and high arrangements with lush peonies, ranunculus, roses, hydrangea, vibernum, lilies, and blooming branches of spirea. The finishing touch? A classic white wedding cake with gold leaf from Amy Beck Cake Design with a hidden surprise—confetti cake inside! Jessica’s inspiration was simple, timeless elegance, and we couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Enjoy all of the lovely images from the equally-lovely Emilia Jane Photography!

Sara and Michael narrowly escaped an impending snowstorm in order to pull off their fabulous NYC fete at the JW Marriott Essex House New York! These breathtaking images from Rebecca Yale Portraits have us swooning—from white tulip bouquets to lush textural white arrangements, fashioned by Lewis Miller Design, this wedding is classic, fresh, and stunning. Helping the couple from start to finish, including designing classic cream stationery, Reed Cohen Papers and Events ensured the details were flawless. We love the light lavender Bill Levkoff bridesmaids dresses, a pop of springtime color in this winter wedding, and Sara’s jewel-encrusted Pnina Tornai gown from Kleinfeld—such sophistication! Blingy details at the reception sparkled and shined among the gold and cream table settings. We are dying over the amazing chandeliers in the ballroom! A chic cake from Ron Ben-Israel Cakes is exactly what Sara and Michael envisioned, and after cutting into the confection, the couple participated in a traditional Jewish wedding dance, the horah, with their guests. Enjoy all of the photos of this gorgeous celebration!

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!

We are just loving these images of Ashley and Michael’s New Orleans wedding! The historic feel of the city blended with modern touches and classic details is the perfect combination for a stunning affair! We’re amazed at the breathtaking architecture of St. Louis Cathedral, site of the ceremony, as well as the timeless setting of The Roosevelt New Orleans, where the reception was held. “I wanted a classic and romantic feel for the ceremony and reception,” says Ashley. “My vision was lots of creams and whites in the furniture and flowers with lots of candles and mirrored accents. Our florist, Bahara of Plants N’ Petals, did an absolutely amazing job bringing our vision to life!” Sophisticated black bridesmaids dresses from LulaKate are dramatic, especially beside Ashley’s dazzling Rivini gown with a dramatic scalloped skirt! We just can’t get enough of the bridal party’s amazing ensemble! We love the glam accents at the reception, too, from crystal candelabras to a swiss dot cake by The Roosevelt New Orleans and the bride and groom’s classic NOLA ending: a second line with umbrellas! Enjoy these gorgeous images from Greer G Photography!

Lovely is the only word that comes close to adequately describing Laura and Kevin’s St. Louis wedding at Coronado Ballroom. Soft pastel blooms such as roses and hydrangeas by Tina Barerra of The Special Event Florist created a romantic atmosphere at the ceremony and reception. Simply and Forever helped Laura and Kevin plan the day, which the couple wanted to be “classy, elegant, and full of personality.” The gorgeous coral color of Laura’s single bridesmaid dress from Amsale is statement-making simplicity at its finest. Along with her column-style Monique Lhuillier gown, Laura carried a hand-tied bouquet of garden roses, mini calla lilies, spray roses, and ranunculus. We love the unique touches woven into the reception, too, like circular dinner menus from Two Blue Doors and a simple cake with a classic monogram, provided by the Coronado. Enjoy all of these gorgeous images from the ever-fabulous Clary Pfeiffer Fine Art Photographer.

Natives of Los Angeles, Michelle and Miguel wanted a spot for their wedding that didn’t feel like typical LA. The Legendary Park Plaza Hotel was the perfect venue for that, with its dramatic staircases, ceilings, and windows. The Dainty Lion helped Michelle and Miguel plan a celebration that was uniquely theirs, which included lush peony bouquets, baby’s breath topiaries, and pretty blooms in glass vases along tables peppered with gold sequin linens. Bridesmaids in taupe dresses were elegant, especially standing next to Michelle in a lace and tulle Pronovias gown from Bellasposa. We love Michelle’s blue Badgley Mischka shoes with sparkling brooches! Romantic touches such as floral stationery from Wedding Paper Divas and feather accents on place settings matches the drama of the location! A dessert table at the reception featured macaroons from Sweet and Saucy Shop, topped off with a cake designed by Hotcakes Bakes. We’re swooning over every detail in these photos from Love, Janet Photography!

We have just two more favorite weddings to share from a glorious year of wedding inspiration, and if I am pressed to choose the one that captured the largest piece of my heart, it may just be Jenny and Bevan’s stunning Paris destination wedding from Clary Pfeiffer. Of course, the City of Lights is perhaps the world’s most romantic, but although the backdrop is spectacular, Jenny and Bevan steal the show. Jenny is ethereal in a Vera Wang gown, Angelika Liv lace bolero, and Jimmy Choo heels, and Bevan’s classic Ermenegildo Zegna tuxedo is timeless. In fact, their entire soiree at Hotel Le Meurice is one that will be as elegant and lovely on their 50th anniversary as it is today and we are utterly enchanted. Visit the gallery to see all of the exquisite images—we know that you will be as smitten as we are!

We have one word to describe Lauren and Patrick’s Laguna Beach wedding: stunning! The Montage Laguna Beach is a special site for the couple, it’s the location of one of their first “real” dates, their proposal, and now their elegant, California-style wedding. Lauren and Patrick worked with Jeannie of Details Details to bring their vision to life and incorporated several elements honoring Lauren’s Chinese ancestry, including a tea ceremony, Zen garden inspired florals by Inviting Occasion, and savory treats from the famous dumpling restaurant Din Tai Fung. We are completely head-over-heels for Lauren’s Jenny Lee Couture gown! After looking high and low for her perfect dress with little success, Lauren worked with Jenny Lee to create her dream dress from scratch! The fabulous end result featured a deep v-back and seemingly endless layers of gorgeous silk organza rosettes—a few even hand-painted in the palest of blues. Every thoughtful detail (right down to the “sweet past, present, and future” cake toppers) has our heart skipping a beat—we know you’ll agree this is one of the most gorgeous weddings of the year! See all of the captivating images from Caroline Tran in the gallery!

Emily and Dan’s Columbus, Ohio, wedding is impossibly classic and sophisticated, with a dreamy palette of ivory, blush, and gold and dramatic pops of navy. The gorgeous St. Mary’s Catholic Church was host to the catholic ceremony, and the ethereal colors continued at the reception, held in the breathtakingly gorgeous The Westin Columbus. Marble floors and gold details created a fairytale space for Emily and Dan; Emily looked like a princess in a CB Couture lace gown, accented by a stunning vintage veil from Vera’s House of Bridals! Bridesmaids wore long navy dresses by  Joielle, but their flowers, like the others, were held to the neutral palette. Flowers on Springtree Lane translated Emily’s vision so that the blooms accented rather than competed with the surroundings. Textured roses on linens by Urquid Linen and the cake by The End Dessert Company were in keeping with the intricate detailing of the décor. We are simply in love with these swoon-worthy images from Two Maries!