Summer wedding inspiration board

We absolutely fell in love with this beautiful summer wedding inspiration from the Finnish design website Hey Look Up ~ www.heylook.fi. Doesn’t it look so delicious?

Credits: 1 – via Green Wedding Shoes, 2 – Amy Osaba florals on Jose Villa’s Instagram, 3 – Martha Stewart Weddings, 4 – Oh Happy Day!, 5 – Cannelle et Vanille, 6 – , 7 – Ruche Lookbook (photography by Brandon Kidd), 8 – via Green Wedding Shoes

A beautiful Tuscan wedding in the Italian countryside

We are big fans of countryside living, so when we came across this incredible wedding photographed by Jose Villa, set in the Tuscan countryside, we just had to share it. We love everything about this wedding, from the classic and understated simplicity of the wedding gown, to the bouquet and table setting. The location certainly adds to the magic and we must say that to this date we haven’t seen a single wedding taking place in Tuscany that didn’t take our breath away.  Having Jose Villa as your photographer also makes a difference.

Check out all the gorgeous photos and details over on Jose’s blog.

Image credits: Photography by Jose Villa, styling Joy Thigpen

A vintage inspired bridal session

Dear Juliets, today’s charming vintage-inspired wedding photo sessions is dedicated to all of you nostalgic for a more romantic by-gone era. I have to admit that vintage was never one of my big passions, until my grandmother passed away. Going through her fashion accessories and dresses, I felt as if my grandmother as a young woman was more than I perceived her to be all these years. Unfortunately, she didn’t have any photo from that period and that gave my wild imagination free reign to picture her on her wedding day.

Model: Chelsea Nath / Make-up + Hair: LaDonna Stein / Photography: Squaresville Studios

Thanks to the unique vision of Squaresville Studios, we have this super sweet and charming photo shoot with a gorgeous vintage gown and most amazing details and I have the opportunity to imagine my grandmother as lovely as this model on her big day {ps: she was married to my grandfather for 56 years}.

To see the complete photo session please visit the StylemePretty gallery.

Dream ruffled wedding gowns by Vera Wang

The first name that comes to my mind when I think about luxurious and exquisite wedding dresses is Vera Wang! She has designed wedding gowns for pretty much everyone in the who’s who list of Hollywood, from Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Victoria Beckham, Kate Beckinsale, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez, to the gowns worn by Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson in Bride Wars. If there is one thing that Vera Wang knows to do better than anyone else though, it’s a dream ruffled wedding gown.

Her Fall 2011 collection has several that I am sure many brides are dreaming off but here are my top 4 picks, each of them looking more heavenly than the next.

GHILLIAN

Take a look at this gorgeous strapless ball gown that fuses yards and yards of shadow and chantilly lace blossoming into a chrysanthemum organza blossom skirt bringing to mind spun sugar.

GISELE

A strapless soft ballgown with fusions of shadow and chantilly lace, swirling multi-tiered confection skirt and crystal bouquet embroidery, perfect for a classy affair!

GENEVIEVE

A modified mermaid strapless sweetheart gown with asymmetrically draped peplum bodice and multi-tiered back over–skirt. So elegant and feminine!

GABRIELA

A v-neck mermaid gown with illusion corset top and cut blossom skirt with tulle overlay reminiscing of a delicate rose. I already picture it for a vintage chic affair mixed with some glamorous headpieces by Jannie Baltzer!

DINAH + DIEDRE

And now here are two other gorgeous wedding dresses from Vera Wang’s Spring 2011 collection that I am still having a major swoonfest over!

Dinah is a strapless full A-line gown with lace bodice, bow at natural waist and softly tucked skirt. Diedre is a pale nude strapless full A-line tissue organza gown with asymmetrically draped bias tiered origami skirt, back bows, and nude grosgrain bow at natural waist. Both are just right for an outdoor celebration!

A romantic elopement on the sandy beaches of Costa Rica

While some people are dreaming of a barefoot beach wedding, others are making their dreams come true!

I absolutely love it when two people follow their heart and that is exactly what Dustin and Terri, the couple whose beach elopement was captured by the talented A Brit & A Blonde {such a chic name, don’t you think?} photographers in Costa Rica, have done. Their simple, yet beautiful, destination wedding stole my heart because you can really tell how much these two people love  and have fun with each other in every shot.

Terri came up with the whole vision of what she wanted her big day to be and, in a role reversal that I think should become a new trend (hint to all the Romeos out there)– it was Dustin’s gift to her that he took the reigns of the planning over to make sure she got exactly what she wanted and brought her ideas to life. How inspiring!!!

As Jessica, the blonde half of A Brit & A Blonde photographers team mentioned to me, this couple may have only met less then a year ago – but to be around them you would swear that two people could not go together any better. They both hail from sunny Florida but chose Santa Teresa, Costa Rica (AKA the best beach in all of Central and South America) as the romantic backdrop for their elopement.

Although both Dustin and Terri have kids from previous marriages, and friends and family who undoubtedly wanted to be there – they were focused right from the start to make it about the two of them. Technically, they had gotten married in Florida before arriving in Costa Rica – so that they could simply read out their own vows to each other, under a lovely little canopy overlooking the ocean – without any officiant. Their vows were truly from the heart and had the photographers weeping behind their cameras the whole time. A true modern Romeo and Juliet!

One of the big items on Terri’s wish list – was a  bed to be brought out onto the beach with beautiful white fabric flowing in the wind. Dustin pulled out all the stops and truly created a paradise fairytale: tiki torches, gorgeous flowing fabric on the bed posts, a bonfire, a secluded part of the beach.

Dustin created sand pails with their names on them – so they could build sand castles together and feel like kids again. How fun!!!

The fun did not stop and the evening continued on a romantic tone. I am melting just looking at these incredibility romantic photos!

I love the idea of the blazing fire by the ocean and the live guitar serenading in the background!

The next morning, with A Brit & A Blonde photographers in tow, the couple woke up bright and early and did a trash the dress shoot.

Terri’s beautiful wedding dress was made by Galina and was a soft white Sweetheart organza down. It was the perfect style choice and material for the beach. Casual but classy – since she was guaranteed to end up in the ocean at some point with it!

Dustin – who was in the military and is a graphic designer opted for American classic designers – his shirt was from Calvin Klein and pants from Perry Ellis.

A summer beach outfit inspiration board

Dear Juliets, I’ve got a MAJOR thing for living close to the ocean and SUMMER always takes my thoughts to sandy beaches, seashells and seagulls. If I had nine lives, or nine marriages (although that would become confusing after a while) one of my wedding ceremonies would take place barefoot on the beach. Doesn’t this inspiration board make you want to dream of that?

Milly Jute Trim Cover-up Dress at Bloomingdales •  Mystique sandals at Polyvor • Golden necklace at Anthropologie • La dolce vita on the beach {photo by: Ozzy Garcia}  via StylemePretty

A sweet feminine inspiration board

I fell in love with Sammi’s gorgeous bridal session photographed by the talented Jessica Janae the moment I first saw it on her website couple of months ago. Inspired by the beautiful bride and her gorgeous wedding dress, I decided to start working on this inspiration board, looking to mix feminine ruffled elements with a touch of vintage. I’ve always dreamed of having a wedding reception under an old oak tree with lots of candles hanging from the branches. So fairy-tale like!

Gorgeous bride {by Jessica Janae Photography} • Shoes: Ann Taylor {by Adam Barnes Photography} • Wedding reception decor by Victoria Canada Weddings and Events {photo: Phyllis Lane} • Beautiful bouquet designed by JMFlora Design {photo by Stephanie Williams} • Stunning wedding ceremony location {photo by Millie Holloman}

5 great ideas to add a personal touch to your wedding

Whether you dream of saying I DO barefoot on the beach, in cowboy boots in a country barn or in a Vera Wang dress at a glamorous estate, it’s the personal touches that will make your wedding memorable. There’s no shortage of creativity these days so here are 5 easy ways to make your wedding day special by adding a personal touch.

1. Your favorite words as ceremony decor

What better way to express how you feel than by having some of your favorite words as decoration hanging over the ceremony. After the wedding you can take the sign home as a wonderful keepsake.

True love is a big deal photos by {Jonas Peterson}.

2. Create a signature wedding cocktail

Create a signature drink to be served as the guests enter cocktail hour or even share his and her’s favorite drinks. Make sure the drinks have a fun and flirty name, and consider making a festive sign announcing them at the bar.

His & hers signature cocktails stand by {onelove photography} • Lemon drop cocktail via Martha Stewart weddings • Pink cocktail drink via Hostess blog • Mango mojitos by {kateheadleyphotography.com}

3. Get creative with the food menu

If both of you are big foodies, create a menu that incorporates some of your favorite foods, from the hors d’oeuvres served at the ceremony to fruit-cups and root-beer floats served after the cake.

Custom menu designed by Casadeperrin {W. Scott Chester Photography} via Greenweddingshoes.com

Fruit cups + quiche + maple bacon by Lauren Blair Photography via the Hostess blog

4. Offer to your guests unique wedding favors

Personalized wedding favors are all the rage these days and for good reason. We’ve all gotten (and promptly discarded) those wedding favors that have become a cliche so choose something that will show your personality and also tie-in to the location of your wedding.

A Vermont wedding might warrant miniature jars of maple syrup, a beach wedding might call for a personalized beach ball, and a great New York wedding favor could be a Not for Tourists guide. How about this great honey jar idea ?

Honey favors by Ashley Maxwell via Greenweddingshoes.com

5. Share your soundtrack of love

A customized CD of your favorite songs has become a popular favor with many couples. Your guests will surely appreciate your gift, and remember what a great time they had at your wedding just by playing your soundtrack.

Erin + Richard soundtrack by Hobson Design via Stylemepretty.com • Noah + Courtney love songs CD photo by {Sloan Photographers} via greenweddingshoes.com

Sexy boudoir photography for brides-to-be

Ever since Samantha bared it all in front of the camera for a sexy self-portrait on Sex and the City, brides everywhere have been dreaming of taking their own steamy shots. I think a boudoir photography session would make a great treat for you ladies and a sexy wedding gift for your Romeo.

I love the idea of capturing the natural, alluring beauty of a woman’s body and I know for a fact that the special man in your life will appreciate those intimate photos as well. And believe me, nobody is completely confident with their own body but I think the key to a successful boudoir session is to focus on those aspects of ourselves that our men find attractive.

Starting soon I’ll be featuring some incredible boudoir photography sessions to inspire you in letting your body take center stage for a change!

Glamorous chic bridal headpieces by Jannie Baltzer

For brides who want to eschew the traditional veil for something more dainty and chic, the soft floral & feather handcrafted headpieces by Jannie Baltzer might be the perfect bridal accessory. They certainly are my latest wedding fashion crush and I am so excited to feature these bold, sophisticated and feminine creations today.

Inspired by 1920’s and 1930’s Hollywood glamor, Jannie Baltzer’s elegant headpieces are meticulously handcrafted with the highest-quality French lace, glass beads, silk, ostrich feathers and Swarovski crystals. The result is a gorgeous collection of unique Scandinavian-chic {Jannie is from Denmark} headpieces.

I find them perfect for a fashion-focused bride who wants to add that “Wow” piece to pull a bridal ensemble together with a touch of drama and glamor chic style.

All photos courtesy of Jannie Baltzer Couture Headpieces & Alicia Swedenborg

For more eye-candy and inspiration you should head over to Jannie Bletzer’s website where you can browse the entire collection of glamorous chic bridal headpieces.