Timeless Australian Wedding by Angela Higgins

There's just something to be said about Australian weddings. They're so sweet and genuine and always so beautifully styled and orchestrated. This wedding sent over by the fabulously talented Angela Higgins is no exception either. I just about squealed with excitement when I first looked through the gorgeous photos and then when I found out the bride's name is Pippa, I was completely sold. It's official I am obsessed with Australia. And anything remotely close to relating to the Royal Wedding. And this wedding. This wedding and its guest list of under 20 people, the radiant bride, that skinny tall simple wedding cake, those pretty flowers, and that pink bow. You know I am a sucker for bows. Le sigh. Scroll through all the loveliness guys and you'll see what I mean. 

{From Pippa, the beautiful bride} All we wanted was a fuss-free relaxing time for us and our families so we chose Yallingup for our wedding location because of its wonderful wineries, beaches and food. As we live in Singapore, the whole wedding was arranged via email and we booked everything sight unseen! There were 18 guests (our families) in total and we wanted to create an intimate affair without too much pomp and ceremony. There was no theme for our wedding, and most details just evolved from things we loved. We really wanted to keep things simple and let the natural beauty of the location shine through.

We chose the ceremony locations because of it's beautiful chalets (which we stayed in) and garden, as we wanted an outdoor ceremony. We started to second guess this a few days before when we found out that it was going to be 38 degrees. Thank goodness we had brought fans! After the ceremony we enjoyed champagne, wedding cake, and canapes in the garden. There was also a bocce set to keep the kids (and adults) occupied while we were having photos taken. A bus transported our guests and us to the nearby restaurant for dinner where we had use of a private room and deck for dinner. Everyone was able to choose their own meal and drinks which the guest really appreciated. The food, wine and service were outstanding.

There were so many wonderful parts of the day including our highly entertaining Minister who conducted the ceremony, my Dad lending me $20 because I forgot my 'something borrowed,' and the impromptu speeches after dinner. The most wonderful thing though, was that we were now husband and wife :) One of the best things about having a destination wedding is that in the future, we will get to come back to Yallingup for holidays and relive the beautiful memories of our day all over again. 

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Photographer: Angela Higgins Photography / Brides dress: Renee L Collections / Brides shoes: Witchery / Hair styling: Solutions for Hair / Make up: Duo Makeup / Ceremony Venue: Chandeliers on Abbey / Reception Venue: Lamonts / Floral/Event Coordinator: Vintage Bloom / Cake: Edible Art 

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DIY Vintage Carnival Wedding by Yvonne Wong Photography

This wedding is going to steal your heart with its sweetness and ounces of fun. Sent over by the incredibly talented Yvonne Wong, the bride and groom threw together the best DIY vintage carnival themed wedding I've ever seen. And as if the bride's sweet little dress, hand designed and printed invitation suite (OK she hand designed and printed everything herself), and bouquet wasn't cute enough, due to time constraints the day of, Yvonne treated the pair to a day after session. With vintage his and her bikes. And that same little white dress. Oh lovely day! There are far too many details from this gem of a celebration for me to keep rambling on. Enjoy the prettiness guys and enjoy your Thursday! I am off to find some fabulous new additions to my girl cave. You know, the one I shared over here :)

{From the Bride, Yun} The ceremony and reception was held at Eva Restaurant in Seattle. We invited about 50 guests and it was a cozy and intimate affair. Adam and I decided on a vintage carnival theme. I designed the Save the Dates and invitations and printed them on my little Gocce screen print machine. My in-laws went the day before to buy flowers at Pikes Place Market and everybody pitched in to make the bouquets and floral arrangements. I made the little flags (printed and glued) for guests to grab after signing in at the guest book, created little tags that said "Tears of Joy" and tied them around bundles of tissue, hung up homemade bunting, and bought "ole time" candy and put them in glassine bags. Part of the fun came from the combination of the photo booth provided by Yvonne and the wax mustaches in the favor bags. Hilarity ensued! I even made a little dumbbell weight to add to the carnival theme. Needless to say, it was a big hit with guests. I think this wedding is a testament to the DIY spirit. Anything can be done with a little creativity and a good printer! The day after the shoot was casual with our vintage bikes (his/her bikes from Craigslist). So fun!

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Photographer: Yvonne Wong Photography / Venue: Eva Restaurant and Wine Bar / All paper products, design and styling: Yeri Yun Designs / Cake: made by a friend of the bride / Vintage bicycles: Craigslist / Brides dress/veil: David's Bridal / Shoes: J. Crew 

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Pink and Gray South Africa Wedding by Lizelle Lotter Photography

Sometimes I find these weddings that I think were made for me. You know, those perfectly pink, succulent-adorned weddings with a polka dot embellished cake and the most adorable bride I've ever seen (seriously, Helana, please can we be friends? I just adore you and your incredibly warm and genuine smile). This wedding hails all the way from South Africa, somewhere near the very far from here Cape Town but never fear, there are dozens of steal worthy ideas for you to pour over. And if you happen to be here just for the pretties, well then sit back and enjoy; this wedding will remain so close to your heart for the sheer loveliness and sweetness that is Helana and Rynardt. A giant thank you all the way over to the sweet Lizelle Lotter for sending these dreamy images, and oh, if anyone wants to send me a few blooms of that large fantastic flower that's in the middle of all the girl's bouquets (anyone know the name of this flower?) by all means go ahead. They'd look perfect on my coffe table. Garden roses look out! Rhi may just have a new fave bloom. 

{Helana and Rynardt's Love Story} Mmmm where to begin. Rynardt and I met at University. We first started out as friends, very quickly we just "clicked" and oddly enough we both had most or all of the same interests. The thing that drew us together was how our sense of humour was the same, and we had many laughs. (I think that is the greatest thing in the world that we can laugh together). Laughter is a very big part of our relationship. We chatted hours each day about all sorts of things, and later we became best friends who shared everything. We then started dating and soon after that I realized this is my soul mate and the rest is history;  I think it's the best gift that I could have ever gotten, to marry my best friend and spend the rest of our lives together making new memories. 

{The Best Part of Your Wedding Was?} There were so many things! The getting ready part was so much fun but the most fantastic feeling was when my father and I walked down the aisle and I saw Rynardt's face all my nerves went away and I was beyond happy! There were so many wonderful and fantastic things I remember but one thing I think we both enjoyed was taking wedding photos. It was so intimate and we had the time to ourselves to enjoy everything that just happened. It was so special. And it helped to have an awesome photographer like Lizelle, she is so great, makes everything so easy and  is so fun. Also, one of the most special things we had was the bridal car - it was the same car and driver my parents had on their wedding day 28 years earlier! That was very special.

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Photographer: Lizelle Lotter / Venue: Kleine Valleij / Dress: Lady Marmelaide / Flowers: Fynbosch Flora (Durbanville) / Wedding Favours: created by the bride / Cake: Nellie's Cakes / Hair and Makeup: Anna Pepper The Refinery / Wedding town: Wellington

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Spanish Destination Wedding by Simply Jessie Photography

Happy Monday everyone! Isn't it funny how when you're away from your technological world for a few days, your entire life sort of feels like it's been flipped upside down? After four trips back and forth between Chicago and Grand Rapids, Apb, little kitty and I are finally in our humble little abode surrounded by way too many kitchen appliances and lots of things that desperately need new homes. As I type this I am sitting in a room which I can proudly now call my very own office and this week I will be sprucing it up with le paint. I am incredibly excited to share the finished product with you when it's finally complete; so anyone up for some progress photos?

In other news I have so much prettiness to share this week with you which is fabulous because I feel rejuvenated from my little break away from the laptop. I am just dying to fill your days with loveliness. So first up I have this stunning and timeless destination wedding from a gorg Spanish Monastery. If you remember this rad Chicago engagement session with the sweetest love story eva, you'll know that Ashley and Phillip are yes indeed the fabulously good looking couple in today's wedding. And throw in those bridesmaids dresses (drool), that bridal bouquet (oh my word that ginormous bloom!) and the prettiest lit ceremony backdrop and you get one stylish wedding that's just oozing with romance and sweetness. A huge thanks goes out to the lovely Jessie from Simply Jessie Photography for sending these over my way. I had the pleasure of chatting with her on the tele this weekend and she's just the best! Enjoy blogettes.

Ashley and Phillip's January destination Miami wedding treated their guests to a winter escape. They were both filled to the brim and bubbling with excitement. Not about the event, or the party, or even their beloved friends and family but about one another. It was a special kind of love. It was fresh, comfortable, protective, beautiful and such a joy to be around. I'm not one to gush normally, but it was such a beautiful day. Also can I just say that Ashley was the queen of accessories complete with killer shoes, vintage hat, sparkly jewelry an killer red lips. Both her and Phillip were an amazing blend of classic and vintage. Adds Ashley: "I was a bundle of nerves until after the ceremony was completed. After we exited as man and wife, exhaled and looked around, we were both overcome by the beauty of our surroundings. The ethereal romance of the monastery lit up by candlelight was more than we could have imaged."

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Photography: Jessie and Eric Stevens, Simply Jessie Photography / Hair: Salon Couvert / Ceremony and Reception Venue: Spanish Monastery / Dress: Casablanca Bridal / Headpiece: Erin Lindsay Designs / Jewelry: The Left Bank / Menswear: Balani Suits / Bridesmaids Dresses: Max and Cleo / Cake: Yohan Herman

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DIY Pink and White Dessert Table Inspiration

Happy Tuesday everyone; I have something a little bit different for you and your tastebuds tonight so brace yourselves because this feature is all too scrumptious for words. I've been a huge fan of Hungry Girl Por Vida's Flickr stream for the longest time eva so imagine my surprise when I found out the girl behind the lens is the beautiful bride from this stunner of a wedding and is the blogger behind this cutey patootey blog. Turns out Cindy is even sweeter than everything she creates too because true story, she sent me an email wondering if I'd be interested in featuring a custom created sweets table whipped up, styled and photographer by her and I uhm, took about two seconds to respond back with my answer. All I asked is that the desserts by pink. And white. And pretty. And oh em gee. A strawberries and cream themed shower set up anyone? Cindy, I majorly heart you. Come visit me so we can be friends please.

{DIY Strawberries and Cream Dessert Table Menu} Strawberry Milk Panna Cotta with Strawberry Syrup, Vanilla Cake with Strawberry Filling and Whipped Strawberry Buttercream, Pavlovas with Whipped Cream and Fresh Berries. All of these desserts can be made in the days ahead of the shower. Just keep the panna cottas covered well with a plastic wrap, in the refrigerator until ready to serve. The cake can be baked well ahead of time (it will keep for a month well wrapped in the freezer), before filling and frosting. You can fill and frost the cake the day before and store in the refrigerator, just be sure to remove it at least 30 minutes before serving to bring to room temperature. The meringue for the pavlovas can be baked a few days before, and can be stored and cooled completely in an airtight container. You can also whip the cream and macerate the berries the day before and assemble just before serving.

For all of the incredibly mouthwatering recipes and instructions head over to Cindy's Hungry Girl Por Vida blog! 

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Chicago E-session by Avery House Photography

Happy Monday my sweets! Here's to hoping you had a relaxing and fun-filled weekend enjoying the first few days of warm (or rather, warmer) weather. I myself had a busy weekend full of work work and lots more work but on the plus side I purchased a lovely gray tufted chair to accompany my new white lacquered sea saw desk from World Market. A huge thanks and high five to those of you who persuaded me to buy it via twitter because it made working all weekend a little sweeter; well that and the mini bottles of moscato wine the hubs bought me before he left off to start the new job. Two more weeks people. Two more weeks until the big move. Amen to that.

In other news, I have a little prettiness prepared for you today from my faves over at Avery House. They sent me this darling engagement session shot downtown Chicago and I have to say I have a soft spot for the photos. The hubs and I had our engagement photos done there last summer and the rad part about it is our photos look completely different than Kate and Jasons. That's the beauty of Chicago; it can be seen in so many different ways depending on the photographer and their unique style; my gosh Chi Town, I'm gunna miss ya. Enough of my blubbering though. Check out the cuteness and sweetness that is Kate and Jason. I wanna reach through the screen and give Kate a huge hug. And wait until you see her in her wedding gown this afternoon. You will just love her to pieces.

Adorbs right? And that copper wall is the coolest thing I've seen in a while. 

Kate, stop being so cute. And sassy. You're making the rest of us look bad.

{Kate and Jason's Love Story} Jason and I unknowingly shared several friends but never seemed to be in the same place at the same time, at least until one fateful February night at a local pub. As I've been told, Jason called dibs on me as soon as he saw me from across the room. After an introduction by a mutual friend, we spent the rest of the night laughing and singing alone to dumb songs and asking why no one had introduced us sooner. The next day I went to Jason's Super Bowl party and the following weekend I brought a sick Jason soup and movies. We've been taking care of each other, singing off-key duets, and laughing together ever since.

Check back this afternoon for their wedding photos and some advice from Kate you won't want to miss! xo

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Ontario RBG Wedding by Rachelle Rousseau Photography

If you're just joining us now (why, hello there!) then you missed the fabulous engagement session from this morning, featuring this incredibly cute bride and groom. Melissa and Derek were married under a tent at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario (I've been there and it's amazing, for reals) and besides having a super good looking bridal party they had beautiful florals all arranged by the brides mother herself. Melissa is one of the girls that has a contagious smile and an aura about her that makes me wish we could just go for lunch together. Melissa, next time I am back home in Burlington, you me and Pepperwoods, alright? Rachelle can come too. Scroll on sweet friends for more fab photos from Rachelle Rousseau Photography.

Simply. Gorgeous. Some of my fave bridal shots ever.

That smile! What did I tell you? Completely contagious!

Priceless. Rachelle tells me that this was one of the most touching moments of the day when Melissa's Dad saw his daughter as a bride for the first time. The photos above are so sweet and moving. I think every father dreams of the day he gets to walk his daughter down the aisle, no?

Canvas. Please and thank you.

Some rad bridal party shots.

{Advice to future brides} Remember this day is for you and the groom, enjoy every moment of it because it goes by in the blink of an eye! As you are walking down the aisle, take a second to look at all of your guests looking at you (really neat feeling having all these eyes on you at one time holding their cameras) and if something goes wrong, don't stress about it, only you will know as your guests don't know every detail! At dinner, take a moment to sit back and look at all of the guests who have come there for you and your husband; it truly is amazing!

{Biggest Obstacle Planning} For me personally, it was handling the stress three weeks prior to the wedding discovering that we were double booked and our ceremony was in the wrong tent. Things have a funny way of working themselves out. If we didn't discover this by accident, it could have been a lot worse on the actual day, which turned out to be perfect.

{Fun Fact} Our limo forget to pick us up at 1:00 am which is something we laugh at now! Also, our photographer really broke out the adventurous, up for anything kind of mood during both our engagement session (spiders and all) and the wedding so we were up for anything on the honeymoon and we swam with sharks! And I am adding this in here myself, Melissa, but one of the couple's photos was awarded an Accolades of Excellence in the 2010 WPPI Second Half International Photography Competition. Check this out:

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Photography: Rachelle Rousseau Photography / Venue: Royal Botanical Gardens / Hair and Make-Up: Masion Fritz / Brides Dress: Rainbow Bridal / Catering: Pepperwoods / Limo: Mermaid Limos / Cake: Sweet Paradise

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