Sneak Preview! Junebug's Summer Update Coming Soon!

Join us after the holiday weekend as we celebrate the summer with our big Junebug July update! We'll have new Groombug proposal stories and date night ideas, an article about luxurious honeymoons in Mexico, and a gorgeous Fashion Report full of color palettes and inspiration boards to help you find your personal wedding style. The images above give you a little sneak peek at the finished Fashion Report, and below are some of my favorite images and products that we photographed but didn't end up using in these layouts. I couldn't resist sharing them, they are way too lovely to pass by! Enjoy!
(Above photo of the pretty white shoes by GH KIm Photography. All other photos in this post by Junebug Weddings unless otherwise noted.)

This table setting was so rich and gorgeous, and the flower arrangements knocked our socks off!  The wedding gown by Madina Vadache had the prettiest lace neckline and slight blue tint to the fabric. I was IN LOVE! It looked amazing with the colors of the bouquet and its sweet striped ribbon handle.

Table setting designed by Good Taste Weddings and Events with flowers by Bella Rugosa.
Wedding dress by Madina Vadache and bridal bouquet by Loves Me Flowers.
Bottom photo by One Thousand Words Photography. 

These deep purple invitations were so striking inside the red envelopes. What a fabulously dramatic combiniation! 

Invitations designed by Izzy Girl.

Photographing the wedding rings may have been our favorite part of all of this! How could you not love having stunning diamond rings all around you? I think the modern look of these rings is so fresh and fun. 

Rose cut diamond and gold wisteria band wedding ring by Jamie Joseph, and rose cut diamond and platinum wedding ring by Me and Ro.
Men's gold wedding bands with decorative edges by Jamie Joseph. All rings from Twist.

Honestly, could this be a cuter idea for a late summer or fall wedding? Flowers as fashion will never go out of style. 

Floral sash by Juniper Flowers, bridesmaids dress by Madina Vadache.
Photo by One Thousand Words Photography. 

 And of course, our lovely ladies bringing the fashion to life . They were such a joy to photograph!

Top row:
Simone Perel ivory bustier and Ritratti thong from Ann Marie Lingerie.
Second row:
Birnbaum and Bullock Gabrielle lace dress from The Bridal Garden, Audrey's Ball Strapless silk taffeta gown dress and fabric and rhinestone floral hair accessory from Luly Yang Couture.
Bottom row:
Vintage inspired Stella wedding dress, crystyal and pearl earrings circa 1910, French gold bracelet circa 1880, antique gold locket and vintage tortoise shell hair comb from Isadora's.
Hair and makeup by Erin Skipley of Bellatrix Studio.

A special thank you to all the wonderful wedding professionals who shared their artistry with us for these images! 

Handmade Floral Ring Pillows and Wedding Accessories from Anna Whitford

Anna Whitford is a textile designer out of the UK who makes these gorgeous wedding and fashion accessories embellished with hand-sculpted flowers. The ring cushions would be so lovely for a spring or summer wedding ceremony, and the large throw pillows could decorate your house and remind you of your big day. I also love the idea of the flower ties being worn as a sash by your bridesmaids and the flower pins given to your mothers and grandmothers as everlasting corsages. Most of all I love the little coin purses and I bet they would elicit squeals of delight if given as thank you gifts to all your girls! (They would certainly elicit a squeal of delight out of me! Just looking at that mint colored one makes my day!)

Check out her website and blog for more information, or contact her for a custom creation to perfectly match your wedding style. 

New Arizona Wedding Venues from Guest Blogger Liene Stevens

Today's guest blogger is none other than Arizona wedding expert and event planner, Liene Stevens of Blue Orchid Designs and the Blue Orchid Designs blog. Liene is amazingly knowledgeable, professional and passionate about her clients, so we can only imagine how many spectacular events she has helped bring together. We are honored to have her share her thoughts with us about all the fabulous new options for wedding ceremony and reception venues in her home state of Arizona. Read on to learn what she has to say, and to see some seriously cool wedding inspiration...

The Hotel Valley Ho isn't a new venue- it was built in 1956 in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale and Hollywood celebrities could often be spotted sipping cocktails at the resort.  It recently underwent an $80 million renovation and reopened in a marriage of retro charm and state of the art amenities. The rooftop is the perfect spot for a ceremony or cocktail hour, overlooking Scottsdale on one side and Phoenix on the other. The pool was designed to resemble a martini olive and is a non-stop party come the weekend. The grassy lawns are perfect for a ceremony-in-the-round prior to dancing the night away in the redesigned ballrooms. In addition to their remodel, the Hotel Valley Ho has launched a green initiative that includes using as much local food and produce as possible in preparing their menus, so your wedding can be retro-chic and eco-chic. (Above photos by Darby Elizabeth Photography and Melissa Jill Photography)

 
The Mondrian in Scottsdale is truly a lush getaway from the bustle of the city (and the heat!). Also in the midst of old-town, it has no identifying signs and most people drive right past it with no idea of the oasis just beyond its white walls. Formerly the James Hotel, it recently reopened as a chic urban hot spot. The interior is mostly white and the decor eclectic. The Asia de Cuba restaurant is fabulous for post-wedding brunches or rehearsal dinners and the Red Bar is perfect for some bachelorette bliss. I had a rehearsal dinner there the same evening as Al Gore's Nobel Prize party and while many venues would favor high-profile events over the others, the staff at the Mondrian went above and beyond to make sure my clients were treated with first class service. I cannot recommend this venue enough. (Above photos by Sloan Photographers)

 
Scottsdale isn't the only area in the Valley of the Sun getting a face-lift.  Historic downtown Chandler is being infused with new businesses and is becoming a wedding Mecca in its own right. Inspirador is a new venue located on the old site of the O.S. Stapley Hardware Co. and hosts over 12,000 square feet of event space. Just through the Spanish colonial entrance is the Tryst art gallery. Dubbed "Manhattan in the Desert", and home to pieces from local, national and international artists, this area is a hip spot for a pre-ceremony welcome cocktail.  The outdoor courtyard makes for a cozy lounge area under the starlit sky and the aisle for the indoor ceremony area is adorned with quotes from famous poets. (Above photos by Sloan Photographers)

Wedding Perfect Vera Wang Evening and Cocktail Dresses On Sale at Bluefly.com

Wedding fashion guru Vera Wang can pretty much do no wrong in my book! Her wedding gowns and bridesmaids' dresses are simply gorgeous, and her ready to wear collections are no different. Right now Bluefly.com has loads of her evening and cocktail dresses on sale for way below retail. How fantastic! Check them out for your bridesmaids, for any of your wedding related events, or, well, just because they're so, so pretty!

Top row:
Vera Wang gold floral brocade bow detail v-neck dress
Vera Wang saffron silk shantung one shoulder dress
Vera Wang beige metallic lamé strapless dress

Second row:
Vera Wang black silk crepe belted ruffle dress
Vera Wang black brocade inverted pleat strapless dress
Vera Wang black silk plissé bubble dress

Third row:
Vera Wang cobalt silk stitched bubble dress
Vera Wang fog ruched neck jeweled appliqué gown
Vera Wang navy pleated chiffon bow detail strapless dress

Bottom row:
Vera Wang lavender chiffon v-neck bow dress
Vera Wang dark green silk beaded appliqué strapless gown
Vera Wang mauve satin velvet sash long dress

Beautiful Black and White Wedding Shoes

With black and white being the focus of many couple's wedding color palettes, and with fabulous shoes on my mind (I've had lots of events to attend lately, therefore lots of excuses to shop for shoes!) I just couldn't resist showcasing some of my favorite recent black and white wedding shoe finds. I think that any of these would look amazing underneath just the right wedding dress!

Top row:
Sergio Rossi Lady Bis sling back platform pump from Shopbop.com
Marc by Marc Jacobs open toe dotted pump from Shopbop.com

Second row:
Christian Louboutin Altadama watersnake shoes from Net-a-Porter.com
Christian Louboutin Alta Perla Strass slingbacks from Net-a-Porter.com 

Third row:
Stuart Weitzman 'Solitaire' pump from Nordstrom.com 
Christian Louboutin Privatita pumps from Net-a-Porter.com

Fourth row:
Martinez Valero 'Coca' sandal from Nordstrom.com
Pedro Garcia Ginger satin flats from Net-a-Porter.com

Bottom row:
Marc by Marc Jacobs patent bow pump from Shopbop.com
DAVIS by Ruthie Davis Video mary jane pump from Shopbop.com

Top row:
Martinez Valero 'Candela' pump from Nordstrom.com
Oh Deer! PB&J pumps from Piperlime.com

Second row:
Enzo Angiolini Grieta mary jane pump from Piperlime.com
Carlos by Carlos Santana Casino pump from Piperlime.com

Bottom row:
Manolo Blahnik Sedaraby from Barneys.com
Miu Miu ankle wrap pump from Barneys.com

New Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina Wedding Venues from Guest Blogger Lara Casey

Following in the footsteps of our last post about new Seattle area wedding venues, today brings us fabulous wedding location finds in Tenessee, Georgia and North Carolina from guest blogger Lara Casey. Lara is the Publisher of Southern Wedding Style Magazine, a long time event planner with Bliss Event Group and a recent bride herself, which makes her a true expert in all things wedding! We are thrilled to have her valuable insight into wedding possibilities in her area of the country and we just love reading what she has to say…

The most popular southern wedding locations tend to be rich with history and tradition. Many of the “new” southern locations are actually historic landmarks that have been transformed into event venues or old mansions that have been remodeled for lucky brides to use on their big day. A few of our recent favorites:


Blackberry Farm, in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. One of our favorite photographers, A Bryan Photography, recently shot a fabulous wedding we are about to feature there. They do very few weddings at Blackberry Farm each year (typically 1 or 2...sometimes 3) so although it has been around for awhile as a resort and hotel, they just finished their new reception hall and this wedding was the first to be hosted there.

 
Sea Island, Georgia, another location we love. They just finished an enormous renovation of the main hotel, The Cloister, which has created an incredible venue and setting. A Bryan Photography shot this wedding there in the fall. 

 
My favorite, Claxton Farm in Weaverville, North Carolina. Converted into an event space in the last decade, this is one of my favorite wedding locations! The 100-year-old tobacco barn is so versatile. I’ve seen several weddings here lately that show the versatility of the space. This wedding, shot by Woodward and Rick Photographers, used every element of the farm in a richly colorful modern way. Gorgeous! See our original Southern Wedding Style blog post here.

Thanks so much Lara!