Loading...

Stylish Jamaica Destination Wedding at Half Moon Rock Resort

July 17, 2017 | Junebug Weddings

Samantha and Mike’s beach destination wedding was super chic and covered in tropical greenery! The couple loves to travel and had always dreamed of an intimate wedding, so they chose to have their big day at Half Moon Rock Resort, a stylish full-service resort and wedding venue on the Jamaica coast that perfectly fit their needs. We love how Samantha wore an embellished blush Maggie Sottero gown and boho-inspired barefoot sandals to her waterfront ceremony, then changed into a champagne-colored silk gown for a more relaxed look to enjoy her reception in! Haley Rynn Ringo Photography captured every detail in Samantha and Mike’s day beautifully, including their venue’s stunning focus on tropical fronds!

The Couple:

Samantha and Mike

The Wedding:

Half Moon Rock Resort, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Having our wedding style represent us as a couple was most important to us during planning! We love traveling and keeping everything relaxed, so a small destination wedding was beyond perfect.

Oh goodness, EVERY SECOND was the most memorable part of our day! I guess if I had to narrow it down it would have been our vows. Michael and I wrote them the morning of our wedding, and he totally went off script and just spoke from his heart. As you could imagine, we both were crying, and it was just one of those unplanned moments that I will never forget.

My mother, bridal party, and I all rocked barefoot sandals which I highly recommend, it added a carefree vibe to the evening. My bridesmaids wore white body-con dresses that had a cool asymmetrical cut on the bottom. I know they were all appreciative that they has comfy dresses that could easily be reused in the future!

If you are doing a destination wedding RESEARCH your venue! We probably contacted over a dozen different venues and resort all over the world before we found Half Moon Rock Resort. I spent hours and hours reading reviews, blogs, etc about each venue. You want a location that can perfectly execute your vision being however many miles away.

Processional – Angel by Jack Johnson
This has been our ‘song’ since we first started dating long distance while he was in the Marine Corps.
Recessional – A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got) Fergie (feat. GoonRock & Q-Tip)
We had to throw in a little Gatsby vibe for one of the biggest party nights of our lives!
First Dance – Die a Happy Man – Thomas Rhett
We are country music fans, and every lyric to this song just speaks to us as a couple.

I decided to go with two dresses for the evening, since I knew my wedding gown would be pretty warm on the dance floor. For the ceremony I wore a embellished blush colored Maggie Sottero gown, and for the reception I wore a champagne colored silk gown. I loved being able to have two completely different looks for the evening, and not having to worry about being uncomfortable once we started dancing!

Our photographer Haley was a dream to work with. We had never met in person until a day before our wedding and we instantly bonded. Not only are her photography skills to die for, but her personality is out of this world. She was right by us, dancing the night away in true Haley fashion. I am forever grateful for our friendship and our timeless photographs!

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Haley Rynn Ringo Photography
Venue, Event Planning, Floral Design, Catering, Cake, DJ – Half Moon Rock Resort
Wedding Dress – Maggie Sottero
Bridal Accessories – Kate Spade
Bridesmaids’, Groom’s, Groomsmen’s Apparel – Express
Rings – Ben Bridge

 

Congratulations to Samantha and Mike, and a special thanks to Haley Rynn Ringo Photography for sharing their day with us. Love this destination wedding’s tropical vibes? Take a look at this tropical wonderland wedding at The White Rabbit in Singapore!

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

This Understated Jerusalem Wedding at Nafoura Restaurant Took Cues From the Symbolic Olive Branch

July 16, 2017 | Junebug Weddings

Between the narrow brick alleyways that lead to Christ Church Jerusalem and Nafoura Restaurant‘s cozy courtyard reception space, Mia and Benjamin’s wedding in the Holy Land was where old-world charm met modern elegance. The bride (Mia Moessinger), who is a professional wedding photographer and designer, put her creative skills to work by designing nearly every detail, including the flowers, invitations, and even her own dress. The main color inspiration came from the simple and symbolic olive branch, which added a naturally elegant feel to the décor and was a spiritual nod to the region where the couple’s new life began. Every sentimental detail and heartwarming moment was captured beautifully by Braden Young Photo.

The Couple:

Mia and Benjamin

The Wedding:

Christ Church Jerusalem and Nafoura Restaurant, Jerusalem, Israel

We met and did volunteer work at Christ Church Jerusalem, it was an easy decision to get married there. That church and this region are extremely sentimental to us. Some of our favorite dates/hikes were to Mt. of Olives, which is located just outside the city, so it also made sense to go with an olive branch theme for the wedding.

SHOP THIS LOOK

 

I wanted a timeless and simple look that was classy and elegant. For the ceremony, I wore a conservative dress with sleeves and a long veil. For the reception, I switched into a more comfortable look and added an olive branch wreath to my hair.

We had an Anglican Church liturgy read during our ceremony, but we used our own songs and had both sets of parents pray over us in their native tongues (German and Russian). At the end of the ceremony, Benjamin broke a glass — even though we are not Jewish — because it symbolizes both the happiness and the sorrow that our future holds.

We DIY-ed pretty much everything! Because Mia works in the wedding industry, it was easy for her to do and it all looked professional. Mia and some of our friends put together the flower arrangements. Mia designed, printed, and assembled the wedding invitations and created the website. Mia’s talented mom baked our cake and favor cookies, and she helped Mia design her wedding dress. Lastly, a good friend of ours created the hand-written place cards. 

Processional – “You’re Beautiful” by Phil Wickham (performed live)
Recessional – “Future Past” by John Mark McMillan (performed live)
First Dance – “Cheek to Cheek” by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald (performed live)

The most memorable part of the day had to be when our guests started dancing at the reception. The dance floor opened people up, got them out of their comfort zones, and everyone (old and young) got down. We were worried that, with so many different culture groups coming together (Russian, German, American, Jewish, Arab, and so many more), it might be a little uncomfortable for everyone to let loose. They definitely proved us wrong! It was as if our worlds collided, and everyone in our wedding became one!

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Braden Young Photo
Event Planning, Floral Design, and Invitations – Mia Moessinger
Ceremony Venue – Christ Church Jerusalem
Reception Venue – Nafoura Restaurant
Live Music – Divano Swing
Wedding Dress – Cocoon Silk
Bridal Accessories – Givenchy
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Gracemade
Groom’s Apparel – Digel
Rings – Gerstner
Ribbons – Seidenband

 

Our heartfelt congratulations to the newlyweds, Mia and Benjamin, and a huge thanks to Braden Young Photo for sharing this stunning destination wedding with Junebug! If you’re looking for more simple and elegant wedding design inspiration, look no further than this understated navy and slate blue wedding at The Loft in Chehalis!

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

Modern Industrial Toronto Wedding at Aperture Room

July 16, 2017 | Junebug Weddings

We’re taking a quick break from the regularly scheduled summer garden party weddings to enjoy some winter wonderland vibes with Devon and Joel’s wedding at Aperture Room in Toronto, Canada! You won’t find any florals, knick knacks, or DIY chalkboard signage here. The bride and groom stuck with a modern aesthetic, using a crisp black and white color palette, minimal greenery, and loads of pillar candles to set the mood. The only pop of color came from the bride’s fabulous fur-lined Loeffler Randal heels, which looked fantastic with her plunging neckline crepe Reformation dress, fur stole, and leather jacket. It may be too soon to start dreaming of cooler weather, but Devon’s chic and cozy style is a fun reminder of why we love winter weddings. Photographer Lindsie Grey captured every stylish moment and expertly designed detail beautifully!

The Couple:

Devon and Joel

The Wedding:

Aperture Room, Toronto, Canada

I had my eye on my Reformation dress long before we were engaged. After trying some dresses at bridal boutiques, I went back to the Reformation dress and ended up ordering it online. It was just what I wanted! My shoes were my favorite accessory by far. I couldn’t wait to wear them! They were comfy, and the fur kept my toes warm. They will be worn again!

SHOP THIS LOOK

 

Processional – “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison
Recessional – “I Got U” Remix by Duke Dumont

SHOP THIS LOOK

 

Our wedding was exactly our style: modern with an industrial look featuring exposed brick and metal beams. The venue was also new, which was a nice change. There are only so many wedding venues in the city, and we liked the idea of having it at a place no one had been before.

Our advice is to ask yourself: “will anyone care?” For example, we struggled on the idea of not providing a bonbonnière (favor) for guests. In the end, we decided against it because we knew that none of our friends would really care (and half the guests would likely forget to take them home anyways).

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Lindsie Grey
Venue – Aperture Room
Floral Design – Patchouli
Cake – Bake Shoppe
DJ – Dialed-In DJs
Makeup Artist and Hair Styling – Radford
Wedding Dress – Reformation
Bridal Accessories – Loeffler Randal
Bridesmaids’ Apparel – Reformation
Rentals – Divine Furniture Rental

 

Congratulations to Devon and Joel, and a big thanks to Lindsie Grey for sharing this lovely wedding with Junebug! Planning an industrial wedding of your own? Check out this modern natural Rochester wedding at Arbor Loft for even more inspiration!

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings