We are just one short week away from wrapping up submissions for our first Love Around the World – Best of the Best Destination Photography Collection, which will be judged in part by destination wedding photographer extraordinaire Cengiz Ozelsel of Adagion Studio. We are continuing our countdown to the contest with a breathtaking destination engagement session from Cengiz himself, shot in the City of Love! What better place to celebrate your engagement than Paris? And as the style icon Audrey Hepburn would say, “Paris is always a good idea!”
A great big thank you to Cengiz Ozelsel of Adagion Studio for sharing this Paris engagement session!
Lea and Matt’s wedding was the perfect magical garden celebration, as if it was a scene straight from the pages of The Secret Garden. Being one of the bride’s favorite novels, elements of the story were flawlessly incorporated into the décor that simply overflowed with romance. The result was exquisite, and it was all beautifully photographed by L Hewitt Photography.
The Goals: We wanted our wedding to be very much “us”. We asked for very little help planning the wedding because we wanted to make sure we stayed true to ourselves.
The Design: As a school librarian, I am always influenced by literature. Our wedding atmosphere and decor was based on one of my favorite books, “The Secret Garden”. The book was published in 1911 and deals with issues of companionship and love and emphasizes the magic of the natural world and all around us. I was inspired by the following quote:
“And one knows it sometimes when one stands by oneself in a wood at sunset and the mysterious deep gold stillness slanting through and under the branches seems to be saying slowly again and again something one cannot quite hear, however much one tries. Then sometimes the immense quiet of the dark blue at night with the millions of stars waiting and watching makes one sure; and sometimes a sound of far-off music makes it true; and sometimes a look in someone’s eyes.”
The Look: My wedding look was very old-fashioned. I wore the Madeleine gown by Claire Pettibone. It had a gorgeous silk lining and cream lace overlay. I wore a cathedral length veil made from English tulle and a single gold bangle that my mom had given me. I went with a traditional red lip and eyeliner. I wore my hair up with a braid because I was told it was good luck to wear a braid on your wedding day.
The Moments: One of the most romantic and special moments of the day was our handfasting ceremony. We did not have a religious ceremony but wanted to include a bit of tradition. We had our maid of honor place a handfasting ribbon over our clasped hands and our officiant read a passage about our commitment to each other before we spoke our vows. It was really beautiful. After the wedding, our maid of honor used the handfasting ribbon to create the border for a shadow box that she filled with memories from our day.
The Advice: The best advice I can give is to be true to yourself. Your wedding day represents your commitment to your significant other and it should be indicative of your love and how you want the world to see it manifested. Be true to yourself and your relationship!
Girls’ getaways are quickly becoming the popular go-to for brides planning their last few days of freedom, and if Vegas isn’t quite your style, think about getting away with the girls in Napa Valley! To get the skinny on one of the world’s top destinations for wine lovers, we’ve consulted with The Bach, an online bachelorette party planning resource that provides fun bachelorette party ideas, a carefully curated list of venue recommendations, and all the tools you need to simplify the planning process. Founder Joanne Barken and her team are spilling their top tips for the perfect girls’ getaway to Napa Valley, and let’s just say we might already have our suitcases packed!
There are so many ways to explore wine country during the day that it can be tough to choose what is best for your group. If the bride loves a bit of adventure, view the vineyards from above and start the day with a hot air balloon ride! With Balloons Above the Valley, you will launch early in the morning and catch the sunrise. After landing, your group can enjoy champagne and a huge brunch spread.
Napa Valley Bike Tours is the perfect option for an outdoorsy bride-to-be. At a casual pace you will bike through either Napa Valley or Sonoma, and make several stops at wineries. They will handle making appointments for your group, and will also provide lunch.
Want something a little more traditional? Check out Platypus Tours for both private and group wine tours. They also offer an old fashioned wine train for a unique way to see the scenery.
Recover from a day of wine tasting by planning a spa day with the girls. There are plenty of luxurious venues that are perfect for a Napa Valley bachelorette party. Spa Terra is built entirely underground and is filled with steam grottos, soaking pools, treatment alcoves, waterfalls, and radiant heating. They offer massages, facials, aromatherapy, stone therapy, body scrubs, exfoliation, body wraps and more.
The Spa at Carneros Inn offers a truly unique experience. Nestled among vineyards and farmlands, you can enjoy scenic views of Napa Valley while lounging by the pool. Even if you are not staying at the inn, you can book a Day Spa pass and indulge in luxurious treatments and take advantage of a complimentary guest cottage while you are there.
There is no shortage of great food in Napa Valley and Sonoma. Stop into Bouchon Bakery for some breakfast pastries and be sure to pick up some of their famous macarons to snack on later. For lunch you can’t go wrong with juicy burgers and creamy milkshakes from Gott’s Roadside. Want to picnic at a winery? Order gourmet sandwiches ahead from Oakville Grocery for a delicious lunch.
The upscale restaurant scene in Napa Valley creates the perfect opportunity to get dressed up with the girls. If your group is looking to splurge, Farm, Morimoto Napa, and The French Laundry all provide exceptional service and unbelievable food. Want something a little more casual? La Condes offers flavorful Mexican fare and a casual vibe for your next Napa Valley bachelorette party. Oenotri is also a great choice for Italian food and is known for their homemade pastas.
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