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Outdoor Wedding in Rhode Island

December 22, 2014 | Junebug Weddings

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We’re so excited to share this sweet wedding in Rhode Island with you today! Nina and Dana are an inspiring couple who envisioned the party of the century for their outdoor wedding. The wedding had a beautifully pure aesthetic, with simple white elements accented by greens and dark pink florals. Master photographer Fer Juaristi impeccably captured that effortless and light spirit, not to mention the couple’s adorable pooch!

The Couple: Nina and Dana

The Wedding: Private Residence, Westerly, Rhode Island

The Inspiration: “We wanted the wedding to be simple, handmade, and inspired by that feeling of freedom that comes with long summer days. What we kept saying throughout the planning process was that we wanted it to feel not like a traditional wedding, but simply an awesome party. We knew we wanted it be outdoors, in a big field, with bright flowers, under a beautiful tent, with great food and awesome music. We rented the gorgeous wooden tables from a family friend who had made them for his daughter’s wedding, my godmother is an incredible landscape architect who did the flowers, Dana‘s sister married us, my dad created the arbor that we stood in front of, my uncle and cousin played music as I walked down the aisle, Dana‘s dad worked tirelessly to help set up the field and put up lighting, the list goes on! It really was an amazing collaboration.

The food was from a French food truck out of Providence and it was delicious. the cocktails were awesome and were created and served by a friend and local bar owner. Our awesome DJ spun funk, soul and disco that had everyone dancing late into the night. As for our attire, I was so excited to find Grace Loves Lace. Their designs are so unique from most wedding gowns, and fit my sense of style perfectly. I had trouble picking one because they are all gorgeous, but was so happy I ended up in their Loren dress. It was incredibly comfortable and I’ve never felt so beautiful. For Dana, we went with light grey pants, a white shirt, and blue suede shoes all from J.Crew. He’s not a suit or a tie guy, but my one request was that he wear real shoes.

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The Moments: “Our ceremony was just so meaningful and personal. Dana wrote the whole ceremony, in collaboration with his sister who married us, and we each wrote our own vows to each other. It was such an incredible feeling to stand up there with the support of all of our loved ones and finally get to marry each other. Another favorite was the impromptu speeches made by many of our family and friends. They said the most heartfelt things about us, had us all laughing and crying.

The Couple Recommends: “We can’t say enough amazing things about Fer. Not only is he an incredibly talented photographer who delivered us the most stunning images of our wedding day, he’s also just an awesome human to be around.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Fer Juaristi
Venue – Private Residence
Floral Design – Tupelo Gardenworks
Catering – Plouf Plouf
DJ – DJ Brian Carte
Bartening – Perks and Corks
Raw Bar – Behan Family Farms
Photo Boot – Photo Booth Planet
Invitations – Minted
Wedding Dress – Grace Loves Lace
Groom’s Apparel – J.Crew
Rings – Mociun
Rentals – Pine & Petals
Tents – Sperry Tents

Thank you to Fer Juaristi for giving Junebug a peek at Nina and Dana’s beautifully personal wedding in Rhode Island. For more outdoor wedding inspiration, check out Nina and Tom’s Australian garden wedding.

xoxoNicole

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Laid-Back Summer Wedding in Massachusetts with Photos by Amanda Marie Studio – Heather and Finn

September 27, 2014 | Junebug Weddings

With winter just around the corner, this relaxed summer soiree is all you need to brighten up your day! Sweet and colorful from start to finish, Heather and Finn’s wedding was complete with delightful corn hole games, a fantastic food truck and charming decor. A big thanks to Amanda Marie Studio for sharing this adorable couple’s story with all of us!

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

The Couple: Heather and Finn

The Wedding: 8.3.2013 – Gore Place, Waltham, Massachusetts

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

The Goals: Truly, the main priority for our wedding was the food! We knew that we wanted Clover Food Lab to bring one of their food trucks for service. Finn and I are frequent patrons of the various Clover locations in the Boston area. We LOVE them! What we didn’t know was how difficult it would be to find a venue who would let us use them as our caterer! We looked at so many venues and eventually found Gore Place, which was a beautiful sprawling place in the middle of a busy suburb. It’s like an oasis. We ended up being able to pull the truck right up to the tent for dinner and late night bites.

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

The Design: We wanted the wedding to be beautiful and sophisticated while also being laid-back and relaxing for our guests. We said over and over that we just wanted our wedding to be a fun, happy occasion! To keep the mood light we had a friend perform our short outdoor ceremony, and we chose fun, off-beat music for our processional and recessional songs (“Do You Realize?” by The Flaming Lips for the bridal party processional, “Hoppipolla” by Sigur Ros for the bridal processional and “Midnight City” by M83 for our recessional). We chose to do a first look with Amanda, our photographer, both to ease our nerves and to enable us to be there for our cocktail hour. We wanted to spend as much time as possible with the people who had traveled so far to be with us! Finn and I built two cornhole sets which were set up for guests to play all night. This was a huge hit, even as it got dark! We chose to forego the traditional wedding reception stuff (mother-son/father-daughter dances, garter toss, etc.) so that we could get eating and dancing as soon as possible. Our first dance was to “Here I Am” by Kristoff Krane. By the end everyone was clapping along to the song. It was perfect, and is one of my favorite memories from the day.

Serving food out of the food truck certainly helped contribute to the laid-back, relaxed mood of our wedding. Clover uses all compostable serve ware, so we only needed real plates and forks for the cake! The DJ sent our guests up table by table to get their food from the truck. Some of the food was already prepared (beet, mint & feta salad, wheatberry & blueberry salad), but much of it was made to order in the truck (sandwiches, rosemary french fries). I also make some excellent hot pepper jelly, and I gave Clover her recipe so that they could serve it with cheese and crackers at cocktail hour. It was a hit!

As far as decor, we worked with the wonderful team at Whim Events to come up with a light, airy and pretty design for the ceremony and reception. The ceremony was held outside under an apple tree, so much of the decor was left to nature. Originally we planned to hang ribbons from the branches of the apple tree, but eventually decided on stringing up ribbons between two birch poles, which allowed for an easy transition from the ceremony into the reception, where we used the ribbons as a backdrop for our photo guest book. While the love of blue Ball jars does appear to run rampant throughout the wedding world, we wanted them for our wedding because of my love of canning. My now mother-in-law, Liz, taught me how to can and I haven’t stopped since. In fact, I stock-piled local hot and sweet peppers in the freezer for the year before the wedding to make the hot pepper jelly we gave out as favors, and we picked the strawberries used in the strawberry mint and strawberry rhubarb jam favors as well. In the blue Ball jars we had branches, tall light blue delphiniums, hypericum berries, white dahlias, and colorful zinnias. One of my favorite parts of the wedding planning process was going to the The Boston Flower Exchange with Whim to pick out the flowers! Such a fun and unique experience.

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

The Look: I am obsessed with Anthropologie, so when BHLDN opened, it was clear that this is where my dress was going to come from. So clear, in fact, that I ordered the Cascading Goddess Gown during a limited time sale, tried it on with one of my bridesmaids when it arrived and declared it “the dress” without ever setting foot in a store or trying on any other gowns. One of the most difficult decisions most brides make is what dress she will wear, but for me it was one of the easiest. To top it off, the dress fit like a glove and only needed to be shortened! I loved that my dress was very clearly a wedding dress, but had some whimsy to it. I didn’t want any flowers or beads on it, but I didn’t want it to be plain either. The rope design of the fabric in the bodice was so flattering, and the asymmetrical layers of silk in the skirt made the dress flow beautifully in the wind. The bridesmaids wore BHLDN as well, thanks to the sale section!

Finn chose his own suit (and thus the pants and vests for his guys) at Men’s Wearhouse. We wanted grey since black seemed too formal, and it would fit very well with the rest of the color scheme. It was surprisingly difficult to find a grey three-piece summer suit for August. Luckily, the first acceptable suit we found was a great one, and the search could end there. Finding a tie was probably the hardest part of determining what the guys would wear, but eventually we found one we felt matched the wedding. We didn’t really have “wedding colors” and we didn’t want the ties to match the bridesmaids’ dresses.

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

The Moments: The first look was such a relief! It was so wonderful to see and be able to talk to each other after such a long day of getting ready! I loved the first dance. Towards the end of the song our guests began clapping along to the beat while we danced. It was really special. We had four flower girls (ages 2, 2, 4, and 6), all Finn’s cousins’ daughters, and spending time with them together in their matching dresses was so special! They are all so close, and to be able to create memories with them is such a joy. They were so excited to be a part of the day, and they all did their jobs perfectly! We were so impressed!

Finn’s favorite part of the wedding was hearing the first few notes of the processional. At that point, every decision (big and small) has been made — you’ve already decided that you’re going to spend the rest of your life with somebody, and when that moment finally comes, you get the most extraordinary feeling. You are at once arriving at your destination and taking the first step of this huge journey. It sounds cliche, but I (Finn) really felt that, as I watched her walk down the aisle, we were the only two people in the world. All of the stress and the nervousness completely disappeared. It was the beginning of “us” as a thing that lasts forever.

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

The Advice: One thing we didn’t do very well was budget. We would recommend you do that! While we don’t regret a cent, we realize we could have probably planned a little bit better where that was concerned. Our absolute greatest success was hiring our day-of coordinator from Whim Events. MANDI, WE LOVE YOU. It may seem like an unnecessary expense at first, but on the day when you don’t have to worry about anything (and we do mean anything) you will realize it was money well spent. Finn was skeptical leading up to the wedding, but even he says it was all worth it in the end!

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

laid-back summer wedding with photos by Amanda Marie Studios | via junebugweddings.com

The Wedding Team:

Photographer: Amanda Marie Studio
Event Planner: Whim Events
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Gore Place
Videographer/Film Maker: Evan Kutsko
Invitation Designer: Jenny Romanski for Wedding Paper Divas
Catering: Clover Food Lab
Florist: Whim Events
Cake: George Caouette of The Dessert Shelf
Wedding Dress: BHLDN
Bridal Accessories: BHLDN
Bridesmaids’ Apparel & Accessories: BHLDN
Groom and Groomsmen’s Apparel & Accessories: Calvin Klein via Men’s Wearhouse
Hair & Makeup: Hair & Make-up by Natalie
DJ: DM Productions
Transportation: M & L Transit Systems, Inc.
Rentals: New England Country Rentals, Peterson Party Center, Whim Events
Rings: Ken & Dana Design

Thank you Heather and Finn!

Are you loving the playful elegance of coral as much as we do? Check out Cristina and Dan’s coral and grey wedding!

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Men’s Fashion Inspiration for the Modern Groom

June 5, 2014 | Junebug Weddings

In the wedding industry we spend hours upon hours oohing and ahhing over spectacular wedding dresses in all shapes and sizes, but what about the groom’s wedding day look? The traditional tuxedo is all fine and well for many grooms, but if you’re more of a fashion minded guy, these three looks are for you!

Contemporary Classics

men's fashion inspiration for the modern groom | via junebugweddings.com

Contemporary Classics Credits:
BOSS HUGO BOSS ‘Hutsons’ Trim Fit Wool Blazer from Nordstrom
Egara Gray and Purple Plaid Pre-Tied Bow Tie from Men’s Wearhouse
Michael Kors Regular Fit Dress Shirt from Nordstrom
BOSS HUGO BOSS ‘Calindo’ Suede Belt from Nordstrom
Bonobos ‘Weekday Warrior’ Non-Iron Slim Straight Leg Cotton Pants from Nordstrom
Michael Kors ‘Large Lexington’ Chronograph Bracelet Watch from Nordstrom
Cole Haan Double Boxes Socks from Cole Haan
BOSS HUGO BOSS ‘Franzisko’ Cufflinks from Nordstrom
Vince Camuto ‘Bruno’ Wingtip Shoes from Nordstrom

 

Naturally Neutral 

men's fashion inspiration for the modern groom | via junebugweddings.com

Naturally Neutral Credits:
John Varvatos Star USA Trim Fit Stretch Cotton Blazer from Nordstrom
Michael Kors ‘Mercer’ Large Chronograph Leather Strap Watch from Nordstrom
John Varvatos Star USA Trim Fit Dress Shirt from Nordstrom
Robin’s Egg Linen Bow Tie from The Tie Bar
John Varvatos Star USA Flat Front Stretch Cotton Trousers from Nordstrom
Trafalgar ‘Wyoming’ Suspenders from Nordstrom
Timberland Boot Company ‘Wodehouse Lost History’ Cap Toe Oxford from Nordstrom

 

 Colorfully Casual

men's fashion inspiration for the modern groom | via junebugweddings.com

Colorfully Casual Credits:
Regent Fit High Performance Blazer from Brooks Brothers
Sawgrass Red Bow Tie American Made from Collared Greens
Natural Blue Gingham Linen Sport Shirt from Nordstrom
Oversized Love Knot Cuff Links from Brooks Brothers
Wallin & Bros. ‘Bedford’ Flat Front Stretch Cotton Trousers from Nordstrom
Allen Edmonds ‘Manistee’ Brogue Leather Belt from Nordstrom
Allen Edmonds ‘McAllister’ Oxford from Nordstrom

 

Looking for more men’s fashion inspiration? Check out our Modern Groom Fashion Report!

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Exotic Destination Wedding in Costa Rica with Photos by A Brit & A Blonde – Sara and Evan

May 19, 2014 | Junebug Weddings

We were flown to paradise when we first laid eyes on Sara and Evan’s Costa Rican wedding and wanted to share the sun and palm trees with all of you! Beautifully captured by Jessica and Jason Hill of A Brit & A Blonde, this blissful wedding had us dreaming of roaring ocean waves and coconut cocktails. Not to mention, the gold animal figurines are to die for as well!

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

The Couple: Sara and Evan

The Wedding: 2.7.2014 – Hotel Parador, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

The Goals: Getting married in Costa Rica, we had two main priorities. One was to keep the intimacy, formalness and significance of a traditional wedding even though we were holding it in a tropical location. When people hear “destination wedding” we found there is a tendency to think Hawaiian shirts and a casual setting. We knew we wanted to have an elegant, cocktail affair, but in a beautiful, jungle setting where monkeys and sloths were crawling around nearby. Thankfully our fabulous wedding planners, Aimee and Karen, at Tropical Occasions, accomplished this and then some. We also wanted to keep things personal and meaningful, particularly with the marriage ceremony. To do that we flew my minister down to officiate the wedding. It ended up making the ceremony very special.

The other priority was to ensure our guests had one of the most amazing, memorable trips of a lifetime and walked away realizing why we wanted to get married in such a magical location. We realized that our guests were traveling far and wide to see us get married and we wanted to make it worth their while. We also recognized that our guests were a diverse bunch who may like to experience Costa Rica differently others (i.e. some would want to lounge by the pool/get a spa treatment and some would want to immerse themselves in the adventure and nature of Costa Rica). We put a lot of thought into picking the right venue – went on an exploratory trip a year before the actual wedding where Karen showed us multiple locations. In the end, we felt Hotel Parador was a perfect mix of luxury and nature and we couldn’t have been happier with our selection. We also planned three days of amazing events for our guests, with the expert guidance and advice from Karen – a fun welcome party for all guests complete with a traditional Costa Rican meal, drinks, cigar roller, and wish lanterns; the wedding day festivities; and finally to top it all off a Catamaran Cruise the day after the wedding.

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

The Design: We wanted to create a very ethereal, elegant atmosphere, with lots of whites, creams and greens, and then add some fun, whimsical elements that guests would always remember. Once we started the design phase with Aimee, she suggested adding pops of blush and gold and we LOVED the idea. We also did a lot of Pinterest boards with Aimee and both ended up seeing a super creative and unique design element – the painted gold animals. Once we saw them, we knew we had to have them. We actually bought some plastic animals at Target and my sister and I spent a cold afternoon spray painting them on the balcony. It made it a fun craft and we just loved how they turned out. Our amazing photographers, Jessica and Jason really put them to good use and snapped some awesome shots with them too. Some our guests who came even took them back with them and have them displayed in their offices or homes, which we love! We also loved our cocktail napkins that said “BEST DAY EVER” and had our names and date printed. They were a fun addition!

Going along with our theme of trying to make things personal, we had one of our closest friends and superbly talented designer, Katherine Warminsky, design all of our wedding pieces – from the save the dates and invitations to the the program, menu, welcome bag insert. We loved each piece because we were all able to collaborate on the content and then let Katherine run with the design based on some of our ideas. They all turned out beautifully.

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

The Look: Sara – I absolutely loved my dress. I’d wear it again if I could! Going into the wedding dress shopping process, I didn’t really know exactly what I wanted. I knew I wanted something classy, slightly different than the average dress, and appropriate for a beach setting. When I tried on the Vera Wang dress, I just knew I had found the right one! I actually learned after the fact that she had designed this particular dress, the Evelyn, with a destination bride in mind. It also went with our ethereal look and was very grecian looking, which I loved. I am a big accessorizer and found a hairstyle Blake Lively wore once – also very grecian – with an amazing beaded head wrap. So I went on a mission to find the perfect piece. I ended up finding one by Untamed Petals by Amanda Judge. I borrowed the earrings (Anthropologie) from one of my bridesmaids, and wore a single, 18k gold Persian bangle bracelet that my dad’s mother had given to my mom as a wedding present. So all things were pretty special and unique!

As for shoes, I knew I wanted to wear a wedge. Everyone kept suggesting barefoot or sandals, but again, I wanted to remain formal even though we were on a beach. There are not many formal wedges out there, but I found the perfect pair of Jimmy Choo‘s that I love, love, love!

I also loved my flowers, not only because they were breathtakingly gorgeous, but because there was a special significance to them. My father passed away when I was 15, so it was so incredibly important to incorporate his memory into the day. Growing up, anytime my mom, sister or I would celebrate a birthday, my dad would always give us red roses. My mom had the perfect idea to add one red rose to my bouquet in memory of him. I still have that rose today – pressed in a book I took for the honeymoon. I also had my seamstress sew a button from a sweater my dad always wore, and a button from my mom’s wedding dress into the hem of my dress. Those little details are the ones that I’ll always remember.

As for the bridesmaids, I never even thought to use an actual bridesmaid dress. I wanted to find something at a stylish store, that they would absolutely be able to wear again. I saw the Parker Bayou Maxi Dress at Cusp and thought it was perfect. I didn’t even have a color in mind, but the blush color of the dress was gorgeous and I thought it would look amazing in the setting. I then found some great Kendra Scott earrings, in seafoam color, that really brought the whole look together. For my sister, the maid of honor, we wanted her to stand out a bit, so she found a great cream colored statement necklace and bracelet. With the cream colored flowers, everything looked so good.

Another great element for the bridesmaids, was the robes. I knew I wanted us to all get ready in style – it also made for great pictures! One of my bridesmaids got ready in a Plum Pretty Sugar robe when she got married a few years ago, and I thought they were so cute and stylish. I decided on the turquoise colors for the girls and the white one for myself.

Evan – I knew I wanted to wear a full three-piece suit. Tuxes were never an option. Given the 90+ degree temperatures, dark suits were out of the question. I found a great gray option from Bonobos and went with it. The color pop in my outfit came with the socks, a gingham pattern from Thomas Pink (I am a big fan of bold colors and patterns with my socks so this fit perfectly). Like Sara, I loved my shoes — I had my eye on these double monk strap shoes from To Boot New York for a long time and was excited to finally get to wear them!

The groomsmen were spared from wearing jackets in the hot sun. They went with a simple, classic look — pants and vests from Bonobos. Our ties were sourced from a friend who is launching a startup called THE GROOM BOX. He was able to find us a great navy blue shade that matched well with the gray suits.

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

The Moments: Everything. Seriously. We had nearly 70 of our closest friends and family from all over the world travel to one of our favorite places on earth to celebrate with us. Having all of those people in one place was a dream come true. 

Sara – Do I have to pick one thing!? First and foremost seeing Evan during our first look. Our photographers picked an amazing location for it and it was that moment when you realize everything is starting to happen. Plus he looked so dapper and that didn’t hurt either. I also vividly remember seeing our reception set up for the first time when we arrived back at Parador after the ceremony and my jaw literally dropped. It was everything and more than I had imagined.

Evan – For me it was seeing her walk down the aisle. We had done a first look for our photos so I knew what she would look like, but there’s something about a bride walking down the aisle that is so captivating. And it’s a whole other ballgame when it is your bride.

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

The Advice: Follow your heart and do what you’ve always dreamed of doing. It was the advice we gave ourselves and are so happy we followed. We fell in love with Costa Rica after we vacation there in 2012. When we got engaged, we knew that is where we wanted to have the wedding. It was a tough decision because having a wedding thousands of miles away and in a different country limits those who can attend. Every now and then we’d ask ourselves if we made the right decision and contemplate if we should just give up our vision so it would be easier for guests. But we kept telling ourselves that this was the most important moment of our lives so far and that we needed to go with our gut and follow our hearts. We are SO happy we did because we couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else. Thankfully we have the most amazing family and friends who traveled from across the globe to be with us – from San Francisco to Tehran, Iran to Bolivia and everywhere in between (Chicago, NY, PA, DC, VA). We ended up having 70 guests, which was an absolute perfect number! If we didn’t follow that advice, we know we would have looked back and thought, “What if…”, which you never want to do for such an important time in your lives.

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

exotic destination wedding in Costa Rica, photo by A Brit & A Blonde | via junebugweddings.com

The Wedding Team:

Photographer: A Brit & A Blonde
Event Planner: Tropical Occasions
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Hotel Parador
Officiant: Dr. William Silver ThD, Bridgewater Presbyterian Church
Invitation Designer: Katherine Warminsky
Catering: Hotel Parador
Florist: Peartree
Cake: Mariposa Bakery
Wedding Dress: Vera Wang
Bridal Accessories: Jimmy Choo (shoes)
Bridesmaids’ Apparel & Accessories: Cusp by Neiman Marcus (Parker Bayou Maxi Dress), Kendra Scott (jewelry)
Bridesmaids Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar
Groom’s Apparel & Accessories: Bonobos (suit), THE GROOM BOX (neckties), Thomas Pink (socks), To Boot New York (shoes)
Groomsmen’s Apparel & Accessories: Bonobos (suit), THE GROOM BOX (neckties), Thomas Pink (socks)
Hair & Makeup: Fernando Hidalgo Fallas
DJ: DJ Kika Arguello
Favors: Cafe Milagro
Rings: Princess Jewelers

Thank you Sara and Evan for the truly gorgeous experience!

Can’t get enough of Costa Rica? Check out this intimate destination wedding in Costa Rica by davina + daniel!

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Junebug’s NEW Men’s Wear Wedding Fashion Report! – Photographed by J. Garner Studios

June 4, 2012 | editorial team

Junebug's new Men's Wear for Weddings Fashion Report, photographed by J. Garner Studios

It’s an exciting day here at Junebug – we’re unveiling our newest Fashion Report: The Groom – six sharp looks for the modern man!

We’ve always been big supporters of grooms on our website – from the Groom 101 wedding planning tips and honeymoon destination ideas in our Groombug section to blog posts about gifts for groomsmen and amazing men’s portraiture on our blogs, we believe wedding planning is important to everyone, the guys included!

For this new Fashion Report we wanted to showcase a variety of dashing, timeless looks that any man would love, so we partnered with the experts at Nordstrom Weddings to come up with looks that range from classic tuxedo to modern hipster chic. The whole shoot was photographed by the amazingly talented team at J. Garner Studios, with makeup by Erin Skipley, and boutonnieres by Ravenna Bloom, Woodland Flowers and Garden Party Flowers. Take a peek at these sample photos here, jump over to our Fashion Report section to see the full feature, and read on to learn some great men’s wedding fashion advice from Nordstrom’s National Bridal Director, Andrea Wasserman!

 

Junebug's new Men's Wear for Weddings Fashion Report, photographed by J. Garner Studios

While working on putting together this new Fashion Report, I was lucky enough to get to chat with Nordstrom’s National Bridal Director, Andrea Wasserman, and get her advice on men’s wedding day fashion…

Christy: As Nordstrom’s National Bridal Director you must see wedding fashion from so many different perspectives – how do you recommend people approach choosing their wedding fashion differently (or similarly) than their everyday fashion?

Andrea: On your wedding day, you want to feel like a more special version of yourself – not like someone else! Consider pushing the boundaries of your everyday look a little bit. If you’re a suit-and-tie guy, try a bow tie. But going the other way and skipping a jacket altogether might be too much for you.

 

Christy: Let’s talk men’s wear; what do you think of as today’s classic, timeless wedding look for men? How about a more modern approach for a younger, more relaxed groom?

Andrea: If you’ve always envisioned a groom in a classic tux and your event is going to be formal, that’s still a great direction to go. But if you’re going for a different vibe, or don’t feel a tux is the right investment for you, I love a two-button trim fit suit with a shorter jacket and a narrow tie. Depending on the color palette for the day, a medium gray (even a subtle plaid) can be beautiful for a softer, less formal look.

Junebug's new Men's Wear for Weddings Fashion Report, photographed by J. Garner Studios

Christy: What are some basic fit and style tips for men’s wear that will help pull any look together?

Andrea: So much of looking and feeling great all day is about the fit. Don’t underestimate the importance of a fantastic tailor. And while miracles can be pulled off, don’t leave alterations until the last minute. To make it all easier, avoid buying any jacket that doesn’t fit well in the shoulders. And to make sure you end up with the right size, try the jacket size you think you are, and then try a size down. Mixing it up with a non-white shirt or a patterned tie will offer a less traditional look.

 

Christy: What are some easy ways for men to add personality to their wedding look?

Andrea: Try a pant cuff, and make it wide enough to count. Or pick out a quirky sock, and hem the pants a little shorter to show some ankle. If that’s too much for you, talk to your florist about a twist on the classic boutonnière or add a pocket square or tie pin.

Junebug's new Men's Wear for Weddings Fashion Report, photographed by J. Garner Studios

Christy: Are there men’s accessories you’re loving right now, that would be fun in a groom or groomsman’s wedding day look?

Andrea: I’m a fan of the pocket square! One that complements the bridesmaid dresses and bouquets, but doesn’t draw too much attention and isn’t completely matchy-matchy.

 

Christy: Any additional words of advice to a man looking for the perfect wedding attire?

Andrea: Work with a person and store who will help you put your whole look together and make sure you have every piece you need. The last thing you want is to buy the suit at one place, troll around the web for a bow tie and then carry it all around to find a coordinating shirt. The complimentary stylists in the Nordstrom Wedding Suite work with men as well as with women so they’ll put together head-toe-looks for the entire wedding party, make sure you have everything you need and coordinate on-site alterations.

Thank you so much Andrea!

Readers, check out our full Fashion Report, get more wedding planning tips for guys in our Groombug section, and be sure to visit NordstromWeddings.com to see all the wedding fashion options for you and your whole bridal party!

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Hip, Stylish, Modern Wedding Inspiration Photo Shoot at the W Hotel Scottsdale

November 23, 2011 | editorial team

stylish, hip, modern wedding style inspiration at the W Hotel Scottsdale from Outstanding Occasions and Melissa Jill Photography - black, white, gray and pink wedding color ideas

As soon as I saw the the wedding bouquet wrapped in zippers and the hot pink spray painted succulents (not to mention beautiful photography!) I knew this was a wedding inspiration photo shoot I would love! Phoenix based photographer Melissa Jill and the event planning team from Outstanding Occasions joined with an all-start group of wedding professionals to create this photo shoot filled with modern wedding ideas and looks, and we’re smitten with so much of it. Thanks for sharing your hard work ladies!

stylish, hip, modern wedding style inspiration at the W Hotel Scottsdale from Outstanding Occasions and Melissa Jill Photography - black, white, gray and pink wedding color ideas

From photographer Melissa Jill Photography: The W Scottsdale was the backdrop for this modern inspiration shoot depicting the contrast between masculine and feminine details. White, grey and black were the main colors with a pop of pink. We created a story to go along with our design concept for the photo shoot: Tori, an interior designer and fashionista from LA, met Tyson, a quirky, Arizona guy who grew up riding horses.

The bride wore a full, pocketed WTOO wedding gown with a sweetheart neckline from Mariee Gallery. Camelback Flowershop designed a soft grey bouquet with a zipper detail. This ceremony look was accessorized with a punch of color in the necklace by  Laura Eva Designs and the stunning earrings and ring were from Emmaquist. The groom wore a black and white jacket, a gingham shirt and black satin bow tie and black pants along with some black glasses to add some quirkiness. He also wore a soft grey boutonniere that coordinated with the bride’s bouquet. For the reception, the bride’s Matthew Christopher Dahlia dress was fitted and feminine and was accessorized with gorgeous Chanel shoes. The groom changed to a polka dot tie and black silk pocket square with a boutonniere to match.

The invitation suite designed by Idieh Design incorporated hounds tooth, plaid and other patterns as well as leather details. The “escort cards” were actually planted succulents spray-painted pink and small terra-cotta pots painted black. We added the handwritten names and table numbers in white. Camelback Flowershop looped leather, fabric and ribbon with white carnations to create a pattern in the mirror piece and the white lacquer horse that we spray-painted added in the groom’s love of horses in a modern way. The three amazing cakes from Classic Cakes and Confections also incorporated the hounds tooth, pinstripe and plaid masculine details, and donut pops and glazed donuts with chocolate, caramel and sprinkle toppings provided by The Donut Shoppe.

stylish, hip, modern wedding style inspiration at the W Hotel Scottsdale from Outstanding Occasions and Melissa Jill Photography - black, white, gray and pink wedding color ideas

stylish, hip, modern wedding style inspiration at the W Hotel Scottsdale from Outstanding Occasions and Melissa Jill Photography - black, white, gray and pink wedding color ideas

stylish, hip, modern wedding style inspiration at the W Hotel Scottsdale from Outstanding Occasions and Melissa Jill Photography - black, white, gray and pink wedding color ideas

stylish, hip, modern wedding style inspiration at the W Hotel Scottsdale from Outstanding Occasions and Melissa Jill Photography - black, white, gray and pink wedding color ideas

stylish, hip, modern wedding style inspiration at the W Hotel Scottsdale from Outstanding Occasions and Melissa Jill Photography - black, white, gray and pink wedding color ideas

stylish, hip, modern wedding style inspiration at the W Hotel Scottsdale from Outstanding Occasions and Melissa Jill Photography - black, white, gray and pink wedding color ideas

stylish, hip, modern wedding style inspiration at the W Hotel Scottsdale from Outstanding Occasions and Melissa Jill Photography - black, white, gray and pink wedding color ideas

stylish, hip, modern wedding style inspiration at the W Hotel Scottsdale from Outstanding Occasions and Melissa Jill Photography - black, white, gray and pink wedding color ideas

Photo Shoot Team:

Event Planners: Outstanding Occasions
Photographer: Melissa Jill Photography
Floral Designer: Camelback Flowershop
Reception Venue: W Scottsdale
Invitation Designer: Idieh Design
Dress Store: Mariee
Modeling Agency: The Agency Arizona
Cake Designer: Classic Cakes and Confections
Linens and Coverings: Classic Party Rentals Phoenix
Makeup Artist: Bliss Spa
Hair Stylist: Organic Hair Lounge
Shoes: Saks Fifth Avenue
Jewelry: Laura Eva Designs, Emmaquist
Personal Stylist: AVE Styles

Want even more wedding style inspiration? Check out our wedding photo gallery where you can search by color palette, fashion look, decor items and more!

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Dominican Republic Destination Beach Wedding – Rukiya and Qubi

September 23, 2011 | editorial team

stylish tropical beach destination wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, photos by SB Childs Photography

Rukiya and Qubi’s Dominican Republic destination beach wedding, photographed by SB Childs Photography, is not only delightful to look at, but it absolutely tugs at the heartstrings with all of the sweet ways they honored their families. Read on to enjoy the beauty, and just see if you don’t feel your heart swell with love!

stylish tropical beach destination wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, photos by SB Childs Photography

The Goals: Rukiya and Qubi were thrilled with their decision to have an intimate and personal destination wedding, but more than anything, as parents, they knew that they wanted to include their sons in their wedding. Just before their ceremony at Dreams Palm Beach Resort began, the couple gave special gifts to each of their boys. “Knowing that Qubi and I were exchanging rings, we wanted to present gifts to our children as well to show them that it was their special day too. We had ID bracelets and necklaces engraved with their names on them. I presented Jaces (Qubis biological son) gifts to him, and Qubi presented the gifts to Kyran (my biological son). Reminding them that we are not replacing the parents they have, but rather enhancing the relationships we’ve already established with them.” What a wonderful idea! During their meaningful Christian ceremony, Kyran walked his mom down the aisle and they included a contemporary sand ceremony that included both boys. During the reception, instead of traditional parent dances, they did a mother sons dance where Rukiya danced with Kyran and Jace.

stylish tropical beach destination wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, photos by SB Childs Photography

The Design: To add to the tropical beach-chic feel of their amazing Punta Cana location, Rukiya and Qubi chose khaki, mint green and coral wedding colors. Save the Dates that looked like boarding passes and invitations that looked like passports had been sent to each of their 20 guests, and canvas beach bags welcomed everyone upon arrival. Travel agents VIP Vacations helped arrange details for wedding travelers – a special touch I think is brilliant for a destination wedding!

The Look: Rukiya’s personal bridal style was inspired by their Dominica Republic destination. “I knew I wanted ruffles at the bottom similar to the Dominican flamenco dresses. I ended up selecting a form-fitting mermaid style dress that flattered my petite frame.” Rukiya’s maid of honor wore coral and her bridesmaid wore green – each dresses they chose themselves. Qubi wore a perfect-for-the-tropics tan suit with leather sandals and a coral tie. He wanted his groomsman to be comfortable so they all wore khaki pants with linen shirts and their sons wore matching white linen outfits.

stylish tropical beach destination wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, photos by SB Childs Photography

The Moments: Getting to spend ample time with all of their guests made a destination wedding the perfect choice for these newly-weds. They even incorporated the concept into the way they approached their wedding favors. “In lieu of traditional favors, we treated our guests to an experience they would never forget. The night before the wedding we chartered a private boat and set sail on a three-hour sunset dinner cruise. Transportation picked us up from the hotel and took us to the dock. We set sail and docked at a natural swimming pool where our guests were able to either take a swim or relax on the boat. After we ate our dinner we danced and partied the night away as we set sail back to the dock. It was definitely a highlight of the weekend.”

stylish tropical beach destination wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, photos by SB Childs Photography

The Pros: To learn about all of the wonderful wedding professionals who contributed to this destination wedding please visit Rukiya and Qubi’s page in our Real Wedding Library!

stylish tropical beach destination wedding in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, photos by SB Childs Photography

Thank you so very much Rukiya and Qubi! Your wedding simply looks like heaven!

Readers, to find the perfect wedding photographer for your destination wedding, don’t miss our World’s Best Wedding Photographers Hotlist!

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Intimate Barbados Destination Wedding at Sandy Lane Resort – Melissa and Rob

May 13, 2011 | editorial team

Barbados anyone? Now this is what I call a destination wedding! Photographed by Aves Photographic Design, these images show us what a spectacular location couple Melissa and Rob chose for their big day.

beautiful Barbados destination wedding photographed by Aves Photographic Design

The Goals: Melissa and Rob were ecstatic about how their destination wedding in Barbados turned out. Though bride Melissa had long avoided fantasizing about her wedding day because she knew she risked disappointment, the fun, elegant three-day event was everything she had hoped for and more! Honestly, I had never imagined what my wedding day would look like. I was always afraid that if I had, my dreams would never come true. Our wedding was more than I could ever have imagined. It was truly unreal.

beautiful Barbados destination wedding photographed by Aves Photographic Design

The Design: Melissa and Rob’s intimate wedding was held at Sandy Lane Resort and Country Club in beautiful Barbados. Melissa chose soft hues for her wedding that would complement the brilliant, natural colors of the Caribbean without competing with the bright scenery. The floral arrangements designed for the ceremony were made up of roses in shades of white, ivory, soft apricot, and coral. For the reception, Melissa incorporated platinum into the décor for a luxurious and festive feel.

During the lively reception, the jubilant couple and their guests enjoyed a simple, traditional white cake, kept clean and classic to withstand the Caribbean heat. Brian Carter, one of the performers at the reception, sang Michael Jackson and Louis Armstrong songs and maintained an electric atmosphere on the dance floor the entire night. I had never been to a wedding where everyone was on the dance floor – until ours. I remember looking up, and not a single person was in their chair!

beautiful Barbados destination wedding photographed by Aves Photographic Design

The Look: Melissa’s bridal style was sexy and romantic. With an affinity for luxurious fabrics and alluring lines, her personal style beautifully influenced the weddings overall look. Melissa found her gown, a unique design by Ines DiSanto, at Bridal Reflections in New York City. Rob gave his stunning bride a necklace from Gregg Ruth Jewelry on the day of their wedding – her something new! Her striking Rene Coavilla pumps acted as her something blue; she had with her the handkerchief her mother-in-law used when she got married as her something old; and her something borrowed was the necklace that one of her dear friends wore on her own wedding day.

According to Melissa, the wedding party’s style was casual with a bold streak of elegance. Her bridesmaids wore streamlined, floor-length silver gowns from the Dessy Collection by Vivian Diamond paired with sparkling sandals by Stuart Weitzman. Rob and his groomsmen looked sophisticated in taupe suits by Ermenegildo Zegna that blended in gracefully with the beachy background in Barbados.

beautiful Barbados destination wedding photographed by Aves Photographic Design

The Moments: Melissa distinctly remembers the way her handsome groom Rob stared at her throughout the whole ceremony. I truly felt so much love! As a gift for her husband, Melissa made a scrapbook that included every card, every note, every wine label, and so on, that the couple had shared since their very first date.

The pair danced to Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” for their first dance as a married couple, an incredible romantic moment that Melissa loves to look back upon now. Melissa simply couldn’t say enough about how perfect her wedding felt to her, It was all perfect, but still me. There is not one thing that wasn’t the best.

The Pros: To learn about all of the wedding professionals who worked hard on this wedding, please visit Melissa and Rob’s page in our Real Wedding Library.

beautiful Barbados destination wedding photographed by Aves Photographic Design

Thank you so much Melissa and Rob!

To plan your own Southern California or Seattle area wedding, browse our Plan Your Wedding Hotlists! And to find a dream wedding photographer for your wedding anywhere in the world, be sure to check out Junebug’s World’s Best Wedding Photographers Hotlist!

 

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Creative BBQ Garden Party Wedding at Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia – Christina and Peter

September 24, 2010 | editorial team

formal BBQ garden Philadelphia real wedding at Bartram's Garden, photos by Leah MacDonald

What a thoughtful, emotional and ultra-creative real wedding we have today! Christina and Peter hosted an event that honored the people, places and things they love dearly – from their location to their desserts and everything in between. I hope you enjoy this lovely “formal BBQ garden party” wedding as much as we have!

formal BBQ garden Philadelphia real wedding at Bartram's Garden, photos by Leah MacDonald

The Goals: Christina and Peter met while working in the restaurant industry and they love playing host, so their goal was to create an incredible, welcoming and sensually stimulating wedding atmosphere for their guests that showcased their personalities in every detail. The venue they chose for both ceremony and reception was Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia, America’s first and oldest continually operating Botanical Garden. “Our best decision was our choice of venue. Bartram’s Garden encompasses so much of what we love about Philadelphia, with it’s visual juxtaposition of the rural and urban setting and it’s historical significance. We were proud to contribute to this non-profit organization.”

Christina is now a wedding photographer so another meaningful part of the day was having her dear friend and mentor, Leah MacDonald, beautifully photograph their wedding.

formal BBQ garden Philadelphia real wedding at Bartram's Garden, photos by Leah MacDonald

The Design: The theme of the wedding was a formal BBQ garden party, giving guest the opportunity to dress up as well as enjoy the fun, comfort and community of a family BBQ. With help from their wedding planner, Nina Lily, a navy, green and ivory wedding color palette was used throughout the day, and handmade quilts from Christina’s mother and grandmother, symbolic of families coming together, were the main inspiration for the look of the day’s decor. After the wedding the quilts were given to the bridal party as thank you gifts. So sweet!

As guests arrived in the formal garden for the wedding ceremony, they were served Arnold Palmer cocktails in vintage mason jars, and more mason jars were used to hold flowers on the reception tabletops, along with vintage milk glass vases and mismatched china place settings. Homemade pies, brought by the guests and displayed on Christina’s vintage cake stand collection, were served in lieu of wedding cake and little individual Tastykake cherry pies (representing the couple’s Philadephia roots) were decorated with hand-stamped tags and left at each place setting to act as take-home favors.

The wedding invitations were inspired by the original botanical drawings of John and William Bartram and included drawings of the Franklinia tree, named after Benjamin Franklin. The final invites were designed and hand letter-pressed by one of Christina’s own wedding photography clients, Regan Gradet.

The Look: Christina’s bridal style was a combination of sexy, vintage, and creative pieces, a look she thought of as “modern nostalgia.” She wore a wedding dress by Anne Barge accented by a one-of-a-kind fabric necklace made by her mother, a blue reception shrug by Crimson Empress, earrings by Steven Singer, and ruffled, blue soled shoes by Pour La Victoire (which were later swapped out for blue cowboy boots on the dance floor)!

For their vintage fashion feel Peter chose a navy and white seersucker suit for himself and seersucker pants with navy jackets and light blue bow ties for his groomsmen. He says, “The look inspires feelings of days gone by when people would congregate for afternoon get-togethers in the garden to have a light meal with mint juleps, iced tea, lemonade, and pie.”  The bridesmaids wore navy dresses in varying shapes from Jim Hjelm along with hair fascinators made by Christina’s sister-in-law and fun jewelry from Macy’s and BonTon. Love it all!

formal BBQ garden Philadelphia real wedding at Bartram's Garden, photos by Leah MacDonald

The Moments: The ceremony was nostalgic and full of surprises, included Christina reciting the vows her mother had written for her father 39 years before (but never got to read because of a last minute change of venues) as well as lots of emotion from Peter. “The entire ceremony stood out to us including Peter sobbing, and then laughing about it during his vows, and the amazing surprise that our officiant planned. Just prior to us saying our personalized vows, the entire crowd got to their feet and recited traditional vows to the two of us. It was magical and the tears were flowing. I was so touched that I forgot to say I Do!”

For their first dance they chose David Bowie’s Wild Is The Wind and afterward they surprised Christina’s parents by inviting them to dance to their own first dance song (which they never got to actually do on their own wedding day). It was a sentimental moment for all!

As a wedding photographer herself, Christina had a unique perspective on being a bride. Here is what she had to say about the beauty of the whole wedding experience. “I have had the privilege of photographing many weddings, but nothing can compare to the feeling that I experienced standing before our family and friends, holding my partner-in-crime’s hands, professing my admiration, love and joy. Suddenly, time stood still and I was whole. I have tried to avoid every cliche while pursuing wedding photography and being in that moment, I succumbed to it all. I believe in love more than ever, but more than that, I believe in partnership and utter respect for another human being. The details of my wedding day are hazy because I walked in a dream for hours that day, but the power of photography has been reaffirmed by looking Leah and Jules’ amazing imagery over and over again. I am so grateful for all of the amazing people in my life who care so much. We achieved our wedding vision through the dedication of many hands and Peter and I are so thankful.”

The Pros: Christina and Peter were thrilled to work with so many wedding professionals they know and love from their Philadelphia community – learn more about them all in our Real Weddings section.

formal BBQ garden Philadelphia real wedding at Bartram's Garden, photos by Leah MacDonald

Thank you so much for sharing your wedding story with us Christina and Peter!

To plan your own Southern California or Seattle area weddings, check out our Plan Your Wedding Hotlists, and to find your dream wedding photographer for weddings anywhere in the world, don’t miss our World’s Best Wedding Photographers Hotlist!

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World Traveler Wedding Tabletop Decor

March 30, 2010 | editorial team

World traveler themed wedding table top design from Good Life Events, images by Llane Weddings

Aleah and Nick Valley and their team at The Good Life Special Events sent over this world traveler style photoshoot they put together with a talented team of wedding pros, and we love the eclectic and vintage collection of details they used in their tablescape! Antique cameras, binoculars, suitcases, books and tropical flowers tell the story of such a romantic time gone by. What fun inspiration for a sunny afternoon wedding reception celebrating a true spirit of adventure!

World traveler themed wedding table top design from Good Life Events, images by Llane Weddings

From Aleah:

“Our vision for this world traveler-inspired wedding celebration was to take our bride and groom back to an era when traveling was truly seen as an incredibly romantic adventure. We wanted to showcase unique ideas for a wedding reception luncheon and also non-traditional wedding reception attire. Using Sail Bay in Mission Beach, San Diego as our backdrop, we utilized some magical old pieces from our grandfathers to create a true worldly feeling. Old binoculars, a great vintage camera, luggage, and a decades-old barometer really helped to emit a classic feeling of flying, cruising, and boating in true old-school fashion.

We kept the florals simple and streamlined and drew from tropical destinations. Using pincushions and breezy palms, we made them look like specimens in simple glass vessels, showcasing their true beauty. Gold rimmed low ball glasses were adorned with eclectic vintage spoons collected from travels; Hawaii, Norway, England, and Alaska. A gauzy overlay was draped atop khaki linens and lovely turquoise Tandoori-style napkins were cinched with wooden napkin rings. Momental Designs created our delicious looking menus and tied in our traveling motif with an old world map. The place cards were personalized from vintage Air Mail envelopes discovered at an antique shop. We tailored them with our bride and grooms favorite locales like Paris, London, Dubai, and Hong Kong.

Our brides vintage-inspired gold brocade dress was from Priscilla of Boston and the groom donned Tommy Bahama pants, shirt, hat, and a luxe leather weekender bag. After their sophisticated luncheon celebration they sailed off into the sunset on a sweet little sailboat to begin their next adventure together!”

World traveler themed wedding table top design from Good Life Events, images by Llane Weddings

Thanks to all the talented businesses who participated and shared their work!

Shoot design, styling, and floral: Nick and Aleah, The Good Life Special Events and Fine Line Management & Events

Photography: Joseph and Jenny Llanes, Llanes Weddings

Stationery goods: Kristy Rice, Momental Designs

Brides attire: Priscilla of Boston from Bella Bridesmaid in La Jolla

Grooms attire: Tommy Bahama in La Jolla

Hair and Makeup: Char Sanchez

Linens: Wildflower Linen

Location: The Catamaran Hotel & Resort

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