Yellow and gray couldn’t have been a better color scheme for Lina and Simon’s alternative wedding with the bluest Lithuania sky as the backdrop. From first look to fire dances, the wedding was cheerful and bright. Mantas Kubilinskas Photography brilliantly captured the breezy atmosphere of their intimate day.
The church. The church we have chosen is white inside. Although the church is big, but it is very cozy and easy inside. We desided do not use too much flowers. We chose petal path and few flowers in front. Also, the priest was really nice and warm. That 30 minutes in the church was magic, and after that we just thought, that it is enough for the wedding.
Today we’re joined by expert Italian wedding planner Eva from Design Anarchy Studio. So many of our most beautiful weddings are destination celebrations in Italy, so we wanted to share some of her expert advice on planning your Italian destination wedding. From region to venue, to color palette to food, ChicWeddings is the expert on the essence of Italy and arranging your dream Italian destination wedding.
Italy is a country with beautiful scenery. Our clients love it for its food, its weather, its cliches, its nature and for the funny attitude of the Italians.
Italy is the ideal destination for couples who are looking for a unique setting, something they have only seen in the movies. Italy is perfect for the seekers of the Tuscan Hills, for its sunsets, for the lovers of vintage cars–think the Fiat 500–which are still running in cities like Rome, for the client who wants to get married in style where everything runs around a table and the quality of the food. Italy is also an ideal location for those weddings which share a big number of guests, as there are many cities such as Rome and Venice who have the spaces, antique Castles, Old Palaces, Industrial spaces, which could host these big parties without having to choose for the same, boring, hotel room.
The essence of a real Italian wedding is the quality and amount of food. Italians like to sit for hours while eating and drinking, while the dance party and other entertainment are not really important. Families are very much involved in the Italian weddings and we don’t tend to differentiate in the invitations (in some countries guests are invited for a reception, but not for the meals, for example). Either you are in, or you are out. For our International clients, ChicWeddings tries to combine the importance of the food and of the importance of the entertainment so that our clients can always celebrate an event which is good for the mouth, and happy for the feet.
One of the things that makes Italy so special is that its regions are all so different. You can still be in our country and celebrate on top of the mountain, or by the sea. In some regions also you would be able to see sky in the morning and bathe in the afternoon because the distance between the mountains and the sea is minimal. There are some regions which are more open to the imposed limits of the allowed hours for the use of the music in outdoor premises. Those locations are normally situated in the countryside, far from any small village; regions such as Tuscany and Umbria are more flexible in these terms, while regions such as the Amalfi coast would not allow you to dance until the morning hours due to the geographical position of those villages. If you are opting for a symbolic wedding, you would be able to celebrate pretty much in any chosen location either this be a garden or by the sea. If you would like to use public spaces, it is important always to ask a written permission to the local police in order to use those spaces but in general the police is flexible. Unfortunately Italy doesn’t offer the flexibility given by other countries to get married in public libraries or museums, but on the other hand, if you would like to host a civil recognized wedding in Italy, in any of the historical municipal building, you would be allowed to do so. You don’t need to be a resident in order to obtain a marriage certificate, which is unique compared to other countries.
We always suggest to think about the type of guests you are going to have at your wedding when choosing a destination wedding. Some locations in Italy are difficult to be reach and you cannot call a taxi in the middle of the night because there are no taxis in some smaller parts of the countryside. For these reasons all the transportation need to be considered and planned ahead of time.
Rather than a religion tradition, I would suggest to think more about the type of guests present at the wedding while choosing a location in order to be sure that you can give them the service they are expecting. If your guests, for example, need all sort of amenities around them, it is better to choose a lovely hotel which can offer all the services rather than a farm house where your guests would feel less pampered. In terms of religious traditions, in almost every region you would be allowed to celebrate a wedding with Jewish traditions, Indian traditions, and Catholic traditions. We have recreated the perfect Huppa, Mandap and incorporated all the elements to achieve the perfect ceremony either we were in a city like Venice or in an historical palace in South of Italy.
Lately we have seen a new trend request for the Apulia region and for the city of Venice. Clients have been began requesting these rwgions after celebrity weddings were held at the Aman Hotel in Venice and of Borgo Egnazia in Apulia. The more traditional choice of the Italian Tuscan hills though is still very popular. We try to help our clients discover of new ideas and new locations.
Rather than one trending color palette, we tend to choose a color scheme depending on the region where we are celebrating and adapt it to the colors of that nature. If the wedding occurs in the island of Capri, for example, we would use colors such as the navy blue, the yellow of the lemons, the tangerine of the oranges. If a wedding occurs in autumn in the city of Milan, we would probably use color palettes such as grey, brown, white, dark blue. For weddings that occur in the Tuscan region, the trend of the color palette is definitely olive green, beige and light grey.
We do a great deal of work helping our clients who are not able to travel to Italy in planning their event. We work a lot in producing images for them, preparing maps of the venue and descriptive pictures of events which have been held there before so that our client can visualize a little bit better the location before choosing it. As for the planning part, we are specialists for this and our clients don’t actually need to travel to Italy in order to get married in Italy. We are so grateful to Internet and its facilities like Skype and email nowadays!For the styling, we work a lot in producing ideas, showing them materials and images which will help them in visualizing the style of the event. Sometimes we do sketches too. Obviously as every event is unique, our client would not be able to see it for real until the day of the wedding, but this is also part of the surprise. All our clients in fact, told us that the event turned out to be even more spectacular than what they had in their mind and this really make us happy.
Thank you so much to Design Anarchy Studio for taking the time to share your wisdom on planning an Italian destination wedding with our Junebug readers! For more expert advice for your destination wedding, learn about the logistics of getting married abroad.
One of the most beautiful parts of a wedding is the floral design. Flowers can be used to enhance a wedding theme or carry out a color palette. While most couples expect to have gorgeous floral arrangements for their wedding, not everyone has the knowledge to put together their floral design. Today we’ve invited expert floral design studio Wisteria Lane Flower Shop from Los Angeles, California to shed some light on how to plan your floral design, and what to expect when working with a floral designer.
Most of my couples have an idea of how they want their wedding day to look like, and have a Pinterest board. Often they have a lot of pretty pictures that are a little random – not cohesive. It’s important to consider the dress and the venue because these two elements will dictate the style and feel of their day.
Most often we use the “wedding color” or a complementing color for the flowers. For instance, if the couple chooses dove grey for their Bridesmaid dresses, we could complement that with cream or yellow, or red or orange, or purple or pink. We would tie in the grey with grey ribbon on the bouquet stems, or have the escort cards and menus printed in grey to tie it in at the dinner table. I love playing with the different decor elements so it is cohesive and thought through, but not contrived and uptight.
Garland and floral chandeliers were extremely popular this year. Most of the arrangements are compact and groupings of small arrangements, and many couples want each table to be unique within the same color palette. As for next year’s couples, “whimsical, and understated elegance” seem to be trending guide words for their floral design inspiration.
Since I like to use locally sourced flowers, flowers that are in season are my first choice. Luckily I live in Southern California so garden roses are available almost year round. I love mixing garden roses, with ranunculus and different types of eucalyptus and brazillia berries. Another favorite is tulips. Tulips work well on their own or mixed in with other spring flowers and are always charming. The peony, a perennial favorite among brides, is soft and fluffy and lend themselves well to a romantic setting. I like juxtaposing fluffy with texture so adding a small succulent or fern (or even a mini artichoke!) to peony and roses makes for an interesting and pretty bouquet.
Look around you for inspiration. What colors make you happy? What types of arrangements are you drawn to? Do you like tall large arrangements or compact ones? More modern and streamlined or more organic in shape? Start a Pinterest board and pin everything you like. Once you have selected your venue and decided on the type of celebration you will have, you can pare down the board to what will work in that space, in the season you are getting married in, and at the time of day of your celebration (candles don’t work very well at high noon in the summer!).
We recently shared some of our favorite top 10 worldwide honeymoon hot spots, so we wanted to keep things closer to home today with our top 10 U.S. honeymoon destinations. You don’t have to travel far to experience the beauty of the world, and some of our most beloved photographers have captured your possible honeymoon destination.
Lake Tahoe is known for its vast scenery from the freshwater lake to the stunning mountaintops that seem to go on forever. If you are an outdoorsy couple, exploring Lake Tahoe by canoeing, biking, or hiking is your idea of romance and relaxation. Lake Tahoe brings the beauty throughout the year, so you can book your vacation in the season of your choice.
Charleston, South Carolina is your ideal balance of bustling city and ocean-side views. If you’re a couple who enjoys Southern hospitality, but wants to honeymoon on the beach, Charleston is your stateside honeymoon destination. A horse-drawn carriage can take you through the historic city where you will find farmer’s markets, charming shops, and streets lined with jasmine. Plan your romantic Southern getaway for spring through early summer for blooming flowers and warm temperatures before the unpredictable weather of late summer finds its way to the coast.
Kaua’i, HI is the perfect destination for couples wanting that sense of adventure on their island getaway. Whether you’re snorkling in the ocean or feasting on the beach, Kaua’i provides aquamarine waves and the most breathtaking views. With a flower in your hair, explore the island’s natural beauty together by foot on the renowned hiking trails. The rural atmosphere is ideal for honeymooners looking to escape their busy lives and enjoy a slower pace on their vacation.
Key West, FL is an ideal honeymoon spot for a couple looking for a true U.S. landmark with a side of palm trees. Key West inspired generations of distinguished writers from Ernest Hemingway to Tennessee Williams who made their homes along the sandy southern-most point of the U.S. The same views could be your vacation getaway if you’re interested in days spent at museums and sidewalk cafes and nights spent finding shells along the shoreline.
Nantucket, MA boasts lighthouses, sailing, and stunning East Coast sunsets as a honeymoon destination. The historic town offers cobblestone strolls, Ferry rides, nautical spirit, and whale watching tours. For perfect beach weather, book your vacation during summer or fall.
Palm Springs, CA is a great destination for honeymooners with an affinity for desert chic and colorful nightlife. Palm Springs is renowned for being the location of Elvis Presley’s honeymoon, and musical greats like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby even built their homes there. If mid-century architecture and cool cabanas are your honeymoon style, Palm Springs is the U.S. destination for you. Don’t worry about the weather, Palm Springs natives will tell you it has the most consistent sunshine the country has to offer.
Aspen, CO is known for its fresh mountain air and breathtaking landscape, but it also boasts luxurious honeymoon lodging and resorts. Whether you spend your days out skiing, biking, and exploring the Aspen mountainside, or snuggled up inside enjoying each other’s company and a cup of hot cocoa, the Aspen culture is pure romance.
Savannah, GA combines Southern charm and relaxation, where you can ride a horse-drawn carriage through the historic town. Stay in a bed and breakfast or historic inn for the full Savannah experience. Savannah balances urban and coastal as you travel along moss-covered trees from cityscape to Tybee Island.
Napa Valley, CA is the ideal honeymoon destination spot for couples as intrigued by the wine selection as they are the sights. Wine country allows honeymooners to slow down on their vacation without the stringent schedule other destinations require. In addition to sipping wine and Swedish massages, Napa Valley is known for its hot air balloon rides, hike and bike trails, and shopping.
Virgin Islands, also known as “America’s Caribbean Paradise,” is your honeymoon destination for pampering, serene nature, and relaxation. The islands are unlike any other and each offers its own appeal: luxury of yachts and high-end shops in St. Thomas, romantic nature of parks and beaches in St. John, and colonial history in St. Croix. If tropical spirit and tiki bars are what you envision for your honeymoon, the U.S. Virgin Islands are your perfect destination.
Your wedding party should be dressed stylishly and comfortably. Let your groomsmen and bridesmaids choose suits and dresses that reflect the overall look and feel of your wedding, as well as a small piece of their own personal style. Below are three different style options to best dress your wedding party.
While you have the final say in the overall look and feel of your day, leave a little wiggle room for the comfort of your wedding party. They are helping to make your wedding flawless, so show them a little love in the style department!
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.
From bold and daring, to soft and romantic, these brides embrace their personal style when they get all dolled up for the big day. Whether you’re going for natural or knock-out, be sure to bring some images of your favorite bridal beauty looks when you meet with your makeup artist to help share your vision. I hope you find what you’re looking for with these 15 wedding makeup ideas for the bride!
Happy Thursday readers! For a little kick of inspiration, take a gander at the wedding photos from Junebug that your fellow pinners have been flocking to on Pinterest!
An absolutely adorable wedding photo captured by ANZA foto + film. See more from this casual rustic wedding from last week right here on What Junebug Loves!
Jen and Chris’s gorgeous rustic wedding day was filled with sunshine, beautiful vistas, chic decor, and poignant moments. The couple planned touches that were both stylish and full of special meaning – from the robes made by Chris’s grandmother, to thoughtful remembrances that made Jen feel like her late mother was right there with her. The sunny yellow and gray color palette was the perfect compliment to Maravilla Gardens, and Christine Bentley beautifully captured it all!
What are some adjectives best describe your wedding? Rustic, chic, and casual elegance
What was your wedding color palette? Yellow and gray
What inspired your personal wedding style, and how did you incorporate your style and personalities into your big day? One of Chriss only requests was to have a completely outdoor venue for both our ceremony and reception. I loved the idea of having a casually elegant wedding and as soon as we set foot onto Maravilla Gardens property, we both instantly knew this was our wedding venue. We selected the yellow and gray palette before choosing our venue and allowed the rustic charm of Maravilla Gardens barn, corn fields and flowers set the tone for the rest of the wedding style. We purchased our first home a few months before the wedding and it was important to us to make use of the personalized details for both our wedding and new home, which fostered the personalized and subtle chic ambiance we were looking to create.
Looking back, what are the moments, decisions or memories that you love the most about your wedding? I loved the handmade bridesmaid gifts that Chris’s Japanese grandmother, made. They were beautiful kimonos that she created to match my Victorias Secret Bride robe. Chris found the perfect yellow and gray fabric. The best part is that I jokingly told her that we should go into business and make personalized kimonos, but we would have to create tags for them. She surprised me and made tags for the kimonos with hand-stitched Japanese characters, reading love and happiness.’
The other decision that meant a lot to Chris and I was incorporating my late mother in every detail possible. She was a florist, so the flowers were a huge element to me. Hannah with Modern Bouquet was so patient with my ever-changing vision and quest for floral perfection. Our family likened my mom to a hummingbird, and I found the perfect homage in the form of a rhinestone hummingbird that was included in my bouquet. One of our favorite musicals was Wicked, which we had the fortune to see at the Pantages Theatre together. I absolutely felt the lyrics from For Good beautifully described our mother-daughter relationship. Therefore, it was only appropriate to dedicate our ceremony to her with the lyrics at the bottom of our program reading So much of me is made from what I learned from you. You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine. My sisters also read a poem about love that my mom had written years ago, which I had never seen until the night before our wedding in an amazing gift of letters and pictures my bridesmaids put together for me. Lastly, I had a heart cut out of her yellow robe and placed on the inside of my wedding dress, directly over my heart.
Favorite moments – I was so giddy and nervous that I tried kissing Chris before the official Mr. and Mrs.s kiss and he pulled back, everyone had a good laugh which broke-up the seriousness of the ceremony. I also loved the sunset pictures that Christine Bentley suggested. I thought breaking away from the party might not be ideal, but it was nice to have that time with my new husband. I had the opportunity to showcase my beautiful veil that I forgot to wear for the ceremony, and the cornfield pictures are some of my absolute favorite memories.
What piece of advice would you give to a bride planning her wedding today?Dont let anyone tell you that the details dont matter. If they matter to you, they are important and make your wedding your own. I did not have a wedding planner but had a lot of experience in event planning due to the nature of my moms profession. I solicited the help of Pinterest, family, friends, and an amazing day-of coordinator (Jen Loller with Maravilla Gardens). I was attending medical school at the time of my wedding and wouldnt have been able to pull-off such a personalized event without a lot of help from loved ones. Dont be afraid to ask for help – your family and friends are wonderful sources of support! Also, weigh the cost-benefit ratio of renting versus purchasing wedding items. I was able to save a lot of money by purchasing decor for the wedding and reusing it in our new home!
.jpg "Photographers")
