We’re spicing it up today with a bit of fiery goodness…
TOP ROW: Nina & Russell’s Smog Shop Wedding by Jonathan Canlas
6TH ROW: Zoe & Griff’s Brentwood Wedding by Steve Steinhardt / Tara & Kurt’s Welcome Party by Steve Steinhardt
BOTTOM ROW: Jessica & Chetan’s Paris Wedding by Steve Steinhardt
Image & meme courtesy of Steve Steinhardt from Jennifer & Canute’s Vermont Wedding at Trapp Family Lodge
My momma, just like everyone else’s, always said, “if you can’t say something nice, keep it to yourself.” Every day social media is making this common courtesy harder and harder to remember. With so much pressure to let followers “know who you really are” and so on, I simply feel like many of us are forgetting our manners. Especially when it comes to sharing our opinions about weddings and wedding design. It’s completely one thing to discuss among your colleagues and associates your disdain for “yard sale” chic weddings or to share that you’re “so over hipster weddings”, but to announce it to the world, is, quite simply rude. I think we’ve all forgotten how significant this day is to the couples planning them. If they want mustaches, mason jars, plastic animals spray painted gold, and so on, well then, that’s their personal style and just let it be. While, I agree, that many of these trends can be irrelevant to the celebration at hand and maybe I personally wouldn’t do them at my own wedding, but it’s simply not my place to make that judgment. And, if I were a bride who did decide she loved mason jars, I would be pretty disenchanted with the wedding industry as a whole to watch so many leaders speak out against my style.
Weddings are personal. The choices made are agonized over for days, weeks and sometimes even months. And, some couples out there simply want a day that feels right to them, whether it’s the most unique celebration in the world or just a lovely party that they created via inspiration from blogs, pinterest and the top designers of our industry. This being said, you wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and tell them you hate their shoes, so why would you ever announce the world, including thousands and thousands of adoring brides that you hate her personal style? Of course, our job is to guide our paying clients on design decisions and help them create a unique and cohesive look. And believe me, with my clients, I can be very vocal about what works and what doesn’t. But for that lovely bride out there, who lives for DIY and is simply trying to pull together a charming day that she truly loves, can we please try to be a little kinder all around? And, maybe, even though we are writing behind the safety of our computers, we can remember to simply mind our manners.
Earrings or clutch also make great options.
Left: Jody & Patrick/Bacara Resort
Right: Talia & Aaron/Santa Barbara
I don’t know about yours, but my grandmother has the most out of this world vintage handkerchiefs in her collection. They are perfect for wrapping around the handle of your bouquet.
One of my absolute favorite things to do in the summer is pack up a picnic and head to Shakespeare in the Park. I’ve lived in three major cities so far and each have had a version of this experience, so everyone should be able to partake. Highly, highly recommend for a date night or with a group of your favorite friends. Personally, I like to pack up a bottle of wine, a little picnic basket and snuggle up on the grass.
And, in case you’ve never been to the Shakespeare festival, here’s what you’re missing. Love. Love. Love.
TOP ROW: Throw blanket from Anthropologie / Vintage enamelware, similar to be found on Etsy / Sicani Wine or any pretty bottle will do
2ND ROW: Disposable wooden silverware / Vintage picnic basket, again check out Etsy for something similar
3RD & 4TH ROW: Fresh & delicious picnic menu, all from Canelle Vanille
BOTTOM: Image from the Shakespeare Festival
Summer is opening her doors. Time to take out your finest quilts, china and silver and head to your favorite park with your friends for some relaxation, delicacies and catch-up.
Top Row: “Paris, Je t’aime” de Steve Meisel
Second Row: Jazz Age Lawn Party via Note To Self/ Silverware via Country Living
Third Row: Homemade Gift Basket via The Paper Package/ Picnic Detailing from Tara Sloggett
Fourth Row: Outdoor Dinner Party from Country Living/ Quilts from Nana Company
Fifth Row: Invites from Raquel & Franks’ Winery Inspired Wedding
Last Row: Flirty Floral Dress from Reiss/ Trendy Sandal from Kate Spade/ Nora Ring from Catbird/ Portrait Ring from Barneys/ Tory Burch Clutch via Net-A-Porter
My current obsession is disco balls. I truly want to see them EVERYWHERE! Come back later in the week to see Kelly & Andrew’s fabulous wedding which featured a ceiling of disco balls at their after party as shown in the first picture below.
TOP ROW: Canopy of Disco Balls from Kelly & Andrew’s After Party captured by Steve Steinhardt
2nd ROW: Oh my, those stairs will be mine somewhere courtesy of Romanticizing Regular / Disco Balls for your eyes from Fuck Yeah Makeup
3rd ROW: Blingy Disco dress from Fashiolista/ Disco ball in my apartment, yes please! Found here.
BOTTOM ROW: Disco love from Saddlerock Ranch
Lars and I recently returned from a quick 3 day scouting trip to Paris for an upcoming wedding, which just so happens to be one of my favorite places on the planet. Here’s a little peek from some of the beauty we caught on our cameras. If you’re not already, follow us here and here to see what we’re up to on a daily basis.
In honor of all you moms out there who I know absolutely HATE the stereotypical gowns designed for mother’s of the brides and grooms, I’ve hand selected just a couple of my favorite pretty numbers. All of which are fresh yet appropriate…
All gowns above are from Neiman’s.
