Weddings

Healing the Past: Family Drama and the Wedding by Miss Camel Planning a Disney World Vacation by Miss Jackrabbit DIY: Oh Sh*t Kit by Miss Mongoose Appy Couple by Miss Jackrabbit, Mindful Marriage by Miss Campfire I Messed Up by Miss Blue Whale Mr. Squirrel Put a Ring on It! by Mrs. Squirrel, Shake It by Miss Airplane, The Honeyfund by Miss Jackrabbit An Etsy Dress: Pros & Cons by Mrs. Gray Wolf Account-ability by Miss Road Trip Registration Station by Miss Bicycle We’re Married! by Mrs. Lemur

New Zealand is a little magical, isn’t it? Maybe it’s because I’m almost always seeing it through the eyes of a couple in love, but I’m convinced it’s got that special something. And when a wedding film comes our way from bubblerock, filled to bursting with so much love, joy, laughter, and that magical something, it’s a good day indeed. Please upgrade your browser ColorsSeasonsSummerSettingsRestaurantStylesTraditional Elegance From the beautiful bride … We had been together for nine years when Jase proposed to me via a message nestled in a giant fortune cookie. He had organised a pre-30th birthday back home in NZ, a week shy of my real birthday, and presented the cookie to me in front of a restaurant room full of friends. We decided to celebrate our marriage just over a year later at Waiheke, mainly because we love the low-key and get-away vibe of the Island, and being foodies that we are, Mudbrick with its delightful menu and fabulous views was definitely the venue that ticked all the boxes. We only felt slightly disconnected with planning and coordinating the wedding from afar, as the wonders of the internet, several blogs, and the help of our bridal party, made narrowing down great options, much easier. I had so many favourite moments of the day, everything from the excitement of waking up early to see a glorious sunrise, to getting ready with the girls amongst the buzz of the Waiheke house, and hearing the excitement of the girls playing bridal games with the boys. I loved tip-toeing on the sand to see Jase for the first time in my dream dress, travelling in a tiny blue convertible with my bridesmaids with piles of tulle squished in the front seat, and finally seeing everyone’s smiling faces as I made my way down the beautifully petalled cobble stone aisle. The day was also full of surprises with Jase gifting me a “mrs” necklace in return for a song and dance from the bridesmaids and myself. Jase was also brave enough to get down on one knee during our vow exchange. At the reception, our MC rapped his welcoming speech and later on, after we performed our surprise first dance, we got surprised right back with a flash mob dance performed by our bridal party and guests! The advice I would give to future brides is to just go for what you love and like the look of. Seek the opinions of your friends and family if you need, but also stay true to what you believe would genuinely fit your wedding day vision. For those that don’t feel the need to have your wedding day filmed, we really do recommend it. bubblerock were not only a joy to have with us, but really captured and prolonged the living memories of our wonderful day. I am so thankful for all the help from family and friends, especially with our DIY arrangements and many thanks to the fabulous suppliers, with some, whom we’ve befriended in the planning process! To us, the wedding day & night was meant for celebration, laughter and love. With perfect sunny weather, our wedding was exactly that. Photographers: Coralee & Alex | Videographers: bubblerock | Grooms Tux: Ted Baker | Shirt: Politix | Bowtie: Spurling | Groomsmen’s attire: Hallensteins | Bride’s Chinese Dress:  “Cheong Sam” | Bride’s Gown: Pronovias from Brides by Francesca | Bride’s veil: Marisol Aparicio | Bride’s shoes: Aldo | Bride’s Bracelet: DIY with materials from Tessuti | Earrings & headpiece: Jenny Packham | Bridesmaids’ dresses: Sheike | Hair: Terry Chan from BC Hair & Spa | Makeup: Sox Teng from Sox Teng Makeup & Wardrobe | Flowergirl’s outfit: Cotton On Kids | Bouquets & buttonholes: Vicki from Wildflowers in Waiheke | Photobooth & Photobooth props: DIY + Etsy | Table adornments, flowers & aisle petals: DIY with flowers sourced from Pip at Bloom Brokers | Wedding invitation & stationery: DIY | Wedding croquembouche: Ma Cherie | Wedding venue: Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant | Celebrant: Rosemareyn van der Sluis | DJ: Adam Antonevic organised by D

I can think of many, many reasons why I absolutely love today (the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, it’s the weekend), but two of those reasons?  Well, they most definitely stand out above the rest.  Yep, I’m talking about Foglio Press and Natalie Bradley Events, the amazing new advertisers joining our SMP family and a couple of vendors who seriously know how to impress.  Ready to cozy on up for an entire day of inspiration?  Let’s go. You’ve probably heard us say this a time or two (or a million), but it’s something we seriously can’t help: we love paper.  Gorgeous invitations, pretty save-the-dates, beautiful programs… you name it and we’re there drooling over it.  Which is why we are oh-so-obsessed with Foglio Press, the sweet stationery studio that knows a thing or two about fab paper goods.  From custom invites to ready-to-order goodness, you’ll be setting the tone for your big day with high-quality paper and designs that simply scream chic.  So, spend some time getting to know them better… and be sure to enter their amazing giveaway! From Foglio Press… Foglio Press is a custom invitation studio in Atlanta with an eye for classic style and modern details. Our specialty is creating one-of-a-kind invitation and stationery suites for stylish couples who love high-quality paper and want the details of their wedding day designs to shine. We guide each client through an in-depth design process, ensuring that every aspect of their stationery suite is uniquely theirs, and perfectly reflective of the wedding style and mood of the day. The result, of course, is a keepsake invitation suite to treasure for years to come, and a wedding day experience perfectly accented by personal details and exquisite craftsmanship! For couples who love Foglio Press’s signature style, but are looking for a more simplified process, we also offer our Ready to Order collection, which can be found in our Etsy shop.   For more details on our custom design process and a portfolio of featured projects, visit our website. Foglio Press is happy to give away one set of 25 letterpressed calligraphy thank you notes to TWO lucky SMP readers! To enter, please comment below and let us know what modern details you look for in a custom invitation suite!  The winners, chosen completely at random, will be announced right here on SMP on Friday, May 31, 2013.  For terms and conditions, click here.  Good luck, lovelies! xo So, you’re engaged, and now it’s time to plan the biggest day of your life.  You’ve always dreamt of a beautiful, stop-you-in-your-tracks affair, but you’re not even sure where to start.  Well, lovelies, meet Natalie Bradley Events, an amazingly talented group of planners and designers… and your new best friends.  Because that wedding you’ve always imagined?  It’s now at your fingertips with a trusted team that will take away every last headache and make the entire experience of planning your big day oh-so-memorable and oh-so-fun.  And , really, what’s better than that? From Natalie Bradley Events… Are you looking for a planner who “gets” you, who understands your needs, your style, your personality and your budget concerns? I know you’ve been looking for something different, so you can capture exactly what you envision for your dream wedding. Yes, it’s about the details. Yes, it’s about delighting (and even wow-ing) your guests. Yes, it’s about celebrating your love for each other… and your family. And yes, it’s also about having fun in that process of creating, too. What’s really incredible is that you can truly create the wedding you desire without a lot of the stress or headache that many couples experience, because you have help every step of the way. Get inspired with some of these real weddings, see what it’s like to work with us, and see what options you hav

Photography. It’s an oh-so-important element of your biggest of big days. The person behind the lens is responsible for capturing the moments and memories you’ll look back at year after year after year. So it’s just a tad bit important to fine a talent who can make those priceless memories turn into keepsakes. Enter ClauPhotograpy. A photographer that not only captures your first kiss, but does so in a way that will make you swoon today, and when you are 80…one stop by their site, and you can see precisely what I am talking about… About ClauPhotograpy…What makes ClauPhotography stand out in a multitude of other professionals? We are simply unlike any other studio. Each couple’s experience is unique. Their journey with us is memorable, and individualized. I am the principal photographer at each wedding. My assistants know my work and work alongside me within my style as second and third photographer (depending on size of event). Check us out on facebook here.  Wedding planner : Sandy Corzo-Raton, A-List Events, Inc.| Cake: Todo Dulce (Vanilla, Chocolate, Almond) | Flowers: Flowers by Gerardo | Decor by: Flowers by Gerardo | Concept & Design: Bride and A-List Events, Inc | Hair and makeup: Yaneth Gray | Stationery: A-List Events, Inc. | Photography: ClauPhotograpy | Cinematography: Bonnelly Films | Entertainment: EMG Entertainment | Catering by: Mena Catering Welcome, welcome ClauPhotograpy! We are thrilled to welcome you to the SMP Destination Family! xoxo © Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2013. | Permalink | Comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: Post categories: Sponsored Posts, Welcome Post

Every day is pretty exciting here at SMP, but Saturdays have a little something extra special that never fails to get our hearts a racin’.  It’s a little something we like to call “the world’s greatest meet and greet” and it features a plethora of fabulous vendors, aka, the wonderful new advertisers joining our SMP family.  So sit back, relax and get to know Lani Elias Photography, Prelude to a Kiss Wedding Stylists and Anaid Productions.  They’re amazing. We can obsess over photography like it’s no one’s business, and when it comes to spending our entire day swooning over beautiful images, Lani Elias has us hook, line and sinker.  An oh-so-talented photog raised in New Zealand, she captured our attention from the very second we laid our eyes on her amazing portfolio of work.  Need proof?  Check out the gorgeous images below and then head over to her website for even more inspiration… and to say hello.  You’re going to love her. From Lani Elias Photography… I was first introduced to photography at a young age. Growing up with a dad as a photographer, our home was filled with beautiful photographs, each holding a unique story. I was raised in New Zealand where my fondest memories embody the simplicity of nature and its rich light and colour. From the pastel hues of the ocean, to the green rolling hills and tussock covered mountains, my work is very much influenced by nature and light, relationships and love. It is my absolute blessing to capture the stories of many couples, families and individuals. My simple, honest approach to photography focuses on celebrating the essence of love and life found in front of my lens. I am based in Manitoba, available throughout Canada and worldwide. You’ve been dreaming of your big day since before you were even engaged, and now that it’s time to start planning, you want to make sure your wedding is just the way you always dreamt it to be.  Enter Prelude to a Kiss Wedding Stylists, a boutique planning firm that knows just how to turn your life-long vision into an absolute reality.  Led by the amazing Kasia Juras-Azcurra, you can be rest assured that every detail and every moment is being cared for… stress-free.  Can’t wait to meet this talented bunch?  Head on over to their website for even more pretty. From Prelude to a Kiss Wedding Stylists… Prelude to a Kiss Wedding Stylists is a full service planning firm specializing in event styling and tailored event packages. They service events of all sizes and design needs, from sleek and modern galas of 400+ to intimate homespun affairs. Their signature mark is to work with clients to infuse a sense of personal style and fashion into every aspect of the planning journey and event design, resulting in a one of a kind event for each couple. Since being established in January 2007, Prelude has serviced countless weddings and events and continues to grow and expand, taking on new and exciting ventures. (All wedding related of course!) What remains, and always will, is the personal service received by each one of their clients directly from the company founder and principle stylist, Kasia Juras-Azcurra. Working closely with each couple from start to finish ensures the planning process is nothing but enjoyable. Guided by years of experience, couples have the pleasure of being involved every step of the way without the stress and time commitment of the typical wedding planning process. Limiting the amount of weddings she takes on yearly allows Kasia to ensure she has the time required to give each couple and event the attention it deserves, ensuring no detail is missed. And don’t forget: Prelude to a Kiss is offering 10% off a full planning package* to SMP readers! *Package minimum applies. Max value of $500. Mention this SMP post when contacting for booking. Photography: Mugshots Photography + Taylor Jackson Photography We have a pretty diverse group

Let’s face it, when it comes to wedding planning the gown is the most important purchase of all. It’s the memory maker. The one thing you’ll be able to slip on once in a lifetime and feel perfectly stunning. So it’s no surprise that there is a bit of pressure in finding the perfect one. Well ladies, that’s why we simply must introduce Angel Rivera this lovely Saturday morning. It’s dress after dress of pure perfection, but you don’t have to take my word for it – take a peek below to see for yourself! About Angel Rivera…Angel Rivera’s exquisite bridal collections offer contemporary couture that are a new standard of modern opulence for brides. Rivera’s signature silhouettes come from his eye for fit and rich detail. He designs fitted bodices that are accented by remarkable skirts and trains which extend layers or mirror a detail found elsewhere on the gown in a grand scale. Rivera’s fabric choices and embellishments radiate romance and are the ultimate for any modern bride who wants a lavish bridal gown, with a completely feminine and figure-flattering design. Angel Rivera was inspired to become a couture bridal designer not only because of his eye for fit and form, but also because he wanted to be a part of making bridal gowns which he considers to be the “most important and memorable” gowns a woman will ever wear. Rivera worked with industry’s top fashion and bridal houses before starting his own line in 2009. Rivera uses his extensive training in couture design and pattern making to create his exclusive line, making gowns that boldly show new directions and shapes but still reference traditional notes of romance, nostalgia, and charm.  I invite you to look at some of my favorite selections from the Angel Rivera Spring 2014 Collection. Angel Rivera would like to offer a 10% discount on any purchase of an Angel Rivera gown that can be used at The White Dress Bridal Salon in Corona Del Mar 949-723-0121, and Kinsley James Bridal in Walnut Creek 925-330-9228 good until Friday, June 14, 2013 simply mention this SMP post and we will gladly include the discount in your gown purchase. Welcome, welcome Angel Rivera! We are thrilled to welcome you to the SMP California Family! xoxo © Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2013. | Permalink | Comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: Post categories: Sponsored Posts, Welcome Post

Oh SMP Australia, we have quite the lineup of lovelies to introduce to you today. They run the talent gamut from stunning florals by Blooms On 18, to the dream venue that is Wandin Hunter Valley, to perfectly detailed styling from Scout and Charm, so do yourself a favor and grab that extra cup of coffee and cozy on up. We’ve got some beauties to bring to your attention today. Scout and Charm is basically the answer to the prayers of Brides all around the world. Props and decor with a sweet vintage feel all at your disposal to give your big day that personal feel? Does it get any better? We don’t think so. And they have it all ladies and gents, so be sure to check out all the goodness on their sweet site. About Scout and Charm…Renee and Yolanda are the co-owners of Scout and charm and are the greatest of friends. We are based on the Gold Coast, Queensland however frequently service Sydney, Byron Bay and their surrounds. When planning our very own weddings we found it so hard to find the vintage, rustic and homemade resources that we were both after and hence decided that it was the perfect business to venure into. So around two years ago Scout and Charm was created! We both absolutely love our job! (not many people say that!). We love trawling through flee markets, traveling the world and seeking out hidden prop shops to find the perfect props and decor for our next events. We are also addicted to Pintrest and wedding blogs like Style Me Pretty, keeping us up to date with the wedding industry trends. As a giveaway we would love to offer our brides 10% off their complete styling package when they book and confirm a wedding with us before 30th September 2013. Brides must tell us they read about the offer on Style Me Pretty for this offer to stand. They say you just know when you slip into the dress of your dreams, but I would like to say that same feeling happens when you walk into your dream wedding venue. Which I am sure is exactly what happened to each and every Bride that set foot in Wandin Hunter Valley. It’s what wedding venue dreams are made of, and you can see why right here. About Wandin Hunter Valley…Wandin Hunter Valley is situated in the Lovedale area of the lower Hunter Valley on the slopes of the Molly Morgan Mountains with views over Pokolbin towards the Brokenback range. A perfect backdrop for your perfect day – a unique venue to create the memories that will last a lifetime. Perfect for wedding parties, the 100 acre estate boasts an on site restaurant, spacious function centre, and five separate accommodations set amongst rolling vineyards, beautifully manicured lawns, and natural bushland. Various locations on the Estate provide the ideal setting for your wedding. The best way to make a decision is by walking around and getting a feel for the location. Our events team can give you a guided tour of the most picturesque locations on the property. The Cricketers Pavilion accommodates up to 120 guests comfortably, the room itself contains a baby grand piano, a dance floor area and band space, working log fireplace, glass windows overlooking the vineyard and lovely high-pitched ceilings. The perfect location for a sit down or cocktail reception. The covered verandah overlooking the cricket oval is ideal for dancing at the end of the formal proceedings and it can be open or closed, depending on the time of year and weather conditions. Soft lighting within the pavilion and around the perimeter of the verandah add to the overall mood of this majestic venue. Make Wandin – Hunter Valley the place where your dream wedding comes to life. Plain and simple, beautiful blooms make my heart sing the prettiest of songs. So when I set sights on the works of art crafted up by Blooms On 18, I just about fell out of my chair. Dare I say floral perfection? Why yes I do, and you can see even more of their gorgeous work here. About Blooms On 18…Blooms On 18 is a premiere home studio,

On a soggy Spring evening Lisa and I headed to London. It was Tuesday, and the night of the Cosmopolitan Magazine Superbloggers Masterclass. I was thrilled, honoured and damn right nervous as hell to have been asked to join an illustrious panel of experts at this prestigious event. The masterclass was a complete sell-out, with two hundred enthusiastic wannabe bloggers braving wind and rain to make it to The British Museum for the two-hour panel discussion and Q&A. This is my nervous and ‘omg that’s a big auditorium’ face I was cacking it. There was nothing cool about me as we took a peek into the empty auditorium and I squeaked to Lisa “Oh my god, that’s a lot of goodie bags…” We were the first to arrive and were ushered into a side room where we were soon met by the Cosmopolitan team and the rest of the panel. No pressure… I was joined on stage by Louise Court, Cosmopolitan Magazine’s editor-in-chief; Pat McNulty, Digital Editor of Cosmopolitan.co.uk; Vicki Fogwill, Social-media manager for Next; Dominic Smales, Founder of blogger agency Gleam Digital; Andreas Pouros, COO of Greenlight Digital and the incredible (hello, new girl crush alert!) Emily Johnston, of influential style blog Fashion Foie Gras. Louise led the panel, asking us a variety of questions ranging from “What would be your biggest do and don’t for a blogger?” (if you’re interested my do was to value your worth and my don’t was to not be controversial for the sake of it – car crash blogging is never pretty!) to “How do you find your niche?” We also spoke about SEO, working with brands, making money, what makes good content, and social media. I found it particularly interesting hearing from Dominic and Andreas who deal with ‘the other side’ of blogging. They work with brands and bloggers (Andreas with the brands and Dominic with the bloggers) bringing them together for mutually beneficial relationships – i.e. getting the brands exposure on blogs, and getting the bloggers paid! As I deal with all the advertising on my site and any brand collaborations myself it was really interesting for me to hear how other people do things. There were definitely a couple of tips in there that I’m going to nick too! We sure packed a lot into the two hours and after some lightening speed Q&A, it was all over. I’m not gonna lie, I was a little sad. I could have banged on for much longer. Blogging is my favourite subject, after all! But I needn’t have worried. I was completely overwhelmed by the number of people who came to ask me questions or say hello to me afterwards. At one point there was an actual queue of people waiting to talk to me or wanting to snap a photo. Mind literally blown. Speakers get goodie bags too right?! I had such a great time at the event and I have endless love for Cosmo and what they’re doing with bloggers at the moment. Do you know they also have a yearly blog awards? I won ‘Best Wedding Blog’ in 2011 which was so exciting and such an honour. If you have a blog yourself (however big or small) I can’t recommend entering these awards enough. Winning one myself was definitely a defining moment for me and Rock n Roll Bride. It’s opened so many doors, including speaking at this very event, so it’s certainly one that I’ll never forget. If you want to find out more about the Masterclass you should read Cosmopolitan’s own write up of the event.

Shaye & Cara The gorgeous backdrop of Shaye and Cara’s engagement photos and their infectious smiles drew me in to today’s shoot. I like laughter and I like when it crawls its way into photographs, it reminds me of why I write about love, why I am so passionate about sharing it. Bella from Bella Photo Art – Photography by Bella captured Shaye and Cara, Cara telling, “Shaye and I met through a mutual friend at the Times Christmas party. We later discovered that neither one of us were actually going to go to the party as we with had other things on, but after much persuasion from the host we ended up agreeing. Neither of us knew about the other, but seemed to arrive to the party around the same time. It was late and everyone else had been partying for some hours prior. Shaye and I began talking on the staircase and as they say, the rest is history.” Cara remarks, “I love everything about Shaye. Her selflessness, her humor and wit, her generosity and love of animals and all things less fortunate than ourselves, but if I had to really narrow it down I’d have to say her humility and the way she loves me. It’s magical and I honestly believe she’s a blessing to my world.” “There is never a dull moment in our relationship and for those that know Shaye and I they will tell you this. We are known to our friends as the everyday Ellen and Portia. Shaye is definitely the funny extrovert. She can capture and entertain an audience for hours weather it’s family friends or people she’s meeting for the first time. Although I’m lighthearted and outgoing, I tend to be more serious about matters.” Shaye says, “ I absolutely love and adore Cara’s selflessness, she has this beautiful calming nature about herself and has a beautiful love of all things. Cara brightens any day and has brought me so much love, joy and happiness. Together we share a beautiful life and we try and spread colour and warmth everywhere we go. Its just a little something that we like to do to give back ( pay it forward). ” “Shaye and I adore the outdoors band being surrounded by nature. Early on in our relationship I had stumbled across this amazing little hobbits cabbie style accommodation set in the middle of the rainforest. We stayed a few nights and fell in love with the peace and serenity. By night we snuggled up on a mattress under the stars front of a log fire, and by morning we woke to birds playing us sweet tunes and kangaroos on our balcony. It was evident that one day I was going to marry this girl and I thought to myself that when I propose, I couldn’t imagine a more surreal atmosphere than the one described in the quirky little cabins above. Roughly 2 months later after asking for her hand in marriage I booked us into the cabin for the weekend and on two knees asked Shaye to be my Wife.” Photographer: Bella from Bella Photo Art - Photography by Bella Photographer: Bella from Bella Photo Art - Photography by Bella Want More? Check Out These Posts: Kristine and Chris’ River Engagement Photos Bethany and Riordan’s Romantic Tamborine Mountain Engagement Photos Joanne and Josh’s Abbotsford Convent Engagement Photos

Photo: Courtesy of PinkClouds Vintage-loving brides rejoice! Online vintage shop PinkClouds is launching a curated bridal section on May 21. Offering a stunning selection of dresses that span the decades, you're sure to find a gorgeous one-of-a-kind gown that speaks to your personal wedding style. "Depending on the era and the silhouette, brides can achieve a variety of looks," said Jennifer Collins, founder of PinkClouds. "If you want a flowy look, try dresses from the 1970s. If you're looking for something more body conscious, try a bias-cut gown from the 1930's. That's the beauty of vintage." From her early days in her mother's closet admiring her "breathtaking" pieces from the 70s and 80s (including a gold and opal ring given to her then mother when she was in her 20s, that Collins wears today) to her college days spent scouring London's Portobello Road for the perfect vintage find, Collins has always been motivated by the thrill of the sartorial chase. After starting her career in luxury retail consulting for major fashion brands, the vintage collector felt the natural next step was to launch her own vintage shopping site. Photo: Courtesy of PinkClouds The mission of PinkClouds is to "bring back inspiration and the feeling of discovery to the shopping experience," which Collins accomplishes by offering one-of-a-kind dresses and jewels with a unique history. After three years of success in vintage ready-to-wear, PinkClouds Bridal will go live next week on May 21. "We started with a focused collection of dresses that we felt spoke to a variety of brides. Vintage shopping is such a personal and emotional buying experience, and there is no better time to have a one-of-a-kind gown then on your wedding day." Photo: Courtesy of PinkClouds Tips for pulling off a vintage wedding dress? "It is definitely all about the styling. I would say the more retro your dress feels, the more modern you should be with your hair and accessories. Pair your vintage gown with some extravagant Jimmy Choos or Manolos. Since most bridal wear is vintage inspired as it is, you have to be conscious not to look like you are wearing your grandmother's dress." Asked about her own wedding day look, Collins isn't entirely sure (though she counts jewelry designer Pamela Love's bohemian wedding in Montauk and all 8 of Elizabeth Taylor's gowns as inspiration)—but she's confident that the look will include a vintage corset, with lace details that are "just impeccable," and vintage jewelry, "that's a definite!" —Catherine Smith You Might Also Like: Browse thousands of wedding dresses Wedding Dresses Inspired by The Great Gatsby A Bohemian Summer Wedding on the Coast