How can I describe Laura and John?

Adorable. Fun. Kind. Creative. Endearing. Loveable. (Yep, that’ll work!)

From my very first meeting with Laura, I felt as though I had just met an old friend. It was as if we’d known each other our whole lives, even though our paths had never crossed. I think she probably has that effect on everyone she meets, which is a rare treat in a person.

Laura and John’s wedding was a true reflection of their personalities and history – bright, happy, joyful, and overflowing with heritage. Laura is Scottish and wanted touches of her family’s mossy homeland mixed in with some vibrant colors. (All of the moss silhouettes were hand cut – quite a fun feat!) John had a simple request to incorporate the color orange  somewhere in the wedding. You’ll see his tribute to his favorite color in the pics.

Enjoy this bright, mossy, loveable goodness captured by the lovely Laura Stone of ArtStar Photography.

Vendors:

Photography: ArtStar Photography

Venue: The Solarium at Old Scottish Rite

Caterer: Sun in My Belly

Furniture Rentals: Four Inch Fold

Planning: Kristy Masterson

Shoes: Kate Spade

Eeeeek! It’s Halloween again – the one time of year when it’s socially acceptable for everyone to dress up in their fantasy finery. (Yes, even you!)

If you’re one of the many people whose favorite holiday is this spook-tastic day, then you may have considered having a Halloween wedding. There are certainly plenty of options for decorating, but so many of them can be cheesy, or worse, black and orange! (Yuck.)

It is possible to have a really classy costume wedding for Halloween, no matter what you may have seen before. Here you’ll find some inspiration for how to put just such a wedding together – perfectly timed for Halloween itself!

Click on each picture to see our sources of inspiration!

1) Masks

Masks are a great and simple way to give a Halloween feel without going over the top. You can even find gorgeous printable masks around the internet to give as favors, or make your own to add an extra personal touch.

2) The Dress

You’ll want to choose a dress with elements of Halloween – but you don’t have to get something that’s pumpkin orange. Look for dramatic dresses with touches of black that will catch the eye and dazzle your guests.

3) The Flowers

Keep it simple but inspired with some darker colored flowers. Add some whimsical touches with Fiddlehead Ferns and ribbons to top off the look.

4) Decorations

It’s almost inevitable that pumpkins will factor into your design, but you can use them creatively. Consider painting them white or black and adding designs in contrasting colors; create a special “thank you” for your gift table using pumpkins, stencils, and some wee candles; or putting together something sweet – like the pumpkin carriage – that will thrill all your guests.

5) Inspirations

(stock image by wyldraven)

Think nontraditional sources for Halloween inspiration. Don’t just look to pumpkins and candy and costumes – look to Gothic novels like Jane Eyre, classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales, and old Celtic mythology and design to create a fresh take on All Hallows’ Eve.

Contributed by Colleen {Assistant of Glory}

As a designer, I am constantly looking for ways to push the envelope. I love creating something that combines genres and colors that haven’t been used together in quite that way before. So, when I was approached about designing a bachelorette party that was a modern take on Marie Antoinette, I jumped at the chance. The bachelorette date was during one of my busiest weekends of the year, so I brought in my good friend and fellow Design Diva Extraordinaire, Ashley Pepitone, to create a frilly fabulous ceiling installation and set up the event.

I started with the traditional colors associated with Marie Antoinette – baby blue, blush, a tiny bit of turquoise – and I amped up the volume. I added cupcakes and martinis, tossed in some glitter (mine and Ashley’s favorite design spice) and the bride’s favorite designer brand, Chanel. I threw in loads of girly elements like dainty antique china, fluffy blooms, personalized cupcake tins, and mirage chairs – and voila!  We had a grown-up martini & cupcake party fit for a modern-day dauphine…or just a gal that doesn’t mind a killer sugar rush.

P.S. This lovely little event was featured on Any Given Party’s blog here.

Photography: Sean and Amanda Photography

Mirage Chairs: Event Rentals Unlimited

Vintage Plates: Four Inch Fold

Ceiling Installation/Set-up: Ashley Pepitone Design

When you endure Georgia summers you live for that first breeze whispering autumn is on the way. It blissfully reminds you that your hair will not always be a giant humidity haven and that one day you will get to wear layers again and not feel like a bikini is a stiflingly hot outfit. It’s finally here – fall wedding season – another season of celebrating with gorgeous, precious brides and feeling incredibly blessed to be doing what I do.

These colorful images are from a shoot that I merely contributed flowers to, but they are so festive and summer-worthy that they needed to be shared before the muted tones of fall have overtaken all our color palettes. Since this isn’t my shoot, per se, I’ve listed the masterminds behind it first so you can bask in their talents as you peruse the images. Enjoy!

Photography: Janet Howard Studio

Styling and Concept: Ashley Pepitone Design

Hair and Makeup: Andrea Carter Artistry

{For more images visit Brooklyn Bride}

Muah,

Juli

What is it about the vintage look that seems so attractive to us today? It seems that in this modern time we all like to look back towards the past – for comfort, for style, for familiarity. Our world is a crazy, hectic place; maybe there’s something calming about the vintage look. Maybe it promises us a time and place where things aren’t so crazy – where we can stop, and sit, and be, without wondering what time it is or what’s on the schedule next.

Maybe that’s why the vintage look is so popular with weddings – now more so than ever. Brides want to look back to more comforting, peaceful times – to design something romantic and lush and beautiful; to create a space that takes people out of their everyday lives and brings them somewhere magical.

Maybe that’s why we’re seeing peplum dresses everywhere in weddings these days. I didn’t even know the term “peplum” until a few weeks ago, but I knew them on sight. They’re those added ruffles/flounces of fabric at the waistlines of shirts and dresses and skirts – almost a shortened overskirt. It’s a classic look, and a flattering one, too. Done right, it makes for beautiful wedding fashion.

Contributed by Colleen {Assistant of Glory}