Classic, Elegant Florida Wedding

Dec 23rd

by: Kristine

Hello, hello ELD readers! It’s been awhile and I’m so glad to be back with you all this Friday, December 23rd. Can you believe it’s already the end of the December?! I sure can’t. This holiday season has flown by. Speaking of, I thought I’d send you off on your big holiday weekend with a beautiful, classic, elegant wedding from Lanier Star Photography. In the words of the bride, Katie, their wedding combined St. Augustine’s Old World charm with a classic Southern feel. I think you’ll agree with me that the combination turned out quite well.

What (or who) helped you most in your planning process and/or on your wedding day?

I always knew I wanted a traditional wedding with touches of coastal and southern accents. We wanted our wedding guests to enjoy St. Augustine’s Old World charm with a classic Southern feel, I am from St. Augustine and Will is from Mississippi so it seemed like the perfect vision for our wedding day. The colors were ivory and blue with touches of the classics like lace, tuxes, and a traditional candlelit ceremony in my childhood church Memorial Presbyterian. St. Augustine charm was incorporated with transportation by trolleys, coastal flavor, and a relaxed atmosphere. I turned for inspiration to bridal magazines and wedding blogs almost daily and they were very big resources for new ideas that I could apply to our wedding day.

What was the most important thing to you when deciding who to work with for your wedding?

The most important thing when deciding which vendors to work with was really Will and I’s compatibility with each of them. We knew that our wedding day would be busy so we wanted to make sure all of our vendors would make things run smoothly. Another large factor was location; we really wanted to have our Rehearsal Dinner, Ceremony and Reception in downtown St. Augustine so our guests could experience the wonderful Oldest City. We achieved that with the White Room Loft and Rooftop and the Casa Monica Hotel.

Did any of your vendors do anything special for you before, on, or after your wedding day that you would like to share?

I think a huge hit of our wedding was the Photo Nook by Kristen from LanierStar Photography. I had planned for the Photo Nook to be revealed by the band after dinner as a surprise to our guests but I had no idea of the fun props that Kristen had in store for us. All of our guests had a blast taking pictures in the Photo Nook and I am so happy we added it to our reception just a few weeks before the wedding day. In addition, we treated guests to a ‘Family Favorites’ cookie and dessert bar which featured family dessert recipes next to the Photo Nook that they could snack on all through the night.

What was your favorite thing about your wedding?

Since family is so important to both Will and I, we used Will’s ninety-four year old grandmother’s silver punch bowl to serve punch in during the cocktail hour and displayed grandparents and parents wedding pictures at the reception. Also, in addition to a guest book, my mother created quilt squares for guests to sign throughout the night and a quilt will be made out of all the lovely notes people left us, which is a great wedding memory.

What is your best piece of advice for other brides?

I think my best piece of advice to future brides would be to enjoy every minute of your wedding day and not get caught up in all the details because it is so special yet it goes by quickly. Will and I made a point to get up during the seated dinner and walk around to each table to talk to our friends and family. Looking back now, I am thankful that we took the time to do that.

A big thank you to Lanier Star Photography for these incredible photos and to the stunning {and I mean stunning} bride, Katie, for sharing her memories of the day and providing such great advice.

I know we’ve heard it all before–stop and enjoy the moment, live in the present, smell the roses… It’s said so often because it’s true and because we need to hear it! So, lovely readers, I hope you take time this weekend to enjoy the moments. And I hope your holiday season has been filled with joy, peace, and love.

xo-Kristine

Vendors who made it all happen…

Photographer: Lanier Star Photography / Reception Venue: Casa Monica Hotel / Flowers & Decor: Wilson’s Limited / Cake Baker: Sweet Weddings / Band: The Faze Band / Bride’s Dress: Modern Trousseau / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid / Makeup Artist: MAC Hair Studio / Groom’s Attire: Ralph Lauren / Invitations & Stationery: Ashley Bailey Foote

Thursday Tips: Holidays & Family Questions!

Category: WEDDING PLANNING 0 Comments

Dec 22nd

by: Lauren

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Goodness, I still can’t believe that Christmas is THIS WEEKEND! I’m sure some of you are in the same boat too! Well, with the holidays that are literally just around the corner (in this case, the corner of Friday and Saturday… lol), that also comes time with family, and with that comes QUESTIONS!

I remember when I was engaged during the holidays (and tomorrow actually marks 4 years since my husband proposed!). It was quite overwhelming with all of the questions that my family and friends asked me when I went home. We went from that question that plagues you when you’ve been dating for a while, “So when are you going to get married?” to “So how’s the wedding planning going?” Well, when I was newly engaged, I hardly had any answers, and then when I had been engaged for a year already, I still didn’t quite know what to tell family members when they asked how the wedding planning was going. And so, I thought today I would give you all a few tips to help you deal with those questions from family members that you may encounter this holiday season!

How is the wedding planning going? When is the wedding?

JUST Engaged: This is going to be the first question someone will ask you once they’ve congratulated you and looked at your ring. If you don’t already have a venue and date BOOKED, just say that you’re just getting started or still looking. If you DO have your venue and date booked, then feel free to tell inquiring minds- but ONLY if you’re confident that you will be inviting them.

Engaged & Planning: If you’ve been engaged for a few months already, you should have your venue and date already. Go ahead and feel free to tell your family members all about when and where it is… just be sure you’re definitely inviting them before divulging all the details! And then when they ask you how everything is going, talk their ear off about how you’ve found the perfect photographer and how much Pinterest and Every Last Detail are helping you to plan your wedding. ;)

Do you have everything done?

JUST Engaged: Clearly you DON’T have everything done, because you’re newly engaged! It’s going to be overwhelming with people asking you about things and telling you what to do and not do. To avoid stressing while trying to enjoy your holiday, be sure to tell your family and friends that you want to enjoy your engagement for a little while before you jump head first into the planning. They’ll back off. :)

Engaged & Planning: At this point, this question may or may not send you in a nervous frenzy thinking about all of the things you have left to do. If it does do this, respond with a polite, “There is so much to do, but we’re making great progress on everything!” If the question doesn’t make you start sweating, go ahead and talk their ear off about all things wedding. Are you seeing a pattern here? Let’s call it the Cardinal Rule of wedding questions: talking their ear off. ;)

Photo by ELV photographer, Shay Cochrane

Do you have your dress?

JUST Engaged: Again, it’s not expected that you have this done if you’ve JUST gotten engaged. But chances are that you’ve started looking at dresses online and in magazines, so feel free to answer with what types of dresses you like, all of the amazing designs that are out there now, and when you’re planning on shopping for your dress. Refer to the Cardinal Rule above.

Engaged & Planning: You probably DO have your dress. If your fiance isn’t around, go ahead and tell them all about it. Cardinal Rule it up (are my husband and I the only people who use that term of “verb it up”?). If your fiance is around, use him as the excuse for just saying that you do (or don’t) have it. :)

How many bridesmaids are you having? Who are your bridesmaids? Who’s going to be your flower girl? Ring bearer? Ushers? Etc Etc

JUST Engaged: I strongly suggest that if you haven’t already decided on this, say just that- that you haven’t decided yet. I’m sure people will have suggestions for you for who they think would be good for the “jobs”, but just say thank you for the suggestions and move on. :)

Engaged & Planning: You probably already have all the answers to these questions, so have at it! :)

Photo by ELV photographer Rae Leytham Photography

Have you heard of name something that was popular for weddings 10 years ago? You should do that!

JUST Engaged: Haha, I STILL get this question, what with me working in weddings and all. Just say, “Yes, I have heard of that! It’s a cool idea!”

Engaged & Planning: Pretty much the same applies. I used to try to explain that these “ideas” are really common and not a new thing, but now I just smile and nod my head. :) Feel free to switch to the Cardinal Rule and talk all about what awesome things you’ve already decided on doing for your wedding. :)

Who are you using for photography? You know, Uncle Bob has a really nice camera- you should just use him!

JUST Engaged: Oh goodness… I hope you’ve already read enough here on ELD to be able to laugh at this one. ;) At this point, you probably don’t have your photographer yet. If you don’t, just say that there are tons of great (professional) photographers out there, and you haven’t even started looking yet.

Engaged & Planning: See the first sentence of the above. You’ve probably already found an amazing photographer, so go ahead and gush about how awesome they are and how you can’t wait to see the photos that they’ll be taking on your wedding day!

I’m sure there will be many other questions that your family/friends will ask you too! Just remember the Cardinal Rule… talk their ear off about wedding stuff! Also, if you’re newly engaged, remember to pull the “enjoying our engagement” card. That always works wonders. :) Alright, now does anyone have any other questions to add? After this weekend, I would love to hear from you all about what you were asked! Good luck to you all in tackling the family questions… I hope this helps!

Eclectic DIY Backyard Illinois Wedding

Category: REAL WEDDINGS 5 Comments

Dec 21st

by: Lauren

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Wow how is it Wednesday already?! I hope you all are enjoying this week… hopefully some of you are off of work and relaxing! I’ve still yet to step foot in a store… I definitely don’t recommend putting off your holiday shopping until just days before! Well today amidst my crazy holiday procrastination, I have an amazing DIY backyard wedding for you! So amazing in fact that I just couldn’t pare down the photos. I was going to split up the post into 2 parts, but you know what? I’m just going to do a huge massive post for you all- it’s gonna be a doozy! Of course it doesn’t hurt that the images from Kristin La Voie Photography are absolutely gorgeous! Oh and we have the bride Stephanie joining us to give us a little insight about her DIY wedding! Let the gorgeous doozy of a wedding begin! ;)

What (or who) helped you most in your planning process and/or on your wedding day?

My mom and I spent virtually the better portion of a year planning my wedding day. Whether we were wandering around the back yard figuring out what would look best where, creating our own versions of DIY items we saw on etsy, coming up with new exciting ideas over our morning coffee, or perusing the clearance isles at various stores around town – we felt as though we were CONSTANTLY in wedding world and we truly loved every minute of it.

What was the most important thing to you when deciding who to work with for your wedding?

I really focused on trying to stay local and to use as many services from people that we knew or had worked with before. We were THRILLED to have Kristin LaVoie photography shoot our wedding as I actually had gone to school with Kristin Elementary through College! It meant so much more to have someone there I had known for so long. We were able to use Lovin Oven Cakery which was actually the same bakery that my parents had their wedding cake made at in 1986! Our flowers came from the local flower shop my family has been using for the past 25 years.

Did any of your vendors do anything special for you before, on, or after your wedding day that you would like to share?

Kristin (our photographer) took the time to put together an absolutely amazing and extremely touching video clip in which there were a ton of our amazing photos all of which were shown while playing a beautiful song in the background. When Rob and I saw the video for the first time we were both in awe and had tears of joy running down our faces!

What was your favorite thing about your wedding?

Our favorite thing about our wedding day was the fact that we were able to have an incredible number of our very closest family and friends travel from literally all of the world and come together in the backyard of my parents home – a place where Rob and I essentially grew up together and in one way or another – fell in love. We were also able to have our three beautifully big adopted pound dogs roaming around the yard throughout the day, which for two somewhat obsessed dog owners, meant the world to us! To share such a special day with so many loved ones and to be able to do it in an environment that is so meaningful was truly an incredible experience.

In addition, we were able to have a true live string band perform at our wedding as opposed to the usual DJ, which just completed our day in every way possible. The group which performed, The Old Tin Can String Band, actually have an award winning renowned violinist in addition to three other unbelievably talented mandolin, guitar and bass guitar musicians in their group – all of which just completely blew our guests away. We had a true bluegrass hoe-down and we could not have been more thrilled with the way it all played it out!

What is your best piece of advice for other brides?

My advice would be to stay true to yourselves and to what you love and are passionate about. The more details you can personalize and make about you, your husband, and your relationship, the more meaningful the day will be for both of you. Don’t forget that it is also your husbands wedding day too, so be sure to include him in as many ways as possible. Remember to enjoy yourself and to not allow yourself to stress out too much. Regardless of what little hiccups may occur, your wedding day will truly be magical and at the end of it all you will be married to the love of your life, which is certainly the most exciting and important part!

Yes yes yes! Wonderful advice! I’ve got to hand it to these brides featured on ELD… they really get the whole personal detail thing! ;) Thank you for reliving your wedding day with us Stephanie! And thank you to the amazing Kristin La Voie Photography for capturing it all so beautifully!

I told you this was going to be a doozy didn’t I? But a gorgeous one at that! I’m absolutely in love with the bouquets- their shape and composition is beautiful! And their dog in some of those last photos… my heart definitely melted. I’m such a sucker for dogs in weddings! :) So how about you? What’s your favorite part of this backyard wedding?

Vendors who made it all happen…

Photographer: Kristin LaVoie Photography / Reception Venue: Private Residence / Flowers & Decor: PS Flowers / Catering: FIG Catering / Linens: RSVP Rentals / Cake Baker: Lovin Oven Cakery / Hair & Makeup: Vickie's Personal Touch / Bride’s Dress: Galina by David's Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Etsy (HydraHeart) / Groom’s Attire: Men's Wearhouse / Groom's Shoes: Simple Shoes / Band: The Old Tin Can String Band

Modern Black & Taupe Inspiration Shoot

Category: INSPIRATION 12 Comments

Dec 20th

by: Lauren

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Ah, I am SO late in posting this today- so sorry! As you may know, I’ve been traveling, which means interruptions, delays, and distractions! I’m home for a few days now, and I just HAD to share my most most recent inspiration shoot with you all! I actually designed this inspiration shoot for Eco-Beautiful Weddings‘ Etsy Love Challenge in the Winter issue, which was published last week! The Etsy Love Challenge involves using items from local and eco-friendly Etsy vendors for a photo shoot, and of course I wanted to make it as inspirational as I possibly could! I wanted to do a modern take on eco-friendly, and I used this inspiration board as my main source of inspiration. Here are some of the amazing photos from ELV photographer Jason Mize, but be sure to go check out the feature (On page 46!) to learn all about the items and the shoot’s design!

I loved the way everything turned out! Seriously, candles are such a great alternative to floral centerpieces… and candlelight is just SO gorgeous! A HUGE thank you to all of the awesome vendors who helped out and participated! And don’t forget to go check out the feature in the latest issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings!