Favorite Weddings + Engagements from 2011

I had the pleasure to feature so many beautiful couples and fabulous photographers during 2011. Let’s take a look at some of my (and your!) favorite weddings, trash-the-dress and engagements sessions from this past year…

Let's start with one of the most popular from last year, Georgina + Arturo by Nacho Guerrero. This classic affair may just be the chicest wedding ever and you are about to catch a glimpse of it. From the brides look (I love her shoes) and the most stunning church decor ever all the way to the amazing reception, this fête was nothing but pure gorgeousness.

Brittney + Cody. It cannot get much cuter than this Nebraska wedding.  This rustic-loft affair literally took my breath away with all its sweet, DIY, vintage details. It’s got the crafty chic inside me jumping for joy. Dawson Tayler Studios captured this adorable couple and their equally adorable big day. A pretty soiree filled with buckets of charm.

Georgina + Fernando. I adore the barefoot bliss of a beach wedding and this lovely affair in the beautiful Rivera Maya is no exception. I love the perfect, perfect moments captured gorgeously by Danny Cuevas. It is almost as if I was there, sitting by the oceanside watching the festivities unfold. This wedding brings seaside romance to a whole new level. And their Trash the Dress Session is stunning, as well.... both oh-so worth to see!

Talking about Trash-the-Dress, don't fail to stop by Samantha + Salo. You are going to do a major swoon when you see this super cool Day After Photoshoot by Danny Cuevas.

Lindsay + Tyler by Kristen Swanson. This beautiful outdoor wedding mixes vintage, modern and natural elements like a champ. I'm obsess about most of this desert beauty! Stop by the original post and you'll discover why.

Crystal + Daniel. Now THIS is the way to do old Hollywood romance!! You know, I totally love a couple that let their style and personalities  shine through on the big day. This vintage-glam meets bohemian wedding by photographer extraordinaire Kristen Swanson is what I call fabulous!

Let's move on to the Engagements. I had no idea that a vintage themed engagement could be done so freaking gorgeously (is that a word?) until I met Kristen Swanson and bride-to-be (now married woman) Angelica from Mint Weddings. They have taken vintage to an entirely new style level. Take a look at Angelica + Che e-session and let me know what do you think.

Chris + Jami. Hold onto your hats, because you are just going to love these cute love-meets-fun images captured by Kendal Jessup Photography. I adore the country side scenes and the pinwheels. What about you?

Bianca + Omar. I have said before that sometimes all you need to get beautiful images of you and your honey is a bucket full of love and a meaningful location... ahhh and an awesome photographer like  Stephane Lemaire. Take a look at this pretty e-session and you'll agree with me.

Approachable, light-hearted yet totally beautiful, Brooke + Travis engagement session had all the elements I love, country site scenes, simple and pretty props, cowboy boots and a lovely couple. This e-shoot by Dawson Tayler Studios  seems to be one of your faves, and one of mines too. 

Ashley + Jim by Dawson Taylor Studio. This cozy and romantic e-session is all-around beautiful, with coffee shops, vintage cameras, handmade details, beautiful sceneries and plenty of love.

What do you think? Did I leave any pretty events out? I'm sure I did. So, enjoy more beautiful weddings and engagement session at my sections Engagement Inspiration and Real Weddings. 

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Wedding Trends 2012 - Part 2

I’m wrapping up 2011 showcasing the hottest wedding trends for 2012. Do you want to join me on this swoon-worthy adventure? Of course you do. Then grab a third cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy part 2 of Wedding Trends 2012. And please don’t fail to visit Part 1, it has a bunch of pretty wedding ideas to steal for your upcoming 2012 nuptials.

CARNATIONS. I never would have thought that carnations could look so lavish. And, after seeing these images I can assure you that you will be a huge carnation fan, too. I know they have a bad reputation. But believe me, carnations are the new sensation! Click here to see my article about fab ways to bring carnations into your event. (image source)

RIBBON. Ribbon has always play a major role on weddings. But nowadays ribbon is more popular than ever. With so many traditional forms and the up-coming chic new ways to incorporate ribbon into ceremonies and receptions, ribbon details will be a super hot wedding element in 2012. Here are 15 stylish old and new forms to include ribbon into your special day. The best part is that most of them are totally DIY. (image source)

OMBRE. Ombre literally means "shaded" in French. It usually involves a multicolored stripe, with colors graduating from light to dark. Since the beginning of 2011, this trend has lately gained a new popularity in the wedding industry and will continue to be super trendy in 2012. Click here, here and here to enjoy some ombre treats. Or visit my Ombre Wedding round-up by following the link. (image source)

NON-WHITE WEDDING DRESSES. Until recently, wearing a non-white wedding dress was just for very audacious brides. We have Reese Witherspoon to thank for the rise of wedding gowns in blush. Since Witherspoon, a symbol of classic, give her approval to the trend wearing this soft shade of pink on her wedding-day, blush has made its official debut as an acceptable -not quirky- bridal gown color. But, besides blush, many designers are using colors like light gold, nudes, champagne, and even mint, black and grey, for their 2012 collections. Here is my  run through of some of the best blush wedding gowns and gold wedding gowns out there. And you can look at the different colors used on the 2012 collections at my recaps of the last two NYC Bridal Markets: Vera Wang Spring 2012, Monique Lhuiller Spring 2012, Fall Bridal Market Faves and Allure Bridals 2012.

COOKIES AND MILK. Milk and cookies are uber hot at weddings right now. And I predict that their popularity will only increase during the next year. Here are 15 lovely ways to include this yummy treat in your event. (image source)

PEONIES. Who doesn’t love peonies? They are so romantic and pretty! In all their fluffiness and colorful array, peonies certainly won the affection of brides as one of the favorites wedding flowers on 2011 and will be even more famous during 2012. Check out this beautiful collection of peony wedding bouquets I put together for you back in October, and also the second part of it from last month. (image source)

ORANGE. Expect to see a lot of orange all over the wedding blogs and magazines, since Pantoneannounced the color of the year for 2012: Tangerine Tango!  Over the past year, orange has grown in popularity and acceptance among brides and designers alike. A provocative attention-getter, Tangerine Tango is especially appealing in bouquets and decor.

If you’re an uber-trendy Bride, you can’t fail to feature Tangerine Tango on your upcoming 2012 wedding. Flowers, bridesmaid dresses and shoes on this orange shade would be easy to find next year. (image source)

 I hope you enjoyed them. Please head to PART 1 to see the rest of my predictions on  wedding trends for 2012!

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Wedding Trends 2012 - Part 1

Happy Wedding Wednesday! Starting today, I’m looking back at some of my favorites from the past year – love this time of year! So fun to remember all the amazing wedding prettiness I’ve share this year, so I’m going to look back at many of them once more this week. Today it’s all about the Wedding Trends of 2011. I predict that all of them will be very hot in 2012, as well. So keep your eyes open!

SEQUINS. This little shiny wonders have been out of style for so long that they actually feel new and exciting. The cool thing about the sequin trend is that you get a little bit of glitter and a burst of color all in one. Click here to see all the ways that you can incorporate sequins into your wedding.

LACE WEDDING CAKES. Lace Cakes are having a moment and I couldn’t be more thrilled. These pretty confections are romantic, elegant and can give a beautiful touch of vintage charm to your wedding day. Enjoy Part 1 and Part 2 by clicking on the links.

MISMATCHED BRIDESMAIDS. For the last few years, mismatch bridesmaid dresses has been one of the hottest trends on weddings. Allowing your bridesmaids to choose their dresses according to their budget, taste and type of body is a fabulous idea that will continue to be very popular in 2012. Here are a bunch of ideas and some advice to accomplish this look: The Secrets of Successful Mismatched Bridesmaids.

BURLAP. Incorporating this material into your wedding is totally trouble-free– its all about using little touches here and there. Basically a little rustic goes a long way! Burlap is not only very easy to DIY, but it’s also extremely affordable which will help it to maintain it's popularity during 2012. Find more ideas in my article "Burlap a Touch of Rustic Charm".

LACE WEDDING DRESSES. Thanks to the Royal Wedding, lace became the most popular feature for wedding dresses. And, I predict it will continue to be the brides' number one choice for years to come. Delicate-looking yet strong, and rich with history, lace is sort of like the bride herself. It covers while revealing, and can add a touch of centuries-gone-by grace to your wedding ensemble. Here are some lace dresses post I put together this year: Lace Back Wedding Dresses - Part 1 and  Part 2, Get Kate's Look: Long-sleeve Lace Wedding Dresses, Top It Up Pretty Part 1 and Part 2, and Rosa Clara Tops

OVER THE RAINBOW. Some people think that couples have to pick one or two colors and base their whole wedding off of that, but a new and fun wedding trend is to incorporate every color and have a rainbow-inspired wedding. From the bridesmaid dresses to the flowers, from the decor to the groomsmen's ties, no longer are weddings bound by the traditional color combos. Check my post (Wedding Trends} Over The Rainbow for more fun ideas.

BABY'S BREATH. Baby’s Breath is an insanely affordable and DIY friendly floral element can make a big impact, particularly when used in large volumes.  It’s delicate and pretty, and most importantly, can be purchased for mere pennies a bunch! All these characteristics made this tiny flower wedding-famous during 2011, but its popularity will continue to evolve during 2012. Here are Gallery #1 and Gallery #2, both full of awesome ways to incorporate Baby's Breath into your own event.

NON-TRADITIONAL WEDDING FOOD. Many brides and grooms are stepping “outside the box.” They are personalizing their menus to express who they truly are. If you feel like rocking some of your favorite treats on the big day, 2012 will be the perfect year. Be sure to check out my Nontraditional Wedding Food ideas and some Fall Fovirite Wedding Desserts.

HANGING WEDDING DECOR. While a ceiling may not be the first thing in your wedding décor list, it presents a unique blank canvas for you to transform. Like the rest of your venue it can be customized to suit your wedding. Hanging decorations can add light or simply be that perfect addition to create the ambiance you are hoping for. In 2012 we will sure be talking about making a statement from floor to ceiling… Find some stunning ideas at Hanging Flowers, Part 1 of Hanging Wedding Décor and Part 2, as well.

Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow! (Update: Here is Part 2)

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Dress of The Week + Blue by Enzoani 2012

Get ready for a full on wedding fashion parade on this pretty Tuesday morning! I’ve got some incredibly beautiful weddings gowns to share with you today. Each one unique and full of enough pretty details to make your head spin…in a good way! Here is my Dress of the Week plus the entire 2012 collection from Blue by Enzoani, an amazing designer who has built his reputation by the use of luxurious fabrics, exquisite beadwork, and unmatched construction techniques. Remember to hit up my Dress of the Week section to get more fabulous handpicked wedding dresses I only have room for glimpses in this marathon!

So, how do you like my dress of the week? Isn't it gorgeous? Now enjoy the rest of the collection.

 

 

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Hair Comes The Bride - Part 2

I remember during my wedding planning process I was beyond-obsess about my wedding day hairstyle. So, if you’re any like me, you probably are looking everywhere for that perfect hair for your big day. Well, look no more! Here are the most gorgeous wedding hairstyles from around the web. Vintage, classic, contemporary, bohemian… I have it all!

THE MESSY CURLY BRAID: Perfect for beach,modern or backyard weddings. (photo 1, photo 2, photo 3, photo 4, photo 5, photo 6)

DOWN: Curls or waves, the choice is yours (Photo 1, Image 2, pic 3, photo 4, pic #5)

VINTAGE INSPIRED: Finger waves and pin curls (photo 1, image #2, pic 3)

HALF UP HALF DOWN: A little bit of both worlds (Image 1: Hair Barrette by Fine and Fleurie and photography by Studio B photography, pic 2, photo #3, image 4, picture 5) 

LOOSE CURL UPDO: No matter what type of wedding you are having, this hairstyle matches every kind of bride. (first, second, third, fourth, pic 5, pic 6, pic 7)

POLISHED UPDO: For a ballroom elegant wedding nothing better than one of this options. (1, 2, 3 )

Don't forget to stop by Hair Comes the Bride Part 1. And enjoy any of the following beauty tips:

• {Wedding Day Beauty}: Flower Power
• Beauty Inspiration from Bridal Collections

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