udder-ly in love

I LOVE the idea of doing a milk and cookie themed party for kids, but after seeing this beautiful, vintage Milk and Cookies shoot at Love and Lavender, I know a milk and cookies shoot for adults is not only fun, but gorgeous too. In fact, for cookie lovers, I think this party theme is a necessity. It’s official…I’m UDDER-ly in love…as Love and Lavender so eloquently say in the shoot!

 I love all the details in this shoot – the chocolate chips weighed on an antique scale, the menu on wood shingles and a recipe for love guest table…oh, it’s too cute for words! Thank you to the creative and talented sisters-in-law pair, Ellen and Aileen, at Love and Lavender for sharing their photos with us. And, definitely check out the rest of the shoot here {there’s a lot more fantastic inspiration waiting for you}.

If you thought Part I was amazing {you’re right because it was}, but you’re in for a tasty treat with Part II of their cookie shoot. See the full shoot here.

{images courtesy of  Jonda Spurbeck Photographers via Love and Lavender}

heather + dennis

I saw this photo…
and was completely in love with this wedding…and I want to borrow the bride’s red shoes!
Heather and Dennis McMahon were married back in June 12, 2010 in Syracuse, New York. Living in Colorado and planning the wedding in New York was no small feat according to Heather, “but damn was it a good time, and a day that I would do over and over again, and never change a single detail.” 
Two years later, the classic ballroom/vintage style of this wedding is still timeless and an inspiration for today’s brides. Per Heather and Dennis’ request, their photographer Kelly Stremmel captured their day the way it unfolded, without too many shots being posed, but rather artistic shots that represent things the way they took place.  The artistic, natural shots Kelly captured was one of our favorite things about this wedding…and we’re happy to share it with you today.
After meeting at SUNY Oswego in New York their last semester of college, and joining mutual friends at a Dave Matthews Concert several weeks later, Heather and Dennis had an undeniable love connection. Having dated only 6 short months, the love birds moved Vail, Colorado and on their 4th anniversary Dennis popped the question at The Vail Plaza Hotel before a romantic dinner at LaTour. They married two years later, almost 6 years to the day of our “first date” at the Dave Matthews show.
In Heather’s words: It was very important to me that my bridesmaids be comfortable and have the ability to showcase their own style. I gave each girl black coque feathers to put in their hair however they desired once it was styled, and a vintage brooch to incorporate into their dress wherever they liked. 
We wanted to have a bit of Colorado inspiration in our wedding, but still pull off the ballroom vintage vibe. We placed hummingbird fly fishing flies in our calla lily boutonnieres for the guys as Dennis is a big fly fisherman and our guest book was a coffee table picture book filled with stunning images of Colorado. 
To see each other or not to see each other before the ceremony was a question Heather struggled with, but as she said, “I knew that if I didn’t see him and get all of those emotions out-of-the-way, the anticipation was going to leave me an emotional, blubbering wife-to-be. Dennis is my rock and I needed him with me for the emotional roller coaster that was our wedding day… and I simply could not wait to be with him! So, about an hour prior to the ceremony Dennis and I met on a street corner.
 
The 590-room non functioning hotel was built in 1924 and has character and charm like no other. The floor to ceiling windows offer a picturesque view of the city, the stunning vintage gold chandeliers everywhere create an incredibly romantic ambiance, and on the 10th floor is the Grand Ballroom…perfect for our reception. 
In Heather’s words: The Dave Matthews Band was what sparked our fiery romance, and therefore their music served as inspiration on our wedding day. Our first dance was to none other than the DMB song, “You and Me.” Dennis picked me up when Dave sings “…teach them to fly…” And we leaned back and forth on each other singing “…we could do better than anything that we did, you know that you and me, we could do anything,” with a stratigic high five and then I did my happy dance. 
Per Heather and Dennis, their DJ handed our “flair” toward the end of the night, which brought out the silly in everyone.
And, who wouldn’t want to run in the rain at the end of your wedding night? How romantic and fun…the perfect send-off if you ask me!
 
VENDOR LOVE
Bridal gown: Maggie Sottero Amour Brooch, purchased at Spy Baby Bridal Boutique in Syracuse, New York
Bridal shoes: Nina
Photographer: Kelly Stremmel
Makeup: Gina Scammell {Ginascammell@yahoo.com}
Hair:Tiffany DeWald {tiffanydewald@ymail.com}
Wedding Planner/Day of Coordinator: Amy Preble {miller5401@hotmail.com}
Ceremony Venue: The Most Holy Rosary Syracuse, New York
Reception Venue: The Hotel Syracuse Syracuse, New York
Cake: Pascale Bake House, Syracuse, New York
Desert Bar: DIY {Do-It-Yourself}
Stationery: DIY

hanky invite

Whether your having an antique or vintage-inspired wedding, looking for that added touch of southern charm or want the kind of detail people will always remember, a handkerchief invite by Lucky Luxe Couture Correspondence is for you. We are in love with these lovely invites screen printed on a cotton handkerchief.

These handkerchiefs are so unique and so pretty – guests can keep them on display to remind them of your special day, and then bring them to your wedding to wipe their tears of joy.

You can opt for the floral design or the classic white. Both are stunning!

{images via Lucky Luxe Couture Correspondence}

jacey + grant + lovespun films = gorgeous

You remember the beautiful couple, Jacey + Grant, we featured months ago? We loved that creative engagement photo shoot by Lauren Ross Photography.

Well, the small town Texas girl who pursued her dreams and passion for fashion in LA and the down-to-earth urban developer, got hitched…and their wedding was one for the books.

Everything – from the bride’s Vera Wang dress and Christian Louboutin shoes, to the vintage furniture, chandeliers, mismatched chairs and place settings, burlap, pink and soft garden blooms, framed prints, hand-sewn table numbers, vintage tea tins – and every last detail in between was absolutely breathtaking.

The wedding really captured the couple’s personality and roots beautifully. Seriously, its stunning!

Jessica at Lovespun, Handmade Wedding Films, captured it in a gorgeous wedding film you MUST watch. {Click the play button on the image below}.
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/32346525]

I know you want to see more of that wedding, huh?

Take the time to look at images from Jacey and Grants wedding {which was featured on Style Me Pretty}. Your eyes will thank you it’s so pretty. You can find them here, at Jacey’s fabulous Damsel in Dior blog {found at Mrs. Damsel}, along with all the pretty details and full list of vendors.

VENDOR LOVE:
Planner: Beth Helmstetter Events
Photographer: Lauren Ross Photography
Venue: Smog Shoppe in Los Angeles
Wedding Cinematography: Lovespun Handmade Wedding Films

winter wonder

This romantic and vintage winter white photo shoot made its way around the ‘wedding blogging world’ earlier this year, but it’s the time of year in Colorado when the ground is often covered in white, the trees are frosted with white and white snowflakes serenely fall from the sky.  So, it seems an appropriate time to dream of an all white wedding…and this beautiful photo shoot styled by a talented Colorado team is the perfect inspiration.

Lemon Sprinkle Events set up a beautiful dessert display, centered around the vanilla buttercream cake. Treats served on the all-white menu included white chocolate pretzels, vanilla bean taffy, meringues and classic jordan almonds.

The flowers in this photo shoot particularly caught my eye. They were beautifully designed and hand-made by the talented and lovely Cori Cook of Cori Cook Floral Design. She is phenomenal and I adore her…and her work. From the chic and affordable baby’s breath bouquet tied together with a strand of pearls, to the stunning ranunculus bouquet with a “something blue” tulle tutu and the romantic, custom-designed rosette bouquet, she inspires brides at all price points {and personalities} to have an all-white bouquet.

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Laura Murray Photography
Florals: Cori Cook Floral Design
Dessert Set Up: Lemon Sprinkle Events
Make Up: Jenny Van Tuine {beautyiswithin.jenny@gmail.com}
Invitations & Stationary: Papertalk Press
Gowns & Headpieces: Blue Bridal Couture
Venue: The Oxford Hotel

{images via Laura Murray Photography}