1. Table Numbers with a Vintage Flair

Create a beautiful and visually striking look by collecting your favorite vintage picture frames and using them to make your table numbers. This works especially well when the frames are mismatched styles but the same color, or vice versa.

It’s as easy as printing the number on whatever paper you’d like, and then placing the paper in the frames. You can find a great collection of free, vintage-style fonts at Vectorian.

2. Chic, Feminine Chair Decor

Who says you have to go with the typical white chair covers and colored sashes? Create a super elegant look by using chiffon in a muted color and creating a beautiful bow at the back of your chairs. You can even create the gathered tablecloth seen in this photo to match.

3. Mercury Glass Centerpieces

Make an unbelievably elegant and super-easy centerpiece by grouping mercury glass candleholders in varying shapes and sizes in the center of your table. There’s something so timeless and beautiful about mercury glass candleholders, and you can easily pair older pieces with newer ones, so it’s perfect for creating elegance when you’re on a budget.

4. Stunning Chandeliers

One of the easiest and fastest ways to add instant elegance and glamour to any wedding is to utilize chandeliers. They look absolutely fantastic when placed over reception tables and can be breathtaking when placed over the altar for the bride and groom to stand under when saying their vows.

5. Elegant Flower Sprays

If you want a truly elegant look for your wedding flowers, opt for whimsical sprays of flowers like baby’s breath rather than larger blossoms. Flowering branches work very well, too. These blossoms are daintier and offer up a more elegant, striking visual appeal.

6. Ligneous Peg

Nothing could go wrong with twigs, books and copper cups in your vintage themed wedding. Hang them around your wooden peg and voila, a very chic wedding idea for your wedding. A masterpiece of elegance and a well-themed design, the appealing warmth of copper and wood generates a unique style of grace, beauty and the robust frame of that country flare.

We love every one of these elegant and pretty wedding ideas. Which one is your absolute favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

The post 6 Incredibly Elegant Wedding Ideas You Must See appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

Their Story:

When you aren’t looking, life has a way of offering the best surprises. That’s how it worked out for Kristen and Rich, who were roommates first before they started dating. Kristen’s friend had a male roommate and since they seemed to get along great, she decided to give it a try. That’s when Rich walked into her life. “It definitely was not the way I expected to meet my husband, but these things seem to happen to you when you aren’t looking,” says Kristen.

They got engaged in December of 2012. “Rich proposed to me on Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine, which is where my family has been vacationing since my great-grandparents’ generation. My grandparents actually met there when they were 15 and Rich proposed to me about 40 feet away from where my Papa Dave proposed to Grandma Jean over 60 years ago!”

“I started planning the wedding the morning after I got engaged,” bubbles this happy bride. They worked in a lot of details from their favorite spot: the beach. “Our cake toppers were two Adirondack chairs. We put sand dollars on our wine glass favors because we love looking for sand dollars on our walks at Goose Rocks beach. We usually compete to see who can find the most!”

Family is very important to this couple, who made sure to include cousins and brothers in the wedding party, and asked the bride’s brother’s boyfriend and the bride’s sister-in-law to read at the ceremony. A few months before the ceremony, Kristen’s father became very sick. “We weren’t sure if he was going to be able to walk by my wedding day, but with physical therapy, rehab and a lot of effort, he was able to walk me down the aisle and do our father-daughter dance!”

Kristen has some unusual advice for brides-to-be. “Consider a longer engagement,” she says. “Having almost a year and a half to plan made it so that the wedding was way less stressful, and also, it made it so our engagement wasn’t just about planning a wedding. It made it more about us as a couple!”

Wedding Outfit Inspiration:

I got my dress at Confetti and Lace, a little bridal shop in my hometown of Littleton. I must have driven by this boutique a million times and never thought I would end up getting my dress from there. It was a Maggie Soterro, and it was the last dress I tried on. It had all the best parts of all the dresses I tried on. We chose the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses because I like the classic look of that particular shade of purple (Victorian Lilac).

Favorite Part Of The Day:

My dad walking me down the aisle. A few months before, he became very sick and was in intensive care for a month. We weren’t sure if he was going to be able to walk by my wedding day, but with physical therapy, rehab and a lot of effort, he was able to walk me down the aisle and did the father-daughter dance with me.

The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Projects:

I’m not very good with DIY! However, I printed the menus on my own and put together my hotel gift bags. I used Etsy a lot for the “home-made look.

The Highlights From The Ceremony & Reception:

The top two things guests complimented us on was our DJ’s choice of music and the late night snack of white chocolate chip cookies and milkshake shooters.

The Theme:

Purple, classic, elegant. Beach theme, since they worked in memorable things about them as a couple (beach chair cake toppers for their favorite vacation spot and as a nod to where they got engaged), sand dollars on the invitations and favors, etc.

VENDORS

Photographer:   Kristin Griffin Photography
Makeup Artist: Blushing Brides
Dress Store: Confetti and Lace
DJ: Jeff Rockwell DJ
Transportation: Sir Charles Limo
Floral Designer: The Frugal Florist
Cake Designer: The Icing on the Cake
Event Venue: Wedgewood Pines Country club

The post A Wedding Takes Time appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

How We Met:

I was completing my masters internship at the agency my husband worked for. My supervisor and my husband were friends and introduced us. We slowly got to know each other at work and began talking and hanging out after work.

We Are A Perfect Match:

We support one another in all aspects of life. We make each other better people. Our personalities balance each other out.

The Proposal:

We had a favorite froyo place to go. He got in touch with the owner and was able to substitute out the flavors with the words “Carissa, I love you so much. Will you marry me?” He used one of my friends to take me out for breakfast/coffee while he went to the place before they opened to set up. My friend concocted a story to get me to go for ice cream while it was snowing out at 11:30 AM. When we arrived my husband was there and when I went up to look at the flavors I saw his message. When I turned around he was already on one knee.

The Planning Period:

We planned for a year and a half. We probably could have planned more, but that was only because we were planning it long distance from one another.

The Challenges We Faced:

We had to plan the wedding while living long distance due to both myself and husband being in Graduate School. We used FaceTime a lot and set time aside on weekends to talk and make decisions.

Planning Advice For Couples:

Don’t let outside opinions make you and your partner argue. A wedding is very personal. It’s your day.

Wedding Décor Inspiration:

I wanted classic but slightly modern, so I chose a neutral color palette. I always wear black when I dress up, so naturally I had the bridesmaids in black. Blush pinks and ivory garden roses were chosen for their romantic, but also modern feel.

Our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Projects:

We asked one of our artistic friends to design/paint us a mailbox with our last name Heyda on it and the date of our wedding.

Money Matters:

We saved money on our Save the Dates and the invitations. The biggest expense, on the other hand, was the venue for the reception.

The Guest List:

We invited 144, and 119 attended. We narrowed down the list based on who would have been missed had they not been a part of our special day.

The Honeymoon Destination:

We went to Hawaii (The Big Island and Maui)!

The Next Step:

We’re very excited in starting a family of our own.

Highlights From the Ceremony and the Reception:

For the ceremony, our reader, our mothers lighting the unity candle, walking down the aisle with my dad, and then walking back up it with my husband. For the reception, our First Dance, the dance party, the speeches, the amazing food, and experiencing such a special occasion with all who mean so much to us.

Favorite Part of the Day:

Just being around all our friends and family.

A Memorable Moment:

I loved being joined on the dance floor during our first dance by both our parents.

VENDORS:

Photographer: Kevin Kelley Photography
Cinema and Video: Timeless Moments
Event Venue: Bank Street Events
DJ: Beat Train Productions
Event Planner: Piece of Cake Events
Ring Designer: Sulli Jewelers
Dress Store: The Plumed Serpent Bridal
Hair Stylist: Chameleon Hair Color Cafe and Spa
Make-up Artist: Sally Duvall
Groomsman Attire: Men’s Warehouse
Floral Designer: Candi’s Floral Creations
Bakery: Sugar Cupcakery & Bakery

The post The Modern Romantic appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

Read all about this inspiration shoot below. Do you think you’ll be using any of the details in your own wedding? Tell us in the comments below. And don’t forget to hit “Like” for your favorite pictures in the gallery!

This inspiration shoot started with a “Love is Brewing” theme and a fun palette of pink, red, teal, and aqua shades. LB Floral designed floral arrangements around vintage milk glass details, including an adorable little flower teacup and bouquet overflowing with roses and greenery. Knox Wedding Creative and Rellek Video Productions captured the day.

“Love is Brewing” tea bag favors and escort cards by Custom Love Gifts & Events paired well with matching tea inspired invitations by Star Noir Studio and mini wooden scoops in a mug of coffee beans with “Love is Brewing” tags. Bridal party favors included scented candles dressed in a teal and red vintage inspired fabric.

Rothchild Catering & Conference Center provided the perfect canvas to add sheer draping from floor to ceiling and pink tinted uplighting by Sequoyah Entertainment. Pink sugar flowers topped a 3-tiered wedding cake atop a modern cake stand from Sweet Beginnings by Elaine. The reception table was topped with pink linen with gold chargers and coordinated with gold chivari chairs, aqua sashes and gold-rimmed china from Event Rentals by Rothchild.

The would-be groom was dapper in a khaki tux with a teal tie from Savvi Formalwear and red rose boutonnière. The teal tie perfectly matched a ribbon detail on the bride’s bouquet. Southern Belle Beauty added with a loose luxe updo and a floral inspired hairpiece that perfectly complemented a gorgeous wedding gown from Wedding Wonderland. The dress made the bride look as if she was floating in tulle and ornate lace details. A coordinating necklace and bracelet set, each with three strands of pearls, was the perfect twist to a classic favorite. Everyone loves a costume change, and the short wedding dress with sweetheart neckline did not disappoint, especially when you throw in a pair of rose-inspired red heels.

VENDORS:

Photographer: Knox Wedding Creative
Equipment Rentals: Event Rentals by Rothchild
Event Venue: Rothchild Catering
Tuxedo and Men’s Attire: Savvi Formalwear
DJ: Sequoyah Entertainment
Hair Stylist: Southern Belle Beauty
Invitation Designer: Star Noir Studio
Cake Designer: Sweet Beginnings by Elaine
Dress Store: Wedding Wonderland
Favors and Gifts: Custom Love Gifts
Floral Designer: LB Floral

The post Love is Brewing – A Wedding Inspiration Shoot appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

“Two lost souls that wandered the earth alone, who unknowingly crossed paths several times, only to find themselves and truly fall in love.”

The Theme:

There was not a particular theme, but rather a wedding that was very elegant and simple with the use of orchid flower arrangements that hung over the guest tables.

Wedding Outfit Inspiration:

We wanted to go with something very elegant; traditional yet classic style wedding. So the gentlemen in ties and suits and the ladies in their blue dresses. My dress and veil were absolutely gorgeous – they were handmade in Spain.

Our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Projects:

Yes, actually. My aunt is just amazing with crafts and I presented each best man with custom old-fashioned Sterling silver pocket watches. My aunt made custom linen bags for the watch boxes and wrapped or tied them with custom wooden labels with the “R” of Rodriguez burnt onto the wood. It was amazing how she did that on the fly in just a few hours; it was beyond me.

Highlights From the Ceremony and the Reception:

The Priest, Fr. Bill, totally surprised us when he actually sang some parts of the ritual ceremony. Like monk priests singing hymns in a cathedral style type voice. I had no idea he had it in him. He actually sounded fantastic and could really sing. In the reception, the best man and best woman speeches were very heartwarming, reaching not only the heart but the soul.

Favorite Part of the Day:

Dancing. It was just amazing to see family and friends; not to mention all the energy on that dance floor that night. Not a single person was left sitting in their chairs and you can actually see people smiling, laughing, and having the time of their lives.

A Memorable Moment:

We finished the night with the new craze called the crazy hour or “Hora Loca”. You would have to see it to believe it. Every Hora Loca is unique to that particular wedding; from Vegas style dancers with extravagant head pieces with ostrich feathers to performers on stilts, even fire breathers, but the reoccurring idea or theme is just crazy pandemonium and fun, fun, fun.

So in our wedding, every guest at the party was supplied with a huge oversized hat made of foam material. The hats were so funny and came in every shape, color, and form. For example, there were hats shaped like the mad hatter, princess theme, or shaped like Napoleon Bonaparte French style hat, just to name a few. It got wild and crazy after that so basically lots of sweating and a whole lot of butt shaking, nothing but fun for well over an hour.

VENDORS:

Photographer: Limelight Photography
Event Venue: Avila Golf & Country Club
Event Designer: Blossom Event
DJ: CMG Events/DJ Felix
Dress Store: Emelina’s Bridal & Boutique
Invitation Designer: The Write Stuff

The post A Time For True Love appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

Favorite Part of the Day:

I loved seeing the kids interact with Brett and Callie. I also enjoyed seeing how much support and love Callie & Brett’s friends and family showed them though out the day.

Wedding Highlights:

The highlight for the Ceremony was Brett catching a flower girl as she tried to go up on the stage. She was supposed to go to a seat left of the stage. Brett helped her find her seat. That was a great moment. The highlight for the reception was seeing Callie throw her bouquet at her younger sister. Everyone laughed when this happened.

Memories to Cherish:

I think the most memorable part of the wedding for both Callie and Brett has to be having so many friends there to support them on their big day. There were 14 groomsmen and 12 bridesmaids.

The Wedding Video:

https://animoto.com/play/KNGm0sipYB9ThK9XQRiChg

VENDORS:

Photographer: Michael Kaal Photography
Reception Venue: Woodrow Hall

The post We’re Here For You appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

Lauren and her bridal party had fun getting ready while wearing matching robes — these robes are always such a cute thing to do with girl friends! They later emerged wearing lovely gray bridesmaid dresses in chic and stylish cuts. Lauren, on the other hand, was gorgeous like a model in her beautiful lace gown with an open back. Standing beside Bryan, who looked very handsome in his gray suit, they looked just like those couples in the magazines. Now, you may think that all that gray might be a bit too drab for a wedding, but with the bright pops of lemon and lime, everything looked perfect! Not too over the top and with just enough fancy details (even with the boat ride back to the hotel). Congratulations, Lauren and Bryan!

The Proposal:

While on our amazing European trip in May, Bryan had a few tricks up his sleeve. Nine days into the trip, on their last night in Paris, they headed to their planned “fancy dinner.” Bryan was adamant about stopping on the walk to dinner in order to finish a bottle of wine. After many attempts to get out of it because of the chilly night, I finally gave in. On the Pont Neuf bridge, next to the Seine River, Bryan got down on one knee and popped the big question! The next big surprise came when my mom popped out of the bushes and was there to celebrate with us in Paris! Bryan’s grand plans all came through, and we were off to London to celebrate! – Lauren

The Album Story by the Photographer:

This was such a fun wedding. The girls got ready in a gorgeous condo in the Kansas City Plaza, the ceremony took place in a beautiful stone church that was a photographer’s dream, the wedding party rode in a trolley around town sipping champagne and dancing, the reception venue looked out over the romantic Lake Quivira where the couple spends most of their time, and the dance floor was never less than crazy crowded. Plus, to top off the night, Lauren and Bryan sped away from their reception on Bryan’s boat decked out in white lights. Totally “Love Actually.” So romantic.

Favorite Part of the Day:

Easily, the trolley ride! Trollies are always so fun. The entire wedding party relaxes, breaks out the champagne, music and dancing.

Wedding Highlights:

Bryan and his mother had choreographed an amazing mother/son dance, with a bunch of different songs and dance styles fused together. It was absolutely hilarious.

A Memorable Moment:

The send-off after the reception was incredible. The remaining guests congregated on a boat deck out on Lake Quivira for a gorgeous send off. Lauren and Bryan ran through the well-wishers onto Bryan’s boat, completely decked out in white lights, before speeding off to their elegant hotel!

The Wedding Video:

VENDORS:

Photographer: Frameless Photography
Make-up Artist: Blush Spa
Dress Store: Bridal Extraordinaire
DJ: Elite Sounds Entertainment Group
Bakery: HyVee Bakery
Location: Lake Quivira Country Club
Dress Designer: Marisa Bridals
Ring Designer: Richard Dolgin Private Jeweler
Other Location: St. Agnes Catholic Church
Floral Designer: The Flower Girl
Shoes: TOMS

The post From A Fancy Dinner To A Fancy Wedding appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

How They Fell In Love:

The first meeting occurred about 7 years prior to the first date when Gizzelle sang the National Anthem at one of Jeff’s professional wrestling shows. Jeff held the ropes open for her as she entered the ring and had some brief conversation surrounding themselves, but neither one was very impressed with the other. Fast forward about 6.5 years and Gizzelle joined a local band as their keytar player and on the first rehearsal discovered that Jeff was the drummer of the band! After a few months of rehearsals and shows, they grew closer until one day Gizzelle asked Jeff to come over for a drink after rehearsal. From that moment on, they knew they needed to be together forever!

A Perfect Match:

Gizzelle and Jeff are perfect for each other because they enhance each other in all that we do in selfless harmony.

The Proposal:

They dated for just over a year and were getting ready for their second annual Holiday Party, when Jeff got the brilliant idea to propose. The planning began weeks before the event. It began with setting the stage. After rolling a few ideas and scenarios through his mind, Jeff eventually had the vision that would come to pass.

Step One: Mood. You pay $16 to sit through yet another romantic comedy. Not far from the end, the “gullible guy” gets it right – he drops to a knee, the soft music starts playing, and he professes his love, then asks for her to marry him. In the movies, it’s perfect – she always says yes! How do we create the same mood and setting? MUSIC! Our friend happens to be the music director at our church. Jeff secretly met with Nichlas Schaal and arranged the details with him. Mood – check!

Step Two: Ring. Now this is where it got difficult. Here’s a good idea – send a man to jewlery store and expect him to make the right choice. Yeah, right. So, Jeff marched into the Shane Co. and did exactly that! Without the help of Rochelle, he would have failed miserably… Thank goodness Jeff has a friend in the diamond business!

Step Three: Capture the Moment. Before the day of the event, Jeff pulled aside his friend, Shane, and told him the plan. Shane’s response: “Yeah, we figured that was what you were doing.” Hmm, all this time Jeff thought he was being so covert. I guess that says something about how well his friends know him. Shane agrees to tape the “moment.” The big day comes. Party kicks off and everyone is having a great time. The yam balls are a hit and the wine is flowing. After about an hour, Jeff’s nephew, Dylan, pulls him aside and asks, “When are you going to marry Gizzelle?” Jeff spills the beans and Dylan is the proudest kid in the world. As far as he’s concerned, he just played master matchmaker!

It’s time. Most of the guests have arrived and a few are packing the young children up to head home. Jeff silences the music and Nichlas takes his position at the piano. Jeff raises his glass and begins a toast, “I’d like to thank everyone for joining us tonight. It’s so nice being surrounded by friends and family, some of whom have traveled halfway across the country! It’s especially nice to be surrounded by friends on this day (Jeff begins walking towards Gizzelle – who is clueless at this point. Nichlas begins playing soft, swelling music) when I ask my best friend in the whole world, the woman I so deeply love (Jeff drops to one knee and presents the ring); Gizzelle, will you marry me?” What seemed an eternity later, she said “YES!” The music comes to a crescendo and everyone cheers!

The Planning Process:

The planning process was 9.5 months and was completely enough time. Gizzelle was able to go crazy with excited planning for the month after the engagement, calm down when she realized how much longer there was to go and how many vendors didn’t want to talk until 3 months prior, and then ramp back up for the final push in the last few months. Having vendors who were very flexible and prepared was amazing.

Wedding Décor Inspiration:

The church already had a style of it’s own, so just a few bunches of flowers were necessary to make it the perfect venue. As far as the hall, many of the items were included with rental, so tables, silverware, tablecloths, chairs, were all chosen due to being free with rental. Table centerpieces were platters of donuts from our family donutshop and some flowers. Making the centerpiece a snack was a huge hit!

The Wedding Outfits:

The men had it very simple – Men’s Wearhouse Tuxedos. Of course, Jeff had to spice it up with Versace underwear and crazy socks. Oh and his shoes! Jeff loves shoes, so wandering through the aisles at Nordstrom Rack can be very troublesome when you come across black satin loafers covered in silver rhinestones, especially when they are half a size too small! But Jeff being a tough man, decided, “Women wear uncomfortable shoes every day for fashion,” and bought them anyway to wear at the wedding.

The bridal party found their dresses at Nordstrom, who was great to work with because they offered free alterations for card holders and also were able to get the dress in both petite and regular sizes. Plus, Nordstrom points! The worst part for the bridal party was finding pink shoes in the fall. The wedding dress was a collaboration between Gizzelle and Norbert Teston with an Art Deco twist. Making a custom dress was one of the highlights of the event.

A Challenge For the Bride:

While walking through the mall, Gizzelle saw a dress in the window catch her eye and had to try it on. It was amazing and there was only one left in her size. After talking the store down on price by over 50%, she walked out with a dress less than 2 weeks after being engaged. Then the hard part: Gizzelle got diagnosed with a variety of food allergies that caused a loss of about 50 pounds in a 6 month period of time, which meant the dress no longer fit!

After taking the dress to a friend (and designer to the stars) Norbert Teston, it was determined that the dress could not be saved as is and would have to be re-made. This opened the idea floodgates to create the most perfect dress ever! We took the salvageable pieces of the previous dress, our creativity, and a look book of runway styles to the fabric store and let our minds go wild! A couple months and a lot of hand sewn stones later, the perfect dress was created!

Money Matters:

$10,000 was the target number for the wedding and reception. It was rough to keep under that budget as everytime you mention the word “wedding” vendors increase their costs.

We didn’t spend that much on food because an afternoon wedding was chosen so full dinner did not have to be provided. We worked with local restaurant, Off the Waffle, to create a Waffle Bar with a combination of their waffles and a variety of toppings we purchased at Costco. The food ended up being fabulous! There were also a ton of leftovers that went home with guests, which brightened their day. The wedding cake was also homemade by a friend which saved hundreds of dollars.

Our biggest expense was the Photographer, but Joshua Rainey was completely worth it! He was more than just a photographer as he helped ensure we were on-time, that the day went smoothly, and we got everything we desired accomplished. Even with it being our largest expense, his rates were extremely reasonable.

The Guest List:

About 160 invitations were sent, with near 125 people in attendance. The list was never narrowed. The church sat 800 people, so everyone was welcome!

The Songs:

• The Wedding Song (There is Love) – Paul Stookey
• Yassouh Enta Eelahee – Maronite Hymn
• Here I Am to Worship – Tim Hughes
• Everlasting God – Brenton Brown/Ken Riley

The Honeymoon:

Jamaica! It was a better idea than actuality. The resort was beautiful, the weather was great, but for adventurous-types, it felt a bit restrictive since they heavily encourage tourists to not travel into the city or leave the resort.

The Best Advice The Couple Received:

“Remember, the wedding is about two people, Gizzelle and Jesus” – Church Sacristan to Jeff

Tips & Tricks For Future Brides:

On the day of the wedding, imagine the day as a party you are attending where you just happen to be the best dressed person there – it’s much less stressful. Let everyone else handle the details.

Wedding Day Highlight:

The highlight of the day would have to be the First Dance. Jeff and Gizzelle are both serious non-dancers, so the prospect of a First Dance in front of friends and family was terrifying! We quickly enlisted the help of Jess and Chad at Edge Movement Arts 7 months prior to the wedding to get their dancing skills to an adequate level and surprised all of the guests with a Samba performance that was jaw-dropping. Not even their parents believed what they were seeing!

Favorite Part of the Day:

During the toasts at the reception, the 4-year-old daughter of one of the bridesmaids took the microphone to attempt a toast like everyone else. It was the cutest thing ever!

A Memorable Moment:

One of the most talked about events at the wedding (and after) was all the non-middle eastern people who joined in on the traditional line dance, Dabke. It was incredible to watch!

VENDORS:

Photographer: Joshua Rainey Photography
Hair Stylist: Bombshells Salon
Caterer: Off The Waffle
Event Venue: Resurrection Catholic Parish

The post Our Own Kind of Special appeared first on Elegant Wedding.

I love how they built upon the Southern vibes that beautiful Charleston already provides. From their lovely wedding invites, to the creative boutonnières, to the DIY clutches the bridesmaids had – everything looked exquisitely rustic that it brings you right back to the old days of the pioneers. Let their gallery below transport you to a time of true Southern elegance!

Our Story:

We met through mutual friends 6.5 years ago and have been inseparable ever since. I was home on a break from nursing school, and Joe had just moved back home from San Diego where he had lived for several years while in the Marine Corps. Joe continued to visit me while I finished nursing school, we fell more and more in love every time we saw each other.

We Are A Perfect Match:

Our personalities are perfectly balanced. We both have strong and passionate personalities that many of our friends and family thought would clash initially, but instead they just mesh, balance each other, and keep things exciting.

The Proposal:

Joe proposed on a cruise to the Caribbean. He had planned it for over a year, without me knowing. He involved both of our families and some close friends. While our family watched eagerly he proposed on the balcony at sunset on the first night of the cruise. It was perfect.

The Planning Process:

I planned our wedding with the help of my mother in law, step mother, and mother. With all of their help and hard work it took only a few months to plan. We were married 15 months after Joe proposed, but it took me about 4 months to plan, which was plenty of time! I was very easy going about a lot of the decisions and details (that wasn’t what was important to me). I just knew I wanted a fabulous photographer, location, DJ, lots of food and open bar – that didn’t take long to find in Charleston!

The Challenges We Faced:

Luckily, I did not have any challenges while planning, if there was something that needed to be addressed, I had enough time to do so. I think it helped to have a lot of the planning done early, any glitches or issues that came up could be dealt with before they become a problem.

THE ONLY PROBLEM: The day of our wedding there was a HUGE storm – the power was out in my hotel (while getting ready) and throughout downtown, streets were flooded and my driver was about 30 minutes late… I had a conversation with my dad that I will cherish forever, and at the end of the day I married the man of my dreams – I guess it wasn’t really a problem after all.

The Best Advice We Received:

“Don’t stress out on the day of your wedding; no matter what, just enjoy it! At the end of the day you are going to be married to the man of your dreams -that’s all that really matters”

Tips & Tricks For Future Brides:

Find a photographer and/or DJ that are willing to become your “day-of coordinator” & save yourself a fortune! Both my DJ and photographer took charge and helped my whole ceremony and reception to go smoothly without being asked – they were truly amazing.

The Theme:

Rustic elegance

Wedding Décor Inspiration:

I really only knew that I wanted rustic elegant decor. I wanted my bridesmaids to be able to pick out their own dresses (that they actually might be able to wear again), I just gave them a color palette. I had a lot of inspiration from Pinterest (I’m not sure how anyone planned a wedding before Pinterest).

Our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Projects:

The placemats (part of the centerpieces) at all the tables were personally stamped with an “M” by my father. The favors were put together by my mother and step mother. I painted & personalized the cornhole game & some of the signs we used.

Money Matters:

Our wedding budget was $35,000. Having our wedding out of “peak-season” saved us a ton of money (which we learned after setting the date) – bonus! Doing a lot of the decorations myself, with the help of my “mothers” also saved a lot. The entire desert bar and our wedding cake was made by my sister (Christie Capwell) who attended the Culinary Institute of America. We spent the most on food and alcohol.

The Guest List:

200 were invited and the final count was about 130. A lot of our family and friends don’t live in Charleston so that narrowed down the list for us.

The Songs:

Processional: “Kisses and Cake” by John Powell
Bride’s Entrance: Canon in D
Recessional: “Crush” by Dave Matthews Band

Planning Advice For Couples:

Enjoy it! There shouldn’t be anything stressful about planning the happiest day of your life.

The Honeymoon:

Unfortunately, I am currently earning my Masters in Anesthesiology, so we have postponed our honeymoon until May 2016 when I graduate. We will be taking a LONG and tropical honeymoon at that time.

We Are Excited About:

I am just excited for our future in general – every part of it. Buying a house, having children, watching our children grow, travelling, growing old together, you name it.

Favorite Part of the Day:

Marrying the man of my dreams (Obviously!)

Highlights From the Ceremony and the Reception:

Our self-written vows, the speeches, the food, and the dancing.

VENDORS:

Photographer: Richard Bell Photography
Equipment Rentals: Snyder Events
Floral Designer: Anna Bella Florals
DJ: Ascend Entertainment
Reception Venue: The Historic Rice Mill

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The clothes, location, and photography style (I strongly urge you to look at these beautiful pictures in the gallery) all add up to a delicately romantic effect. I don’t know about you guys, but this whole thing just makes me dream of an old world romance. Hmm, I wonder if these two were once nobles living in stucco mansions in their past lives…

The Album Story:

The overall story of the album is the very close relationship between the Bride and her family. The couple had a fashion forward style which was evident in the gown selection and the modern suit style for the guys. They wanted to bring the old world feel to the wedding maintaining tradition but interweaving modern style.

Wedding Outfits:

The guys wore light grey suits and the girls had blush pink flowing chiffon gowns. The colors were soft and romantic.

The Theme:

The theme for the reception would be a “hot pink party”!

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Projects:

The bride gave her Dad a handkerchief with a beautiful letter embroidered telling him she will always be his little girl – sweet.

Highlights From the Ceremony and the Reception:

The ceremony was a traditional Catholic mass. The highlight were the excited expressions of joy as they were announced man and wife. The reception was full of non-stop dancing. We even had a chance to sneak out for a few night shots to capture the fading lights of the day.

Favorite Part of the Day:

The photo session at the historical Vanderbilt Mansion. The stucco of the building and the cobble stone paving was the perfect backdrop to the colors of the wedding. The architecture was stunning and allowed for so many interesting images – fun and romantic.

VENDORS:

Photographer: Lana Rowe Photography
Reception Venue: Crest Hollow Country Club
Floral Designer: Jack Rose
Transportation: Mark of Elegance

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