Rocks State Park Engagement Session || Jade Nikkole Photography

Styled Rocks State Park Engagement Session || Anna Elizabeth Lifestyle & Jade Nikkole Photography

Your engagement portraits are a perfect time to showcase your style, to get dressed up and bring in color elements of your wedding. Brought together and styled by Anna Elizabeth Lifestyle and captured by Jade Nikkole Photography, this golden hour Rocks State Park Engagement Session is stunning. Showcasing a high-end style and romantic feel, these ideas can be included in your engagement session to create a finished and romantic look.

The Look

Blush and grey were the main colors in this styled shoot. The model wore a romantic tulle gown featuring a strapless sweetheart neckline and romantic flowing silhouette. It provides a classic, ethereal feel that’s complemented by the natural surroundings of Rocks State Park. Her look is completed with diamond drop earrings and a simple chained diamond belt. Her hair is worn down in a soft romantic style. Can you say ‘cover of a romance novel’…

His look is brought together with a grey antique plaid suit, black tie, and a simple white shirt. The black and white pocket square and silver watch finishes look. Wearing this outfit he looks like the perfect gentleman ready to sweep his beloved off her feet.

The Details

Featuring soft blush roses, pale grey lamb’s ear, ivory ranunculus, and pink designer hypericum berries within the bouquet, this bouquet ads a gorgeous element to this engagement session. A beautifully calligraphed print and champagne bottle share their feelings with romantic musings. Lets be real, a bottle of champagne also makes the engagement session more fun! After the formal images, champagne in this stunning location! YES PLEASE.

With these romantic elements, this engagement session can inspire you for your engagement session. Our advice, don’t skip the amazing dress or the flowers. I’t takes the session to a whole different level and reminds us of our romance novel dreams.

If you love this look as much as we do, be sure to check out the amazing vendors listed below. They can help you plan the few extra details for your engagement session to give you a flawless magazine worthy look.

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We love this peach ring box from the Mrs. Box. It’s a perfect showcase for this beautiful emerald cut engagement ring!

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What a perfect way to celebrate your engagement. A bottle of champagne with custom calligraphy, works as a perfect prop which you can then enjoy!

Vendors:

Photography: Jade Nikkole Photography

Videography: Nicholas Koetz

Calligraphy: Pine & Pen

Florals: Les Fleurs by Jes Wilson

Ring Box: The Mrs. Box

Earrings and Belt: Mary’s Bridal Boutique

Styling: Lifestyle by Anna Elizabeth

Gown Nordstrom: Jenny Yoo

Suit: Jos A Bank

Ring: Radcliffe Jewelers

Watch: Ulysse Nardin

by Meghan Stramara

Dahlias, in a Bouquet

09.07.18 by April

Ah, the Dahlia. One of the most requested bridal flowers around- and rightfully so. Dahlias come in a rainbow of colors. They are fairly durable, once cut, and quite showy ranging in size from more diminutive blooms to “dinnerplate” varieties that are well… dinnerplate sized. (And, that’s big for a flower) Dahlias grow from a tuber and are somewhat fickle requiring just the right amount of water and sunny days to bloom their best, but that’s for the professionals to worry about, let’s take a look at why Dahlias, in a bouquet, are all over Pinterest and what makes them so special.

White Dahlias are beautiful and fill in a bouquet nicely. There are several white varieties but this one is super fresh with that crisp, green center. Simple greenery, white Roses and Anenome work together to create a classic gathering of flowers. (Wrenwood Designs and Leah & Mark Photography)

Emily Chastin Photography l Charm City Wed

Cafe Au Lait Dahlias, seen in this bouquet, are some of the most sought out varieties. For the past several years they have dominated the wedding, floral scene. While they are a blushy, pinkish -peach color, they are treated as a neutral in design work, which basically means they look perfect in any color story. Trailing greenery and an abundance of yellow and white flower varieties make this a dreamy gathering. (Petals By the Shore and Emily Chastain Photography)

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Here are those beautiful Cafe Au Lait Dahlias, again. The darker peach Dahlia,( in the middle), is a Cactus variety. It adds a lot of texture to this gorgeous, pageant-style bouquet. Rich colors fade to paler hues making this bouquet an absolute stunner. (Floribunda Rose and Phillipa Sian Photography)

Lavender-hued Dahlias paired with a buttery shade create a bold look with mixed Silver-Dollar Eucalyptus and soft purple Roses. A coordinating satin ribbon finishes this whimsical look. (Carolina Flowers and Emily Patrick)

Wine colored Dahlias look brilliant with mauvey- pink Roses, and mixed white florals. Pink Astrantia adds just the right touch of color and a coordinating Dahila with deep, red inner petals matches perfectly. This bouquet is timeless and would look great for a wedding in any season. (Glamour and Grit Floral and Abby Fox Photography)

This colorful arrangement places pale pink Dahlias with white centers, in the midst of a bevy of other flowers that include, Lisianthus, Celosia, Craspedia, Bupleurum, Roses, Delphinium and Seeded Eucalyptus. So much variety in this beauty, making it both glamorous and fun. (The Poppy and the Peony and Toya Laperna)

Because Dahlias are late Summer- early Fall bloomers, here on the East Coast, we see them featured in lots of beautiful Autumn bouquets. Here, the deep, black-red Dahlia is striking alongside more peppy Sunflowers and Craspedia. This is a charming celebration of Fall. (Rose and Bel Florals and Hannah Fazio)

This incredibly romantic bridal bouquet has so much texture and detail. It boasts that “just picked from the garden,” look, that skilled florists have taken the time (and practice) to perfect. (Laurel Creek Florals and Olivia Griffin)

Lauren Curry Photography l Charm City Wed

There are Dahlias aplenty in this fanciful bouquet. Rich reds, bright coral and soft apricot Dahlias set the palette while leaves, berries and a bold bouquet wrap compliment the look flawlessly. (Laurel Creek Florals and Lauren Curry Photography)

Katherine Elizabeth Photography l Charm City Wed

Cafe Au Lait, again (and again). Look how gorgeous when paired with red, pom-pom Dahlias, white Lisianthus, Silver-Dollar Eucalyptus, Dusty Miller, Thistle, and dramatic red Amaranthus. How perfect would this bouquet be for a November wedding? (Violet Floral Designs and Katherine Elizabeth Photography)

Dahlias are super versatile. They are small. They are large. They’re dramatic and ruffled or petite and sweet. Their color range is extensive and they look so incredibly pretty, in bouquets. Seasonally they can eke from late Summer to the holidays so consider them if you’re getting married anytime between July and December. Style-wise, Dahlias are fitting for a relaxed, outdoor wedding or an upscale, estate event.

*Thanks to all my floral friends, near and far, for sharing images of your boundless talent and design work.

Local Vendors Included in this Post:

Violet Floral Designs

Rose and Bel Florals

Petals By the Shore

Emily Chastain Photography

Katherine Elizabeth Photography

by April

Irvine Nature Center Wedding || Kait Bailey Photography

09.05.18 by April

Irvine Nature Center Wedding by Kait Bailey Photography

Authentic Fall Bohemian Wedding

Today, we feature an absolutely stunning wedding brimming with beautiful details and elements of nature. A free-spirited, fete held at an eco-sustainable venue. Yes, please! Throw in hand-made decor, gorgeous florals, and one fun-loving, environmentally conscious couple and we have a wedding worth writing about.

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After you’ve made all the big wedding day decisions, remember the tiniest details like your choice of earrings, shoes and even fragrance can offer a big impact. Your wedding day is about feeling like the most beautiful version of yourself. Stay true to you when planning your big day!

Adding dried elements like the Poppy and Scabiosa pods seen here, add warmth to this lovely Fall bouquet. A natural gathering of white Astilbe and Ranunculus, kelly green Dianthus, Seeded Eucalyptus, plus Silver Brunia and Hypericum Berries make for a highly textured, elegant bouquet.

Nothing is more lovely than considering your guests comfort and nothing is more comforting than offering the warmth of a blanket, on a cool Autumn day. Plus, how cute do they look gathered in wooden crates?

Breathtaking florals coupled with airy macrame hangings create the perfect ceremony site and marry abundance with simplicity beautifully.

Dreamcatchers, made by the Bride, add depth and style to an otherwise plain tent ceiling. The mostly white palette is beautifully interrupted with a tufted, pale blue, velvet settee and colorful floor pillows.

A completely unique spin on Mr. and Mrs. Chairs adding macrame hangings as chairbacks! This sweetheart table looks super sweet with a romantic, oil lantern and oversized, mixed green garland.

The understated cake is dressed up with coordinating florals. Again, we see that vibrant green Dianthus adding a mossy, outdoorsy element. This is how a floral cake topper is done! So much texture and detail create a mini-arrangement that is both eye-catching and subtle.

Dreamcatchers add an ethereal quality to a large, white tent. An installation, such as this, bring so much personality and movement to a space. Gold-dipped, white feathers dancing overhead are dreamy, indeed.

Accents of navy blue and gold bring depth to the color palette, perfect for a Fall wedding.

The Irvine Nature Center offers an abundance of scenic views for a nature loving couple.

Sharing Sioux beliefs, regarding how dreamcatchers serve their culture, is a fun (and informative) way to include your guests in the wedding day. I am certain sweet dreams were abundant after this event.

A purple amethyst crystal for calm, balance and peace is always a good idea on your wedding day. Surround yourself with people (and things) you love on your big day. Listen to a favorite song, take a morning walk, burn a scented candle while you’re getting dressed. All these moments create the memories of your day.

White linens and a white tent provide the perfect canvas for a wedding like this where color is playful and varied. While there is enough consistency in the color palette (white, green, and shades of blue) to establish an earthy vibe, the couple shared pops of color like the red lanterns and colorful pillows and blankets to keep things interesting.

An Autumnal view effortlessly sets the stage for the ceremony.

We LOVE these succulent wedding favors provide guests a bit of green to enjoy, at home and a statement, hammered brass vessel collects words of wisdom from friends and family. You can get them here at Succulent Source

This wedding balances indulgence and simplicity and illustrates how with some creative ingenuity, you can have a gorgeous wedding that’s decadent in all the right places. A few enchanting vignettes like the suspended dreamcatchers and seating assignment display are intriguing and memorable.

The couple also chose to use florals, sparingly, but with full impact using mixed greenery throughout the space and focussing on a notable bridal bouquet, bold ceremony florals, and an impressive cake topper. Using nature’s scenery and a traditional white backdrop (the tent) color and details were used to perfection to create a classic, bohemian wedding day.

Vendors

Big Thank You to Photographer: Kait Bailey Photography !!

Venue – Irvine Nature Center
Catering – Rouge Fine Catering
Florals – Blue Sage Floral
Dress – Maggie Sottero
Rings – Jewelry by Johan
Garter – Urban Eco Beauty
Dreamcatchers – Bride
Didgeridoo – Groom
Succulents – The Succulent Source
Transportation – A Touch of Class Limousine

by April

1840’s Ballroom Wedding || Jill Fannon Photography

09.04.18 by Carlotta Shelton-Lopata

1840’s City Lights Wedding by Jill Fannon Photography

If you’re the bride that wants to forgo all the worries about wedding day decor, a venue like the 1840’s Plaza provides all the ambiance you need to have a beautiful wedding. Today’s wedding was all about being surrounded by friends and family while having a stunning space in which to share a special day.

The Girls

The bride wore a simple tea length gown with an illusion bodice trimmed with laced and cap sleeve. The bridesmaids wore mismatched royal blue gowns. Their florals were simple bouquets with Veronica, pale pink peony blooms, and Dusty Miller.

Ceremony

The ceremony was held inside the 1840’s Plaza, City Lites room. Muted, sheer drapes, along the ceiling, draw all attention to a beautiful, large-scale, antique chandelier. Exposed wooden beams create a warm feel and massive windows flood the space with natural light. This is truly an intimate and luxurious ceremony site. The bride’s uncle officiated the nuptials, while two of their best friends played guitar.

The Reception

The reception was held in the same space as the ceremony. Additional decor was minimal, but the look was complete and styled. For dessert, the couple kept traditions simple. The groom’s mother made a German tart for the ‘wedding cake’. Guests were also treated to an ice cream sundae bar. Love, laughter and joy abounded for this simply elegant wedding where family and friends contributed to the events of the day.

If you’re looking for a venue with character and style, the 1840’s Ballroom offers historic charm and a romantic feel that will have your guests swooning and enjoying the setting of your wedding.