Nostalgic Engagement Shoot by Hunter Ryan Photography

This engagement session blends together love with nostalgic times including an old time sweets shop and a really awesome red truck! Throw in a sequin dress and I'm game all day long! 

Q. How did you two meet? Jennifer: We met through friends at the Edison Restaurant. I was sitting with my girlfriend and her husband when her new neighbor's joined our table. Her new neighbors happened to be Dylan's father and girlfriend and his uncle Bob was also in town. When Dylan finished playing golf he came over a sat at our table and asked for my number. We went out on a date a few days later and have been together ever since. 


Q. How did he propose? Dylan: I asked her to go for a walk in Yosemite and she was hesitant but eventually gave in...i got to a point where we could see the sunset and asked her to come up on this side hill so we could get a better view. Then I got down on one knee and asked her. Jennifer: We had been hiking all day and had just finished an amazing family dinner of homemade tacos and all the fixings when he asked me to go for a walk to watch the sunset. After climbing up this hill and watching the sunset Dylan got down on one knee. Each time I wiped away my happy tears I was rubbing hot sauce from the tacos into my eyes ha. 


Q. What are some of your favorite things to do together? Dylan: We love to socialize in controlled environments. Jennifer is becoming a great golfer so the golf course is a favorite place. We love to spend time with Jennifer's daughter Isabella. We love the beach and traveling. Jennifer: We love to cook dinner at our house and socialize with our friends. We also love good music and try to go to outdoor concerts and other live shows. Dylan loves to golf and I took up the sport so we like to golf together (I’m still learning) as well as play on a male and female golf leagues at the Fort Myers Country Club. We love taking Bella to the beach, traveling and trying new things.

Photography: Hunter Ryan Photo | Hair & Makeup: J & A Artistry | Planner: Fabulously Chic Weddings

Press: Leather & Tulle Shoot Featured in Today's Bride

Well this was a fun little treat! Our Leather + Tulle shoot that we did last year was featured in the latest issue of Today's Bride.

We had a crazy awesome team for this shoot! Check out the credits below! And see the whole thing on 100 Layer Cake as well.

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Photography: Carlie Statsky Photography / Caterer: Paradise Catering / Event Designer: Engaged & Inspired / Floral Designer: Floral Theory / Reception Venue: Holman Ranch / Invitation Designer:Dauphine Press / Dress Store: Haute Bride / Equipment Rentals: Shelter Co.Hartmann Studios Rentals / Makeup Artist: Melissa Hoffmann

White + Green Floral Tidbits

I put together a sort of boards all day long. Big or small, for clients and for myself. After 6 years of blogging on the daily, I apparently think better when things are in boards. 

This board showcases tidbits of a floral proposal. I'm talking tidbits. But when I looked at it, I just love the feel of the whole thing, so I wanted to share. 

Elegant Blush Wedding by Britta Marie Photography

Things are getting elegant today, in the best way possible. This wedding oozes with grace from top to bottom. I can't seem to get enough of the bridal party color palette, the bride's veil or this stunning property. Britta Marie Photography captured this wedding beautifully!

PS we shared our favorite shot from this wedding on Instagram. Do you follow us? We share pretty awesome sneak peeks!

Photographer:  Britta Marie Photography//Reception Venue: Armour House at the Lake Forest Academy//Dress Designer: BHLDN//Event Venue: Fountain Blue Banquets & Conference Center//Dress Store: House of Brides//Cake Designer:Karina's Bakery//Cinema and Video:Vanilla Video//

Glamping Style by Melissa Jaen Photography

Editorial glamping girls night. What more could you want? This group of vendors brought the outdoors in for a fabulous "girls night in" style experience. Check out all the little details, the stunning hair & makeup, and that awesome sheepskin rug!

"Just because we're living in the Polar Vortex doesn't mean we can't have any outdoor fun. Stylish girls are also resourceful, as proven by two creative Chicago wedding pros Maritza Buelvas and Alice Nielsen who decided to take the idea of Glamping indoors and create a trusty toolkit for style seekers, to boot.

Glamping as defined by Oxford Dictionaries is "...likely [to] satisfy any city slicker seeking a little refuge in nature—without foregoing any of life’s luxuries." But what if nature isn't quite cooperating in your neck of the woods? Seeking sanctuary from the harsh outdoor elements seems to be a common thread in early 2014. And for all those busy planning weddings, hosting soirees or just needing a "me" moment, the constant downpour of snow and freezing temps can certainly put a damper on one's style mojo. 

Bringing the outdoors "indoors" in unexpected ways, can breathe fresh air into your next intimate gathering or group celebration. Pitch a tent by your living room fireplace this Valentines Day to celebrate your upcoming nuptials with your sweetie; roast marshmallows indoors and sip on champagne with your girlfriends while watching the 10 year celebration of Mean Girls, or pack a slew of picnic baskets and host a DIY couples engagement brunch.

All it takes is a little creative ingenuity and some crafty common sense. Try mixing in rustic elements like branches and wood, with comfy home furnishings and desserts that seem to float off your plate. Here are some visual cues and styling ideas for transforming your indoor space into a glamorous safari retreat."

credits:
Concept by: Alice Nielsen and Maritza Buelvas. Event styling by Alice Nielsen of styled-it.com; Hair by Maritza Buelvas of beautyforbloggers.com; Makeup by Brenda Arelano @brendaarelano; Modeling by Rachel Rose Perez and Erica Nielsen; Photography by Melissa Jaen of melissajaen.com

Beltane Ranch Wedding by Retrospect Images

How gorgeous is Beltane Ranch?! This wedding is filled with a little bit of sass, a lot of gorgeous details and some wonderful light! Today's wedding is such a little stunner filled with so many little details!

Photographer:  Retrospect Images//Event Planner: be hitched, event planning & design//Event Design by Phoebe Erler//Reception Venue: Beltane Ranch//Floral Designer:Chestnut and Vine//Makeup Artist: Kat Tinney A-List Makeup//Caterer: the girl and the fig//

Vibrant Inspiration Shoot by Heather Cherie Photography

I love pops of color, beautiful florals and some gorgeous brides! And this shoot has all of the above. From the rose gold flatware to fabulous floral crowns, this shoot has it all and much more. Get those pin buttons ready, you are going to need them for this one!

Photographer:  Heather Cherie Photography//Ceremony Location:Acker Farm Weddings//Event Designer: Crystal Spriggs Brockwell Designs//Cake Designer: Dough a Dear Bakery//Floral Designer:  He Loves Me Flowers By Charity//Makeup Artist:Marty Wynn//