We’ve added lots of great new links to the Library! All of you new additions: we would love it if you would blog about your inclusion in the Library and direct your clients over to our reviews page so that they can give you mad props for all of your fantastic work!  You also have the NEW option of expanding your listing - contact us to find out more!

Thanks to every one of you that has contributed either by submitting a link or publishing a review. Remember, inclusion into the Library is absolutely free, and the only criteria is that you recommend them (submitting yourself is absolutely OK too!) - you can send us your links to add using the Contact page. Recent brides and grooms, please submit reviews about your vendors - all of your submissions are what will make the Library a great resource!

{PHOTOGRAPHERS}
KLK Photography (CA)
Laurie Peacock (IL)
Cary Pennington (CA)
Sherrlyn Borkgren (OR)
Lily Kesselman (NY)
Fisher Photography (VT)
Oeil Photography (FL)
Jared Wilson Photography (CO)
Barefoot Snapshots (FL)
Taylor Haynie Photography (AL)
Shelly Valentine (IN)
Amy Martin Photography (NC)
Alan Darmody Photography (GA)
RMN Photography (VA)
Nistor Photography (CA)
Aihara Visuals Photography (HI)
3 Photographer (NY)
Time After Time Studios (OH)
Riso Studios (AZ)
Del Sol Photography (Mexico)
Jeff and Lisa Photography (Philippines)
Jamaica Wedding Photos (Jamaica)

{PLANNING & DESIGN}
Go2Girl Event Planning+Design (WA)
V3 Weddings & Events (CA)
Metro Luxe Events (MI)
Sugar Blossom (England)

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I recently came across the website of Mary Frances Photography and was immediately captivated by her photography and blog.  I like her use of textures and she seems to be a great up and coming (and affordable!) photographer in the SoCal area.  She is a recent graduate of Hallmark Institute of Photography and obviously loves what she does.  We’re happy to share a few images from a recent wedding she shot.

Shoe shots are always fascinating to me.  Not to mention a bride in funky shoes and socks.  Love it!

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When I first asked M home to meet my family, I knew I had to introduce him to the wonders of the Thousand Islands as he grew up in the far corner of the state where they are about as landlocked as once can get. Up here, life revolves around boating, fishing, waterskiing and sailing in the summer months. This lifestyle was completely forgein to him and I just knew he was going to love it once he had a taste of the good life. Where I grew up, we spent about equal time in the summer months on the St. Lawrence River and on Lake Ontario. On our first visit we spent a day on the lake at the family cottage and the following day we went on one of the famed Thousand Island boat tours, including a stop at Boldt Castle on Heart Island.

[Source]

Originally named Hart Island and home to a beautiful wood-framed mansion, George Boldt of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, purchased the island and ultimately decided the home simply would not do. When the St. Lawrence River froze over that winter, the home was carefully removed from the island and placed on Wellesley Island where after serving many years as the prestigious clubhouse of the neighboring country club, it now stands proud today as Hart House Inn, a luxury bed and breakfast. Boldt, being so very in love with his lovely wife Louise, had the existing Hart Island sculpted into the shape of a heart and renamed it Heart Island, just in time to begin construction on a massive six-story, 120 room castle in 1900. No expense was to be spared as the castle was to serve as a tangible testament of his true and undying love for his wife. For four summers, Boldt and his family lived in Alster Tower, the incredible structure that was to serve as the children’s playhouse upon completion of the castle itself. However, tragically construction was halted in 1904 when the workmen at the site received a telegram from Boldt that his beloved Louise had died unexpectedly. Construction was to cease immediately. Boldt never returned to the island.

The original Hart House, now the Hart House Inn.
[Source]

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I thought I’d give you guys a bit of a tasty treat for the day [and don't I love blogging on Wednesdays, because it's the MIDDLE of the week? YES I do!].

Madeleine and Steve were married this past August and their nuptials were nothing short of stylishly fabulous! Being an interior designer, Maddy knew how to take her event to the next level and I was THRILLED to be along for the ride!! Let’s start with her fabulous outfit:

Heck YES it’s pink and YES it’s entirely made of wavy ruffles. I couldn’t get enough of this dress! You may recognize it because one of the two Wedding Chicks, Amy Squires was her photographer and has raved and raved about this wedding [as I am]!!

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We are excited to announce the winner of our DIY contest as determined by our FABULOUS judges - Emily from Once Wed, Kathryn from Snippet & Ink, Jenna from That Bride, the girls at Southern Weddings, and Maria from Ritzy Bee!

We asked the judges to rank their top 3 out of the 10 finalists and we then assigned 1 point to each 3rd place vote , 2 points to each 2nd place vote, and 3 points to each 1st place vote.

OUR WINNER IS: Youn, with her incredible invitations!

A sampling of what the judges said:

Maria: “These are my top pick because I love the details that went into this project…the twine and the cute little label made these so fun for guests to receive I’m sure! Bravo!”
Jenna: “I think Youn’s invites are lavendar and lovely without being over the top. I like that her instructions were clear and easy to understand, without going into too much confusing detail. The paper doily and shades of purple are very soft and romantic, and the elements of twine added a subtly rustic touch. Topping it all of with a glassine envelope was the perfect touch I think, and the more I write this review the more I feel bummed that I’m not lucky enough to know Youn personally so I could receive my own!”
Kathryn: “These look absolutely professionally done. Beautiful. ”

Honorable mention goes to: Nicole, with her fabulous embroidery skills. 

{Lauren B Photo}

A sampling of what the judges said:

Jenna: “Being a bridesmaid is a sacrifice. It’s a sacrifice of time and often a sacrifice of lots of money. I think that as Nicole sacrificed her own time, probably staying up late some nights to get all of her bridesmaids’ hoodies finished, she showed that she was willing to make sacrifices of her own for her closest friends. I also like this project because she used the wedding to develop a skill that she can use over and over throughout her life. ”
Lara: “These are really fun.  I think this would take a bit more expertise, but the design is adorable!  Nicole did a fabulous job.  A lot of love was stitched into this project.”
Maria: “Sooo cute, unique…and a lot of work too! I’m sure the gals who received these gifts were beyond thrilled…I know I would be! ”

Thank you to all of you who submitted projects for our November DIY month - we hope that all of the readers were inspired! 

Youn, please email us and we’ll arrange to get you your prize!

E.

It’s official.  I am very much in love with every detail of this wedding.  Nicole and Raul had a spectacularly fun Portland Maine wedding, and not only that, but Nicole’s best friend is none other than Sara from the amazing Whitebox Weddings.  So while Sara was vamping it up as the Matron of Honor, Melanie was capturing the day in a fabulous way!

To start the day, the wedding party headed out to the Portland Yacht Services for some pictures.  I love this one - what perfect weather for a wedding!

Nicole is a stunning bride - this photo may be my favorite from the day:

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It’s winter here in Chicago and I’ve been thinking of nothing but warmth, green space, and outdoors.  In that spirit, here are a few ideas for the ever-popular garden or backyard wedding.

Decorate your ceremony chairs with gorgeous florals, or have your aisle strewn with petals prior to the arrival of your guests. It’s so natural!  And no outdoor ceremony is complete without a focal point at the end of the aisle, whether that’s an arch, a canopy, or a beautiful tree.

{In Style Weddings via Southern Weddings}

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I stumbled upon LeLuxe clothing and their fall-on-your-face stunning vintage inspired dresses at a costumers’ sale and could barely contain myself from buying up a closetful of the beauties. If I were having a vintage wedding, I’d be all over these for bridesmaids like bees to honey. Did someone say rehearsal dinner? I thought I heard a calling. Even as a guest at a wedding, or out for a hot night on the town… they’re classic, elegant, sassy, fun and affordable!

LeLuxe designs and imports authentic, couture-quality reproductions of 1920’s dresses, purses and caps. Its a one-stop shop for your Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Flapper fashion fantasies! You can find everything from exact reproductions of flapper dresses to newer designs, like their too-hawt-to-handle Vamp dress, which draws from period styles and details to create a modern melding of the times.

Va Va Va VAMP!

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April from April Foster Events is hosting a Valentine’s Day Card Swap! Sign up ends tomorrow!

The Details:

• Send an email to April at [aprilfosterevents{at}gmail{dot}com] with Valentine Card Swap in the subject line by January 25th.
• Include your name, address, email address, and website/blog address [if you have one].
• April will email you up to 5 names and addresses to send cards to by January 28th.
• Be sure your cards are homemade - anything handmade goes.
• Please send cards out no later than February 9th.

If you’re looking for bridal inspiration, we have the event for you! Xochitl from Always a Bridesmaid emailed us with yet another fun event.

The details?

Lisa Hoffman of CeCi, Sylvia Weinstock of Sylvia Weinstock Cakes and Thomas Preti from Thomas Preti Catering will all be taking part of a bridal inspiration panel discussion in addition to Josh Friedman, owner of Elan Artists, Jessy the owner of Fleurs NY and Christine Merser who is a design expert for Classic Party Rentals.

After the 1 hour panel, our panelists will be available for Q & A and cocktails, while we have tastings of Sylvia’s cakes as well as the new White Label Collection of Ceci.  Finally, for those brides who couldn’t make it last time, there will be another Catwalk of the Pronovias bridal gowns and accessories.

The entire event will begin at 1PM with the Panel and wrap up at around 4PM. The cost is free, but space is limited! RSVP on the website by January 28th.