Best Wedding Blog - Wedding Fashion & Inspiration | Grey Likes Weddings

An Excuse to Wear Your Wedding Dress Again!

Grey — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:00:26 +0000

One of the things I’ve learned about about wedding planning is the importance of a timeline. Later this week, I’ll be sharing with you who my coordinators and some tips I’ve learned from them about managing your timeline on the day of a wedding. One thing I’ve learned firsthand is that it seems squeezing in enough photos, in the perfect lighting, in the perfect setting, on the day of your wedding is sometimes next to impossible. Clearly you aren’t going to be able to hike up to your favorite mountaintop or swing by the beach in perfect weather.

That’s why we love the idea of planning an extra session with your photographer so you can find the ideal location, with no time constraints, and really get the images you were hoping for. Another plus to going this route is opting for a pricier photographer that perhaps you couldn’t afford for the wedding, but that might be able to work with you for a much shorter shoot on a weekday. And if your florist can recreate your bouquet–well, then it’s a win-win. And let’s not lie–what bride isn’t sad that she can only wear her dress on that ONE day?! I’m already a little teary thinking about it and I haven’t even worn my dress yet! So here are some beautiful images of Alexandra and Christopher, who asked Greg Ross to photograph them a few weeks after their wedding. We LOVE the bouquet by Dandelion + Grey, don’t you?

Vendors: Photography: Greg Ross Photography // Florals: Dandelion + Grey

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The Mystery of the Desert

Grey — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:00:08 +0000

Lady Grey, if you aren’t aware, is a bit of a literature buff, so when today’s photographer, Natalie Shelton, sent us a quote by author Steve Dobell, we knew it was a perfect way to start off today’s inspiration:

“Many years ago, I began spending time alone in the desert, thinking I would arrive at some understanding of it. I have learned many facts, but the mystery of the desert has only become deeper. It sulks and glows in the outrageous openness of the land. It inhabits the extremes of gentleness and harshness, soft colors and hard light, hot ground and cold shadows, endurance and vulnerability, loveliness and aloofness. These are what draw me to the desert, and what I have tried to paint and write about.” Steve Dobell

If you are lover of the southwest, or if this quote just now made you one, then we know you’ll love the inspiration for today’s gorg shoot!

Vendors: Photography: Natalie Shelton of N.Barrett Photography // Event Design: Bri Denton and Natalie Shelton // Venue: Florist’s Private Residence // Makeup: Something You Make Up Artistry // Hair: Rachel Harris of Pure Vida Salon // Cake/Desserts: The Hospitality Sweet // Dress Designer: Luxe // Floral Design: Blue Lotus // Groom’s Attire: Family Heir Loom- 70′s Leather Vest // Jewelry: We Are 1976 // Shoe Designer: Minnetonka Boots // Stationery/Paper: We Are 1976 // Veil or Hair Accessories: Retro Ribbon // Prop or Furniture Rentals: Private Collection

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White Dresses Boutique

Grey — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:00:45 +0000

White Dresses Boutique owner, Ella, shared with us the story of how her couture bridal gown store popped up in the south. She gives all the credit to her aunt, and we loved the story so much, you’ve got to dive in with us:

In the 1930s, a petite woman named Madie Ella Leonard opened a fine dress store in a tiny Alabama town. Convinced that mixing the fashions of the Big Apple with service drenched in Southern charm would create a shopping destination people would have to revisit, Madie purchased her first few lines of inventory and stocked the shelves with finery that would make any Southern lady swoon. Though met with a lot of people who told her tiny Alabama couldn’t handle couture, Madie went on to operate one of the most influential dress shops in Alabama – dressing Southern women for over 40 years.

Madie, who is now 108, passed her love of fashion down to her nieces – who she treated like the daughters she never had. With the same love of couture and desire to bring something new and innovative to the bridal market in Huntsville, Madie’s nieces, along with their mom, opened White Dresses.

I’m not sure there’s anyone who wouldn’t love the combination of couture and southern charm. So much so that it would be worth the trip to make it to Alabama. Not only that, but White Dresses carries brands that often times, are not offered anywhere else in the Southeast! If you are indeed a southeastern bride, you can head here to schedule an appointment!

The most important thing to White Dresses is the bride. They develop relationships with their brides and that relationship lasts well past the day a bride makes her deposit. All of our brides are sent a small surprise on their wedding day. It makes seeing their photos in our gowns or viewing their wedding video even more special because they know them! And it isn’t odd for them to get an invitation to a wedding after getting to know their brides!

White dresses is hosting several trunk shows of some of our FAVORITE dress brands. You can check out their most upcoming shows below, or head to their events page to stay posted. If you don’t know much about trunk shows, it’s the opportunity for you to get to try on and see all the dresses from just one designer. Because there are so few samples of each design, this is your moment to make sure you get a chance to try on your fave dress!!!

Hayley Paige Trunk Show – June 28-30

Blush Trunk Show – July 19-21

Francesca Miranda Trunk Show – August 2-3 (Dresses will remain until August 10th) *Designer Representative

Cocoe Voci Trunk Show – August 9-10 (Dresses will arrive August 2nd) *Designer Representative

Have you found your dress, darlings, or are you still on the hunt?

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They Met in Middle School!

Grey — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:00:03 +0000

Maria and Matthew took a relaxed hike with their Boxer, Kona, at Pulgas Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Their dog’s appearance in the engagement session was significant, as he was present at the proposal as well. This couple met in middle school and reconnected after their paths diverged–another reason attending your high school reunion might be worth it. That is if you’re single.

From Maria:

It’s funny, when I met Matt in middle school, our interests were far from parallel. When our paths crossed again years later, we knew there was intrigue and attraction between us – it felt right, and we have been together since. It was after only three months of dating, watching television in his parents’ living room, when I thought to myself, “I will marry this guy.” But when he proposed, it was completely unexpected and certainly one of the most romantic moments we have experienced, and we love how our boxer, Kona, was there! What I find truly special about our relationship is we balance out one another in many ways. Matt is a no-fuss, unostentatious kind of man – I love that about him because he inspires me to consider and understand other points of view and preferences. At the same time, we continue to learn of the things on which we have common ground and both hold value – for instance, our passion for sports (he played and now coaches baseball while I danced professionally with the NBA, Arena Football, and the NFL), food, philanthropy and volunteering, travel, comedy, and the outdoors. I’m grateful that we are unpretentious, we don’t pretend we’re perfect but we are accepting, respectful, sincere, honest, loving, and blessed with the people and opportunities we have and have had. I couldn’t be more anxious to marry my biggest fan, the love of my life.. my best friend.

Vendor: Photography: Elisabeth Millay Photography // Location: Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve

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Coral and Blush Ranch Wedding

Grey — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:00:02 +0000

Our darling Ashlee Raubach sent us this sweet family centered wedding that took place in Salt Lake City, Utah. The bridal party’s bright pops of coral are to die for! Be sure to read more from our gorgeous bride about their story behind the day.

What made your wedding special and unique?

Perhaps the most unique aspect of our wedding was that our families have been intertwined for many years: our parents were friends, our grandparents were friends, and even our great grandparents were friends. This produced a special dynamic as the groom’s party and the bride’s party combined into one big, happening party!

What were some touches added to make it personal?

In eighth grade, some of our dearest friends built a stately French-Villa-style home on the western edge of the greater Rocky Mountains in Northern Utah surrounded by beautiful horse pastures. For years I dreamed of one day having my wedding reception there. Thanks to their generosity, perfect weather, and tasteful flowers and decorations, my dreams literally came true.

Being a professional violinist, I also decided from a young age that I would have live music at my wedding. Because many of our favorite songs are jazz classics, we chose Jay Lawrence’s band to provide a refined but relaxed atmosphere for the reception and dance.

We also chose to have a crepe bar for our guests to enjoy to go along with the “French Villa” theme (not to mention because they are delicious—bon appétit!)

What was the most memorable part of the day?

While the most memorable part of the day was undoubtedly the private wedding ceremony performed by my sweet grandpa in the Salt Lake Temple, our wedding day will forever be a cherished memory because of the special people we shared it with. The entire day was one filled with laughter and love as we were surrounded by those family and friends who mean the most to us.

Tell us how you met/proposed!

Believe or not, our mothers have been close friends since college and as a result Jon and I have known each other our entire lives. There are definitely unique advantages that come with having known your husband for so long. For starters, you each share memories that go back to your childhood, like going to Disneyland together at the age of six and having pictures of your one-day husband sandwiched between his future in-laws. Perhaps the most special of all these memories, however, was the beautiful summer’s night we spent in my aunt’s blooming backyard talking and laughing for hours. It was that night, at the ages of 15 and 17, that Jon and I connected for the first time; from that night on we were more than just childhood friends.

After 5 ½ long but special years of dating and courtship filled with hundreds of emails, dozens of hand-written letters, hours of Skyping, and many, many months spent more than 2,000 miles apart, Jon surprised me by proposing in December of 2011. He popped the question at our favorite lookout situated just above the Avenues in Salt Lake City—the very place we had gone on our first date exactly one year (to the day!) prior. It was perfect, and just six months later our lives would finally align forever on June 12, 2012.

Vendors: Photography: Ashlee Raubach // Ceremony: Salt Lake Temple // Reception Venue: Private Residence in Brigham City, Utah // Bride’s Gown and Veil: Gateway Bridal // Hair and Makeup: Jenn Keepers of Salon Bleu // Groom’s Attire: Tuxedo Junction // Wedding Bands: Rocky Mountain Diamond // Floral Design: Suzanne Thorup // Cake: Piece of Cake! // Catering: Utah Celebrations Catering // Jazz Band: Jay Lawrence and Friends // Calligraphy: Ron Tate // Event Planning, Creative Direction, Custom Pool Monogram, Invitations and Paper Goods: Martha Hatfield // Tables, Chairs and Linen Rentals: Diamond Rental and Wedding Essentials

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Annamarie Akins Photography

Grey — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:00:33 +0000

We love the idea of our dearest Kate Spade having drinks on the terrace with Mr. Gatsby himself. Wouldn’t that be a sight? Pretty sure the table decor might look a little something like this. Stripes, gold, coral, and plenty of glam. It’s our literary and fashion icons in a dream come true. Le sigh.

Vendors: Photography: Annamarie Akins Photography // Event Planner: Michelle Amarillo Event Planning // Hair and Makeup: Stephanie Merino // Florals: Amanda Burnette of Into it Event Styling

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Apple Vacations

Grey — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:00:09 +0000

Bryan and I attended a destination wedding a few years ago, and it was so fabulous, that we knew we wanted to do the same thing. However we learned that PLANNING a destination wedding is an entirely different (and much more stressful) route to go. We ended up deciding on a semi-destination, but if we had known about our newest sponsor, Apple Vacations, it may have made a difference for us. Their service is similar much like a one-stop shop for planning a destination wedding–from travel arrangements, legal requirements, and even a bridal registry. They offer a collection of romantic hotels for weddings throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, plus affordable weddings in beautiful beach settings throughout the Hawaiian Islands. What’s amazing is Apple Vacations takes care of your travel arrangements, puts you in touched with an experienced wedding planner and offers fabulous discounted rates for groups as small as ten guests. You can even get airfare credits!

One of the resorts that Apple Vacations sends their destination brides and grooms to is Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts. Known for their dedication to service and luxury as well as for their idyllic backdrops any of these resort destinations are a great choice for an all-inclusive wedding vacation or honeymoon. From the moment that you arrive, friendly staff is at your disposal around the clock. Whether it’s an intimate ceremony on the beach or a vow renewal ceremony in a garden gazebo, Bahia Principe staff will work with couples to customize their ceremony details, from decor and flowers to musical entertainment and photography. What I love is that they handle all the stress–even small details and coordinating vendors, so that you can actually ENJOY your destination wedding, rather than stress!

Whether it’s an intimate ceremony on the beach or a vow renewal ceremony in a garden gazebo, Bahia Principe staff will work with couples to customize their ceremony details, from decor and flowers to musical entertainment and photography. What I love is that they handle all the stress–even small details and coordinating vendors, so that you can actually ENJOY your destination wedding, rather than stress! The services that are provided to couples extend far beyond the day of their ceremony. Every day thereafter the staff takes the opportunity to offer sweet surprises, candlelight dinners and even discounted spa treatments. Wouldn’t your guests LOVE a getaway like this? I know I would!

Apple Vacation’s service is similar much like a ONE-STOP SHOP FOR PLANNING A DESTINATION WEDDING–from travel arrangements, legal requirements, and even a bridal registry. They offer a collection of romantic hotels for weddings throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, plus affordable weddings in beautiful beach settings throughout the Hawaiian Islands. What’s amazing is Apple Vacations takes care of your travel arrangements, puts you in touch with an experienced wedding planner and offers fabulous discounted rates for groups as small as ten guests, you can even get airfare credits!

We’d love to know if you considered a destination wedding. Where would you want to take your guests??? I think my dream was France, but Bryan wanted a beach locale like this. So hard to decide!

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Jill and John’s Pippin Hill Farm Wedding

Grey — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:00:05 +0000

Pippin Hill Farm is one of our FAVORITE venues in all of the world, and when it’s shot by a photographer like Elisa B Photography, it gets even better. If that’s possible. You know we love pets, so we love that the couple included a furry attendant as well.

How he proposed (from John):

We had talked about taking a trip to Napa Valley and I got the idea to take her on a little vacation to Napa and propose to her there. I had the whole thing planned out: there is a winery that overlooks the entire valley and I called ahead to reserve a secluded little picnic spot for us so that I could propose. I even got the hotel to find me a cute little picnic basket and blanket that we could take a long. Of course, when we got there, nothing went according to plan. The winery staff pointed us in the opposite direction of the picnic spot I had reserved. Basically, the spot they pointed us to was this dusty little patch of scrub with a bunch of holes in the ground. I was extremely disappointed but thought, “Well, I just have to make the best of it.” So, of course, I started setting up a little picnic spot while all the while telling Jill how nice the spot was (even though it was not). Jill was less than convinced and kept asking why there were holes everywhere. I could feel I was losing her here – I needed to propose quick! I handed her some wine and she laid down next to me on the blanket. The moment of truth had arrived. I reached into the basket and picked up the ring box. Just as I was bringing the ring box out to show her, Jill got up and said, “I think these are snake holes. I’m going to see if I can find a better spot.” And off she went – leaving me behind with a ring box that I was just starting to bring out for her (but she still, clearly, hadn’t seen). I was there for quite some time by myself. I was mostly shaking my head and thinking this is just what I didn’t want to have happen. But just as I was thinking this, Jill came back and said she had found out that we we’re in the wrong spot and that our reservation was further down the road. We picked up all our things and headed over – and it was everything I originally hoped! I proposed to her right there and then and she said yes! I brought out some champagne I was saving and we toasted and then had a good laugh over how I was about to propose in snake infested mountainside – but luckily, Jill saved the day by getting up and walking out!

From the bride, Jill:

What were some touches added to make your wedding personal? We wanted to include our dog, Buddy, in the wedding, so he served as the ring bearer. He was so excited to be outside for the ceremony and surrounded by people he knew. He didn’t stick around for the reception, but my Uncle made a great little sculpture of him for the bottom of the cake.

What was the most memorable part of the day? I was worried that the day would be a blur, but I have so many great memories. Getting ready in the beautiful bridal loft, seeing John for the first time while walking down the aisle, the gorgeous view during the ceremony, being surrounded by our family and friends, and the incredibly fun dancing. The whole day was memorable!

Vendors: Photography: Elisa B Photography // Hair Stylist: Moxie Hair & Design Studio // Event Planner: Amore Events by Cody // Floral Designer: Sugar Magnolias // Reception Venue: Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards // Dress Designer: Angelo Lambrou // Cake Designer: Cakes by Rachael // Cinematographer: Shaking Hands Productions, LLC // Invitations: Twin Ravens Press

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Prospect Park Boathouse Wedding

Grey — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:00:37 +0000

Alia and Jonathan planned a simple wedding at Prospect Park Boathouse, which is blocks from their Brooklyn apartment. As Alia tells us, they figured it would be a wonderful way to create such a significant memory at a place they walk past on a daily basis! Our favorite idea from their wedding was the boat captain they hired to take guests on a tour. We thinking planning experiences for your guests is an amazing way to send them home with wonderful memories!

Very special thanks to Levi Stolove Photography for sharing his images with us! Be sure to read more from Alia and Jonathan, who had so much to share with us!

How did you two meet?

Alia: I was hanging out with some girlfriends and someone mentioned a bar called Black Betty’s was closing down. None of us had been there in years, but we wanted to go to for nostalgia’s sake. Jonathan went there that night too, for the first time in his life, and there he met me. The bar closed that week, and three years or so later, we got married.

Tell us about your wedding.

Alia: We got married at the Prospect Park Boathouse, which is just a short walk from our actual house. We chose it because of the beautiful Beaux-Arts building but also because we liked the idea of getting married in a place that we go to all the time in our regular lives. We’re always in the park with our dog, and I love being able to return to the Boathouse whenever I like.

The white marble of the boathouse and the lush green of the park in early September reminded me of one of my favorite paintings, John Singer Sargent’s Carnation Rose Rose Lily. (Here’s a link so you can see it). It’s a beautiful painting of two little girls in white dresses playing with Japanese lanterns in a garden at dusk. Our bridesmaids wore white dresses and our flowers were white, too. Everything about our wedding was pretty simple, and I see now that the location really did a lot of the work for us.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

Jonathan: We hired a boat captain to give guests a tour on the lake. (We totally didn’t want to do this—our mothers insisted.) Captain Jimbo is the thing everyone talks about when they talk about our wedding. Jimbo is old school Brooklyn incarnate – once a firefighter, fired for vague but purportedly nefarious reasons, who now pilots boats in Prospect Park and for the NY Water Taxi. Our guests were treated, whether they liked it or not, to colorfully-told tales of Prospect Park’s grittier past as well as the “Chinaman” who once dropped an engagement ring from a bridge into the pond and *somehow* managed to retrieve it. He was a character, that’s for sure.

Tell us about some unique and personal touches that made the day special

Alia: Our favors were Syrian cookies my mom made from family recipes. We just said simple, traditional vows: we liked the idea of saying the same words our parents said as they all had long and happy marriages. Jonathan’s ring was his father’s, and the stone in my ring came from my mother’s engagement ring. The dancing started with a traditional Syrian circle danced called the Dubka—it’s the Arab version of the hora!

Vendors: Photography: Levi Stolove Photography // Hair Stylist: The Parlour Brooklyn // Caterer: Movable Feast // Floral Designer: The Rose Garden // DJ: DJ Ceremony NYC // Location: Prospect Park

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Intimate Hometown Wedding

Grey — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:00:33 +0000

When Erica and and Matthew started planning their wedding, a large destination affair, but after rethinking their approach, the couple decided a more intimate dinner party in small Idaho hometown was a better fit. With a keen eye for crafty details, Erica set to incorporating personal touches, without getting too caught up. Our favorite idea that Erica came up with was the ceremony program, which she printed on paper bags and served popcorn in! What a fun and interactive way to charm your guests! We know you’ll love this cozy wedding shot by Rebecca Hollis Photography and designed by the Attic.

From the bride, Erica:

We originally started planning a large wedding in AZ and quickly realized it wasn’t going to be as personal as we wanted, so we decided to plan a smaller affair in the charming small town we live in. It started with personal touches on our invitation, referencing things that are quintessentially “us”- baking cakes and climbing mountains. I have an art background and a not so small obsession with crafting and design, so something smaller where we could really personalize it was very exciting! Everything from the welcome bags with homemade jam and local honey, to the ceremony programs (popcorn bags printed with the program on them), to the personalized Jones Sodas and the family wedding photos from 3 generations, made the day truly special. The other great thing about moving the wedding to our town was that we could exploit..errr, utilize the talents of our amazing friends. It was great to see how many people jumped at the chance to offer up their skills so that we didn’t have to compromise a thing.

The reception, which was truly beautiful, was inspired by Matt’s southern roots and my love for details. We had a menu of comfort food: mac n’ cheese, mini burgers, and grilled cheese and tomato soup with 3 kinds of cake, donut holes and peach pie for dessert. The reception space, a great little restaurant on Main Street, was decorated with tree branches, antique chairs, a sofa, and lots of twinkling lights in the trees. We treated it like we were planning a fabulous dinner party, so we didn’t get caught up in all the things that “had” to happen. A friend spun Motown records for us and we had a small dance party after dinner and everyone was free to relax and mingle.

One of our favorite parts of the evening was our first dance. Our friend learned Paul Simon’s “Nobody” and played/sang it as we danced under the trees surrounded by all our friends and family. We felt so lucky to have so much love and support.

Vendors: Photography: Rebecca Hollis Photography // Event Designer: the Attic | A Vintage Rental Company, Wedding and Event Design & Styling // Floral Design: April Sutton // Musicians: Melinda Schab and Christine Cavanagh, Charlie Sutton // Invitation Designer: Prints Underground // Dress and Shoes: BHLDN // Accessories: April Look // DJ: CJ Clark // Tuxedo and Men’s Attire: Calvin Klein // Officiant: Barry McGarrah // Event Venue: Andriette’s Bed, Book and Bicycle // Restaurant: Bloom // DIY or Handmade Goods Designer: Citizens for Cake and Craft

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