I want to become a society lady Rockin' a new rock?!

Hope Helmuth Photography gathered a team of talented creatives together to create this floral-centric ode to to Paris. The historic Hotel du Village provided the European-inspired backdrop and A Cottage Gardener accentuated it with a stunning sprawling garden climbing up the mint-kissed walls. A color palette of blush and cappuccino informed the design choices in the additional details like a luscious three tier cake adorned with ribbon and painted sweet pea by Park Ave Cake and paper goods by August and Oscelia.

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Photography + Styling: Hope Helmuth Photography // Floral Design: A Cottage Gardener // Paper goods: August and Oscelia // Venue: Hotel du Village // Makeup Artist: Makeup by Emily Dimant // Hair: Ariel Katrina Hair // Desserts: Park Ave Cake // Rings: L. Priori Jewelry // Dress shop: La Belle Mariee // Gown: Hayley Paige // Vintage Slip: Luca and Luna // Shoes: Bella Belle // Ring Box: The Mrs. Box

 

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More than half of Brittany and Jack’s guest list were traveling from Texas– and the couple “wanted a wedding that was classic and sophisticated, but brought some San Francisco flare.” Old St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral and James Leary Flood Mansion gave them just that. Every Elegant Detail designed and planned the day that included classic details like the custom crest and stationery by Aerialist Press and towering white and green reception florals by Amy Burke Designs. Photographer Melanie Duerkopp was on hand to capture all the lovely details in these beautiful images.

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How did you meet and get engaged?

Mutual friends introduced us/ “set us up”. The first time we ever met was going to a USC – Stanford game at Stanford with said friends. Brittany went to USC for undergrad and Jack went to Stanford for undergrad. Despite the college rivalry, and the fact that USC beat Stanford, they liked each other and the rest is history.

Jack had the ring for a few months. He was waiting for the right opportunity to propose. He decided he wanted to do it up in the Oakland Hills overlooking the San Francisco bay – the area where their relationship had strengthened. But, he wanted it to be a surprise and needed to find a way to keep it from Brittany. She is very plan oriented and hard to surprise! The day of, Jack told Brittany he needed to buy a new camera for work. Which made sense, because he had just started a new job as a Public Relations Manager, and he did need a camera to take good pictures for the company website. So they went to Target and bought Jack his new camera. Later that night, Jack had fully charged up the camera and suggested they go to the top of the Oakland Hills to see the skyline and take some pictures with the new camera. Brittany went along with no hesitation – it made sense to her that he would want to test out his new toy. At the top of the hill, they took some pictures of the beautiful skyline – it was a perfectly clear night in the bay – and then Jack popped the question! Brittany was completely surprised and caught off guard, but elated and obviously said yes!!

What did you like about your venue?

More than half the guest list was coming from out of town – mostly from Texas – and we wanted a wedding that was classic and sophisticated, but brought some San Francisco flare. When we first walked into Flood Mansion, the fact that our guest (and that WE!) could see such an amazing, sweeping view of the bay just took our breath away – who wouldn’t want to see such a picturesque view of the San Francisco bay on their wedding night, in the city that brought them together and nurtured their love for one another!? That was a huge selling point. The other was simply how gorgeous the venue was. The cocktail hour was stunning in the brick courtyard, the formal sit down dinner with long tables instead of round in the dining hall, and the set aside dance room where people could go crazy dancing! Flood Mansion is really just perfect, we were so excited it was available for us, and we are over the moon that we had such a fantastic wedding reception there!

What did you like about your wedding planner?

It wasn’t hard to find a wedding planner, since Brittany’s mom had been a wedding planner with Every Elegant Detail for 6 years by the time Brittany’s engagement came around. Even though it wasn’t really a choice, Every Elegant Detail was the perfect wedding planner to work with. Janece and Lori stay true to the name – they care about every detail and they will make your wedding the most elegant event you have ever attended! We were blown away by how organized and on top of things they were throughout the entire process. Additionally, when there were tough choices that had to be made, they were there to advise us and guide us through it all. Fast forward to the wedding night, we had a spare moment before we joined the party, we walked into our reception and Brittany just cried. They saw her vision, they added the Every Elegant Detail flare, and they made our reception venue the most perfect place in the world that night. We have never seen a room prettier than Flood Mansion on our wedding night, and we highly doubt we will ever see one better! Janece was cool, calm, and collected the entire day and got us all from point A and point B seamlessly – she even carried my phone and chapstick the whole night! I owe her and my mom nothing but gratitude for bringing to life the night of our dreams!

What was your favorite part of the day?

Jack – “ I actually can’t decide. Every moment of our wedding day was perfect! From seeing Brittany walk down the aisle for the first time, to cutting the cake with my new wife, to dancing the night away with my friends and my new family. It was all my favorite!”

Brittany – “My favorite party of the day was after the ceremony, we did some family pictures inside the church, and while we were doing that we asked everyone to stay on the front steps of the church to wait for us so we could take a group photo. When Jack and I walked out to the top of the steps and we saw all our friends and family that were there because they love us, that were so happy for us for just getting married, that were so excited to celebrate the rest of the night with us, and that were just outpouring love to us, it made me cry and it made me feel all the feels and it was my favorite part of the whole day. Feeling everyone support us and love us – I will never forget it, and I will keep that with me throughout our whole marriage – we have a team that is cheering for us and wants us to succeed.”

What was the most memorable moment of your reception?

Brittany and her Dad’s choreographed Father Daughter dance to Hot in Here and Bye Bye Bye was such a surprise to Jack he will never forget it, and so much fun to do that Brittany will never forget it.

What did you learn from it all?

Forget about all the planning, and just have the time of your life!! It is your day, your love, your friends and family. You are a little celebrity for one day. Embrace it and just enjoy it! It won’t happen again! Also, drink water – major dehydration can occur when you are trying not to pee in a huge wedding dress.

A wedding is a really momentous occasion – it literally moves mountains and changes lives, and it is a huge life decision. It brings two families together and makes them one, and with that brings a lot of emotions, both as a couple and with your respective families. But you know you are with the right person when throughout the whole process you have someone that supports you and just loves you. And you know your families are going to be okay when you see them having the best night ever on your wedding night. Engagement and the wedding was the best time of our lives and the most emotional time of our lives. People don’t talk about how emotional it all really is.

From Janece at Every Elegant Detail:

Brittany and Jack are one of those couples that exude elegance and fun all at the same time. These two wanted to have a chic, San Francisco wedding that also felt intimate for their closest family and friends. Jack grew up in the South and Brittany in California so having a wedding that brought all of their traditions together was a dream. The wedding party arrived at Old St. Mary’s Church in cable cars as friends and family arrived from across the country.  Brittany had chosen a timeless wedding gown from Anna Maier and Jack was equally well-dressed in a black tuxedo. The reception venue was an elegant mansion with stunning architecture that allowed guests to enjoy a cocktail hour with lounge furniture to encourage mingling with pops of French blue linens to accent the stone courtyard. Bringing together a color palette of neutrals, greens and blue worked well with the natural beauty of the Flood Mansion. Working with Amy Burke Designs to bring together the floral accents with tall arrangements filled with ample greenery and candles while guests dined at long tables. A sweet surprise was placed at each guest’s plate, a duo of French macarons from Pretty Please Bakeshop to end the meal. Brittany and Jack gave a heartfelt toast to guests prior to the cake cutting followed by some high energy dancing for the rest of the evening.

Wedding Planner: Every Elegant Detail // Photographer: Melanie Duerkopp // Florals: Amy Burke Designs // Invitations, Menu, Seating Chart And Personalized Crest: Aerialist Press // Wedding Venue: Old St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral // Reception Venue: James Leary Flood Mansion // Video: Andrew Hsu MSV Studios // Bride’s Gown: Anna Meier / Marina Morrison // Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Earrings: Designer Nadri // Necklace: Tiffany // Bride’s Hair and Makeup: Sarah Dean of Liner and Lace Beauty // Groom’s Tux: Hart Schaffner Marx // Grooms shoes: Florsheim // Grooms watch: Rolex // Rings: Padis Jewelry // Ring Box: The Mrs. Box // Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy / Bella Bridesmaids // Groomsmen attire: The Black Tux // Flower Girl Dress: Bella Bridesmaids // Catering: Melons // Bar: Smith’s Beverages // Cake & Favors: Pretty Please Bakery // Officiant: Fr. Tom Tavella // Rentals: Bright Party Rentals // Linens: La Tavola // Lighting: Got Light // DJ: Big Fun DJ // Wedding day tailor: The WeddingdeTailor // Honeymoon Planner: Katie Lee Travel Co.

 

Nestled just east of the Colorado Rocky Mountains and fifty miles north of Denver, you won’t find a more elegant location than the fields of Stonewall Farm. With lush garden greens framing the walls of the opulent European-style estate, this bright and airy shoot from CURATE Events + Design brings out the light reds and dusty blush hues of the spring season. Al-fresco seasonal dining and grazing boards adorn the tablescapes at this soiree, alongside organic Helios Floral and breezy rattan design elements. Customization continues with elegant calligraphy stationery by Abbey Ratliff Paper Artistry and personalized gift boxes by Gray Duck GiftsDecorus Fine Art was on hand to capture all the beauty of the details and the nature surrounding them in these stunning images.

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Design and Planning: CURATE Events + Design // Photography: Decorus Fine Art // Florals: Helios Floral // Stationery and Calligraphy: Abbey Ratliff Paper Artistry // Venue: Stonewall Farm // Gown: Lovely Bride Denver // Hair & Makeup: The Tiny Rendezvous // Tabletop Rentals: Yonder House // Jewels: The Diamond Reserve // Catering: Sugar Mountain Catering // Gifts: Gray Duck Gifts // Ties: Knotty Tie // Models: Nxt Models // Chairs & Table: Target / Urban Outfitters // Ring Box: The Mrs. Box

 

Cara and Cameron love traveling, music and trying new food and aptly sought inspiration for their destination wedding day from a William Shakespeare quote that reads “If music be the food of love, play on.” They planned an entire weekend of events in Austin, TX for their friends and family including a Bluegrass BBQ, a stunning ceremony at St. Mary’s Cathedral and a ballroom reception at Four Seasons Hotel Austin. Wedding coordination was by CAKE Event Company, romantic florals were by Color Theory Collective and calligraphy by Jen Krause CalligraphyAllie Lindsey Photography was on hand to capture all the details in these inspiring film images.

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What made the wedding special and unique? 

What really made our wedding special was that it wasn’t just the celebration on the wedding day, but an entire weekend of special events. We started off with group walk/run around Lady Bird Lake on Friday morning and in the evening, hosted a Bluegrass BBQ equipped with the best local BBQ from Leroy and Lewis and musical entertainment from a local Austin Bluegrass band, Steel Betty. The day after the wedding we hosted a Gospel Brunch at a cool office space where we enjoyed some Sunday gospel tunes and Austin’s famous Breakfast Tacos.

We currently live in Southern California and looked at many venues in our area, however nothing really felt like “us.” While visiting Austin, our home away from home, my brother suggested we visit St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Four Seasons on a whim. We had to laugh because as soon as we stepped foot into the church and the hotel, we knew that Austin was the place for us. Our friends and family are scattered throughout the United States, so it was also the perfect central meeting ground for all of our guests!

What I feel is most unique about our wedding weekend was that although there were over 180 guests, it still felt very intimate and personal. I loved being able to look around and see people who didn’t know each other one day earlier dancing together on the dance floor, laughing with each other and making those lasting memories that stick with you forever.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

Growing up, I never had a true vision for my wedding dress. I teetered from lace to mermaid gowns to princess and A-line so when it came to actually try on dresses, I felt like I was all over the place! I scheduled appointments at a few different stores in Los Angeles, and when we got to Monique Lhullier, my mom, sister and I picked out a few dresses and headed into the fitting room. And then, there it was! It was like a match made in wedding Heaven…this beautiful dress hanging in the perfect lighting left behind by the previous soon-to-be bride trying on dresses. The instant I tried it on, I cried. I knew it was the dress for me. It was whimsical, romantic and elegant. The floral lace bodice that ran into a silk tulle skirt was stunning. It fit perfectly with my personality and romance of the day.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal? 

We love traveling, music and trying new food, and sought inspiration from a William Shakespeare quote that read “If music be the food of love, play on.” Throughout the weekend, we made sure that music was very much the constant theme and focus of our wedding festivities, whether it was the Bluegrass band at our welcome party, Drywater Band at our wedding, the playlist at our rehearsal dinner or the Gospel band at our brunch. Some other personal touches we added were a traditional Irish bagpiper that guided us from cocktail hour into our reception, our invitation suite I designed with my mom and sister, our sweet niece and nephews walking down the aisle, the “First Look” I got to have with my dad before we headed to the church, His and Her’s cocktails, a handwritten seating chart, handwritten name tiles and romantic floral arrangements of different flower, shapes and sizes.

What was the most memorable part of the day? 

The most memorable part of the day was walking down the aisle to my groom. I was so excited to see Cameron for the first time and he looked so handsome (and excited) on the altar and the second we locked eyes, we both started crying. In that moment, I knew we would be together forever and there was no better feeling in the world!

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

We met through mutual friends and started dating shortly after. We would take weekly dates on the Santa Monica bluffs where we would pack a picnic and watch the sunset. Cameron and I have explored the world together and gone to many different countries to taste exotic foods. We love going to concerts and experiencing new things together.

During our Europe trip in 2016, our first stop was Paris, France. We started the day off with sightseeing and then had our first Afternoon Tea! After Tea, we walked over to the Pon de Bir-Hakeim, which has a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. As the sun was setting, Cameron got down on one knee and proposed. Little did I know, he also reached out to an American photographer living in Paris who captured everything on film! The next day, we flew to Barcelona to meet up with some of our friends from back home who had already known about the engagement! It was so special to be able to celebrate such an exciting time with both Cameron and some of our closest friends.

 

Photography: Allie Lindsey Photography // Coordinator: CAKE Event Company // Florist: Color Theory Collective // Calligraphy: Jen Krause Calligraphy // Venue: Four Seasons Hotel Austin // Videographer: Photohouse Films // Makeup: Makeup by Adrienn // Lighting: PSAV // Linens: La Tavola Linen // Welcome Party & Brunch Rentals: Premiere Event Rentals // Band: The Drywater Band // Welcome Party Band: Steel Betty Band // Photo Booth: Moviewhip // Church: St. Mary’s Cathedral

 

Jaén, in south-central Spain, keeps treasures hidden among its olive trees and its lush vegetation. Castles, churches and palaces, tell the important historical role that always had this land. In Sierra de Cazorla, the team behind this editorial highlights a place where time has stopped: the ruins of the church of Santo Domingo of the 16th century are a small but precious sample of the Andalusian renaissance. Mery Liccardi Eventi mixes the history of the ruins with romantic details like summer florals by Alejandra Romero, stationery by Estudio Requetebién  and dripping naked cake by Velvet Marbella CateringLa Coleccionista was on hand to capture all the beauty if the epic location and romantic details in these lovely images.

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Planning & Design: Mery Liccardi Eventi // Photographer: La Coleccionista  // Floral Design: Alejandra Romero // Stationery: Estudio Requetebién // Bridal Dress: You&Me Project // Groom’s Suit: Silbon // Makeup Artist: Sophie Make-Up // Hair: Lola Cabezas // Bridal Accessories: Santiago Gonzalez Para Colindante // Bridal Shoes: Clara Rosón // Cake: Velvet Marbella Catering // Ribbon: Sulayr Sedas // Models: Marta Tallón & Raúl García Festa