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

Inspiration Shoots and Boards:

Warm Sunset-hued Villa inspiration

featuring Beatbox Portraits

Set in a beautiful hillside, Villa Antonia‘s terrace glows when the sun sets, creating a beautiful warm color palette of pinks, mauves, mustards and rusts that Gold Dust Event Co. incorporated into the details of this lovely styled shoot. Incredible, lush florals are by The Bloom Bar, textural stationery by By Brittany Branson, and a show-stopping cake is by Iced Caked and Confections. Beatbox Portraits was on hand to capture all the sun drenched details in these beautiful fine art images.

Click to expand for more

Photography: Beatbox Portraits // Planners / Design: Gold Dust Event Co. // Florals: The Bloom Bar // Stationery: By Brittany Branson // Venue: Villa Antonia // Host: Styled Shoots Across America // Film lab: Goodman Film Lab // Film supply: Film Supply Club // Make-up and Hair: Lip Service Makeup // Cakes: Iced Caked and Confections // Linens: Nuage Designs // Cake stand: Chanticleer Wedding Art // Wedding gown: Wed Bridal Boutique // Mens Suit: J. Hilburn // Videographer: Agape FilmWorks // Rental company: Monarch Event Rentals // Car: Texas Roadmasters LLC // Male model: Triston Stringer // Female Model: Alexis Juliana // Bridal accessories: Twigs & Honey

 

We like
our sponsors

We think you will too.

Real Weddings:

Sanjay and Steven’s wedding at Cedar Lakes Estate

photography by Edward Winter

Where do we even begin with Sanjay and Steven’s incredible wedding weekend at Cedar Lakes Estate?? It was the first gay wedding for many of the guests and Sanjay and Steven “were determined to ground the weekend in themes that everyone could connect with: love, community, and partying very hard.” Planned by Amanda Savory Events, it’s a visual spectacle filled with gorgeous details, cultural significance, nods to the couples’ many travels and the underlying theme of bringing people together in the spirit of joy. How better to do it than joyful details including florals by Rye Workshop, a traditional Indian wedding procession, calligraphy by Mimms Cross, a cake by Momofuku Milkbar, and—of course—vibrant-hued smoke bombs?! Every last detail is captured by Edward Winter with READYLUCK and we’re thrilled to share the photos here with you today. 

Click to expand for more

What made the wedding special and unique?

All weddings are special because they bring families together. The one additional layer of significance for us was that both Steven and I had a long, often challenging, journey to get to this point where our families could be so incredibly supportive. This was the first gay wedding for many of our guests. We were determined to ground the weekend in themes that everyone could connect with: love, community, and partying very hard.

Also, both Steven and I have lived all over the world and moved quite a lot. Consequently, we have lots of circles of friends and family dispersed everywhere that we rarely get to see together. Bringing them all together in one place – and actually having the time to spend time together during the daytime – was absolutely the most incredible rush. We hadn’t anticipated how important this factor would be until the weekend arrived.

Our wedding brought people together in a spirit of joy. Our families and friends became one big loving community.

Tell us about your tux and where/how you found it!

When picking tuxedos, we knew we wanted something modern, but not so ‘out there’ that it would look ridiculous when we looked at our photos in a decade. We also knew we wanted to complement each other, but not match exactly – which ruled out the classic black tuxedo.

We ended up finding the perfect duo of a bold blue and a midnight navy color at the Hugo Boss store in Soho, NYC.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?

We injected our personalities and cultural backgrounds into small moments throughout the wedding. At our ‘sangeet’ event the night before the wedding, two of our closest friends hosted a live ‘newlywed’ game that allowed our guests to get to know us a little better. We also served a fusion Indian-American South menu that evening with dishes such as cardamom-spiced fried chicken and Kashmiri style collard greens.

In lieu of a guestbook, we invited guests to share messages with us on the backs of vintage postcards of destinations that we’d traveled to together, such as Iceland, the Cook Islands, and South Africa.

Finally, for our first dance we elected to surprise everyone with a fun mashup of songs that represented where we came from (nods to “California Love” and the “Dirty South”) and where we met (“Empire State of Mind” – Alicia Keys & Jay-Z).

What was the most memorable part of the day?

Honestly, the afterparty! We loved every minute of our wedding weekend (even the rain!), but it was only after the reception that we could totally let loose. Ironically, the afterparty was the one event that we planned the least and so it was the most thrilling for us to experience it with no expectations.

For our afterparty, we moved over to a venue called The Treehouse where our friends danced into the night on an outdoor patio while our DJ pumped out our favorite 90s tunes accompanied by live Indian Dhol players. It was so exhilarating to have all of our favorite people celebrating with us in one place.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Despite an explicit verbal agreement that neither party would pop the question until they had dated for at least two years, Sanjay proposed on a private lagoon voyage in his 100th country (and Steven’s 25th), the Cook Islands, just shy of the second anniversary of their first date. Steven immediately accepted and then promptly proceeded to dance uncontrollably. Some might say the surprise had been ruined when the captain of the boat winked at Sanjay and loudly announced that a bottle of champagne was in the cooler as he dropped Steven and Sanjay off on a private island, but then again, when has a chilled bottle of champagne on a private island ever ruined anything?

Photography: Edward Winter / READYLUCK // Event planning: Amanda Savory Events // Flowers: Rye Workshop // Stationery: Suitesmith // Location & catering: Cedar Lakes Estate // Calligraphy: Mimms Cross // Cake: Momofuku Milkbar // Officiant: Rvnd. Mary-Rose Engle of Engle Heart // Music: DJ Rishi of Silk Events (sangeet baraat ceremony reception); Suit & Tie of Élan Artists // Rentals: Patina Rentals (furniture & lounge) // Sherwanis: Maharani Fashions // Grooms’ tuxedos: Hugo Boss // Grooms’ bowties: Sarar // Steven’s shoes: Hugo Boss // Sanjay’s shoes: Calvin Klein // Cake topper: Etsy // Dance instructor: Alan Watson Easy Wedding Dancing // Horses: Echo Lake Stables

 

Real Weddings:

Susie and Sam’s wedding at Accelerator Space

featuring Marie Violet Photography

Susie and Sam had us at custom-neon-light-floral-ceremony-structure. Their celebration at Accelerator Space in Baltimore fit their “personalities to a ‘T’.” Both collect taxidermy and the details planned by Eventi Floral & Events reflected the couple’s “more macabre sense of style.” The encased paper butterflies and ’til death’ neon sign were a way to incorporate those organic, yet modern, elements while still being beautiful and chic. A bold invitation suite by Ruby the Fox introduced the style perfectly and the florals are colorful and abundant and we are all so lucky that Marie Violet Photography was on hand to capture it all in these gorgeous images.

Click to expand for more

What made the wedding special and unique?

Every little detail was well thought out, from the music to the table settings and it fit our personalities to a” T”.

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

The dress is by Made With Love. I visited my friends in St. Louis and this was probably the 5th store I had gone to. I just tried it on and knew that was the one and didn’t look any further.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal? 

We both collect taxidermy and have a more macabre sense of style. The encased paper butterflies and til death neon sign were a way to incorporate those organic yet modern elements while still being beautiful and chic.

What was the most memorable part of the day? 

Probably the speeches from my Dad and the groomsmen. They were heartfelt and so funny. All our guests were laughing so hard there were tears.  It was so wonderful to have our favorite people to toast to us on our day that traveled near and far to witness and be with us for our wedding day.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

We met when we were 21 while attending CU Boulder. I was friends with his upstairs neighbor and we met, started dating a few months later and we’ve been together ever since. Sam proposed to me at our friends house in the LA hills.

Susie & Sam || Accelerator Space Wedding from Shutter And Sound Films on Vimeo

Photography: Marie Violet Photography // Wedding Planning & Florals: Eventi Floral & Events // Paper & Invitation Suite: Ruby the Fox // Venue: Accelerator Space, Baltimore Maryland // Dress: Frankie with pockets by Made With Love Bridal / White Dresses in Nashville, TN // Cake & Caterer: Chef’s Expressions // Videography: Shutter & Sound // Hair & Makeup: Behind the Veil Beauty // Photo Assistant: Dami Or Photography // Groom’s ring and Engagement ring: Julio Banez at Artisan LA Jewelry // Bride’s band: Mother in law’s ring // Linens: BBJ Linen // Equipment: Go Events Pro // Equipment Rentals: Select Events Rentals // DJ: DJ Sean

 

Real Weddings:

Marilyn and Victor’s Wedding in Paris

featuring Sandra Aberg Photography

Marilyn and Victor wanted a personal celebration—one that was true to who they are as a couple—so they threw a cocktail party for 150 in Paris! With the help of planner and creative director Xenia Motif they celebrated their love with a town hall ceremony followed by a reception at La Cartonnerie, Paris. Light shone down through the glasshouse ceiling of the organic setting and decor included garden roses and lots of greenery by Studio Ohlala. Our favorite details are—hand down—the bride’s Hermione de Paula gown, the traditional French croquemboucheat wedding cake and the views of Paris in the stunning portraits by Sandra Aberg Photography.

Click to expand for more

What made the wedding special and unique?

prom the planner: I was really excited to be on board of this project, as everything about this wedding seemed unique to me. I’ve done many classic destination weddings before, but Marilyn and Victor wanted theirs to be very personal and very true to who they are as a couple, what they like, and their connections in life. So throwing a cocktail party for 150 people in Paris sounded like it!

Everything — from the choice of venue, food decision to the bridal gown, — everything was dictated by what the couple liked, not by wedding conventions.

Growing up in 7eme arrondissement, Victor knew that they have to get married in the townhall of that district, especially with it being so close to the Eiffel Tower — Marilyn’s favourite place in the city. And it worked out perfectly!

Following that, the cocktail party was hosted at an old cardboard factory loft in the center of Paris. Decorated with garden roses and lots of greenery, the setting was organic, reminiscent of autumn garden blooms, at the same time giving way to the venue itself to shine properly with its vintage props, glasshouse ceiling and incredible wood.

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

The story of Marilyn’s gown is truly one of a destiny. We were looking at a few different options, and Marilyn wanted an unconventional gown, not white (as white was planned to be worn for their second religious wedding in Swiss Alps). We were looking for something playful, elegant, and a little sexy, and then one day we came upon Hermione de Paula creation. We knew it was THE DRESS right away just by looking at Marilyn — she was radiant! Subtle hand-made floral embroidery, golden accents, playful sheer inclusions — it was just perfect both for morning civil ceremony and for a party at night!

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal? 

First of all, it was hosted in Paris — the city of Victor’s birth, and Marilyn’s favourite city to visit.

French and American references were here and there in food and entertainment. Starting with an Oyster bar, the dinner then transitioned into a multi-cultural pass-around menu, with delicious things like southern waffles with corn and avocado, pulled pork buns, Asian dim-sums, and so much more.

Entertainment of choice for the night was an incredible lounge live band, followed by a Vinyl Bar, where guests could select their favourite tune, new or old.

A surprise for the bride was an old French tradition of ‘brioche dance’, where the bride and groom are to sit on the delicious French pastry and all guests shall dance around them.

What was the most memorable part of the day? 

I think I will get it right if I say that the whole day was memorable! But one great highlight was the brioche dance mentioned earlier — bride and all guests were utterly amused and had an amazing time dancing around the high bread, before turning to the underground ‘dance cave’ for the actual party!

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Marilyn and Victor met one serendipitous night at a pub in Central London and never parted since!

The proposal happened at a small resort town in Swiss Alps (where the couple later hosted their second wedding), when Victor arranged a morning hike in winter with their St. Bernard dog (who Marilyn loves!). Everything was going according to the plan, and Victor knelt down proposing. Marilyn happily says yes and takes the ring, when the dog pulls on her, and the ring gets dropped into the snow!

Planning and creative direction: Xenia Motif // Photography: Sandra Aberg Photography // Flowers: Studio Ohlala // MUAH: Onorina Jomir Beauty // Venue: La Cartonnerie, Paris // Bridal dress (Paris): Hermione de Paula // Catering: Charlotte Puckette // Live Music: Reyko // DJ: Dance Police

 

Real Weddings:

Michelle and NIck’s wedding at Planterra Conservatory

photography by Kelly Sweet

The lush, green decor was built right into Michelle and Nick’s wedding at Planterra Conservatory. Massive tropical plants, visually striking topiaries and voluminous trees at every turn, the day is a botanical dream with accents in a rich purple palette. Florals and installations are by Planterra Conservatory, stationery is by Custom Creations & Invitations and the cake is by Sweet Heather Anne. Lucky for us, Kelly Sweet was on hand to capture all the details in these lovely images.

Click to expand for more

What made the wedding special and unique?

We liked that our guests didn’t have to travel throughout the evening. We were able to have our ceremony and reception at Planterra. This made the evening much more intimate! And, we had the whole venue to ourselves because Planterra only hosts one event per day. It’s the most special and unique place on its own, and their creative abilities are amazing! They are so talented!

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

I had been gown shopping for about two months, but hadn’t found that really special dress. My mom and I had a day planned to run errands and we decided to check out this one last gown shop. We started sifting through all the gorgeous gowns, and all of a sudden I saw one! The beads were sparkling, just slightly, and the embroidery was exquisite. I picked it up and it was a million sizes too big, but I decided to try it on. I walked out of the dressing room and we all knew, this was my dress. I went home that night to think about it and by the next morning I called Bella Bridal and ordered the gown.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

After we had concluded the ceremony, we were able to spend a few moments alone together. It was nice to have a little moment of quiet before the night began! We were officially husband and wife and the feelings surrounding us were love, comfort, happiness, warmth and peace.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

We started talking online and eventually met at 12 Oaks Mall (right across the street from where we live now!).

Our engagement was very romantic. Nick took me to one of the most peaceful places on earth, Mackinac Island. It all started with me saying “I’m glad we finally get a relaxing weekend to ourselves.” Looking back, I could only imagine what was going through my future husband’s head after that comment. He arranged for both my immediate family and his to meet us on the island for the big surprise. Nick’s sister actually lives in Rhode Island and is one of my best friends. I never thought I would see her on one of the most memorable days of my life.

Nick took me to a high point on the island, overlooking the beautiful blue water and the Mackinaw bridge. Once we arrived on bikes, he proceeded to hand me his phone. He made me a 2 minute compilation of photos we’d taken over the last 4 years of our relationship. The tear-jerking background music he chose was “Good Riddance” by Green Day. (Needless to say, I will always think of this time when I hear that song).

While I was watching the video, he got down on one knee and proposed with his ring cam to ensure he got it all on video. We sat down, cried together and time stood still. I didn’t see what was about to come next.

Still in awe, as we slowly pedal our bikes back to our hotel, we come around a slight bend in the road and I see Steve Martz (Nick’s dad) with his paparazzi-like camera. In disbelief, faces of my loved ones began to appear in front of my eyes. I dropped my bike right in the middle of the street and ran to hug our families! We all celebrated in a moment of love, laughter and joy, but the adventure wasn’t over. Nick had arranged for a family dinner at the same hotel we would be staying at that evening. The day that I thought would be “relaxing, with not much to do” turned into so much more!

Photography: Kelly Sweet // Design and Florals: Planterra Conservatory // Stationery: Custom Creations & Invitations // Venue: Planterra Conservatory // Wedding Gown Designer: Martina Liana // Wedding Dress Salon: Bella Bridal // Hair And Makeup: Visions Spa Salon // Cake: Sweet Heather Anne // Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff