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

Real Weddings:

Jessie and Adam’s wedding at The Harper

Jessie and Adam let The Harper—a BRAND new venue—steer the design direction of their lovely Costa Mesa wedding. The couple wanted to emulate their laid-back style but maintain a modern and sophisticated feel and The Harper‘s design elevated the look perfectly. The sunny, courtyard ceremony framed by olive trees was followed by a lovely reception where guests sat family style under large retro brass chandeliers. Understated, modern elegance was at every turn including soft, white florals by French Buckets, Jessie’s streamlined gown by Made With Love from Love & Lace, and type-driven paper design by Kayla Adams. The couple enlisted the eye of Hannah Beth Photography to capture all the details in her signature journalistic style and we’re totally loving every bit of it!

Click to expand for more

What made the wedding special and unique? 

We were so honored to be the FIRST wedding at the new venue in Costa Mesa, The Harper. It was exactly what we wanted – something modern and sophisticated but not overly fancy. Our style is laid-back, but we really wanted our guests to feel like they were coming to something special. The ceremony was outdoors, where the altar was framed by two big olive trees. The reception was literally in this completely renovated room with brass chandeliers, refurbished antique wood bars, and modern decor. It came with long wood farm tables so our guests could sit family style. The chairs were metal and wood and felt so much more sophisticated then a typical folding chair. There is a huge sky light over the dance floor that created a really nice focal point in the reception. I loved that everything at the venue was close together, but there were plenty of little spaces for guests to hang out; modern lounge furniture, outdoor space, and a garden. I wanted to keep the color palette really neutral and timeless, but since it was an October wedding, we decided to incorporate some dried florals with the live florals. It was a perfect way to create a Fall look without using orange and red.

The venue uses a caterer called roomforty. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever loved wedding food like I loved ours. They did a modern tostada bar with a gorgeous presentation. And the appetizer highlight was the “Nachos in a Gutter”, where delicious nachos were served straight from an 8 ft rain gutter!

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

I knew I wanted something minimalist, but it was surprisingly hard to find! So many people told me not too stress about the dress since you “only wear it for one day.” As I thought more about it, your photos are the only thing from the day that last, so if I didn’t like my dress, I probably wouldn’t like the photos either! So I did a TON of research and found a brand called Made With Love Bridal. It’s an Australian brand with an amazing mix of modern and timeless dresses that are so flattering! And they all have cute names – mine is called Georgie. Oh, and I bought it at an amazing little shop in Irvine, CA called Love & Lace Bridal. The whole team was lovely.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal? 

– A friend of ours is a musician and played live music (that he wrote for us!!) as the bridal party walked down the aisle. It was perfect.

– During the ceremony, my brother came up and told the story of how we met in a sweet but funny way. It had the whole audience cracking up, and instantly made the environment feel light-hearted and relaxed. It helped slow everything down and we really got to take it all in. We had time to actually look around, laugh, and remember our journey.

– For the guestbook, we pre-attached photo corners to note cards so guests could take a Polaroid photo, attach it to the card, and write a note. Then we had them put the cards in a customized wood box from Artifact Uprising with our names and wedding date printed on the lid.

– We had signage at the Bars & Dessert Bar highlighting each of our favorite desserts and drinks.

– We had pouches of flower petals on the aisle seats to be tossed as we came back up the aisle.

– Our biggest highlight – we had an epic balloon drop during Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”.

What was the most memorable part of the day? 

Adam and I wrote each other letters that our bridal party exchanged for us in the morning. Before all the photos and festivities started, I read his letter and it set the tone for the whole day. The week of your wedding is busy and hectic, but pausing for a moment to read a letter about how he felt about me made me forget the crazy past week and look forward to the day in front of me!

I never wanted to do a first look, but I also didn’t want to leave in the middle of our wedding to go take photos, so we decided to do it. Honestly, it was perfect. It felt so special and intimate. It allowed us to get our nerves out of the way and just be able to enjoy the day. I’ll never forget his teary eyes when he turned around and his shaky hands that grabbed mine, and our nervous laughter as we awkwardly looked each other up and down with complete joy!  Of course the day still flies by, but we tried to incorporate little things throughout the day to slow time down.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

It was Summer 2014. Jessie walked in her front door, and a foxy blue-eyed, red-bearded man in a Carhartt t-shirt was sitting on her couch. Our roommates were hanging out and Adam happened to tag along. There was an instant friendship but things stayed casual. We spent the rest of summer BBQing with friends.

Then, it happened.

One night while they were hanging out with friends, the new Tim McGraw song came on and when Adam sang every word verbatim, Jessie knew this wasn’t your typical Orange County boy. The flirting quickly became more obvious, followed by our first hang out at SideCar donuts, a trip to the OC Fair, and our first official date at Side Door. And two days later Adam met Jessie’s entire family, so it’s safe to say he was all in.

The next 4 years were a roller coaster of lots of travel, a couple moves, and some career highlights and challenges. But in the midst of it all, we became best friends, fell in love, and scored the most amazing community of people.

Alexander Wedding from Abbey Pickett on Vimeo.

Venue: The Harper // Photographer: Hannah Beth Photography // Catering: Room Forty // Florals: French Buckets // Invitations: Kayla Adams // Wedding Dress Designer: Made With Love from Love & Lace in Irvine, CA // Groom’s Suit: Hudson’s Custom Suits // Bridesmaids Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu // Groomsmen Suits: The Black Tux // DJ: Ahsohn The DJ // Wood Box for Guest Book: Artifact Uprising //  Ring Box: The Mrs. Box

 

We like
our sponsors

We think you will too.

Real Weddings:

Meghan and Sid’s Waterfront Maryland Wedding

photography by Eric Kelley

Meghan and Sid wanted to keep things low-key and intimate for their spring nuptials at the picturesque Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond in St. Michaels, Maryland. So, Kari Rider Events got to work creating a scene that blended the waterfront setting with the bride’s vision for a modern-meets-botanical vibe. Enter Sophie Felts Floral Designs‘ greenery chandeliers, graphic black and white calligraphy signage and table numbers by Stephanie B Design, cool blue velvet linens, black flatware, wooden cross-back chairs, and a well-equipped cigar bar—all beneath a gorgeous sailcloth tent. Nowhere was the weaving of setting and theme more evident than in the cake display—a stunning two-tier cake by Chef Steven Anthony adorned with a blue wave pattern accented by focal roses that sat on a marble and wood stand atop a black and white striped linen. Perfection! And it’s all captured inthese stuning images by Eric Kelley.

Click to expand for more

Photography: Eric Kelley // Planning & Design: Kari Rider Events // Florals: Sophie Felts Floral Designs // Invitation & Paper Goods: Stephanie B Design // Venue: Inn at Perry Cabin by Belmond // Cake: Chef Steven Anthony // Hair & Makeup: Ariel Lewis // Tent & Rentals: Eastern Shore Tents & Events // Rentals: White Glove Rentals // Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen // Band: Sound Nation // Ceremony Musicians: Bay Strings // Transportation: Extroardinar Limousine

 

Real Weddings:

Elise and Marco’s Wedding at Chicago Athletic Club

featuring Olivia Leigh Photographie

Marco is a talented DJ and Sound Designer, and his blushing bride Elise is an interior and event designer in Chicago. Drawing from her professional background, Elise conceptualized every detail of this celebration at Chicago Athletic Association , and was inspired by the Alfonso Cuaron’s 1998 adaptation of “Great Expectations,” with its bohemian ballrooms, textures and greenery. And, commissioning the work of local artists and creative friends was of utmost importance. From the florals by Moon Canyon to stationery suites from Vichcraft Lettering and even her reception gown by Samantha Sleeper– nearly every detail of this celebration was a labor of love from fellow industry creatives whom Elise admires deeply. The couple enlisted the skills of Olivia Leigh Photographie  to capture all their fabulous details and we’re thrilled to share the images with you today!

Click to expand for more

What made the wedding special and unique?

From the bride: I am the founder of Forward Fruit, an experiential design and interiors firm, and co-founder of Filigree Suppers, a design-driven supper club highlighting local makers and culinary talent. Needless to say, our wedding was both an expression of love for each other, and a wonderful collaborative creative project. My passion is in creating engaging and memorable environments, so it was only natural our wedding would follow suit. With a deep admiration for the creative event industry, we commissioned the work of independent makers, many of whom were friends, who perfectly complemented the overall design vision. Marco is a sound designer by day/ DJ by night, so music was a really important part of the day. He also weighed in on pretty much every detail, which was a great way to keep us both involved!

I called upon my industry friends who contributed to the overall vision of the celebration – many of whom were standing by our side on our wedding day. This parallels the foundation of Filigree Suppers, which was designed so the makers would attend the gatherings they were a part of, and be engaged in conversation with those who were enjoying the fruits of their labor.
My friend Jenna Blazevich, a Chicago-based graphic designer and owner of Vichcraft did all the lettering and calligraphy. She also did the design for the save the date, which was inspired by the Venetian Gothic architecture of the venue. This design was also carried over to the cake.

Floral designer Kristen Caissie of Moon Canyon designed the flowers and was also a bridesmaid. Many other elements were from independent artisans, as noted in the vendor list.

Rainbow letterpress foil and an envelope liner inspired by “The Equatorial Jungle” 1909 by Henri Rousseau amplified the bespoke invitation suite, designed by me in collaboration with Vichcraft.
The front of the programs and invitation suite were inspired by the architecture of the venue. Small moon & stars/shells/squirrel references were made with an explanation about the symbolism seen through some of the wedding day design and how it told a story of our love. The shell motif was seen on my reception dress, place cards, and even the bread and butter plates!

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

My ceremony gown was previously worn by two generations of women – my grandmother in 1937, and my mother in 1976. For our reception, I switched into a fun, costume style gown which was custom created with Chicago native and bridal designer, Samantha Sleeper.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?

A thoughtfully-designed ceremony highlighted our individual heritages. A rabbi married us beneath a floral and lace chuppah in a nod to my Jewish faith, while a lasso ceremony reflected  Marco’s Catholic upbringing. Marco, who is also Mexican and Puerto Rican, called upon his uncle to read a Pablo Neruda poem in Spanish, which was also read in English by my best friend.

​A string quartet played “In My Life” The Beatles for the wedding party. I walked down the aisle to a string adaptation of “Latch” by Sam Smith, a song that was popular our first full summer together. The recession was to “Wedding March” because we love tradition. My parents met playing in an orchestra so this was a nod to them. This was our gift to (and surprise for) my parents.

​Marco and I surprised our parents and guests with a performance by a Mariachi band during the reception!

What was the most memorable part of the day?

We did a lift during our first dance that went off without a hitch! We were so excited we barely finished the dance!

​ ​The most epic dance party either of us had been to. As a DJ (him) and a former dancer (me), that was SO special to have our family and friends with us on the dance floor all night.​

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Neither of us had ever used a dating app, but in the summer of 2013, we both signed up and that first night I was on, I met Marco. A few weeks after that, I went on my first and last blind date. A few weeks after THAT, we both had the feeling that “this was it”!

Marco proposed in 2016 against a sunset backdrop with a stunning emerald (my favorite color) ring on the dock at my family’s lake house. We had just polished off a few pieces of strawberry rhubarb pie. We were married just over a year later at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, a recently renovated, men’s club turned destination hotel.​

Photographer: Olivia Leigh Photographie // Wedding Designer: Elise Metzger (bride) Founder of Forward Fruit and co-founder of Filigree Suppers // Planner (partial): Bianca Hall Estera Events // Florals: Kristen Caissie Moon Canyon // Invitations: Bride made with Vichcraft Lettering // Lettering & Calligraphy: Jenna Blazevich Vichcraft // Venue/Catering: Chicago Athletic Association Hotel // Bride’s Gown Ceremony: Vintage Mother’s and Grandmother’s // Reception Gown: Samantha Sleeper // Bride’s Shoes: Ferragamo (ceremony) SJP (reception) // Bride’s Earrings: JCrew // Bride’s Veil Designer: Blair Nadeau // Bride’s Hair: Angelica Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists // Makeup: Nika Nika Vaughan Bridal Artists // Groom’s Tux: Custom // Groom’s Shoes: Suit Supply // Rings: Hers Both Tiffany & Co Michigan Ave // Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Fame and Partners Online // Groomsmen’s Tuxes: Black Tux // Candles: Creative Candles // Photo Booth: Paper Moon Shoppe // Cake: Cake Chicago // Invite Details: Little Postage House Vintage Stamps // Rentals: Flatware and Vintage Stemware Nimblewell // Ceramics: Ashley Lin Ames // Linens: Dot & Army / La Tavola Fine Linen // Lighting: Kehoe // Chuppah: Chuppah Studio // Cocktail Stirrers: Vintage on Etsy // Toss Flowers: Larkspur Hill via Etsy // Ring Box: The Mrs. Box // Ceremony Entertainment: Innocenti Strings // Reception Entertainment: Mariachi Ameca // DJ: DJ Matt Roan // Videographer: Logan Moore Wholehearted

 

Real Weddings:

Haley and Jerry’s Door County wedding

photography by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay

Haley and Jerry both hold Wisconsin dear to their hearts, so when it came time to choose a venue, Door County’s The American Club proved to be a natural one. Haley’s stunning Naeem Khan gown provided inspiration for the design of the day in its intricate floral applique and glam vibes. The celebration included a garden ceremony and candlelit ballroom reception filled to the brim with white florals in all shapes and sizes. Classic details shine throughout the day and Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay capture it all in their signature photography style.

Click to expand for more

What made the wedding special and unique? 

Jerry and I are both from Kansas City and have lived there most of our lives, so one would think it would make sense to get married in our hometown. However, from the very beginning of our wedding planning we knew we wanted to do something different. We had tossed around many different ideas– Southern California, somewhere in the Caribbean, and Napa to name a few, and were pretty undecided about it until my dad actually suggested The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. Once he suggested it we knew it would be the perfect place for our big day. Wisconsin holds a special place in both of our hearts— my family has had a second home in Door County, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan for over 20 years, where my parents currently reside half the year. Having spent every summer of my life up there, Wisconsin is truly my second home. Born and raised a Green Bay Packers fan, it was pure fate that Jerry and his family were also diehard Packer’s fans. A match made in “cheesehead” heaven! We spent many weekends of our courtship up in Green Bay and Door County, making Wisconsin a special place for us, and a perfect wedding destination.

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

Having gotten engaged on Christmas Eve surrounded by family and friends, my mom and I knew we had to begin the dress search quickly so that everything would be ready in 8 months time. Little did we know how incredibly easy my dress search would be! She and I went to Nolte’s Bridal in Leawood, Kansas just a few weeks after Jerry and I got engaged. At our appointment the owner, Michael Nolte, had pulled out several dresses from various designers. Not having any idea what kind of dress I wanted, I let him surprise me with some selections, and surprise me he did! When he brought out the stunning long-sleeved Naeem Khan “Palma” ball gown dress that was nothing short of a masterpiece, I was instantly intrigued. I was excited to try it on, but was unsure of the sleeves and all of the intricate florals sewn throughout, not knowing if it was what I had envisioned for my wedding day. Once I had it on, my mom and I were both speechless. We had never seen anything more beautiful or unique. Nolte said that one of the signs he notices when a bride has found her dress is that she won’t stop touching it and moving in it, and I could not keep my hands off it! After twirling around and looking at every possible angle in this dress, I went ahead and tried on four more gorgeous gowns, each very different from the other but each having elements that I loved. After going over some pros and cons of each dress, I tried on the Palma gown once more, and we knew— this was THE dress. By the time I had the veil on I think all three of us were in tears. I could not have been more happy with my decision, and I still think about my wedding dress all the time. Who knew I would choose the very first dress I ever tried on!

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal? 

The most personal “touch” of the wedding was the fact that it took place in Wisconsin, a special place to both Jerry and me. From the rehearsal dinner and welcome party at the Irish Barn at Whistling Straights Golf Course overlooking fairway and dunes atop cliffs over Lake Michigan, we knew our guests would be in a location like many of them had never seen before. Immediate family and wedding party spent the weekend in the historic and pristine Riverbend club, right down the road from all of our guests at The American Club, where from check-in to check-out guests are treated with first-class service by a staff who goes above and beyond. Having been a guest at The American Club several times previously, I wanted our friends and family to be able to experience the old fashioned charm that you feel from the moment you pull up the large circle driveway. My favorite part of being at The American Club is that it makes you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, and we hoped that would create a unique and different experience for our guests.

When guests arrived we had gift bags waiting in their rooms containing some mementos from the weekend, all with Wisconsin-themed touches. For the rooms, we created our own version of “Do Not Disturb” signs for guests to hang on their doors that we designed in Kansas City at stationery store RSVP in Prairie Village, where we had all of our printed materials for the wedding made. Throughout the weekend we encouraged our guests to “Drink Wisconsinably”!

What was the most memorable part of the day? 

There was hardly a part of the day that was not memorable. We had the most beautiful weather all day long, making for amazing pictures and the perfect temperature for the outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour. From start to finish the day went on without a hitch, and there was such a great calm, excited, happy energy the entire time. One of my favorite parts of the day, aside from saying our vows at the altar, was finally revealing my wedding dress to my sisters, brother, and my dad. My mom and I had been the only ones to see it, a tradition that my younger sister is now carrying on for her upcoming wedding, and we had been waiting anxiously to finally show them all the dress of my dreams. When I walked down the stairs and had a private “first look” with my immediate family, before seeing my bridesmaids, friends, and even my groom, we were all in tears. I will never forget the looks on all of their faces, especially my dad’s. It was such a sweet, special, and private moment before the whirlwind of the wedding day festivities began. Another moment we enjoyed so much was the ‘first look’ between Jerry and I, and taking all of our pictures on the grounds of Riverbend. You can see in the photos how beautiful the scenery was, how happy we were, and how comfortable our amazing photographers made us feel.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Jerry and I have known each other for over ten years now, having met in Kansas City during high school, however we never spent much time together during those years. After graduating, I went to Miami of Ohio for college, while Jerry went to St. Louis University to play baseball. Following college, I moved to Chicago with many of my friends, and Jerry moved back to Kansas City. At the time, we had many mutual friends living in Chicago, most being from Kansas City, and Jerry would occasionally come in town to visit those friends. We crossed paths a couple of times and were able to reconnect as friends before we decided to start dating long distance in the fall of 2014. While I was finishing grad school at Northwestern, and Jerry was working in Kansas City, we dated almost one year, racking up many airline miles and road trips to see each other. Many of our weekends were spent driving from Chicago to Green Bay to catch Packer games, one of our favorite activities in the fall. When grad school finally ended, I decided it was time to move back home to KC. It was the best decision I ever made, and five months later we were engaged!

HALEY + JERRY: KOHLER, WI from CAPTIVATE // ONE FINE DAY on Vimeo.

Photography: Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay // Floral/Catering/Rentals: Provided by Venue The American Club // Printed materials: RSVP (store in Prairie Village, KS) // Venue: The American Club // Dress: Designer: Naeem Khan // Store: Nolte’s Bridal in Leawood, Kansas // Hair & MUA: Ashley Renee Tribble // Band: Michael Walters Orchestra // Videographer: One Fine Day Productions

 

Real Weddings:

Carly and Dave’s wedding at La Quinta Country Club

featuring Michelle Kyle Photography

Carly and Dave’s first date was a bust—Dave got sick and his car was towed—but it was meant to be and, for better or worse, they’ve been together ever since! The couple tied the knot in a modern celebration at La Quinta Country Club in Palm Springs. HoneyFitz Events planned the day filled with tropical and luscious greens by Little Hill Floral Design that reminded the couple of their favorite vacation spots. An understated color palette highlights all the stand-out details like the graphic acrylic seating chart affixed to a topiary wall and white blooms dancing around the custom neon signage. We love the bold, happy vibes and lucky for us Michelle Kyle Photography  was on hand to capture it all!

Click to expand for more

What made the wedding special and unique?

Having all of  their closest family and friends together to celebrate with them!

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

Carly’s Wedding Gown is Pronovias and was purchased at The White Dress in Newport Beach. She was immediately drawn to the unique lace and illusion panels on the side.

\

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?

Touches of tropical and luscious greens reminded them of their favorite vacation spots — including Palm Springs. The Chuppah Canopy was hand-sewn by the groom’s mom. Carly’s wedding gown had lace from her mom’s wedding gown sewn on the inside.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

Stomping on the glass and making it official!

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Carly and Dave met at a bar — Palihouse in West Hollywood, CA. After having one of the worst first dinner dates — Dave got sick and his car was towed — they have been together ever since!

Planner: HoneyFitz Events // Photographer: Michelle Kyle Photography // Florist: Little Hill Floral Design // Signage & Paper Goods: Simply Stated Stationery // Ceremony & Reception Venue:  La Quinta Country Club // Wedding Gown: Pronovias from The White Dress in Newport Beach // First Look/Hotel Block: La Quinta Resort and Spa // Entertainment: Dart Collective // Rentals: Signature Party Rentals // Makeup: Make-up by Hailey // Videography: Viken Photography